Giant Maestro-Faith specs
- Thread starter Jm_
- Start date
Nice specs, I really wanted one.. But that frame just doesnt do it for me. I love Giants though, Maybe ill get a comp.
Got prices?
i'd expect a little more than HFX-9s on a 5500$ Team bike...very odd spec.
Dh team is no different or cheaper, anyone know for sure what the internals on the new MRD X-works are gonna be?
Demo 8 looks better every day...
Demo 8 looks better every day...
why does it need to be different? The giant DH bike already didn't weigh 14lbs like a demo9, it already had a low CG, it already has a progressive motolink...I'm not sure why it needs to be different, they dropped the top tube and added a remote resi, pretty much the only concerns that were out there.TheInedibleHulk said:
Yeah, it's really popular to change stuff just for the sake of change so that customers don't think you are stagnating, but when was the last time that honda used a completely different suspension system on their dirtbikes?
Jm_ said:
Did they increase the rear spacing to 150mm? Can you use a more normal disher rear wheel? Is the drive side chain stay still furth from center than the non-drive? Have they fixed the lower pivot? Do they used ISCG mounts? Tell me, I neeeeed to know
me = :redX:
Why oh ****ing why doesn't Australia get them? We've produced top-notch racers over the past few years, yet we're still well behind the world with our bike market.
Yeh, I know, it's a small market, doesn't justify much attention... maybe companies think "eh, if we give these good bikes, they'll take over the racing world". Oh, wait, too late
Yeh, I know, it's a small market, doesn't justify much attention... maybe companies think "eh, if we give these good bikes, they'll take over the racing world". Oh, wait, too late
My information isn't that detailed. That is something we would probably get closer to 05, with the technical sales manual.Grimey said:
I was under the assumption the lower pivot was already fixed. I'm a fan of the moto-link, but not specifically the giant DH. I haven't had an opportunity to spend a whole lot of time with them.
Nice V-10 Warp.
i was a little questionable on the looks after the interbike pictures, but that looks awesome. Im li8king everything except the JR T on the Faith 2
Never heard of Hayes 'SOLE' brakes on that Faith 3? Must be something budget new stuff.
I have the current Dh team, and it served my pretty well. I wasn't so much looking for changes in the frame as much as spec. The X-works felt pretty good for me this year when it wasnt broken, which was half the time. I am happy to see the sram derailleur, but I guess as long as the giant team rides manitou we're stuck with the X-works. The demo 8 pro is cheaper and has the fox fork, although I would rather ride the giant frame. The demo 8 has a lower cg, and is significnatly lighter than the demo 9. I work at a shop that sells giant and specialized, so those are my options if a sponser doesnt come through this year.Jm_ said:
you konw, just because the big "S" says their demo-bikes have low CGs doesn't mean they have the lowest CG or that there is nothing lower.TheInedibleHulk said:
Look at the shock placement on the giant DH bikes, it's lower than the demo could hope to be, lower shock=lower CG. The linkages are also significant sources of weight (solid metal) and they are below the shock.
no kidding, the Renault designers had low-CG in mind on that bike in the first place.Jm_ said:
Thats the problem with 'older' designs, people forget what they're about once the banality sets in.
)
i'm really diggin the faith1...i wonder if i could use that thing for dh racing
Okay
Dont know about the US but down here in NZ , the DHcomp has a 150mm rear hub, remote res and the sloping top tube, the only other difference from last year is that its running RF Diabolus cranks and ****mano rapid rise XT der
other than that it looks to be the same, Ive got one arriving for a customer next week,
doesnt look like we are going to get the faith/trance/reign line for 2005 though :mumble:
Dont know about the US but down here in NZ , the DHcomp has a 150mm rear hub, remote res and the sloping top tube, the only other difference from last year is that its running RF Diabolus cranks and ****mano rapid rise XT der
other than that it looks to be the same, Ive got one arriving for a customer next week,
doesnt look like we are going to get the faith/trance/reign line for 2005 though :mumble:
no, they have an all-carbon NRS1 and 2 now too, but I sure wouldnt want one. The NRS requires you to put so much air in the shock that it rides with no sag. No sag=no bobbing, but it makes it pretty oversprung and harsh. The new Trance XC bike would be my pick there.Grimey said:
What you are saying is true, however, the cg of the 8 IS lower than that of the 9.Jm_ said:
The CG of both bikes is very low due to shock placement and the liberal use of forgings in the central portions of the bike.
Is the CG lower than other bikes? It is lower than many, and probably not as low as others. "S" isn't saying its the lowest.
That said, the Giant DH bikes are really nice. I owned one for over two years and loved it.
I am still getting used to the Demo-8. A much stiffer chassis. It tracks better at speed, and handles big hits much better.
I have had to adapt my technique for cornering a bit, it's taking some getting used to. When I get it right it is better, but I don't get it right every time. I am still working on breaking my old habits.
Damn True, Would I be asking too much for a full review on the Demo-8? If not, thanks for the above bit anyway, it's helping my lust grow 
Id rather not at this point for three reasons:Brad23 said:Damn True, Would I be asking too much for a full review on the Demo-8? If not, thanks for the above bit anyway, it's helping my lust grow
a) Im not riding the bike with the correct fork, I don't have a Fox 40 yet.
b) I haven't been on it long enough to be rid of old technique habits from riding my Giant.
c) I don't think it's responsible to give a review of something until it has been ridden quite a lot.
That said....initial impressions are quite positive.
Mainly, yes.
The rear center is dramaticly shorter on the 8. Real or precieved (not sure) I need to be further forward on the bike.
Additionaly the increased stiffness of the frame requires some changes in the level of input required to initiate a turn, make minor line corrections during a turn etc.
In essence, the frame is waaaay better than I am.
The Giant was too, (how much so remains to be seen) but I was used to it.
The rear center is dramaticly shorter on the 8. Real or precieved (not sure) I need to be further forward on the bike.
Additionaly the increased stiffness of the frame requires some changes in the level of input required to initiate a turn, make minor line corrections during a turn etc.
In essence, the frame is waaaay better than I am.
The Giant was too, (how much so remains to be seen) but I was used to it.
Jm_ said:
Would you happen to have the NRS 1/2 specs available? Sorry to be a pain, but I have just ordered an NRS 2 without having the complete spec. It would be great if you could post them. They may differ somewhat in Canada, but that's no big deal. Thanks.
Neil