Mountain Biking - Giant WARP DS 1

My cousin has decided on a new MTB. It's going to be his first real bike, as well as his first FS. He is 25 and won't be doing any major stuff (yet, I hope). His budget is a bit above one grand. I have yet to go to the store and check this bike out. See what parts it has one. Let's just say that the bike is "stock" meaning all components are the same as given on Giant's homepage (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?lYear=2003&bikesection=8817&range=118&model=10639), is it a good bike for a beginner? It is in no way a final decision and I will probably be back with same kind of question for different bike. Any other manufacturers, models we should be considering?


Specifications:
color White
size 16.5, 18.5, 20.5
frame ALUXX Aluminum Long Travel Suspension, 4" (top bolt position)/5" (bottom bolt position) adjustable rear travel
fork Mantiou Axel Super, 4" travel
derailleur Front: Shimano Alivio, Rear: Shimano LX, 9 speed
derailleurshifters Shimano Deore, 9-speed
cranks Giant, 22/32/42T
pedals Alloy platform
handlebar Alloy 1.25"riser
stem Giant 1 1/8 Ahead
headset Integrated Ahead 1 1/8
levers Avid AD3
brakes Avid CPS disc, 6" rotors
saddle Giant Warp DOUBLE DENSITY
seatpost Alloy micro-adjust, 30.8mm, QR seat lever
rims Alex DM 18, Black doublewall, 32H
hubs Shimano disc, QR, cassette
tires WTB MutanoRaptor 26x2.24
rearshock Giant HV, coil over w/ rebound adjustable, 4"/5" rear travel
cassette SRAM ESP 7.0 11-34T, 9-speed
spokes Stainless Steel 14G
additional Chainguard[B]

DO NOT BUY A DS-1!!! It's a total waste of money mainly due to the single pivot garbage suspension design. It bobs like a mofo. The rest of the spec isn't bad but that rear suspension SUCKS! Do what I did. Specialized Rockhopper FSR (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18024) Beyond that I never recommend a FS rig for a first "real" bike as people learn too many bad habits such as, relying on the suspension to bail them out. In short he should look at a hardtail.

I looked at the Giant Warp series and didn't like them much. A single pivot design isn't all bad, My Ibex is single pivot and I like it fine. But for a grand there are some better bikes like GT I drive or, like the other guy said, Specialized Rockhopper FS.

Please stay away from GT. I can't take them seriously since they and Schwinn were bought out by Pacific (of Walmart infamy)

I know about the Pacific-GT-Schwinn deal, but I looked at some GT I drives at Supergo and they were pretty nice. I think the GT line has kept its quality higher than the Schwinn line. I had a '00 Schwinn Mesa GSX and the new ones aren't even close. But ther ae lot of great bikes for about a grand. Cannondale Jeckel 400 is sweet.

I can't recommend a decent full squish bike for under $1,000, and also recommend get a decent hardtail. Good entry-level XC race bikes can be had for around $600-700 USD. If you want to spend a grand, there are a lot of really nice hardtails available.

If your cousin is dead set on a full suspension bike, a good value is the Haro Extreme X3. It's closer to $1,100.00 but you may find a leftover 2002 or a 2003 that a dealer is willing to deal on.

It's single pivot, but is well spec'd and a copy of a Santa Cruz. There is some peddal induced bobbing, but not too much.

L8R