Contents
Introduction
Frame
Original Specs
Common Faults
Gallery: Box One Blue – Yellow
Gallery: Box One Red – Black
Gallery: Box Two Silver – Dark Grey – Blue
Gallery: Box Two Gold – Yellow – Pink
Gallery: Box Three Blue – Light Blue – Purple
INTRODUCTION
I was given one of these bikes many years ago for christmas (1997), it has served me well over the years and I was shocked to see that the internet is pretty empty when it comes to providing information on this fine machine. I am going to dedicate this page to compiling facts and specs from the original design. I have also collected some pictures in the gallery at the end of the page. The 1998 version was blue/yellow with Magura hydraulic rim brakes and RST front dampers. The 1999 version was red/black with diatech disc brakes and Suntour front forks.
Edit: Due to popularity of this post I have also added the Box Two, Box Three and Box Shock specs and images, please do let me know via the comments if you have additional information or spot any errors.
FRAME
Firstly it was sold in the standard frame sizes Giant full suspension bikes are sold in these days.
-Size
-Measurement
-Approx height range
-Small
-16.5”
-5ft 3 – 5ft 6
-Medium
-18.5”
-5ft 6 – 5ft 11
-Large
-20.5”
-5ft 11 – 6ft 2
-XL
-Normally Giant have XL as 22.5” frame but I believe this series XL is 21.5″.
-6ft 2 plus
The most common is the 18.5″.
Made from alloy, none of this aluminium/carbon malarkey you get now days 😛
6061 T6 Aluminium
ORIGINAL SPECS
Blue box one:
Model: Giant Box One ’98 Freeride series, blue – yellow
Frame: 6061 T6 Aluminium 21.5 inch, full suspension, V form
Shifters: SRAM ESP 7.0, 3×9 gripshift gears
Derailleur: SRAM ESP 5.0, 3×9 front and rear derailers
Suspension:
Front: RST 381DH, oversized
Rear: Giant GTM 7 fully adjustable rear shock
Brakes: Magura HS11 special – hydraulic rim brakes
Red box one:
Model: Giant Box One ’99 Freeride series, red – black
Frame: 18.5 6061 t6 alloy frame
Shifters: SRAM ESP 7.0, 3×9 gripshift gears
Derailleur: SRAM ESP 7.0, 3×9 front and rear derailers
Suspension:
Front: Sr Suntour dc90 magnesium triple clamp adjustable forks
Rear: Giant GTM 7 fully adjustable rear shock
Brakes: diatech dp9 pro disc brakes with anodised calipers
Others:
– quick release alex al-dv22 double wall rims with giant hubs
– tioga factory downhill 2.10f tyres
– 24 speed
– sr suntour xr32 crank
– vp 565 peddles
– selle italia karve seat
– giant quick release alloy seat post
– ntg a-head set
– giant stem and bars
Dark Grey/Silver/Blue box two:
I’ve been sent a picture of a Box Two frame (in gallery below). It may be from 1998, but cannot find a lot of info. Giant also sold these as “Warps”. The one in the image is a 21.5″ frame.
Gold/Yellow/Pink box two:
Model: Giant Box Two Freeride series, Dark Grey – Silver – Blue
Frame: 21.5″ Frame. 18.5 in aluminium frame Giant 49 CMS frame
25″ Wheel. 26″ x 1.95 tyres/wheels
21/24 gears/24 speed shimano 8SIS gears.
Full Suspension (Front & Rear) RST Front Forks
Quick release Wheels and Saddle
Torque Bar on Handlebars. Alloy Pedals. GEL Fusion Padded saddle cover. V. Brakes. Travis X Handlebars.
Dia Compe VC757 brakes
Suntour DC80 magnesium front shocks
Box three:
Giant box three freeride series. A grim survivor from the late 1990s when frame experimentation was king! Although it looks like a full sus, it’s actually a hardtail
SRAM 5.0 twistgrip groupset.
RST forks.
Vbrakes.
21.5 inch frame.
Box shock:
To be confirmed
COMMON FAULTS
Unfortunately there was a common design fault with the Giant Box One. It would generally last one or two years then the frame would crack. My personal Giant Box One had this problem and I have seen many more examples with the same issue. Once this happens it is a write off.
GALLERY
Hi,
Great to see these pics. I recently dug our my old box one and lowered the seat post so my 8 year old son could ride it. Somewhere I also have a Box 2, which is silver and a slightly lower spec. I can send pics of the box 1 if you like and can take some of the Bix 2 also.
Regards,
Steve.
Hi Steve, thanks for the comment – Would love to see your pics, have sent you an email with my details on – Hope to hear from you soon 🙂
I still have my red box one with all the original bits on it including tyres. I got it in 1999 but passed my driving test 2001. I still use the bike every now and then. The bike is older than my apprentice and more reliable lol.
Great page. I’ve just picked a up a Box Two frame today for a fiver. Its silver to dark grey fade. I can email a picture if you want? Keep up the good work.
Hi Matt, thanks for the comment. That sounds great, yes please, i’ll email you my address.
I have a Box Two, still going strong! Bought it around 1999/2000 never let me down. Covered many many miles. Love it!
Hello!
I have one of the red box ones and it’s been a true pleasure to ride for years. Now the time has come to replace some bearings and the giant supplier in my city told me I’d be better off getting a new bike as they don’t stock/can’t get me the part I need.
I figure they’re bound to say that though, right?
I’m not mechanically minded so I’ll try and tell you what the part is but may get it embarrassingly wrong.. It’s the bit beneath the rear shock, the second pivot. The gold ring that looks like it needs a whole tool of its own to get it tightened.. (I use a cake slice I ninjad from work)
But yeah, it won’t be tightened. Bearings are gone.
Just wondered if any of you guys might know where to get such things from as I’m unwilling to let it go! X
I know the bit you mean, the back pivot – I think if you have already asked the manufacturer then your best bet would be ebay or similar site though I’d say its unlikely you will find anyone selling just that part. You will probably have to buy a second hand box one bike which do appear on there now and then for sale and take the parts from that. I did a similar thing a few years ago when I cracked the frame, bought a second hand one and transferred the parts over.
Best of luck with it and please keep us updated if you find a different route!
Hello mate i’ve just had mine done its not a bearing its a bush the guy at my bike shop took it out regreased it and put a couple of extra shims on it then tightened it up and its purfect now you could try that mate.hope this helps.
Hi there just wanted to let yah know i’ve still got my red and black box one and still love ride it.even now i still get people saying what a nice bike i’ve got.
Have got abit of play in the swing arm bearing but have got the guy at my local bike shop looking for the bearings for me.love the page keep up the good work.
Still got my box one, needs a crank as pedal fell off and threw it out! Planned on bike going too buy couldn’t do it so it’s in shed without pedal! One day I’ll get a crank for it as that crunches aswell. Good to see these pics of them.
Everything in bike is original and was using it up till 2018!