Giant VT 2
By Jon Sharp
The recent past has brought about some incredible designs in the world of full-suspension mountain bikes. This is especially true for cross-country mountain bikes. Of all the sub-categories of mountain biking that have surfaced throughout the last few years, cross-country riding consistently demands not only performance, but also light weight and efficiency. But as cross-country racers have held to their guns with hardtails and short travel full-suspension bikes, your every-day mountain bikers have distanced themselves more and more from that category. Hence is born, the All Mountain bike. This is the bike that is the end-all, be-all in mountain bikes. A great bike in this category will soak up bumps, both small and large. A bike like this should also pedal well (no pedal-induced bobbing), and have the strength to give the owner as much bang-for-the-buck as possible. Although there are more and more companies pushing into this mini-segment, Giant aims to set the example--and force the other companies to follow--with the VT 1 and VT 2. Tested here is the VT 2.
COMPONENT SPEC
As with all Giants, the components on the VT 2 are solid. At the controls there are Titec parts all around: a Hellbent handlebar, Big Al stem, and X-Wing seatpost. Components are mostly LX with an XT rear derailleur, Deore disc hubs and Mavic X223 disc rims. Braking is accomplished with Avid's wonderful mechanical disc brakes. The seat is a WTB Speed V, the tires are Hutchinson Scorpion 2.3s and the brake levers are Avid AD3s. The crank is a RaceFace Prodigy XC ISIS.
Put together, this makes for a good user experience. All the Titec parts are stiff and strong. The RaceFace crank is very stiff. Though some manufacturers stick with Shimano cranks, I'm glad Giant chose to spend the extra money for RaceFace. The difference is noticeable. Our only real complaint with the components was in the brake levers. Although Avid makes some of the finest levers out there, these are definitely the bottom of the barrel. This is one of two things I'd upgrade immediately.
The other is the fork. Stocked on the VT 2 is the RockShox Psylo XC with U-Turn. First off, the variable travel of the U-Turn system is wonderful. By altering the travel between 3 and 5 inches, the rider can also vary the head-tube angle between 71 and 69 degrees. Though this is nice on a bike designed to take you anywhere and be the one and only bike in your arsenal, the performance of the fork leaves a little to be desired. At slow speeds, the fork is smooth and it soaks up everything. At faster speeds, the flex inherent in the fork becomes more and more noticeable. When it came time to bomb down the trail, I felt like the fork was making a compromise between where it wanted to go and where I pointed it. In other words, this fork doesn't track well because it isn't stiff enough.
THE SWINGER SHOCK
The Manitou Swinger is equipped with a Stable Platform Valve (SPV). To put it simply, it is designed to provide a stable platform to allow you to pedal efficiently, while still providing great small and large bump performance. This shock is very adjustable. It is so adjustable, in fact, that you can't just grab a pump and go to work on it. It pays to read the setup tips that Giant and Manitou provide. When the shock isn't set up properly, the bike performs like a heavy freeride bike. When set up too harsh, it can prevent the bike from handling the little bumps. But, if the swinger is set up correctly, the VT pedals like a dream and yet soaks up everything in your path.
THE FRAME
New for 2003 across Giant's line is FluidForm aluminum. With some expensive machinery, Giant is able to manipulate their tubes into shapes not found on traditional frames. For instance, instead of a welded gusset, the VT has a gusset built into the frame at the down tube/head tube junction. There is also a bulge that runs the length of the top tube, providing greater stiffness. Traditional welding produces stress risers at the welds. Too many welds can actually weaken the frame. By reshaping the tubes, Giant can add strength without adding extra welds, or the stress risers produced by extra welding. The result is a stronger, stiffer frame without weight penalties. Fortunately for almost all Giant customers, many of Giant's lineup will receive this FluidForm aluminum.
THE VERDICT
The easiest way to describe the feel of riding the VT is "fun". Whether it be climbing or descending, fire roads or single track, the VT is a whole lot of fun. It climbs so well I was able to make it up sections that have given me trouble on other bikes. The long travel (5 or 5.75 inches) soaks up all bumps--both small and large. The Swinger did as it was supposed to. The bike didn't exhibit any noticeable pedal-induced bob. Avid's mechanical brakes provide plenty of stopping power when it comes time to slow down (like at the end of the trail). The VT handles so well, I had no problems navigating tight singletrack or technical rocky sections. And, with this much travel, if you make a mistake, it is never fatal. Unfortunately, the performance of the Psylo was constantly dragging down an otherwise incredible ride. The frame is so stiff, and the Swinger performs so well, that the Psylo's poor handling was obvious. Fortunately, if the rumors are true, the 2004 VTs will be stocked with a stiffer fork*.
CONCLUSION
There are some who throw a leg over this bike and expect it to soak up everything and yet not ever bounce. The truth is, without a lockout, if you bounce your body-weight, the suspension will move. As a result, many riders may feel that this bike moves a lot when climbing out of the saddle. In reality, this is because not many people can pedal standing up, without bouncing their body weight.
That being said, we found the VT 2 to pedal better than any other suspension bike--that didn't have some type of lockout--we've ridden. It does exactly what it's supposed to do, and does it well. We found the VT 2 to be quite stable for pedaling. The parts pick is excellent and the geometry top notch. If you can handle the Psylo, or can swap it out, then Giant is right: "If you could only have one bike, this would be it." It may be a little heavy at 30 lbs, but it feels light and lively. It soaks up everything in the trail, but pedals like a really comfortable hardtail. We highly recommend this bike to anyone seeking a great bike to replace all others and give all-day comfort.
*Look for the Manitou Minute (with SPV) on 2004 VTs.
Jon Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.
For more information, contact:
Giant Bicycles USA
3587 Old Conejo Rd.
Newbury Park, CA 91320
805-267-4600
www.giantbicycles.com
|
