"Giant" dissapointment

(MTBScottie) said:

Giant finally jumped in line with many of the other manufacturers and

has

Quoted message said:

released it's 2004 lineup. As stated by Nelson, alot of the so

called "spring

Quoted message said:

collection bikes" have carried over to 2004. The VT does now indeed

have a

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"3", and the NRS "3" is now gone.

Not sure what there reasons are for some of their lineup moves, but

I've been

Quoted message said:

left a bit dissapointed.

Sounds very, very tragic.

Maybe it's time to Travis yourself.

"MTBScottie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| Not sure what there reasons are for some of their lineup moves, but I've
been
| left a bit dissapointed.

Go Specialized. I was a huge Giant fan for mtb's until I came across the Specialized Big Hit and
Enduro's (which a friend let me ride around). Since then my taste has changed greatly.

Quoted message said:

Subject: Re: "Giant" dissapointment From: "Greg P." [email hidden] Date: 9/30/2003 11:05 PM
Eastern Daylight Time Message-id: <[email hidden]>

"MTBScottie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| Not sure what there reasons are for some of their lineup moves, but I've
been
| left a bit dissapointed.

Go Specialized. I was a huge Giant fan for mtb's until I came across the Specialized Big Hit and
Enduro's (which a friend let me ride around). Since then my taste has changed greatly.

I've had my eye on the Specialized Enduros for quite awhile now.

MTBScottie says:

Quoted message said:

Giant finally jumped in line with many of the other manufacturers and has released it's 2004
lineup. As stated by Nelson, alot of the so called "spring collection bikes" have carried over to
2004. The VT does now indeed have a "3", and the NRS "3" is now gone.

Not sure what there reasons are for some of their lineup moves, but I've been left a bit
dissapointed.

Scottie, if that is the best thing you have to be disappointed about about, all I can say is :

a) You're a lucky man. or
b) Get a life!

It's hard to choose between the two, so I leave them both for your perusal. ;-)

Steve

MTBScottie said:

Giant finally jumped in line with many of the other manufacturers and has released it's 2004
lineup. As stated by Nelson, alot of the so called "spring collection bikes" have carried over to
2004. The VT does now indeed have a "3", and the NRS "3" is now gone.

Not sure what there reasons are for some of their lineup moves, but I've been left a bit
dissapointed.

I don't quite see what there is to be dissapointed about there.

I'll take a look-see at I bike.

A

"MTBScottie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've had my eye on the Specialized Enduros for quite awhile now.

So have I. But I've gone the VT route. I'm currently awaiting delivery.

I don't follow the seasonal collections very closely (Paris? Did someone say we're on the catwalk in
Paris?) but the 2004 models released now ARE the 'spring' collection for us guys down here.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

Quoted message said:

Subject: Re: "Giant" dissapointment From: Anthony Sloan [email hidden] Date:
10/1/2003 8:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time Message-id: <[email hidden]>

MTBScottie said:

Giant finally jumped in line with many of the other manufacturers and has released it's 2004
lineup. As stated by Nelson, alot of the so called

"spring

Quoted message said:

collection bikes" have carried over to 2004. The VT does now indeed have a "3", and the NRS "3"
is now gone.

Not sure what there reasons are for some of their lineup moves, but I've

been

Quoted message said:

left a bit dissapointed.

I don't quite see what there is to be dissapointed about there.

I'll take a look-see at I bike.

A

Well the dissapointment lies in cutting models like the NRS 3. I also think either the AC line or
the VT line, or both, should offer at least two more price points. It's to bad, but the AC line did
when it first came out, although I understand the VT's took their place.

My point mostly is that Kona offers a very resonably priced and well spec'd out bike in the 2004
Dawgmatic, which comes in around $1299. Unfortunatley, Giant hasn't caught on with websites like
Kona and offer both price and weight as Kona does. All Giant uses are the damn $$$$ symbols.

"MTBScottie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So have I. But I've gone the VT route. I'm currently awaiting delivery.

I don't follow the seasonal collections very closely (Paris? Did someone say we're on the catwalk
in Paris?) but the 2004 models released now ARE

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

'spring' collection for us guys down here.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

The spring collection in the US consisted of their "recreation mountain

bikes"

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such as the Rainier, Iguanna, Yukon, etc.

OK, we're on the same timetable here too. I suspect that it might take a few weeks more for the
first deliveries to filter down our way though. What would you have preferred to see in the line-up?
--
Westie

"Westie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"MTBScottie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So have I. But I've gone the VT route. I'm currently awaiting delivery.

I don't follow the seasonal collections very closely (Paris? Did

someone

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

say we're on the catwalk in Paris?) but the 2004 models released now

ARE

Quoted message said:

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

'spring' collection for us guys down here.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

The spring collection in the US consisted of their "recreation mountain

bikes"

Quoted message said:

such as the Rainier, Iguanna, Yukon, etc.

OK, we're on the same timetable here too. I suspect that it might take a few weeks more for the
first deliveries to filter down our way though. What would you have preferred to see in the
line-up?

OK, I see that you told Anthony what it was. I suppose that I was surprised to see that they'd
dropped the NRS3, but most people that would want a full-susser will go for the VT at that price
point. A low-price NRS is too light for the more than likely general nature of riding that some at
that price would want to use it for. It's simply competing against the versatile VT and it's a more
specialised type of bike so they've cut it. Those more serious riders that specificaly want a
lightweight XC bike will go the NRS1,2 and Air and be prepared to pay the extra dosh.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

(MTBScottie) said:

Kona does. All Giant uses are the damn $$$$ symbols.

Giant probably outsells Kona 3-1. They're doing something right.

Barry

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by B A R R Y B U R

BOn 02 Oct 2003 02:01:32 GMT said:

Kona does. All Giant uses are the damn $$$$ symbols.

Giant probably outsells Kona 3-1. They're doing something right.

Barry [/B]

I'm just glad I bought a new giant last year, looking at the cataloge it will be a few years before I buy another. First GT, Then Schwin now Giant Pretty soon you will have to by a custom bike to get what you want

B a r r y B u r k e J r . said...

Quoted message said:

(MTBScottie) said:

Kona does. All Giant uses are the damn $$$$ symbols.

Giant probably outsells Kona 3-1. They're doing something right.

Barry

Absolutely. They have the 'bigger must be better' thing going for them to impress those who don't
know better.

Super Slinky said:

Absolutely. They have the 'bigger must be better' thing going for them to impress those who don't
know better.

Have you ever ridden a Giant? Compare it value and quality wise with any other mass-produced ride at
the same price point. They do a great job.

I sell Giant bikes, and find that they almost sell themselves. Many of our customers attend our
shop's rides, and the NEMBA events I participate in. After owning the bike for some time, the
customers still seem to love them, so I guess we must have the dumbest customers and employees in
the world. <G>

Barry

Super Slinky said:

B a r r y B u r k e J r . said...

Quoted message said:

(MTBScottie) said:

Kona does. All Giant uses are the damn $$$$ symbols.

Giant probably outsells Kona 3-1. They're doing something right.

Barry

Absolutely. They have the 'bigger must be better' thing going for them to impress those who don't
know better.

And once you do know better, you realize that they stil make a very decent bike. I had two
successive models of NRS Air, and quite liked it. One of the better full suspension bikes
I've ridden.

And I still quite like my TCR team.

A

"Westie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"MTBScottie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So have I. But I've gone the VT route. I'm currently awaiting delivery.

I don't follow the seasonal collections very closely (Paris? Did someone say we're on the
catwalk in Paris?) but the 2004 models released now ARE

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

'spring' collection for us guys down here.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

The spring collection in the US consisted of their "recreation mountain

bikes"

Quoted message said:

such as the Rainier, Iguanna, Yukon, etc.

OK, we're on the same timetable here too. I suspect that it might take a few weeks more for the
first deliveries to filter down our way though. What would you have preferred to see in the
line-up?

The Rainier has gone from a bike with a good frame and a mix of house brand and a few decent
components, to a nearly $1000 all around great bike. I'd like to see the same thing happen to the
Warp series. I'm still waiting to see what the MSRP is on the VT 3, because I'm ready to buy now and
even the VT 2 is out of my range.

B a r r y B u r k e J r . <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Super Slinky said:

Absolutely. They have the 'bigger must be better' thing going for them to impress those who don't
know better.

Have you ever ridden a Giant? Compare it value and quality wise with any other mass-produced ride
at the same price point. They do a great job.

Mountain biking is not about "value", Barry. It's about riding bicycles.

Quoted message said:

I sell Giant bikes, and find that they almost sell themselves. Many of our customers attend our
shop's rides, and the NEMBA events I participate in. After owning the bike for some time, the
customers still seem to love them, so I guess we must have the dumbest customers and employees in
the world. <G>

That's all fine and dandy, but how many other bikes have these sheep ridden? Their "experience"
is limited unless they have ridden a real quality handbuilt mountain bike because cookie cutters
are no match.

JD

(JD) said:

Mountain biking is not about "value", Barry. It's about riding bicycles.

No way! So THAT'S what I've been missing all this time. <G>

Quoted message said:

That's all fine and dandy, but how many other bikes have these sheep ridden? Their "experience" is
limited unless they have ridden a real quality handbuilt mountain bike because cookie cutters are
no match.

Plenty of them, including myself, have ridden many hand built machines.

I've ridden Seven, Ibis, Litespeed, IF, ClifCat, just to name a few. They are great to ride, touch
and look at. The frames are beautifully made, some approach musical instrument quality.

However, I don't think a rider has to spend $3k on a frame to get a great riding bicycle. I will say
that boutique hard tails ride nicer than any cookie cutter frame I've ridden.

I can't say the same for full bouncers.

Barry

Anthony Sloan said...

Quoted message said:

And once you do know better, you realize that they stil make a very decent bike. I had two
successive models of NRS Air, and quite liked it. One of the better full suspension bikes
I've ridden.

And I still quite like my TCR team.

A

I'm not trying to knock Giant, but the comment I responded to inferred that because they sell more
they must be better. And that just doesn't hold water. Then there is that whole urban bike myth that
there are only 3 frame makers in the whole world, with Giant being the main one. I wonder how many
Giants have been sold by goofy bike shop employees spinning that yarn. But I do think they are as
worthy as the other big names. I am especially impressed by the fact that they seem to avoid using
house branded parts. That would be a big selling point for me if I was looking for a complete bike.

"Super Slinky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Absolutely. They have the 'bigger must be better' thing going for them to impress those who don't
know better.

They've got competition of course. So they must be doing something right to impress so many sales
people around the world. I'm sure PR and marketing hype factor into it and being a big company
certainly helps with that. But at the end of the day if enough people felt that Giant bikes were
[censored] you'd hear more bad things about them. JD'd be on them like he's all over Trek if
nothingelse :-)
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)