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News: Giant's 2003 Bikes

The NRS Air in Team Blue, Giant's official corporate color.

NRSAll the usual suspects return from 2002 return to the Giant lineup. Due to the introduction of the VT, the $1,500 NRS 2 went back to a strictly cross-country platform. The top-shelf, World Cup-proven NRS Air will now be available in sexy "Team Blue" and features all the best pro-level stuff, such as Shimano's new XTR group, Mavic Crossmax SL tubeless wheels, RockShox SID team fork with remote lockout and -- sit down, please -- a $4,100 price tag. NRS 1 and 2 will be available the end of October, while the Air will out at the end of December.

AC and DH
The AC line now goes up to 6.5 inches of rear-wheel travel (there will be no more 4-inch travel settings) because of the new Manitou Swinger 4-Way adjustable coil shock with position- and speed-sensitive damping adjustments. A new seat-tube has a "seatpost window" so the post can be dropped all the way down, solving a major gripe about this bike. Prices will be $2,200 for the AC 2 and $3,000 for the AC 1.

An affordably priced, off-the-shelf downhill bike: the DH Comp.

Giant will continue to make two production downhill bikes, led by the $5,000 DH Team. This particular bike is a full-race replica of what the team guys get, complete with 8.25-inch travel, Manitou Swinger 6-Way adjustable coil shock with position- and speed-sensitive damping adjustments, and a hand-built Manitou Dorado fork. The $3,000 DH Comp has the same travel and rear shock as the DH Team. All will be available at the beginning of December.

AccessoriesGiant will be selling a full line of high-zoot accessories, including eight-panel, flat-seam Lycra shorts with an Italian chamois ($50), high-end baggies with a liner similar to the Lycra shorts ($67), gloves ($20 to $40), jerseys ($47 to $70) and fine chain lubes, degreasers, pedal lubes and bike polish.

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