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Submitted by
NMcCloy
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, WA, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Little Oven - Only one I have ridden | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Wembley Cycles | | Strengths: | Rockshox Recon Forks, Brilliant Value for Money, Fantastic Entry Level XC Bike for the Semi Serious. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Norco - Last time I had a bike was 1998 - Loved that to but the XTC is a new level. | | Bike Setup: | Company Standard | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I have started riding again after many years of inactivity. My fitness won't allow me to travel 2km's up the trail hill but that is not the bikes fault. I was looking on Giant's website with a budget of $1300AU and looking longingly at the XTC2 2009 model that was a tad beyond my price limit. I had settled on the Yukon 2009 as the bike I would buy. I went to my local bicycle store, Wembley Cycles, and picked out the Yukon. Very Happy. The guy was adding my bar stems and I was browsing the store. Then I saw her. A 2008 XTC2 model. The shop was trying to sell 2008 models to make way for 2009 models. The price had dropped $400 to my price level. Wammo!!!! What's the difference between a Yukon 2009 and a 2008 XTC2? A lot, as it turned out. The Yukon is a fine recreational bike but the real fun starts with the XTC2. Rockshock Recon's to start with. The travel is smooth, even as I was following my dually inspired friend down a steep decline. This isn't the place for a hardtail and sure he was travelling a lot smoother than I was but the XTC got me through that hazard and burned the dually on the single track. Everything on the bike is Shimano Deore or XT, the only thing I might consider changing are the disk brakes. Why? No real reason, they are just a no name Shimano brand. I might go for the Avid Juicy 5's. I love the bike. Two things I have noticed from my bike and this review page:
1. The American model looks crap compared to the International model.
2. If you are hunting for a bike, and I don't know if this is true for the rest of the world, but in Australia the succeeding year's model comes out in about September of the previous year. Wait for this time as cycling shops are wanting to get rid of their current models to allow for the next year's model. You may just pick up a bike that exceeds you expectations but at a lower price.
Two words: "Very Happy"
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kymac
a Cross Country Rider
from Windsor
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Maybury | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Maximum Edge | | Strengths: | Great handling, smooth and fast gear changes up-hill and regular trail riding, suspension is DART 3 by rock shock and they have great travel (bout 100 mm), bike weighs only 32 lbs which is very nice, frame is pretty solid, rims can take a beating | | Weaknesses: | have had the bike for less than 2 weeks and already i broke a seal on the DART 3 suspension and leaked lube all over my driveway and garage.. :( | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | stock with new forks and single gear ring | | Bottom Line: | sick bike for XC and most jumping, i love it (for the time we had together) | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
elmatt97
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Zone (Greece, N | | Strengths: | For the price, the bike is nimble and handles well. The brushed alum. finish on the bike's lower half is a nice touch; with it, you don't have to worry about rocks chipping paint off of your frame. | | Weaknesses: | Some cheap components. | | Similar Products Used: | Before buying the XTC2, I test drove a Cannondale F5, Gary Fisher Marlin, Trek 4500 and 6000, Specialized Rockhopper Disk. | | Bike Setup: | For now, mostly stock, except for a new saddle (WTB Rocket V) and tires (Kenda Kross, with Tuffy Liners, for commuting). | | Bottom Line: | A very nice bike for recreational trail riding and commuting. Good frame, which can be upgraded easily.
For me, the Rockhopper Disk (although well made) seemed overpriced and the Treks (although tough as nails) seemed heavy. Actually, the F5 was a frontrunner. However, dealers sold out half way through the summer.
Enter the XTC2. Well priced, and it handles well. During the week, I ride it to work (about 8 miles there) on light trails and road. On weekends, I hit a few trails or tow the kids. I wish I had the $$$ for two bikes (one mt. bike and one road). Since I can only afford one now, the XTC2 is doing it all and doing it adequately. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SoylentOrange
a Cross Country Rider
from Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Pallisade Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Fast, cheap, looks pretty sharp. Shifting is crisp, rims can take a beating, tires grab. | | Weaknesses: | Takes a bit to get everything dialed in and stretched out. Fork feels cheap, will be upgrading to Tora 318. IMO ground clearance sucks. Tires have a lot of rolling resistance on pave but I didn't buy it to ride on the road... Only 18 or 20" frames, no 19? For $800CDN tax incl., I'm not too worried about any of these things. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Ho-Chi-Min, Rocky Mountain Flow 1.0, Rocky Mountain Element 10, Norco Scrambler. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Model 20" Frame - Dart 3 Fork, X5 trigger shifters/rear derailleur, Deore front derailleur, Cane Creek Headset, WTB Speed-V Saddle, MX-4 Discs, Powerspline BB, Truvativ ISO Flow Crankset, WTB Dual Duty XC Rims, Blue Groove tire up front, Nevegal out back, Revenge Industries Da-Kine Grips :D. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is fun and fast. Good specs for the money. Great first 'real' mountain bike. A Trance 2 or X2 would have been a better choice for Jasper, but the XTC2 gets me through the trails for half the price. Buy if you're looking for a decent hardtail on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fuzzypoodle
a Weekend Warrior
from redmond oregon usa
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | n/a | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cant beat the price performance ratio. | | Weaknesses: | kind of heavy tires, but there great. i plan to get a second set for commuting whenever possible. | | Similar Products Used: | bmx diamondback viper. giant Yukon(ridden a few times) | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Plan to go to a Reba race fork of something of that nature. | | Bottom Line: | haven’t been riding it long, but feels solid and reliable. LIGHT carried up the side of a local canyon. about 30 feet of jagged rocks. i will report back in a few months to update.
great for anyone who commutes and wants something affordable and a weekend ride.
Not really for black diamond trails but that’s now what you spend 700 bucks for.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
I like to sit on bikes.
a Cross Country Rider
from Dubai
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | . | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 7800$ | | Strengths: | I like how when you peddle the bike it goes forwards. The tires smell nice when they are new. | | Weaknesses: | This bike does not have reverse!! This was quite dissapointing. Also if you lick the frame it makes your tongue sting. | | Similar Products Used: | my uncles tricycle. | | Bike Setup: | i spray painted it yellow but besides that mostly stock. | | Bottom Line: | All in all this bike was not worth the 8000 dollars it cost me. I had a hard time deflating the tires to ride across a river. If you like to ride on the ground this bike is for you!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Weekend Warrior
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeWays | | Strengths: | Component set is well above average for a bike in this price range. New ALUXX frames are very light. Love the style. Can't go wrong with black and alum. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, grips and Tires!! They are terrible. Nothing a quick upgrade can't fix. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, Cannondale F5 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Azonic Big Drop saddle, Sunline V3 pedals, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires | | Bottom Line: | Be aware that the US XTCs are very different from the international models. Bike has treated me well. I am a tall rider 6'6' and found Giants 22 felt better than the rockhopper and F5 by far. Some may tell you to buy the bike for the frame and I defiantly had this in mind in my purchase. There isn't much information on the butted ALUXX frame but I love its light weight and sturdiness. I have taken it of 3 and 5 foot drops. The dirt fork also does a fine job. I haven't bottomed it out yet. The lockout is alright. When on it still allows about 30mm of give which brings up the front end on steep uphills. But thats about every spring fork so no sweat.
Overall I love this bike and its profile. Truely stylish and without all those wacked out colors some companies offer in this price range. Best value in the $650 range in terms of style, components, frame, and fun factor. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony GERSBACH
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Yarramundi | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Panthers | | Strengths: | Absolutely everything. The frame is sweet, the Mavic/DT Swiss/Deore combo wheel set are bomb proof. Recon fork is race air fork with lock out, nice an light and easy to set up. As I said the wheel set is bomb proof. I have ridden this bike over rough trails 2 or 3 times a week and have not bent or broken a spoke, the wheels are still true and have not had to tighten a thing. Rear XT shadow derailieur, front Deore and LX shifters shift superbly every time. Have had no probs with the Deore cranks either | | Weaknesses: | The only real weekness on this bike would be the no-name Shimano brakes. Take care on the supplied Hutchinson Python Air Light tyres, while VERY light, are no good apart from in the hands of experienced racers. Lightning fast but have no grip on typical Australian bush trails. Recon Race fork a bit stiff when set at recomended pressure for weight, never reached claimed 100mm travell. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose, Norco. | | Bike Setup: | standard apart from Avid Juciy 5 brakes, I stuck on 2007 Recon 351 U/turn coil forks, and Larsen TT on rear and Ignitor on front. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing bike off the shelf, light, fast, climbs like a mountain goat, handles rough stuff very well for a hardtail (sometimes i feel like I am riding a soft-tail). Excellant componants (Deore XT/LX, Mavic, Raceface, Cane Creek Recon etc etc), all this for AU$1600?!.
This bike is aimed at the XC race market on a budget and is a pleasure to ride and to own. Is definately a bike for the rider who wishes to make an investment for long term riding whithout spending an arm or a leg.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C. P.
a Weekend Warrior
from SF Bay Area
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Water Dog | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Off Ramp | | Strengths: | Decent components for the price, and rides nice. Great all-around bike for most XC/AM trail riding needs, and good for peddling around town too. Solid. Put together well and seems to be able to take a beating so far. | | Weaknesses: | Flats, with the Kenda Nevegal/ Blue Groove tires that came stock. I got three flat tires in about a month and a half. Changed to Panaracer FireXcPros and haven't had one since. Dumb luck maybe. Also a few generic parts, like the stem, bars and seat post. | | Similar Products Used: | Older model Giant MTB. | | Bike Setup: | Stock - Rock Shox Dart3 Fork, SRAM X5/ Shimano Drivetrain, TruVative ISO Flow Cranks, Hayes MX-4 Discs, WTB Dual Duty Rims. | | Bottom Line: | Great "weekend warrior" mountain bike for the average rider, at a fair price. I ride the bike mainly on fire roads and some pretty rugged single track and it has performed great. Climbs like a goat, and bombs the hills. I could have bought a $2000 bike to inflate my ego and make me feel like a better rider then I am, but then sensibility kicked in. I'm very satisfied with this bike, and still have plenty money left to go upgrade a few parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mathew
a Racer
from Wodonga, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The Destroyer | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1348.00 | | Purchased At: | The Full Cycle Albury | | Strengths: | light frame, SRAM spec., | | Weaknesses: | The shifters are in a bad place, you knock them when you hit bumps, also the racing tyre it came with arent good in wet conditions, you cant get traction. | | Similar Products Used: | Gt avalanche | | Bike Setup: | SRAM X9 r/d, SRAM X7 shifters, SHIMANO DEORE f/d, Race face cranks, Shimano clipless pedals, Rockshox Recon, | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike for trail riding and racing. It is extremely light (for the gram counters), a really good hill climber, the forks remote lock out is extremely useful for quickly locking for hill climbs / unlocking for downhill. I have been racing on this bike for over 6 months and it has been very reliable and nothing has broken. It has been an awesome bike to race on and i highly recommend this bike to anyone who is racing or just wanting to get fit riding some trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dyno
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwalk, CT
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Mianus | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$740.00 | | Purchased At: | Smart Cycles | | Strengths: | For the Money the bike seems to be fairly well equipped. I have the 08 model. Which appears to be toned down from the previous years. I love the lockout on the Dart 3 fork. It is great for street riding. I am 180 lbs and havent bottomed it yet and have done some 3 and a half foot drops onto concrete without any issues. The brakes stop quite well too. | | Weaknesses: | The only weakness I have found isnt really a weakness . I have had a lot of things get loose on the bike. The wheels and seat mainly. Maybe shoddy assembly? its fine after I tightened it down though. | | Similar Products Used: | First mountainbike Ive owned. | | Bike Setup: | All stock WTB dual duty rims, kenda tires, WTB speed v Saddle, Rock shox dart 3 fork, Truvativ Iso flow crank, SRAM X-5 shifters, Deore front and SRAM X-5 rear derailleur, Hayes MX-4 disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Overall I love the bike and it has taken a fair beating so far. It rides quite well on the street too thanks to the lockout. Im looking forward to putting some upgrades on it.
I also think it is a great entry level XC Hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Pennant Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclesports, Thornleigh | | Strengths: | Value for money seems good; frame & forks are both very impressive for the price. Brakes are better than expected | | Weaknesses: | Tyres are hopeless around local trails;Rattling brake cables(both easily fixed) are obvious ones, as other reviewers confirm | | Similar Products Used: | Trek & Specialised- various models in this price range | | Bike Setup: | Standard save for pedals & stem | | Bottom Line: | So far the bike appears to be an excellent buy....though admittedly it's early days! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | SIC bikes St Ives | | Strengths: | Great bike, traded in an old duel suspension Mongoose Nx 8.3 for this and it ROCKS!! great geometry, awesome componentry for the money. I used to have an old ATX and loved it too! this bike is fast, climbs like a demon, and the SRAM gear is great too. Lock the poploc and climb like a demon! | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet, the wheelset may not be the best out there but there is no compromise anywhere else | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX something, Mongoose NX 8.5 and 8.3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a custom made Cree LED light and semi slicks, oh yeah, a new seat cause the other one was rock hard! | | Bottom Line: | A nice tight bike, great value for money, if your looking for a hardtail in this price range $1500 AUD BUY IT!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light weight, handling, strength | | Weaknesses: | Wheels and cranks | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | Have used this bike for adventure racing and training. It has been through hell, including several multi-day races and rough Australian fire trail conditions. Have had to rebuild rear wheel and replace cranks with XT, replaced cables. Seat post creaks when new. Having said all that I love this bike. Size is perfect, beautiful to ride, affordable and tough as all get-go. Great value for a great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Auckland, NewZealand
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Any where | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | R&R sports | | Strengths: | Light weight, good components, very nice color..... | | Weaknesses: | Poor wheel set | | Similar Products Used: | Kona blast | | Bike Setup: | Just change flat handle bar(and shortter stem)
Just same as 07" set up | | Bottom Line: | Very nice color.Good component.Hard to find around
this price!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Flag | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | TBE Belmont | | Strengths: | Oh-so light frame, good componets, budget price. Good geometry and due to the weight feel very nimble. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Pythons terrible choice for local single track. They are fast but feel like they roll to much when cornering esp. off camber. | | Similar Products Used: | 2006 Avanti Ventura | | Bike Setup: | Factory standard | | Bottom Line: | This bike is an excellent entry level XC racer, wouldn't recommend it to any one wanting to huck cos' the frame is on step away from carbon. Would only change tyres on purchase.
Will probably upgrade brakes from Juciy 3's to 5/7's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adrian Wagner
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Graham Hills (NY0 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Fix Bike Store, Perth | | Strengths: | The lightness of the frame and the rims is simply unbelievable. I'd say it even beats my friends Merlin Alu frame. Just beautiful. I took it for some nice XC single trailing, on a 10 day cross country tour and on several long road rides...there is very little that I don't like about it. The shock lock-out is something I wouldn't want to miss anymore now. | | Weaknesses: | The shock seems to loose pressure a little too quickly. The Hutchinson Python tires wear down fast and don't provide too much grip out here in Western Australia's sand and gravel. I had some chain jams at high speed when shifting from top to middle chain ring on the road. And in fast single trail down-hills I still I struggle to control the front wheel - but I think this is still due to me getting used to the weight of the bike. Shift/break cables rattle. A minor thing. | | Bike Setup: | Factory 2007 set-up. Changed the handle bar and the saddle stem to get a bit more aggressive set-up. Currently have Shimano XC flat pedals on it. They are great, if you want to ride with flats. | | Bottom Line: | This is great value for money! I shopped around for a while, test rode a few bike like Specialized Rockhoppers, Hardrocks, Stumpjumpers and plenty of Giant bikes. The 2007 XTC2 was clearly sticking out - the next step up would have been the Stumpjumper - at a hefty 2900 A$. So price-value ratio was by far best for the XTC2. It climbs brilliantly, rolls on forever and already took quite a few hits (including a beauty of a 'over the handle bar' after a log jump) and had no scars (well except for some scratched color). I don't know about semi-professional riders...but for your standard 'a few times a week' rider, this is a brilliant buy. It takes you a step up from the heavier bikes and doesn't completely deplete your funds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Government Track - Dunedin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Gladstone | | Strengths: | Super light weight, great brakes. Great bike for XC. | | Weaknesses: | Forks (Skareb Comp)are cr*p and standard Python Airlight tyres are no better. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Bauer, Diamonback and GT | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Rock Shox Reba Comp fork, WTB handlebars, tyres (WTB Weirwolf and various Maxxis) to suit the occasion. | | Bottom Line: | Cannot go wrong with this bike. Light, strong and able to withstand lnocks that some advanced XC can throw at it.Best value for money I've come across. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rachid
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver/Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Orleans Cycle | | Strengths: | Light, components | | Weaknesses: | Wheels & tires | | Similar Products Used: | Miata tripple cross modified for XC | | Bike Setup: | stock with Hayes Hydraulics and easton carbon bar | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, have taken it free ride, DH, dirt jumping and XC with no problems other than a bent rear derailler bracket due to an intense DH crash, nothing that couldn't be bent back. The wheels are weak for anybody over 160 pounds so I changed those to disk specific DH wheels by Vuelta and i've been a happy boy. I keep a 2.2 on the rear and switch up the front wheel to the mavics (2.0's) when riding street or light XC and back to the vuelta's (2.5 tire) when FR/DH. It's been great. Buy this bike, it's great, try to find an 04, the 05 & 06 models aren't as well spec'd. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | ivanhoe cycles | | Strengths: | nice and light weight for the price, componentry is great, recon forks work beautifully especially with lockout | | Weaknesses: | standard tyres (hutchinson pythons) are terrible | | Bike Setup: | stock '06 model but with maxxis minions on front and high rollers on back | | Bottom Line: | this bike is great value for money. i got it for a bargain but even at full price i couldn't find another bike out there that was as well spec'd as this. the frame build is great and proved to be very versatile, i've actually taken it down hilling a couple of times and it has taken some big hits for a xc frame, but still stayed in great working order. it climbs like a beast and is ultra fast. the tyres are really fast but if you are going off road at all then they are not very grippy at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pierre bourgon
a Weekend Warrior
from cornwall, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | light, strong stiff. good handling. efficient | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | none as good | | Bike Setup: | built from the ground up:
24 spd, mostly xt parts except STX RC rapid fire shifters and cassette. used stem control tech 150g 7075 23" bars, XTR chain ($5 more than XT) tires: dart, demolition bontager mustang rims f/r specific | | Bottom Line: | super XC, I would not recommend this bike for freeride use, at about 1500 grams you will just break it. that said it would make an excellent trail bike or XC bike.
efficient: on the bike I replace I used to cruise in 42/18 now with this bike 44/16.
this bike rocks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Bribie Island
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Mount Wellington, Tasmania | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$830.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | Light weight, solid frame, very fast, Stock XT componentry good value for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Python Airlights wore out quickly. Replaced with maxxis crossmark and have lasted well. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona cindercone | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2005 XTC2 LE. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike. I got it for a bargain at just 6 months old, when the old owner was upgrading to dual suspension XC bike. Use it as my commuter knocking up about 28km /day, and as a weekend XC bike. With the maxxis crosmark's it's quick on the road and quick and predictable on loose gravel/sandy trails. It Climbs very well too. My only initial concern when buying it was all of the stories i'd read about the Manitou Skarebs cracking. I contacted Manitou Australia and they informed me that they'd rectified the problem and it was only limited to the early forks. I checked the serial number of mine and they were manufactured after the problem batch, and so far, no drama's at all despite some abuse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt cootha | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Strengths: | Lightweight, Great frame geometry, handles like a dream, speced very well. oh yes,, hydraulic disc brakes too. | | Weaknesses: | Rims | | Bike Setup: | XTC 2 LE | | Bottom Line: | This bike handles extremely well, it seems to take anything and it is fast rolling.
I was after a light bike as i do a bit of road riding and only really want 1 bike. Out of all the brands i checked out, the xtc was the lightest.
The bike was also the best speced bike for the money i could find.
My only gripe would be the wheels, i`ve had to retrue the wheels a couple times in the past year. They are light and fast though so it`s not so big a gripe and i can say it was mainly my fault that they had to be retrued.
The python tyres are light and roll very fast but the tread looks a bit on the lean side.. after riding them for a while, my fears we dispelled as they handle very well in the conditions i generally ride..they just dont handle thick mud well as the tread clogs up easily.
Driveline is great for the price and i really enjoy the dual shifters. The hydraulic disc brakes are fantastic for the price.
Top bike overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rudy
a Cross Country Rider
from Neenah, WI
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$920.00 | | Purchased At: | Gear'n'up | | Strengths: | Lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Rock shox duke's rebound adjuster doesnt stay on and i already lost it the 3rd day! | | Similar Products Used: | giant yukon | | Bike Setup: | factory setup, XTR rear | | Bottom Line: | This bike is what ive always been looking for! its so lightweight and i cant wait to race on it...because just riding it on the roads you soar! whoo hoo! go Giant! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Racer
from sydney, australia
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | oxford falls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | ashfeild | | Strengths: | Awesome all over
x.9 rock
recons are awesome, pop lock works like a dream
superlight, juicy 5's, easton parts are quality | | Weaknesses: | hutchdson python tyres are crap in wet
| | Similar Products Used: | trek 4300, avanti rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | stock, +speedo 06 model | | Bottom Line: | the best bike for the money, highly recommended | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 1100.00
