Mountain Biking - Question for all Giant VT riders...

Anyone notice any brake-jacking with their VT? That is supposed to be the sole remaining liability of the single pivot design. Assuming that SPV takes care of most bobing troubles.

Low speed jacking? Higher speeds?

The VT is not a single pivot, and their is very very minimal brake jacking, it can hardly be noticed.

With the SPV I have heard nothing but great things about the bike. I haven't had a chance to test one though.

I've put both XC and DH hours on a Giant VT1. For purposes of discussing suspension dynamics including brake jack, the VT is a single pivot. All the linkages are for actuating the shock, they don't affect the axle path as the wheel moves up and down.

Luckily, it's a low single pivot and these don't brake jack nearly as bad as high single pivots, at least that's been my experience. I've put a good amount of time at Whistler on an RM7, Giant VT1 (both low single pivots) and a bullit (high single pivot) and the RM7 and VT1 didn't brake jack nearly as bad as the bullit.

Not quite the braking performance of a nice horst link bike like a Big Hit or Iron Horse SGS but nothing that would stop me from buying the bike.

It's a nice riding bike, although I prefer the Specialized Enduro myself. If you can get a good deal on the VT go with it, keep an eye on the linkage bolts though, my buddy just had to warranty his frame after only 3 months. One of the linkage bolts came loose and ovalized the bolt hole in his frame.

I've put both XC and DH hours on a Giant VT1. For purposes of discussing suspension dynamics including brake jack, the VT is a single pivot. All the linkages are for actuating the shock, they don't affect the axle path as the wheel moves up and down.

Luckily, it's a low single pivot and these don't brake jack nearly as bad as high single pivots, at least that's been my experience. I've put a good amount of time at Whistler on an RM7, Giant VT1 (both low single pivots) and a bullit (high single pivot) and the RM7 and VT1 didn't brake jack nearly as bad as the bullit.

Not quite the braking performance of a nice horst link bike like a Big Hit or Iron Horse SGS but nothing that would stop me from buying the bike.

It's a nice riding bike, although I prefer the Specialized Enduro myself. If you can get a good deal on the VT go with it, keep an eye on the linkage bolts though, my buddy just had to warranty his frame after only 3 months. One of the linkage bolts came loose and ovalized the bolt hole in his frame.

I was hoping someone with some firsthand experience would chip in. I'm also looking very seriously at the Enduro. My LBS doesn't have the 2004s for the VT or the Enduro yet, so I'm still in a wait and see mode.

My understanding is that Giant makes both frames. The Enduro seems to have the superior rear suspension, but come with slightly less attractive parts at the same price points.

I plan to spend quite a bit of time test riding both side-by-side before choosing.

It's a tough call. On last years bikes the Enduro didn't have the brain shock so I have no input on how well that works, but the VT did have the Swinger and I really liked that shock. It doesn't feel as good over the small stutter bumps but for big hits it feels great, has that bottomless 5th element feel to it. Very plush, at my weight the fox shock on the Enduro ramps up too fast for me, but smaller riders don't appear to have an issue with it.

The Enduro definately has an advantage in rear suspension linkage design. The VT pedaled a bit better with the swinger last year, didn't corner as well due to the swinger though (not sensitive enough to keep traction in the corners). With this years Enduro having the brain shock on it I'd love to give it another ride to see how it affects pedaling and bike handling.

BTW, FYI, Giant makes Giant's, Meridia makes Specialized!

L8R

BTW, FYI, Giant makes Giant's, Meridia makes Specialized!

L8R



Hopefully this goes along the lines of what u said:


Giant bikes suck.

Hopefully this goes along the lines of what u said:


Giant bikes suck.


Giant bikes are great. Second mtn. bike I ever owned was a Giant ATX 760 (?) bought it in 1989 and ran it hard till 1996. Broke the forks and replaced almost everything else, but it was a great bike. Not just because it was a good deal either. It had the best feeling geometery of Specialized, GT, Mongoose etc. (back in 1989...).

The only reason I said Giant made the Enduro frame was because someone on another site made that claim...and I repeated it without doing any homework. How do you know Meridia makes the Enduro frame? Not challenging you, just curious.

What do you readers think about the front fork on the two? The 2004 VT has the Manitou Minute with SPV, the Enduro comes with the Fox Talus. I've never ridden either, but given the consitant high reviews of the Talus I'm inclined to think the Enduro may also get the nod in the front end department too.

I believe it is Merida that makes specialized bikes, but I have never gotten into a conversation about it so I dont even know. The reason that I think giants suck is that I know of alot of frames that have broken locally.

I tried some Google searches with merida and specialized and it seems you are right. Merida invested heavily in Specialized and has been making frames for them for a while now. And, heck, do the Merida branded bikes look cheesy! I'm sure they make good frames though.

Are the people you are seeing with broken Giant frames having any trouble getting them replaced? Giant should make good the the failure.

Again I have no idea who makes them or whatever. Whoever actually produces specialized frames makes very good products though. The people that broke their frames never really had trouble getting a replacement, it was just that the replacements broke also so they had to upgrade or just sell it. One friend cracked a disc brake tab on 2 different frames, another friend broke 2 2003 giant ac 1 frames, one snapped the head tube off, another friend compressed the seatpost tube on a 2003 ac1 and ended up selling the replacement I believe. One paid a little more money and got a team dh frame and dosent really like it. Plus the shop that sells giants in town dosent really know much about bikes, and isnt a real bike shop.

While both companies make a nice bike, the Specialized comes with a MUCH better frame warranty. Can we say lifetime boys and girls? :D The Giant comes with a 5 year deal. Makes me glad to know that I don't have to worry about either of my frames.



[quote=From the Specialized FAQ's]

Warranty on Frame

Question
I have heard that your warranty on Aluminum frames has gone from lifetime to a 5 yr. warranty. Is this true?

Answer
For a period of time we went down to a 5 year warranty, but now we have decided to go back to a limited lifetime warranty on all frames. This warranty covers all older frames that were sold under the 5 year warranty change but is limited to covering the frames for manufacturer defects and is valid only for the original owner of the bicycle.
We noted that while other companies were dropping to 5 year, 1 year and 90 day warranties that their quality was dropping as well. We want to hold on to our following and let everyone know that we want to stand behind every bike we sell.