Publication- Bike

Date-March 2001

Title-GIANT XTC NRS 3 $1100

Findings:

  • "STYLE OF BIKE: Aspiring lightweight"
  • "THE RIDER: Conscientious shoppers who..have done their homework and are looking to score a high-end, lightweight frame hung with lower-end parts. Smart buyer-saves a grand right off the bat and lightens the bike over time with a few key upgrades"
  • "CASE IN POINT The NRS3 shares the same lightweight frame as its more costly NRS siblings, outfitted with affordable, albeit slightly heftier components. What you get is a strong climber with minimal monkey-motion and plenty of potential."
  • "BIRDS OF A FEATHER K2 Razorback 3.0 ($1499); Specialized FSR XC comp ($1249); Trek Fuel 80 ($1099)."

Publication-Bicycling

Date-March 2001

Title-GIANT XTC NRS3 Full-Suspension Value

  • "PROFILE: State-of-the-art full suspension at an introductory price"
  • "BEST THING ABOUT THIS BIKE: One of the 2000's best all-around suspension concepts gets better. While the overall geometry of the 2001 XTC NRS line hasn't change, the suspension action has. Giant altered the linkage position to offer more of a falling rate, which helps small-to-medium bumps sensitivity (our only previous complaint about this design). You get the best of both suspension worlds-a more active rear end and no bobbing with either seated peadaling or out-of-the saddle sprints."
  • "INSIGHT FROM THE TESTER: "This is one of the best-performing suspension designs available-and an assortment of small parts makes it one of the year's best suspension values"

Note the suspension system on this bike is four-bar linkage. In May 2002 Bicycling chose four-bar linkage as the editor's choice suspension system: "The design's independence from pedal input, bump sensitivity and efficient wheelpath makes it a standout. The near-vertical wheelpath makes it almost pedaling-neutral, and the Horst link prevents brake-jacking...True four-bar has the Horst Link, which locates the chainstay/seatstay pivot between the dropout and bottom bracket (knock-offs put the pivot on the seatstay, which throws braking forces into the suspension)..no design can top four-bar linkage for all-around superior off-road suspension."