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Giant XtC 1

MSRP $ 2200.00
Weight
# of Reviews 15
Average Rating 4.6/5
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    Submitted by Matt a Cross Country Rider from Melbourne, Australia
    Date Reviewed: September 14, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Wonga park
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Strengths:Light, fast on the uphills and comes with good components for the price.
    Weaknesses:Seems to have bad front grip on hard surfaces but thats probibly just the huchinson piranas
    Similar Products Used:GT avalanche 2
    Bike Setup:stock except for some easton ea70 monkey bars
    Bottom Line:Awesome bike for the price and must be as good as some $3000+ bikes
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Trapper a Racer from Wodonga, vic, Australia
    Date Reviewed: September 11, 2008
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $1900.00
    Purchased At:Bicycle superstore A
    Strengths:Quick, light, responsive, great value for money, extrmely efficient ride with a great race geometry
    Weaknesses:cracked bottom jockey in a muddy race but replaced by warranty and excessive chain wear in very short pediod ( the products that broke are both shimano so no surprise there )
    Similar Products Used:XTC 3, Jamis Dakar Sport, Raceline Enduro
    Bike Setup:stock standard with time atac pedals and Maxis Larsen on front and Crossmax on back (which are awesome)
    Bottom Line:Awesome bike which is light (11.5kg) and very fast up hills very responsive bike on the downhills as well although pretty harsh ride on rocky terrain. not really suited to longer enduro style races but awesome for anything else.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Barry Glasse a Cross Country Rider from Wellington, New Zealand
    Date Reviewed: October 26, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Karapoti
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $2100.00
    Purchased At:VIC Cycles Lowe Hutt
    Strengths:Very light (11.2 kg). Wickedly fast on the uphills. Took 11 minutes off my best time around Karapoti Classic course (22km with some serious uphills).
    Weaknesses:Hutchinson Piranha tires are very light with very little rolling resistance. However the trade-off is that in the loose surface that I ride in the trial can resemble an ice skating rink. Not going to change the tyres yet as I'm in love with the speed!!
    Similar Products Used:Avanti Montari. Avanti Barracuda. Solid bikes but heavy.
    Bike Setup:Out of the box. XT/XTR components. Fox Reba Race fork. Avid Juicy 5 brakes.
    Bottom Line:I'm 46 years old. Weight 85kg. Height 1.76cm. This bike is light & fast on the flat & uphill. There are trade-offs however. Its twitchy, the tyres don't help. My wife on her Giant Trance X2 (FS) kicks my hardtails arse on the downhill's. However I have had a cup of tea waiting for her to catch up on the uphills. Bottom line is I'm glad I bought this bike. It has exceeded my expectations. If you want a fast, value for money hardtail, then buy this bike!
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Sar a Cross Country Rider from Melbourne, Australia
    Date Reviewed: September 13, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Lysterfield commonwealth games single track
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $1500.00
    Purchased At:Lygon St. Cycles, Melbourne, Australia
    Strengths:Fantastically light and responsive frame, perfect race geometry allows you to chuck this bike around with ease. An 'Out of the Box' racing XC bike with great equipment supplied. Avid juicy 5's, Deore XT cranks, RockShox Reba race fork, m505 pedals XT running gear etc.....the list goes on and on.
    Weaknesses:None thus far
    Similar Products Used:Trek SLR 8000, Giant XTC 2, Trek SLR 6700, Scott Scale 40, Scott Scale 30, Specialized Stump Jumper
    Bike Setup:Out of box equipment:
    -Shimano m505 pedals
    -Deore XT cranks and bottom bracket (external bearings)
    -Deore XT running gear
    -Avid Juicy 5's
    -Easton aluminum
    Bottom Line:A fast light XC bike with a lifetime warranty on a great frame. Perfect race geometry with wide rise-bar span makes this bike agile and a joy to ride! Would be a good commuter bike with the aid of some "Conti" tires rather than the Hutchi-Piranhas supplied. The perfect bike for anyone who requires good quality equipment coupled with a high quality, light-weight frame and setup. Ride on people, Ride on!! :)
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Scott Laurie a Cross Country Rider from Townsville, QLD, Australia
    Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Paluma
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $1500.00
    Purchased At:Townsville
    Strengths:Nice light bike with great gearing and equipment.
    Weaknesses:Hydraulic disc brakes, I have had so many problems with this bike and the pads coming incontact and adding friction on the discs whilst riding. I had to have them adjusted so that so much to stop this that now when brakes are applied I don't get that instant stop it takes time. This can be hazardous to one's health when riding hills etc.
    Bottom Line:Over all not a bad bike if you like your non competion off road riding. Suitable for any terrian you chose, i ride my on the road more than off.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by mark a Cross Country Rider from austin texas
    Date Reviewed: December 21, 2005
    Favorite Trail:colorado trail, greenbelt
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Purchased At:1200
    Strengths:super fast, handles great, very light, great package for the money
    Weaknesses:paint chips easily
    Bike Setup:similar to stock, carbon bar, bar ends, wtb shadow team, avid SL levers
    Bottom Line:This is a great bike for those looking for a fast XC race type ride. By far the nicest hardtail i've ever had, and i have been racing for years. Handles great in tight turns and acclerates out of corners. It also can hold its own on downhills. If you like the hardtail, go and get one if you can still find one.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Brian Fernandez a Downhiller from Richmond hill
    Date Reviewed: November 27, 2005
    Favorite Trail:Don Valley
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $2700.00
    Purchased At:Bikesports
    Strengths:Very stiff, super manouverable ,great geometry, very forgiving ride
    Weaknesses:Carbon bar would have been sweet.. easy upgrade, other then that nothing! great value
    Similar Products Used:Epic, Stumpjumper HT, Kula primo , King Kikapu
    Bike Setup:Stock
    Bottom Line:Giant produces the most frames in the world for over 20 other bike manufactuers, they have an edge over the whole market to meet price points amazingly.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Dan Bennett a Cross Country Rider from Melbourne
    Date Reviewed: November 24, 2005
    Favorite Trail:Big Hill Track
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $2000.00
    Purchased At:Melb Australia
    Strengths:Lightwieght, stiff, responsive. SRAM XO and that lovely DT hub click. Great climber and trustworthy on a DH section
    Weaknesses:high stem handle bar height
    Similar Products Used:Giant 890 & NRS1, Avanti Hammer, YETI ASX
    Bike Setup:Juicy 7's, Easton carbon riser, Schwalbe Black Jack 2.25 UST, Candy pedals
    Bottom Line:For the money it is very hard to beat. Climbs like a Sherpa and decends like a rollercoaster. Great for as XC race bike without needing to sell your organs to the black market.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by corey gammon a Weekend Warrior from US navy all over
    Date Reviewed: November 1, 2005
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $700.00
    Strengths:Climbs like a mountain goat on nodoze. Light Responsive Stiff. Ive done 3 to 4 ft drops without worry at 180lbs.
    Weaknesses:Very thin metal dents in rockgardens, but that is to be expected. I wish it was a little more sturdy when you lay it down.
    Similar Products Used:Giants XC Cannondale f600 ect
    Bike Setup:sun rhyno lite,xt,duke air
    Bottom Line:Im putting the bike up until I get back to dirt single track
    Big rocks on Italy are too much. My freinds can't wait
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by mark a Cross Country Rider from Austin Texas USA
    Date Reviewed: March 5, 2005
    Favorite Trail:Muleshue
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Purchased At:250.00
    Strengths:I got this frame as a crash replacement. I paid 250.00 for the frame. It is a 2001 XTCse1 frame and I must tell you this thing rocks. I built it up with LX XT, Thomson seat post and stem. 517's and roll x pros. And a SID SL. The bike is light fast and very responsive. I have ridden many trails on this bike I have to say that this bike refuses to quit!! The acceleration of the frame is really really nice. I keep trying to find reasons to get another frame but I just can't find any faults with this bike at all. Light, stiff, compliant, and an out right joy to ride. The name of the frame says it all.
    Weaknesses:Can I get a new paint job. The paint is increadibly durable. In other words I can't find a fault with it at all
    Similar Products Used:gt
    Bike Setup:Thomson, Mavic 517's Roll X pros, Easton, LX, XT
    Bottom Line:The bottom line is this. This frame is stiff, light, accelerates like a scallded a** ape, climbs like a billy goat on steroids and laughs the entire way. Decents are fast and very controlable and the bike just make you feel confident as all get out. SO GO GET ONE. 5 peppers all the way!!!!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Sandman a Weekend Warrior from Pompano, Florida
    Date Reviewed: November 12, 2004
    Favorite Trail:too many to list
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $350.00
    Purchased At:B&J Bikes
    Strengths:Stiff yet comfortable (for a HT), Looks great, finish holds up well, Climbs like a Moutain Goat! All the other stuff thats already been said as well
    Weaknesses:havent found any yet
    Similar Products Used:Merlin Ti, Giant NRS, Specialized HT and FS,
    Bike Setup:XT/XTR mix, Fox up front, Mavic 219 disc rims, Monkey lite carbon bar, Thompson post, WTB lazer V Ti saddle & tires for whatever I'm riding on or in
    Bottom Line:I only purchased the frame... I am 6'3" and 240# and I ride 3-4 times a week 25-50 miles per session so have the bike set up for perfomance/durability. I dont race anymore due to a back injury. That said, I have a history of twisting, bending and otherwise destroying frames and wheel sets. I went the FS route, dont get me started! I have torqued two diferent high end HT frames and 1 FS the past two years prior to getting my giant XTC. This thing is the BOMB! Its STRONG, lite, stiff, and it takes whatever I throw at it. At Tsali in NC it climbed like a MoFo! If you are a Clydsdale like me, buy this frame. It not only holds up, it works really well.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Aaron Elwell a Racer from Topeka, KS, USA
    Date Reviewed: September 17, 2004
    Favorite Trail:lawrence river trail
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $350.00
    Purchased At:capps bike shop
    Strengths:Super quick acceleration, great climber, decends as well as a hardtail can. Awesome paint job matched with the carbon rear triangle.
    Weaknesses:Hate to get the awesome paint scratched.
    Similar Products Used:Test rode every bike imaginable. Especially looked at S-works hardtail & Epic.
    Bike Setup:Bought the frame and built it with the best parts i could afford. All XTR/XT, Skareb Fork, Crossmax wheels, Truvativ cranks, Easton carbon bars and seatpost, eggbeaters.
    Bottom Line:Could not be happier with the bike. Its the first bike I built from the ground up, which i would recommend to anyone who wants a truely personal fit bike. I decided againts the complete XTC 1 bike because the parts for this year were not as nice as last years. Great value as always with a Giant, was much cheaper than the SWorks hardtail frame. Gets tons of attention everywhere I go. Great bike for anyone who wants a race ready hardtail.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jacob Skipsey a Cross Country Rider from Alice springs, NT, Australia
    Date Reviewed: September 13, 2004
    Favorite Trail:Masters track
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $400.00
    Purchased At:cyclesolutions.com
    Strengths:This is a great bike super light and as tough as nails (the tough ones) I have only had it less then a month but it has already proven its self, very riged and good Acceleration.
    Weaknesses:None that I can think of!
    Similar Products Used:Light felt epo xc (it cracked TWICE!) im over felt!
    Bike Setup:I brought the frame on its own and built it up from there. It has an xt rear derailleur and a lx front. Pilot sl forks and lx break/Shifters.
    Bottom Line:The bottom line is that this is a great cross country bike and the lightness and rigedness (if thats a word) really works in its favor being that its is a great climber and has good Acceleration. This bike is good for anyone who likes to get country.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jonathan Keats a Racer from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004
    Favorite Trail:Mud Creek
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $2200.00
    Purchased At:Pedalhead Bicycle Works
    Strengths:Carbon seat post and rear end. It takes all the bit out of the hardtail. I just raced the bike for the first time today and I'll be very suprised if it doesn't turn out to be my favorite bike of all time. Also after years of riding a SID I was pleasently suprised by the manitou skareb, it worked as good if not better than my SID's ever did.
    Weaknesses:Should have came stock with Cross Max wheels. That's my only complaint. This is the fourth XTC1 from giant, a couple of years ago they made a bike with full XTR and hope disc, the next year the discs disappeared in an attempt to make the race hardtail what is should be light and fast. With the carbon this year they seem to have tried to keep the price reasonable by droping the crossmax wheels
    Similar Products Used:Previous XTC1 years, Specialized S-Works, Santa Cruz Chamelon
    Bike Setup:Updraded the saddle, the bar to carbon, and lighter versions of the Time ATAC pedals, and SRAM XO shifting and rear derailleur (Personal Pref)
    Bottom Line:The only way to describe this bike is liquidy. I've never really liked FS bikes and thus always ride the good old back breaker, this bike just takes all the sting out. I love it and the two other club members, both who had NRS Air bikes previously, say this is their favorite bike. I seriously doubt anyone will make a better hardtail.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jordo a Racer from State College, Pa
    Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004
    Favorite Trail:Michaux State Forest
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Purchased At:Breakaway Bikes
    Strengths:Light Frame, reliable component package
    Weaknesses:Not as high-end as other high-end hardtails offered.
    Similar Products Used:Trek Fuel, Cannondale Scalpels, Cannondale Hardtails
    Bike Setup:I stripped the XT off and have a full XTR drivetrain on. Put lighter Botrager wheels on and carbon bars. Time ATAC Carbon pedals, SLR TA saddle, and switched brakes to Black-Ops
    Bottom Line:Very racey hardtail at a reasonable price. Very upgradeable and worth upgrading. Frame is the same as raced by Giant/Pearl Izumi Pros. Raced FS bikes last two seasons and got tired of hassle. Full time XC racing isn't nice to bikes, so I opted to go back to a hardtail and keep it simple. Carbon chain-stays make a little difference, but nothing phenominal.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4






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