Giant VT1 downhill - anyone ride one?

[86mud]

Hi All

I have been offered a 2008 Giant VT1 downhill bike in as new condition for $1000. It has a mixture of full Shimano XT/XTR and SRAM components. I have been looking at getting a dual suspension bike and getting more in downhill stuff.

Is this a good deal? They seem to get good reviews on overseas MTB forums.

Features: the VT 1 features a slightly steeper seat tube angle for better climbing efficiency. It’s significantly lighter, but retains it’s solid build and 5/5.75” of rear wheel travel. The lightweight, compact 4-bar linkage (derived from our DH design) has a low centre of gravity for improved balance and no pedal ‘kickback’ during braking. The oversized single pivot is super-stiff for precise tracking during hard cornering.

Specs:
user MTB rider: XC/X/All-day/12-24 hour
frame ALUXX SL 6013 Aluminum, FluidFormed™, 5/5.75” travel
fork 2004 Rockshox Psylo Race w/U-Turn 80-125mm travel
rear shock Manitou Swinger Air SPV 3-way
headset FSA 1 1/8th Ahead
rear derailleur Shimano XTR 9 speed
front derailleur Shimano Deore XT
crankset/bottom bracket Shimano Deore XT Hollowtech II 22x32x44T splined
derailleurshifter Shimano Deore XT 27 speed
cassette SRAM 9 speed 11-34T
chain Shimano Deore LX 9 spd
wheel set Mavic 819 disc UST Tubeless /DT Cerit Hubs
brakes/levers Hayes HFX-9 XC Carbon Plus Hydro Disc w/composite levers
stem Easton EA70 1 1/8th ahead
handlebar Easton EA70 XC mid rise
seatpost C Tech carbon 27.2
saddle WTB VL1052

Example picture is below. The one I have been offered has a black frame

[Psimpson7]

Hi Andrew,

I always thought the VT1 was really aimed as a cross country bike as opposed to downhill.

The geometry doesnt look suited to downhill from that pic!

I dont think they are a bad bike, but just not sure they are really suited for downhill use!

Spec looks ok but why is the fork 4years older than the frame?

Bearing in mind current downhill bikes are running 200mm of travel (or more) and very slack geometry

Have you had a look through the ads on rotorburn?

edit: This seems reasobably priced for example:

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?251314-Bargain-1500ono-2012-Custom-Marin-Quake-7-9-or-Split!

and another although slightly more:

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?247667-2009-Santa-Cruz-V10

Cheers
Pete

[86mud]

Hi Pete

Thanks heaps for the feedback. I guess I should have said in my first message "cross country with the odd downhill thrown in"

I have riden this bike and it feels really nice to ride (compared to my current hardtail Giant!!!) on a mixture of cross country and downhill track.

Just not sure what to do!

Cheers

[Marmoset]

Second the comments on the fork and the Psylo's didn't have a great reputation for performance or longevity (certainly not in the UK - saw very few of them) so you might be looking to upgrade those pretty quickly.

I'd have a look around for a second hand Giant Trance X or Reign. You'll probably get a slightly lower spec on the drivetrain but it they both have a very good reputation and probably be a fair bit lighter.

[Rayngie]

I used to have a VT1...got stolen off the back of my car on the way to the Highland Fling....ended up using my Gemini 1000 downhill bike for the whole 100k's....quad burner deluxe!

anyway, dont buy it, no where near a down hill bike, very upright geometery, was designed for XC racing and nothing else.

around that price you may find a Reign 2nd hand, much better, i have a Reign 0 which belts downhill, not bad at all for an All Mountain bike.

Ray