Giant STP 1 & 2

Jane Smy said:

I haven't found much in the newsgroups about the Giant STP 1 & STP 2. They
were new in 2004, and apparently sold super fast and were very popular. STP
= Street/Trail/Park, and they're billed as a versatile bike, to do
trials/tricks, but also for trails. They seem to me to be geared more for
urban riding and trails, and I don't know how they'd hold out on the trails.
The STP 2 had cheaper components, with MZ Comp 100mm XC fork, direct pull
brakes, and Alivio derailler. The STP 1 is an extra $200-300, but has
Dropoff Comp 110mm FR fork, disc brakes, and Deore derailler, and seems a
better choice. Those were the components on the 2004 models. Any riders
out there can give some more info on what they're like to ride? No bike
stores have any left for me to check out, so I want to be informed about
whether it's worth waiting for a 2005 STP 1. Let's hear it with those STP
stories, good or bad!

i have the STP1 04 on layaway, should be bringing it home by the end of october. after i have ridden it a bit of hardcore i will tell you what i think.

"I might be able to afford a used trek, in the future but; right now i have a (month old) giant stp2-urban assault bike w/ rhino lite rims shod w/ 2.3 in. wide tyres & a marzocchi 120mm travel shock. Pretty happy w/ it."- davidmc
cyclingforums.comshowthread.phpOpen ↗

this is the only person ive found who actually has one already.

Mr_Kingkillaha said:

"I might be able to afford a used trek, in the future but; right now i have a (month old) giant stp2-urban assault bike w/ rhino lite rims shod w/ 2.3 in. wide tyres & a marzocchi 120mm travel shock. Pretty happy w/ it."- davidmc
http://www.cyclingforums.com/showthread.php?t=57410&page=12&pp=15

this is the only person ive found who actually has one already.

Yeah, I'm the guy. I bought a STP2. It has everything mentioned but you might have left out the Sun Rhino Lite double wall rims. Mine came w/ the kenda K-rad 2.30 in. tires which are beefy enough to take the urban assault type riding that i want to do. I got mine because a friend of mine bought an Azonic frame & built it up w/ a disc brake rear & a Manitou "Black" shock. His ran him up to @$1000 retail. I wanted something more affordable.The stp2 is @ $599 retail @ the stp1 is @ $8-999 retail. I did upgrade my stp2 w/ better shimano shifters @ brakelevers, & the pedals were'nt all that great so i got the azonic magnesium's at pricepoint for a good price. I recommend those, they're like stomp pedals & they're super-light. The stock one's are too smooth & don't stick to your shoes. I also upgraded the alivio rear to deore. The only thing w/ the derailer is chain slap when doing jumps or bunny-hops & the only way to avoid it is to go to single speed[too costly for me right now]( i just wrapped an innertube around my drivetrain side chainstay so the chain would'nt gradually slap the paint off my frame) most "sharktooth" type chain retainers can't fit because the front derailuer is so low on the seattube there's no room.http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Chain+Watcher&vendorCode=Thirdeye&major=6&minor=8 You can see the "chain watcher" is about 3/4 of an inch wide & there isn't that much room on the bike for it because the frt. derailuer is very low on the seattube. Overall, the composite "6061 & 6011 blend"(aluminum) frame is bombproof. They designed the seattube to go right through the toptube so it retains it's structural integrity. Giant's pro rider found that other frames failed in that area so giant has a hole in the toptube for the seat tube to go through. Good design. Overall, the only things i replaced immediately were the pedals$25 & the derailuer$40. The rest, i gradually swapped out. Lastly the hubs, to my disappiontment, are not disc compatible on the stp2 so you have to get different hubs/ rims. I kept mine the way it was w/ the tektro's. You might just get the stp1 if you have to have disc. My buddy only had disc on the backwheel of his azonic & he did fine. Hope this helps.

Quoted message said:

Yeah, I'm the guy. I bought a STP2.

I have an STP2, too. I ride it as my all-purpose urban/XC bike...
especially since it's the only MTB I have. It's got everything mentioned
David mentioned, and all I have to add is to upgrade the front shock, the
shifter/brake levers/bars, and the pedals.

I rode an XTC before this bike, and just by swapping out the frame,
everything got so much stiffer... I thought that the fork (Manitou Skareb)
was just flexy, when actually most of it was the frame flexing.

The rear hub isn't bad. Properly adjusted, it works just fine, even with a
few muddy/rainy rides. Chainstay width allows for 2.7 tires (Maxxis
Mobsters on Sun Singletrack rims) with a bit of clearance.

The seat tube deal that David mentioned pictured here on my bike:
http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/st.jpg

Yes, I know I have no tread. Nope... dunno about durability since my
flyweight 135 lbs has only broken the Skareb fork on the XTC.

Note: The STP2 frame is both disc and v-brake compatible, whereas the STP1
is disc-only.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yeah, I'm the guy. I bought a STP2.

I have an STP2, too. I ride it as my all-purpose urban/XC bike...
especially since it's the only MTB I have. It's got everything mentioned
David mentioned, and all I have to add is to upgrade the front shock, the
shifter/brake levers/bars, and the pedals.

I rode an XTC before this bike, and just by swapping out the frame,
everything got so much stiffer... I thought that the fork (Manitou Skareb)
was just flexy, when actually most of it was the frame flexing.

The rear hub isn't bad. Properly adjusted, it works just fine, even with

a

Quoted message said:

few muddy/rainy rides. Chainstay width allows for 2.7 tires (Maxxis
Mobsters on Sun Singletrack rims) with a bit of clearance.

The seat tube deal that David mentioned pictured here on my bike:
http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/st.jpg

Yes, I know I have no tread. Nope... dunno about durability since my
flyweight 135 lbs has only broken the Skareb fork on the XTC.

Note: The STP2 frame is both disc and v-brake compatible, whereas the STP1
is disc-only.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

What is the lenght of the chainstay and the headangle? The Giant site
didn't post this info.

Quoted message said:

What is the lenght of the chainstay and the headangle? The Giant site
didn't post this info.

Ack! You just reminded me...

The seat tube angle is really steep to allow for the 15" chainstays... I
have to use a Titec Hellbent 50mm-setback seatpost to get the XC angle I
need, and I'm not a big guy at all (5'5"😉. If I'm just doing tricks or
jumps, I leave the stock seatpost on since I'm not sitting most of the time.

The headtube angle is probably about 72 with a 100mm fork... I'm not really
sure to be honest but it's not too slack.

If you wait till tomorrow, I'll post a picture of it so you can get an idea.
I did some quick calculations based on the pics on the website, and I get
68.99 degrees with the 100mm MZ Comp fork.
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What is the lenght of the chainstay and the headangle? The Giant site
didn't post this info.

Ack! You just reminded me...

The seat tube angle is really steep to allow for the 15" chainstays... I
have to use a Titec Hellbent 50mm-setback seatpost to get the XC angle I
need, and I'm not a big guy at all (5'5"😉. If I'm just doing tricks or
jumps, I leave the stock seatpost on since I'm not sitting most of the

time.

Quoted message said:

The headtube angle is probably about 72 with a 100mm fork... I'm not

really

Quoted message said:

sure to be honest but it's not too slack.

If you wait till tomorrow, I'll post a picture of it so you can get an

idea.

Quoted message said:

I did some quick calculations based on the pics on the website, and I get
68.99 degrees with the 100mm MZ Comp fork.

Can you remeasure the chainstay. 15" seems really short.

The headangle seems reasonable.

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

Quoted message said:

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What is the lenght of the chainstay and the headangle? The Giant site
didn't post this info.

Ack! You just reminded me...

The seat tube angle is really steep to allow for the 15" chainstays... I
have to use a Titec Hellbent 50mm-setback seatpost to get the XC angle I
need, and I'm not a big guy at all (5'5"😉. If I'm just doing tricks or
jumps, I leave the stock seatpost on since I'm not sitting most of the

time.

Quoted message said:

The headtube angle is probably about 72 with a 100mm fork... I'm not

really

Quoted message said:

sure to be honest but it's not too slack.

If you wait till tomorrow, I'll post a picture of it so you can get an

idea.

Quoted message said:

I did some quick calculations based on the pics on the website, and I get
68.99 degrees with the 100mm MZ Comp fork.

Can you remeasure the chainstay. 15" seems really short.

Yep it is too short... it's actually 16 and 1/8" or 16.125", and the front
derailleur has about 4mm of clearance to my tire. It's a good thing I don't
have tread, or else it'd be 2mm or so. The chainstay yoke thing allows for
big fat tires, so that's why there's some generous clearance there. They
could probably cut off a whole inch if they restricted the tire size to
2.3's.

Consider putting on a bottom-swing derailleur if you want to run larger
tires... I find that the clearance is too close for comfort.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <[email hidden]> wrote

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

> What is the lenght of the chainstay and the headangle? The Giant

site

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> didn't post this info.

Ack! You just reminded me...

The seat tube angle is really steep to allow for the 15" chainstays...

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have to use a Titec Hellbent 50mm-setback seatpost to get the XC angle

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

need, and I'm not a big guy at all (5'5"😉. If I'm just doing tricks or
jumps, I leave the stock seatpost on since I'm not sitting most of the

time.

Quoted message said:

The headtube angle is probably about 72 with a 100mm fork... I'm not

really

Quoted message said:

sure to be honest but it's not too slack.

If you wait till tomorrow, I'll post a picture of it so you can get an

idea.

Quoted message said:

I did some quick calculations based on the pics on the website, and I

get

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

68.99 degrees with the 100mm MZ Comp fork.

Can you remeasure the chainstay. 15" seems really short.

Yep it is too short... it's actually 16 and 1/8" or 16.125", and the front
derailleur has about 4mm of clearance to my tire. It's a good thing I

don't

Quoted message said:

have tread, or else it'd be 2mm or so. The chainstay yoke thing allows

for

Quoted message said:

big fat tires, so that's why there's some generous clearance there. They
could probably cut off a whole inch if they restricted the tire size to
2.3's.

Consider putting on a bottom-swing derailleur if you want to run larger
tires... I find that the clearance is too close for comfort.

Still looking. Thanks for the suggestion.

Phil said:

I have an STP2, too. I ride it as my all-purpose urban/XC bike...
especially since it's the only MTB I have. It's got everything mentioned
David mentioned, and all I have to add is to upgrade the front shock, the
shifter/brake levers/bars, and the pedals.

Phil, Squid-in-Training

So how is the bike for climbing? I mean when you are riding up a mountain are you asking yourself why you don't have a bike made for mountains? Also what do you think about DH on it?
I know it will be better than what i already have. Just wondering what someone who has ridden a real MTB thinks.

Mr_Kingkillaha said:

So how is the bike for climbing? I mean when you are riding up a mountain are you asking yourself why you don't have a bike made for mountains? Also what do you think about DH on it?
I know it will be better than what i already have. Just wondering what someone who has ridden a real MTB thinks.

This bike, I believe, is only suitable for xc w/ the 110mm travel front.
S(treet)T(rail)[xc]P(ark)
Also, in my opinion, it looks like a bmx bike w/ 26" tire, the only sizes are reg(14"😉, lg(15"😉. I have the reg.
I would get another bike, if you can afford it, for mtb'ing & use the stp for xc
I use mine exclusively on the street for "tricks".
I thought i remember reading that it has "shortened" chainstays

Quoted message said:

So how is the bike for climbing? I mean when you are riding up a
mountain are you asking yourself why you don't have a bike made for
mountains?

Well, Florida's pretty flat, so elevations of plus or minus 50-100 feet
aren't too big of a deal. The answer to your second question is that I like
having one bike that does everything.

Quoted message said:

Also what do you think about DH on it?

It's rockin because the seat tube is so short that getting back behind the
saddle is no problem. The seat tube angle is really steep, too, putting the
saddle way in front of you, also letting you get back more easily.

Quoted message said:

I know it will be better than what i already have. Just wondering
what someone who has ridden a real MTB thinks.

If you're into trick biking/trials, dirt jumps, or general mayhem described
as "adult BMX" by some of the old codgers here, then this is a great buy.

If you're looking to do lots of real mountain biking, I would look into the
Giant Rainier.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Quoted message said:

This bike, I believe, is only suitable for xc w/ the 110mm travel
front.

This is mostly true. I wouldn't say "only suitable" so much as "better
suited". I ran a 80mm fork on it a while back and it behaved well then,
too.

Quoted message said:

S(treet)T(rail)[xc]P(ark)

I dont' think that's the type of trail they're referring to.

Quoted message said:

Also, in my opinion, it looks like a bmx bike w/ 26" tire, the only
sizes are reg(14"😉, lg(15"😉. I have the reg.

The only real difference is the short chainstays and short seat tube.

Quoted message said:

I would get another bike, if you can afford it, for mtb'ing & use the
stp for xc

Yikes. I think you mean the other way around.

Quoted message said:

I use mine exclusively on the street for "tricks".

Sweet.

Quoted message said:

I thought i remember reading that it has "shortened" chainstays

16.125 inches according to my measurements.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Phil said:

If you're looking to do lots of real mountain biking,
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

They say a picture is worth a thousand words right?
http://www.geocities.com/generallee_4130/MTBMX.JPG
what i am looking for is a bmx that will get me on top of a mountain, so that i may jump off of it.

I am very certain the STP will be my dream bike, I am just wondering, when on a mountain, will i be able to keep up with my friends who have real MTB's? (assuming im not a total puss)

Mr_Kingkillaha said:

They say a picture is worth a thousand words right?
http://www.geocities.com/generallee_4130/MTBMX.JPG
what i am looking for is a bmx that will get me on top of a mountain, so that i may jump off of it.

I am very certain the STP will be my dream bike, I am just wondering, when on a mountain, will i be able to keep up with my friends who have real MTB's? (assuming im not a total puss)

I forgot to mention the reason that my bike is no good (if that isn't obvious), it is very hard to climb on.
You may notice there is no front derail. yeah it broke and i didn't feel like fixing it, it just stays in the lower gear(38t). the cable is still wrapped on the handlebars.
And i broke my child shox, so my front brakes are gone, and haulin ass DH with no brakes and no shox is not safe (i wear a helmet 🙂 ).

So just tell me that i can sometimes climb mountains okay and i will be happy.

Mr_Kingkillaha said:

They say a picture is worth a thousand words right?
http://www.geocities.com/generallee_4130/MTBMX.JPG
what i am looking for is a bmx that will get me on top of a mountain, so that i may jump off of it.

I am very certain the STP will be my dream bike, I am just wondering, when on a mountain, will i be able to keep up with my friends who have real MTB's? (assuming im not a total puss)

Awesomely wicked pic King, that's a cool set-up w/ the derailuer & anondized finish !!! The bigger wheel's(on the stp) will get you there.26x2.30, they won't slow you up much because they have a smoother xc tread.The crank-truvativ hussfelt- has a nice small diameter which will still be fast enough for offroad. I've ridden mine down the road to the bike shop & i got going at a good clip. There aren't many dirt hills, close@ here, but i got mine to do stunts on the street. Can't wait til i get the 'manual' down, maybe by the spring.

davidmc said:

Awesomely wicked pic King, that's a cool set-up w/ the derailuer & anondized finish !!! The bigger wheel's(on the stp) will get you there.26x2.30, they won't slow you up much because they have a smoother xc tread.The crank-truvativ hussfelt- has a nice small diameter which will still be fast enough for offroad. I've ridden mine down the road to the bike shop & i got going at a good clip. There aren't many dirt hills, close@ here, but i got mine to do stunts on the street. Can't wait til i get the 'manual' down, maybe by the spring.

I used to be a manualing champ on my dk General Lee, but the GT speed series is a race frame, the chainstays are way to long. I plan to re-learn it pretty quick tho.
I will be riding my STP on BMX trails, street, the rocky mountains, and road riding.
I am picking it up on friday, it is driving me crazy not to have it right now.

Mr_Kingkillaha said:

I used to be a manualing champ on my dk General Lee, but the GT speed series is a race frame, the chainstays are way to long. I plan to re-learn it pretty quick tho.
I will be riding my STP on BMX trails, street, the rocky mountains, and road riding.
I am picking it up on friday, it is driving me crazy not to have it right now.

Yeah, I've mostly ridden on the road so i have to re-learn(also) alot of the stuff i used before & learn to be more fluid in my moving @ to do wheelies & manuals. Its going to take me a while. Congrats on getting your bike soon.

Jane Smy said:

I haven't found much in the newsgroups about the Giant STP 1 & STP 2. They
were new in 2004, and apparently sold super fast and were very popular. STP
= Street/Trail/Park, and they're billed as a versatile bike, to do
trials/tricks, but also for trails. They seem to me to be geared more for
urban riding and trails, and I don't know how they'd hold out on the trails.
The STP 2 had cheaper components, with MZ Comp 100mm XC fork, direct pull
brakes, and Alivio derailler. The STP 1 is an extra $200-300, but has
Dropoff Comp 110mm FR fork, disc brakes, and Deore derailler, and seems a
better choice. Those were the components on the 2004 models. Any riders
out there can give some more info on what they're like to ride? No bike
stores have any left for me to check out, so I want to be informed about
whether it's worth waiting for a 2005 STP 1. Let's hear it with those STP
stories, good or bad!

I've had the STP1 for 3 days now, so far so good. I found a set of 6 stairs followed by 6 more about 8' away. I hopped down the first set, and just rode down the second (at a fairly quick speed), it felt very good on both.
I haven't ridden trails on it yet, but the bike does feel very solid for being so lightwieght.
Riding in the "bad gear" (smallest front, smallest rear) the chain is too loose to stay on. That kindof sucks, but they say not to use that gear anyway (i do when offroad).
The seatpost has the ability to go really high for riding a long distance to your choice destination. Then QR the s.o.b. down low for trick riding.

That is all the info i have for right now. After riding trails and Mt. climbing/DH i will follow up.