Giant Reign 1 All Mountain Full Suspension

4.82/5

(60 Reviews)

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MSRP : $2730.00

Product Description

Six inches of aggressive Maestro Suspension offer maximum control when it’s needed most. With a balanced ALUXX SL aluminum frame, including a super-stiff OverDrive front end and 15QR thru-axle fork for maximum control, you’ll master technical climbs and flow down rough descents on the all-new Reign.

Fox 32 Float RL with 15QR thru-axle, 150mm travel, tapered steerer tube suspension fork, Fox RP2 Boostvalve with XV sleeve, rear shock
Shimano SLX componentry with Avid Elixir 5 disc brakes
Giant Connect SL alloy handlebar, stem and seatpost
DT Swiss E540 rim, Giant Tracker (F, 15mm)/Shimano Deore (R) hubs, stainless spoke wheelset
Color: Silver/Cyan

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Reviews 1 - 15 (60 Reviews Total)

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Submitted by citogaston

Date Reviewed: July 30, 2012

Strengths:    Pedals well and climbs good for a 6" travel bike. Fast, light, and fun on moderate stuff. Can handle the technical stuff pretty well.

Weaknesses:    For the price, not really any. I got wider handlebars, a bash guard, and chain guide. I recommend all three.

Bottom Line:

If you want to pedal and climb a lot, you should get something lighter with less travel. If you mainly descend on steep, technical stuff, obviously go bigger. If you want something to pedal up and ride down, and can handle pretty much anything you throw at it, I don't know if you can do any better in this price range. It seriously is an AWESOME bike. Easy to pedal geometry, and enough travel and balls to handle most steep, technical stuff. I ride in Squamish & North Shore, and this can do everything I want it to and more. I'm not out hitting 20ft gaps, but I ride pretty hard, and it's been seriously awesome. Highly recommended to any intermediate or above rider who fits this profile.

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Submitted by boonecounty a Cross Country Rider from Basalt, CO, USA

Date Reviewed: August 1, 2011

Strengths:    Great travel really rails the downhills but still can climb decent.

Weaknesses:    Climbing

Bottom Line:

This bike rocks. I was in Basalt Bike and Ski when the owner Joel came up and talked to me about this bike. I have a 2009 specialized stumpjumper pro 29er. I ride and race a little cat 2. I wanted a bigger travel bike for riding at the ski resorts and shuttle rides, but I also wanted a bike that I could ride on a 30 mile ride. This bike does it all. A little piggish on the climbs, but when it goes down hill it rages. In the first 6 days I have ridden over 100 miles of singletrack on some of the best trails colorado has to offer. No weaknesses seen yet and with 6" of travel I can open it up on the downhills without worrying.

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Favorite Trail:   Monarch Crest

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2300.00

Purchased At:   Basalt Bike and Ski

Similar Products Used:   specialized enduro, specialized stumpjumper

Bike Setup:   Stock with a Joplin Seatpost.

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Submitted by Reno/Tahoe Rider a Downhiller from Reno, NV

Date Reviewed: June 6, 2011

Strengths:    Nice looking bike, the Maestro suspension is real plush, light frame.

Weaknesses:    I just switched from a Specialized XC, and it is much harder to pedal this bad boy uphill.

Bottom Line:

Eats up anything I can throw at it, have taken it off some 4-5 foot drops, and the Reign ate it up. Corners well, feels good, great bike!

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Favorite Trail:   Tyrolian DH

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $1850.00

Purchased At:   Taylor's Bikes (UT)

Similar Products Used:   Specialized XC

Bike Setup:   All stock components except upgrade to Rock Shox Lyric front fork, and Crank Bro's Mallet pedals.

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Submitted by Cheese Wheelie a Weekend Warrior from Lakewoood, CO

Date Reviewed: April 12, 2011

Strengths:    Excellent suspension, reasonable weight, decent components, good geometry for aggressive riders, good all around performer. Through-axle front wheel, fork lock-out, and 10-speed rear. Giant known for solid waranty support.

Weaknesses:    Limited seat adjustment due to interupted tube. Dropper seat post is a must. Kenda Nevegal tires corner well, but have extremely high rolling resistance. Stock handlebars make riding position a bit awkward.

Bottom Line:

My 2011 Reign 1 pedals and climbs equally as well as my 5" Jamis, but it inspires more confidence in the rough. That extra inch of suspension was a noticable improvement right out of the gate.

The Maestro rear end is very supple and efficient, making the bike extremely fast on descents. It likes to be run soft, and it can be difficult to find the ideal setting as it seems to run through its travel very quickly.

The slack head angle is very noticable, making the bike very stable at speed. It still turns extremely well in flowing single-track, and the bike's overall geometry and handling is excellent.

The stock set-up with sweeping, low-rise bars made the steering a bit vague. It appears that Giant has this bike set up with the weight bias toward the rear to showcase the Maestro rear end. Replacing the bars with a higher rise and less sweep gives the bike better overall balance. Nevegal tires are very slow rolling and give the bike a cumbersome feel.

The bike's major weakness is the interupted seat tube, which gives you a very narrow range of adjustment options. The seatpost won't go low enough for aggressive terrain in its stock form, and cutting it limits your ability to raise it high enough for climbine. This bike screams for a dropper post with remote adjustment.

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Favorite Trail:   Keystone DH

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2500.00

Purchased At:   Giant Store

Similar Products Used:   AMP FS, 2004 Jamis Dakar XLT 2.0, Giant Trance

Bike Setup:   Swapped out bars for more rise and less sweep. Kind Shock i900 seatpost, Specialized LoPro pedals, more ergonomic seat, Maxxis High Roller tires.

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Submitted by justinscheer a Cross Country Rider from Burnaby B.C. Canada

Date Reviewed: February 10, 2011

Strengths:    2010 reign one.... very plush suspension,fox dhx 4.0, fox forks, mine came with mavic 321's and kenda nevegals very good build kit for the money, sram x9 , elixer brakes are excellent!

Weaknesses:    not crazy about raceface cranks, or fizik seat. handlebars a little low, paint chips easy!!! use lots o hockey tape!

Bottom Line:

Bang for the buck, very hard to beat, its a heavy duty trail bike, eats rocks roots and small logs for breakfast, and is light enough for daily commute!!! also climbs like goat....if your looking for one bike for smooth trails to lite enduro this it! very happy with purchase, take one for a test boot, after two test drives I bought one!

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Favorite Trail:   bobsled

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Price Paid:    $2650.00

Purchased At:   steed cycles N.Van

Similar Products Used:   2008 sette ace 4" travel(very different)

Bike Setup:   changed cranks to truvativ stylo oct 2.2RG,971 chain, truvativ 30mm riser, front tyre to nevegal 2.5 folding/2.35 rear, wtb seat much better!

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Submitted by bisdak a Weekend Warrior from Maryland USA

Date Reviewed: November 14, 2010

Strengths:    lightweight, very smooth ride

Weaknesses:    a bit tricky on putting the front derailleur but once set no problem

Bottom Line:

Impressive and the best bike i ever had , very light under 30 lbs, handle corners and switchback very well, great downhill performance, climbs like a goat, eats up all the small bumps superbly without compromising your pedalling, very stable and you can feel that the tires always sticks to the ground.

To those who are still uncertain if you want this bike or not, now is the time to make the decision, go for it... blame me if you dont like it...

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Favorite Trail:   Patapsco State Park, Greenbier, Loch Raven

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $700.00

Purchased At:   online (frame only)

Similar Products Used:   GT Force

Bike Setup:   Full XTR components, FSA stem, FSA XC carbon handlebars, crank brothers candy 3 pedals, mavic crossmax wheels, kenda nevegal tires, Fox talas 32 100-120-140 adjustable fork, fox float rp2 rear shocks

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Submitted by Canuckistani a Racer from Radium, B.C., Canada

Date Reviewed: August 19, 2010

Strengths:    This bike is the best in the light all-mountain class. It is a 6" XC bike that handles everything but the steepest trails. There is nothing better in a 6" bike. It has the best suspension, good components, light weight. I use it on XC trails on British Columbia Super D runs (which means up and down a large mountain), and in several endurace races. Took it to Sedona, AZ last winter and it handled the terrain there better than the DH bikes locals were riding that had an extra 7 lbs on the reign.

Weaknesses:    The '08 model (copper colour) that I had came with narrow bars. I think Giant changed that on newer models. The original wheelset was lackluster.

Bottom Line:

Been using this bike daily during riding season since Sept. '08. Best bike I've ever owned. It is a fun bike that lets you carve the descents and climb any hill. Jumps well too. This bike is the bomb and if you're thinking Reign or Reign X you should probably get the Reign -- unless you plan to visit bike parks with your bike. Then again my buddy has the same bike (his is the '08 Reign 0) he put a TALAS 36 on it and now that bike rips like a DH bike. Mine has stock suspension and I can rip it anywhere except the steepest chutes. Buy this bike. I ride it all the time and am one of the fastest guys in group rides with guys on Ibis. Those aren't bad bikes either, they're just not as good as the Reign. Reign = light weigh, best performing suspension, best value on the market. I have improved as a rider on this bike. It shines in every area except the steepest B.C. chutes.

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Favorite Trail:   Steamboat

Duration Product Used:   2 Years

Price Paid:    $3000.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Similar Products Used:   Ibis, Specialized, Rocky Mountain, Norco, Kona. . .none are as good.

Bike Setup:   Swapped out the WTB wheels for Mavic Crossmax ST -- big improvement. Wider bars. Replaced the Evolve crankset for new XT when the chainrings wore out.

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Submitted by scottynot1 a Cross Country Rider from puyallup, wa

Date Reviewed: July 7, 2010

Strengths:    bomber 66, sram x9, mavic crossmax

Weaknesses:    hayes rear gets mushy,bleed many times

Bottom Line:

Could not pass up the deal,I ride everyday 30 miles, road and trails, bike will do anything I want it to so far.I've had GT full suspension before but it did not ride like the reign 1, just getting into the sport again former motocrosser,and old 40ish and it still hurts when ya BAIL.Overall love the bike, all ready looking to buy something new but will not get rid of this one.

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Favorite Trail:   everywhere

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $400.00

Purchased At:   friend

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Submitted by stultorum a Weekend Warrior from Portland, OR, USA

Date Reviewed: June 6, 2010

Strengths:    6" of travel, under 30Lbs, low stand over, amazing hyrdroformed, very reasonable pricing

Weaknesses:    Still looking... nope.. can't find any

Bottom Line:

I've put a couple hundred extremely wet, muddy miles on this bike (it's been a brutal Oregon Spring this year) and it's done nothing but satisfying.

It is hands down, unequivocably the best bike I have ever had the pleasure of charging on.

My goal was a 5"-6" travel all mountain ride that would come in under 30Lbs. I had my heart and checkbook set on an SC Nomad. Right before I pulled the triger I tried a Giant Trance and was blown away. I wanted something a little more agressive and that's when I turned my sights to the Reign. It took a lot of time and patience to find a 2nd revision frame (08 and later I think) in size L.

One of the tricky parts of my build is I went with a 5" travel fork, 32mm stanchions, QR15. I was planning on getting a 6" travel fork, 36mm stanchions, but convinced myself that I do a lot more XC than FR and the less travel/rake/weight would be appreciated more often. I don't know. If I hit the ski resorts more this summer maybe I'll feel differently. So far I'm loving the decision, but it's been all fire roads and fire lanes in Forest Park and Powell Butte twice. No FR at all.

Anyway, the Reign 1 is responsive, not twitchy, at both speed in the switchies and off cambered corners, as well as granny gear tech work (haven't had much of it that yet though). The suspension is fantastic. I switch both the F32RL and RP2 to lockout and climb. Get to the top, reach down and flip some levers, and let the 5-6 travel do it's thing. I can't say enough good things about it. The bike is glued to the trail on the smallest bumps and hits, and then feels bottomless on a drop. However, you don't want to get out of the saddle and attack on this thing when you have the valves open. I've ridden worse, but all the same it's definitely an all mountain bike, right?

As for things I would change, well, the Azonic B52 bar, Hellbent stem, WTB grips, SRAM SX5 shifters, and Avid Juicy 7's (once again... mechanical). The biggest improvement will be going with some hydraulic Avid's, and some X9 shifters, so I can mount them with match makers. But that's how it goes when half your bike came from a bike you canabalized :)

If anybody has suggestions for me on tires/bar/stem/grips... please send me a PM. I haven't been able to find something to fall in love with yet.

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Favorite Trail:   Hagg Lake

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $680.00

Purchased At:   ebay (frame only)

Similar Products Used:   Santa Cruz Nomad (very similar)... other bikes that are not nearly as similar so I won't waste your time listing

Bike Setup:   I built the frame up so it's got some goodies and recyled parts... 2008 L frame (copper brown), Fox F32RL 120mm 15mm QR, WTB lasers with 9mm CK in back - 15mm XT up front, Avid Juicy 7's (mechanical), SRAM woody X9 in back, Deore front der, Azonic B52 bars, Titec hellbent stem, FSA headset, WTB Laser V Pro Saddle w/ Nicro Rails, Azonic QR seatpost clamp, WTB locking grips, Continental Mountain Kings... the rest is lame and will get upgraded over time... I spent $1500 on the parts that built my Giant Reign 1.

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Submitted by charging_rhinos a Racer from Salt Lake City

Date Reviewed: March 30, 2010

Strengths:    Brakes, suspension, climbing efficiency, downhill performance is mind-blowing for that light a bike. Feels very sturdy on smaller drops.

Weaknesses:    not wild on the 15mm QR axle thing. I wish it was a 20mm, just to give more fork/hub options. Tires are crap. CRAP!! But that's true with most bikes lately.

Bottom Line:

Amazing build for the money. Extremely versatile frameset. I can climb as well as on a hardtail, but it feels like a freeride bike descending. Fabulous brakes Good suspension, great components, and all at 30 lbs. I could go on and on listing its laurels. Every bit as good as my former love, the SC Nomad. Feels just as burly, but lighter and more agile.

For reference, I weigh about 220 and am 6'3". The XL frame was great for me since i prefer a longer cockpit.

I'm sold on Giant. The minute they make an XL Reign X, I'll be back at Go-Ride. Amazing bikes, the whole group.

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Favorite Trail:   Anything other than Shoreline, Pipeline or Temple Quarry

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $2200.00

Purchased At:   Go-Ride

Similar Products Used:   Nomads, Blurs, Kona Coiler/CoilAir, Dawgs, and a Trek or two

Bike Setup:   2009 XL frame, stock except for Gravity DH Lite bars, Evolve DH stem, ZS-3 headset, and Mallet 1 Pedals.

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Submitted by Simo a Weekend Warrior from Mornington, Victoria, Australia

Date Reviewed: January 14, 2010

Strengths:    Great all round performer. Climbs well, rips through trails and descends like a dream for a bike that isn't a specific DH bike.

Weaknesses:    None found yet

Bottom Line:

Want a one bike quiver that lets you do XC, FR, Trail and DH well, get this.

Can't say enough about how versatile this bike is. It's not the answer if you want compete and win in a specific discipline, but if you like to mix your riding up and still push it in all areas you won't be dissappointed with this bike.

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Favorite Trail:   Eatons

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $2500.00

Purchased At:   Jones Cycles Frankst

Bike Setup:   Stock 2009 Reign 1. Have removed the stem spacers though, makes it just a bit more nimble coming back down.

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Submitted by igz a Weekend Warrior from Melbourne

Date Reviewed: December 20, 2009

Strengths:    >>Giant Reign X1 2009<<

Climbs and pedals well with minimal bob, the BEST value for money, excellent build, warranty, do-it-all suitable.

If your riding style is similar to mine, which is: mild DH, agressive trail, mild FR and XC sometimes, get this bike!

Weaknesses:    Tyres are BAD! Replace immediately! ...tubes too.

Bottom Line:

I have been researching which bike to buy for months and this was my final decision. This bike truly has HEAPS of potential. Climbs very well, descends very smoothly, jumps great, frame is excellent, looks awesome. I did however replace both tyres and tubes because stock ones are so utterly bad. My bike came with WTB Prowler 2.35 tyres and Kenda 1.9" tubes, unbelievable! Once I went for a weekend ride and punctured both tyres instantly.
The bike components are very good on X1 but I will upgrade them slowly. Brakes (Juicy Fives) do the job fine and they're not too squeaky and I weigh 200lbs. Fork (Fox Van 36 R Coil) is excellent, love coil susp. Rear susp. (Fox DHX3.0) does the job very well too. Wheels are excellent for now.

I really couldn't be happier with this bike, I would give it 7 chillies if i could. Bottom line - buy this bike, you will not regret it.

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Favorite Trail:   You Yangs

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $2760.00

Purchased At:   Ivanhoe Cycles

Similar Products Used:   My first dual suspension bike.

Bike Setup:   Stock

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Submitted by DanaYares a Downhiller from Petaluma, Ca, USA

Date Reviewed: December 10, 2009

Strengths:    Everything! It climbs, corners & decends like no bike I have ever ridden. 30lbs, and nice to look at.

Weaknesses:    It doesn't come in pink.

Bottom Line:

THIS IS AN AWSOME BIKE! I am a girl expert level DH rider whe has been suffering on the climbs with my Kona Coiler Deluxe... So much so that I started not wanting to ride my bike anymore. I didn't believe that a 30lb air suspended bike could give me the decending quality I was looking for... Boy was I wrong! The Reign climbs like a goat and decends like a gazelle. Stabel, nimble, the suspension soaks up bumps like coil. Oh, and the cornering, the bike seems to do the work for you. This bike rides BETTER than it $5000+ competators for a fraction of the cost. BUY ONE!

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Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2030.00

Purchased At:   Ceasar's Cycelery

Similar Products Used:   Specialized Enduro, Kona Coiler Deluxe

Bike Setup:   Fox Float, DHX 4.0 air, Scram X9, Elixer brakes, WTB wheels, Nevegal 2.35

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Submitted by sack a Weekend Warrior from Wellington, New Zealand

Date Reviewed: September 26, 2009

Strengths:    Price, weight, XT wheelset

Weaknesses:    X7 shifters apparently

Bottom Line:

Only two decent rides so far, but fantastic for the price, there is nothing out there that even gets close... Balance between front and rear seems on the money. Bit of a change from riding hardtails but would never go back now!!! Just need to find the time to ride it!!!

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Favorite Trail:   Deliverance

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2470.00

Purchased At:   Penny Farthings

Similar Products Used:   Does my rigid single speed count? Otherwise first 'real' full sus..

Bike Setup:   Stock 09 Reign with upgraded shifters to X9 to match rear derailler

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Submitted by Goat on a Bike a Weekend Warrior from Boise/ Nampa, ID

Date Reviewed: September 11, 2009

Strengths:    Stable and responsive on the DH, relatively lightweight, great "Swiss-Army" bike for everything from the stunt park to DH runs to XC

Weaknesses:    For my needs I found the stem was a bit too long- easily/ cheaply remedied with a switch to a DH/FR stem. That's all.

Bottom Line:

Great bike- even if I progress in this sport and need to upgrade I will always keep this bike in my quiver and use it as often as possible.

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Favorite Trail:   Bingo

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Price Paid:    $1300.00

Purchased At:   vey lightly used fro

Similar Products Used:   have ridden Giant Reign X- also a great ride but was just over my price range- loved it

Bike Setup:   Stock 2008 Giant Reign 1 except for pedals (crank bros 50-50s), stem (Scott DH/FR) and grips (Petey grips)

Reviews 1 - 15 (60 Reviews Total)

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Giant Reign 1 All Mountain Full Suspension

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