| |
Submitted by
Roberto
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | King Cedidro | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | Still going strong after much abuse | | Weaknesses: | If you are having any trouble with your "drive train" on this bike - check the front rings. For me, brand new XT rings turned out to be too dainty to hold the chain when the rear suspension engaged. As you might imagine, this caused me much physical and emotional pain and suffering. ********** Make sure you get rings (esp. the middle) with BIG TEETH and you will have no worries. I don't think the boys at Shimano were thinking about these full suspension rigs as they shaved and tweaked every facet of their fancy little rings. | | Bike Setup: | Went with XT for most component replacements | | Bottom Line: | Replace the chainrings with those having BIG TEETH or this bike will toss your chain and you will be verry verry sorry. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taybn
a Weekend Warrior
from SF Bay Area, USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lake Chabot, Skyline (Napa) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Connection, Mountain View | | Strengths: | Excellent climber, relatively light, great ergonomics, same frame as the high end nrs' so it's great for upgrading, lightening,etc. | | Weaknesses: | stock tires sucked bad. Rock Shox Pilot SL sucks but i'll wait 'til it brakes to replace it. | | Similar Products Used: | I shopped for a dual suspension bike for about a year on a tight budget- rode or checked out a ton of bikes under 2k. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for: XT rear Derailleur, WTB Velociraptor tires, Xt front hub w/ disc brake and heavy duty chain. | | Bottom Line: | Therenot much the average rider is gonna do that the NRS won't handle. My bike sees some fairly technical trails and the suspension gets pushed (this bike takes some drops that it was never meant to) and so far it has held up well. There really aren't any comparable bikes for the money on the market. if you're looking for a good xc/trailbike that climbs like a hardtail and takes the edge off the bumps it's a great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Brasschaat, Antwerp, Belgium
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bouillon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Cicli Cornelo | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | about everything | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Kona | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossride, Ritchey Z MAX, XT for the rest, Sella Italia, Ritchey ahead | | Bottom Line: | Here is the list of what I changed in those 1 1/2 year I own the bike: Wheels and tires, shifters, brakes, front derailleur, rear derailleur, rear shock( warranty replaced), springs front shock, saddle, and of course the drive chain 4 times.
The last thing what happened now is the seattube that broke, but no problem, the frame will be replaced (5 years warranty)
So, for a bike that coasted me € 1.000, I payed about €1.000 extra for keeping it riding. On the other hand, if I broke the frame every 2 year, I ride with a new frame for the rest of my life. Thank you Giant !
Buy this bike for city use. Don't buy it if you like going off the road. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from Staten Island NY
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Long Pond | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$825.00 | | Purchased At: | Bennit's Bike | | Strengths: | Overall it’s a good bike. It climbs well. It excels in snow and mud. The bike has about 1,300 miles on it, it still rides well. | | Weaknesses: | In the almost 2 years I have owned this bike I have replaced the bottom bracket, this is it’s second rear shock and the front shock has had to be rebuilt(no cost to me). I suspect the poor shock performance may be related to the fact that I weigh 200lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | GT agressor 3 and a Toys R US $50 special | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I got what I paid for… no more no less. I would recommend this bike. It does a great job of getting through mud, snow and thin ice. A lot of my riding this year has been below 20F and the bike and its suspension has had no troubles. Its steers well over rocks and roots on tight single track trails. It’s fast on the fire roads of upstate NY and pedals efficiently uphill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cedro / Cedillo | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | This is another FOLLOW UP review.
Forks turned out to be better than I thought . . . | | Weaknesses: | Cranks turned out to be worse than I suspected . . . | | Bike Setup: | New oil for the forks - new cranks / bb | | Bottom Line: | CRANKS - Don't sell yourselves short, get new cranks. I got new xt's & rings and installed them myself - but see product reviews before doing so (thanks MtbREVIEW!). For around $100 you can drastically improve the personality of this bike. Worth every penny.
FORKS - If you weigh more than 100 lbs - get heavier weight fork oil (10-20 lbs) - & you will experience a lot more of that "plush" action that these forks lack with their factory standard 5 lb 'one-size-doesn't-fit-all' oil. Then set the air pressure based on your weight and these forks will serve you better than they did out of the box. Lots of bang for the buck - once you get 'em dialed in. Only use the Rock Shox "service" literature from their web site as a guide line. Don't be intimated by all the steps. Just change out the oil and you are good to go. Well worth it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Palace | | Strengths: | Very sexy look. Great center of gravity. Amazing rear brake, especially for the money, nice components for the money. | | Weaknesses: | The V brakes really do stink. I hate V brakes. They dont stop for anything when they are wet, muddy, hot, or have dirt or leaves in them. Also, the tires included are terrible. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 NRS 3, Shimano Deore disc brakes, Hutchinson gold elite squirpion tires. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing buy for the buck. But for more active riders, you gotta buy disc brakes. The Shimano Deore hydrolic disc brakes are amazing (another great buy for the buck). This bike is great, try it out, and trust me, you will love it after you test ride it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesus Ruvalcaba
a Cross Country Rider
from south lake tahoe,california,USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | fallen leaf lake,nothstar mountain bike resort | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | sports ltd | | Strengths: | great suspension rock shock air judy the back suspension
27 speeds super light aluxx sl butted aluminum frame with a no resonance system suspension great avid v brakes fast al stem great helbent handlebar rappid fire shifting is great | | Weaknesses: | only weknesses i have found is minnor ghost shifting when doing really sandy trails but only had that happen once | | Similar Products Used: | nirve burn bmx pacific mountain bike and mongoose | | Bike Setup: | coler blue and silver nice frame designed perfect for racing i ride it evry day air shock fits great | | Bottom Line: | THE giant nrs xtc 3 is the best bike ive ever ridden in it can take even the hardest trails on great and i like how it feels like a hard tail up hill but when you need that back shock its there when on bumps or if your going more than 180 rpm is when the back air shock will funtion great you can always make suspension it whnever you want too the tires are some of the best going too the seat isnt that confertable which is why i got a kona seat and free agent pedals beacuse this bike is clip in pedals but i got those too for free with the dealer plus a specializes helmet all for 400 and the bike fells like a 1000 doller bike it is great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Weekend Warrior
from everett, washington, USA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | nrs system, geometry, stiffness, rear shock, handling and the handlbar setup | | Weaknesses: | front derailer, fork, brakes | | Similar Products Used: | specialized rockhopper fsr | | Bottom Line: | the giant XtC nrs 3 is good, but not perfect. THis bike is good for agressive crosscountry, but the fork can bottom out on 5+ ft drops. i love the way it rode because it has no bob and it acts almost like a hardtail that can soak up the bumps you run into. The problem with the front derailer was that if you were on the middle ring and you went off a drop and your back wheel id not hit first, the chain fell down to the smallest ring. it is great for doing just cross country, but the brakes didn't stop very efficiantly. if you do a lot of downhilling then this is not the bike for you. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nando
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Nut, Horse's Boot, RHR, Emma, ;-) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | NRS system rocks, excellent climbing. | | Weaknesses: | Original fork, cransket, other components. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar, Titanium hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Med frame with 90mm stem, Mavic wheels, Psylo SL fork, LX Hollowtech crankset, Time ATAC pedals, SRAM 9.0 drivetrain, Avid SD3 brakes. Everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | Here's the deal: This bike has the exact same frame as the top-of-the-line NRS Air (per Giant's own website). So if you alreadey have some decent components (like I did), buying one of these will give you more bang for your buck. Unless you're too concerned about the paint color scheme giving away your frame's year/model.
I'm very pleased with my NRS and how it rides compared to my hardtail. There really is no pedal-induced bobbing.
The frame does seem to run a little long for its size. Mine is a Medium and a full ¾" longer than my medium (long-top-tube) hardtail. So I went for an 80mm x 10° stem and that took care of that.
Rear shock setup instructions were dead-on. Follow them and enjoy the ride.
Will post a follow up by end of summer. For now, 5 chilis for awesome vale, 4 chilis overall unless I find out it's perfect.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 900. | | Strengths: | Suspension,lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Stock fork, wheels & brake pads | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Black Air Elite fork, everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike except the Mavic 221 rims & factory spokes (at least for a big guy like me 6'5" 225#). Rear spokes shot after 6 months; paid $60. to rebuild the wheel with same rim - NOT !! Rim sidewall blewout at 9 months of mostly in city riding on pavement. Brake pads wear easily also.
I would buy another NRS but it would have to be the NRS1 with better components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sean
a
from california
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | frame is strong i took a 8 foot drop to flat on it and it had no troubles though i am only 125 pounds and it did bottom out | | Weaknesses: | the front shock sucks, the peddels suck and the tires are by far the worst | | Bike Setup: | stock kinda mostly | | Bottom Line: | if i had another chance i would of got the nrs 2, the bike is very strong if ur a light rider you will have no problems plan on getting new pedals and the tires will wear out very fast i also broke the chain and cassett in less then a year but i ride alot ITS A GOOD ONE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Maarat, San Mateo | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Joven Bikes | | Strengths: | Durable, good value. A bike you can keep forever | | Weaknesses: | Limited colors, too sweet to get muddy | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z.5, Dearo group set, Alex 24 blade wheelset and Avid Discs | | Bottom Line: | It's been almost 8 months, 17 pounds and 2,500 kms since I bought and submitted my first review of the NRS3. Had since upgraded to Alex wheelset and Avid Disc brakes (my gift for myself last Christmas). The bike still rides great and has saved me a couple of times. have used it climbing and descending and it is the best all around XC bike I know of.
Still the best money I spent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fall line - Mt. Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Primeau Velo - Laval | | Strengths: | Value for money | | Weaknesses: | Crappy 515 pedals, Cheap ^%^# suntour cranks, what were they thinking ? | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Devinci Dragonfly | | Bike Setup: | Stock with LX cranks, LX Disc /Mavic 223's, HMX-1 Cable Disc Brakes, Avid SD 7 Levers, Jagwire fitted | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money, but needed to spend a bit on some upgrades. The cranks have to go period!!!
Be careful to check the manufacturers specs, my dealer tried to substitute original parts for cheap crap parts until I caught him out. Don't forget to ask for the manual, shock pump and pedal cleats. They also tried to sell these to me when they come free with the bike. Choose a dealer you can trust. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren
a Weekend Warrior
from Brandon, Fl
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Alafia State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | AJ Barnes | | Strengths: | Great value for the price. Very light (26 lbs). I love the paint scheme. | | Weaknesses: | The soft front fork and cranks. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for replaced the crank (Deore Hollow tech). Added lizard skins for rear shock and chain guard. | | Bottom Line: | I'm 5'9" and weight about 185 lbs, this bike is perfect for me. I have a medium size frame (18.5). I owned a trek 7000ZX and Cannodale M600 and would compare the quality of the bike to any manufacture. Nice bike and I look forward to doing some serious riding on it. Buy it, you'll love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karlo
a Racer
from Houston
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Rear suspension, Wheels (rode on a flat for about a mile on rocky terrain without it bending or braking) | | Weaknesses: | Frame, Mosquito tires, handlebar | | Bottom Line: | Used it during my christmas vacation on a trail in Mexico and almost killed myself, jumped a small creek and landed front wheel first (happens to everyone, sometime) wheel got stuck and the frame bent in half top tube broke flew over the handlebars landed head first. Bike needs stronger and thicker frame even if it gains a few pounds.
Still a very good bike for XC riding without any jumps higher than 2 feet.
Watch out landing front wheel first | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roberto Madera
a Weekend Warrior
from Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Las Paldas, Guanica P.R. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1295.00 | | Purchased At: | The Wheel Shop | | Strengths: | Great overall bike, the rear shock is very good considering that my weight is 250 pounds. This is a very good entry level full suspension bike. | | Weaknesses: | The judy C fork and the Suntour crank set are not strong enough for a heavy guy like me. | | Similar Products Used: | non, this is my first full suspension bike. | | Bike Setup: | Fork: Duke Race, Stem: Titec fat head, Handlebar: Titec Hellion, Seat Post: Dean Ti Hubs: Chris King, Full XTR components. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money, but some components need to be improved. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eli
a
from York, PA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Airplane | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Works | | Strengths: | Climbs like a goat-no bob what so ever.It's light for a xc full suspension. No lockout levers-so it still takes hits going uphill and you can focus more on the trail. But when going downhill,it's a whole different bike. Fairly cheap for it's performance and has great potential for upgrades | | Weaknesses: | Very Heavy crank.The front fork is too soft-it bobs.(only the fork does). It can cause the bike to endo on the downhill. The tires are too agressive,wear fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 1 and 2. There is no match for the NRS line. | | Bike Setup: | Everything is stock but the tires. I plan to get a SID SL fork, XT crank, Discs,etc. | | Bottom Line: | The NRS 3 is a wonderfull bike. There is no match. This product has a substantial value. In my view, the NRS 3 is worth more than it costs. The whole 3 months I have had my NRS, I have loved it. It works well in all conditions, taking abuse well. As long as you keep the pivots greased and clean (as well as the whole bike) it rides great. The ideal consumer for this bike would be an XC rider that wants a comfortable, yet nimble ride and wants a bike that has been race-tested and race approved. The Giant NRS 3 is a stupendous bike in performance,quality, and value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Goodman
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pottery Road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Toronto | | Strengths: | No Bob in climbing, kick ass strong frame, ok Components | | Weaknesses: | JUDY XC AIR POS FORK, crank, tires | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale DS bush pig... | | Bike Setup: | Stock, for the exeption of Hayes Hydrolics, Trip Comp. BTA Light, Maxxis High Roller Semi Slicks, Roach Body Cover, Topiec Superlight Fenders, Lizard Skin... | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line with this girl, is its a best buyin my books. This is the first full suspentionbicycle I have owned, although I have driven many in my time. The way the frame is set up is amazing with no energy lost in an uphillclimb. I am satisfied with the bike, but the minute I get the money to do it, that front and rear suspention is gone. The front being changed toRock Shox Psylo SL's and the rear to a SID with an adjustible rebound. All in all though, weather you are a cross country driver, or a forest pig, this bike can handle anything you throw at it. I originally bought the bike for "Path Riding" but it turned out to be an off road choice. I have jumped this bike many times, and even with the crappy shocks, it has survived everything I have given to her.I have bailed many times off of her, hardcore, and not even a scratch... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
larry c
a Cross Country Rider
from royal oak-mich
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | paint-creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$675.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop-'02 model | | Strengths: | amazing; all works-no bobbing,as claimed.bring a lunch cause its hard to stop riding. | | Weaknesses: | frame is top notch.the #3 line gets no name componets however-but saves$$$. | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose pro valiant. | | Bike Setup: | xt isis crank+113 b.b.,xtr shifter,sxR fork,sid XC w/rebound adj.,shimano hubs,ritchy rims,xtr 8 cassette,odyssey platforms,specialized hardrockR tires,titec knucklehead stem,profile maniac bars,specialized bg grips+seat,slick cables,c.creek zs2 headset. | | Bottom Line: | year-end clearence is the time to buy.color choice is limited however.Giant needs to upgrade the b.b. to a known brand-no excuse for what they installed in the #3 line.otherwise-it deserves all the praise its recieved.thanks Giant..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cedro / Cedillo | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | FULL SUSPENSION WITH SIMPLE TRIANGULAR FRAME GEOMETRY No weird seat post cantilevers. No mush on uphill stand up kicks (acts like a hardtail) GREAT NO FRILLS BIKE No Gimmicks. | | Weaknesses: | Both tires are front tires! - - - as far as the terrain out here is concerned. If you are going to use this machine on rocks and sand, get a new rear tire as soon as you get the bike! Otherwise, you will need a new tire after two rides! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized 2001 Stumpjumper FSR XC Full Suspention
Some older hard tail Stumpjumpers
year old GT iDrive | | Bike Setup: | Out of the box - just a new back tire | | Bottom Line: | After some of the reviews I read on this site I was a little worried about the toughness of this bike because I abuse equipment as bad as I abuse my own body (not a pretty picture usually) But the bike has taken an unbelievable amount of punishment. I am impressed by the toughness of this bike.
I was also worried about the "cheap" components. Not anymore. They've worked well in dust, mud, rain. I guess if I ever stop to help someone with a broken lightweight racing bike, they might see that I have an LX and not an XT . . . Who cares?
Bottom line ___ I am very thankful to this web site in my research - it helped me make a great decision. I got just what I wanted. I love my new bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kristoffer
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Frame, rear suspension and balance. | | Weaknesses: | Judy XC front fork bobs which is annoying when the rear suspension is so good. Will try with heavier oil. | | Similar Products Used: | My old GT LTS | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Really good frame, handles well and good fun to ride. Rear suspension is stiff, but that's how it works. Does Rock shox bother to revalve the rear shocks for the expected weight of the riders? I have a large frame so you could expect the rider to be around 160-200. However when you pump up the rear shock for that it could need a lot more rebound damping. Not a big problem, it still rides good. Front fork will be replaced, I knew that before I bought the bike. Unless I dent the frame I think I will have this bike for a while as it is a good quality frame that deserves upgrades. Top job for the price! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg MB.
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | I dont have one yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Olympia Ski Cycle | | Strengths: | There is absolutley no suspension bobing when it is set up correctly.The weight is descent (for the price)and the NRS handles awsum! | | Weaknesses: | Tires wear extremely fast,and a lizard skin is a must! | | Similar Products Used: | I had baught a Giant Rainer, unfortunatly it was stolen. | | Bike Setup: | The bike is basically factory except I have put on Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes, and a lizard skin. | | Bottom Line: | Go to youre nearest authorized Giant dealership and take a NRS for a test ride!(make sure you have money for a deposite)This bike is alot of fun to ride if youre not a huge dude.I have not had any problems with the suspension or anything else, other than tire wear.As long as youre not a thrasher and you want a nice ride this bike is for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guppie
a Weekend Warrior
from FL
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | geometry fits my body nicely. Love the NRS - does what it stands for when you have it dialed in properly. Weight is more than reasonable on my rig, actually it really light! | | Weaknesses: | Do not like the generic hubset even tho the rims aren't too bad (Mavic 221). Also do not like the generic crankset. I especially do not like the "zero stack" headset - although its quality made by Cane Creek, it the only component I can't service myself... Oh yeah, a bit pricey - it should start under $1000 | | Similar Products Used: | RockHopper A1 Comp (hardtail), RockHopper FSR XC (dual susp) | | Bike Setup: | Avid SD5 brakeset, complete XT drivetrain, Sun RhynoLite w/LX hub wheelset, Manitou X-Vert Air fork. | | Bottom Line: | I know, I should have bought NRS2, but I really wanted V-Brakes and NRS3 is the only one with rear brake bosses. Apart from a few slight differences, this is just as sweet as NRS1 (without XTR). I've put alot of upgrades, but I acquired some parts over time from previous bike. I have this NRS3 exactly the way I wanted and its awesome! You need to dial in the suspension (front and rear) properly and it makes a huge difference! Although its dual suspension, it rides like a hardtail but takes the big hits nicely! If your looking to freeride or huck, then you'll blow the rear suspension - get yourself a freeride bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Victorvile
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | 007, Slickrock, Wasatch Crest, etc. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Fun bike. Good design for climbing. Fun Downhill. (My last MTB was a rigid frame) | | Weaknesses: | Front fork is too soft. Hard to stand up and climb due to the pogo effect of front fork. On loose steep downhills it wants to endo. Rockshox replaced the seals after they blew out & replaced the basketball valve with a schrader. Rear tire showing major wear after only about 300 miles. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode Fisher Sugar 4+, Others | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A good bike for a first full suspension. I'm 175 lbs and it seems to take reasonable abuse. Upgrade the front fork when it fails and it is no longer under warranty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steamthief
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Santa Ana River Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1020.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclery USA | | Strengths: | Lightweight, no-bob suspension, bang-for-the-buck! | | Weaknesses: | Heavy crank, squishy fork, chain-slap, Mosquitos stink on dry terrain and wear way too fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 3+ & 4+, GT I-Drive, Trek Fuel 80, KHS FXT Rage, Specialized FS (low-end, I forget the model.) | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/Lizard Skin, Panaracer Fire Pro XCs, Truvativ Stylo Team crank on order. | | Bottom Line: | For a XC bike, the NRS3 is smokin'! I'm 6'1", 210, and more aggressive with each ride, and after numerous crashes, I'm convinced this bike is built to last. Climbs like a goat, soaks up rocky stuff very well, and get the rear shock dialed in to Giant spec to kiss pedal bob good-bye. After free tune-up at LBS, shifting is smooth, like a big stick of butter. Fork seems squishy at times; I'll have to try upgrading the spring to better handle my weight. Crankset is heavy (1300 g!), but gets the job done. A bit of chainslap going downhill, but an $8 LizardSkin has remedied that annoyance. If you ride primarily on dry trails, have the LBS switch out the Mosquitos for Fire Pros or Pythons. Despite the few minor rants, I liked the feel of this bike better than all the others listed above. Overall, I have no regrets in buying this bike - an excellent XC bike for the money spent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide, South Australia
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any with dirt and a good dose of corners | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Phantom Cycles (Kerry has some great deals) | | Strengths: | - Great climber
- Excellent upgrade from hardtail
- Strong frame with good no bob characteristics | | Weaknesses: | - No bob does trade off small bump suspension movement
- Frame isn't lightest (but what do you expect for the price) | | Similar Products Used: | None at this stage. This is my first dually. | | Bike Setup: | Fox Forx Vanilla R, LX brakes, LX shifters, Alivio front derailleur, XT rear derailleur, Zac 19 rims, Shimano hubs, IRC Mythos tyres, Deore Octalink crankset, Titec Ringleader bars/Lil Al stem, RockShox SID XC shock. | | Bottom Line: | Let's start off by noting that my parts list is non-standard, as I only bought the frame and shock, and transferred all the other gear from my hardtail. Therefore this is more of a frame review, than a whole bike review.
Well for the price I got the frame, the bike is absolutely superb. With little bob - or absolutely none if you pump up the shock - it makes climbing less of a chore than even my old hardtail (Giant Iguana SE 2002). When it comes to downhill and rough sections, the dually makes a great step up from a hardtail.
While the bike itself isn't marketted at freeride types and the like, it can certainly handle a decent thrashing every now and then. While it isn't made to suck up every kind of bump, it certainly takes the rough terrain out of most trails.
Due to the value I got the bike at, Five chillis is the only option. Four for overall, since some manufacturers have been able to catch up to Giants lead when the NRS was first released. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Racer
from Anchorage, AK
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Rollercoaster | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Paramount Cycles | | Strengths: | Climbs like a goat, decends ultra plush, rides like a hardtail everywhere else! | | Weaknesses: | That #@$! Judy XC fork! and the tires... | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 4+ | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/XT Cranks, Thompson seat post, Sid XC w/Damping adujstment | | Bottom Line: | This bike ROCKS! I have had practically no problems with this bike, except for the bloody fork which is so soft it isn't even funny. As soon as I get money I'm changing it to something stiffer. The tires are not good tires for anything really...except mud...but by the time it got muddy here I had already thrashed my tires. For the hardpack we have here in AK this bike performs wonderfully. The suspension at +10 positive and 50 negative (like you're supposed to set it up...!) rides with no bob and just like a hardtail. Great for races because I can outsprint the pack most anywhere. Especially in climbing! I don't even have to get out of my saddle for most climbs! All in all, this bike is awesome, especially for it's price (though the upgrade to an NRS 2 is nice because of the rear damping adjustment which I got cause I work at a shop). If you are getting your first FS or are a racer, the NRS is the bike for you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Sisters, Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Peterson Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Hutch's | | Strengths: | Climbs like crazy, lightweight, after tire and wheel upgrade finally carves like my old rigid Trek, very sweet ride, for me the perfect bike. I've gone bonkers for riding this thing...700 miles in three months, that's a lot for a guy with 60 hr job and a family. | | Weaknesses: | In the sandy soil of Central Oregon, the stock tires (Mosquito) are truly awful. Maybe they work somewhere else...? Wasn't crazy about the wheels either. | | Similar Products Used: | My buddy's Specialized Enduro. '96 Trek 820. | | Bike Setup: | Sid SL fork, Cane Creek Cloud 9 shock, Race Face crank, Dave's custom wheel set, Panaracer Dart/Fire XC, WTB pedals. | | Bottom Line: | My buddy promised me if I bought this thing, and I swore I would NEVER spend $1000+ for a bike, that I would have a "perma-grin". Now that I got the wheels/tires dialed in and on-the fly fork and shock adjustability, the thing climbs like a billy goat and I can bomb through rock gardens that used to shake my teeth out. Couldn't be happier, I've burned up thirty pounds of blubber and have grown myself a new set of legs.
Giant is a value buy in general, I also ended up with a Rincon for my 10 yr old and a Warp for my wife. Hutch's bike shop has managed to siphon off all my disposable income since I first darkened their door. I'm giving five flamers for value, four overall on account of marginal stock iemsn namely the crank, tires, and fork. The frame is a ten. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt B
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Deer Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Arapahoe Cyclery | | Strengths: | Great design, no bob. | | Weaknesses: | Front shock, and crank. Rear shock could use rebound control. | | Bike Setup: | Replace front shock with Marzzochi MXC ECC air 100, deore crank, sram chain. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, its great. It c |
|
$ 1100.00
