Submitted by
Dennis
a Cross Country Rider
from California, USA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2003
Strengths: Good price, good components for the money, nice brakes, excellent frame. Lightweight for a hardtail at this price. A great example of a good entry-intermediate level XC bike.
Weaknesses: Fork is too soft for most riders; the seat initially hurts your ass LOT before you get used to it.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike used in near-mint condition. So far, it's done completely what I expected it to do. I had just gotten into biking and I was looking for a lightweight, no-frills cross-country bike that could handle moderate trails. This bike can do that pretty well.
A lot of people who have paid MSRP (around $500) say that they've gotten an excellent deal. After I got this bike, I looked around the major bicycle manufacturers who had bikes around this price and the IguanaSE seems to have a better setup. Since I paid just $300, I think this bike was more than worth the price (if you get this bike now, anyways, you'll be paying less than I did). You might (and could probably) get or build a better bike for around $500 if you looked around LBS's and such, but you won't get a better bike with an original MSRP of $500.
The brakes are great and firm. The rear derailler [sic] is fine but the front Alivio, being a lower-end model, has some trouble shifting to larger chainrings sometimes. Still, nothing too serious. By far, I think the best thing on this bike is the frame. It's light and is relatively stable (at least to me).
The two gripes I have about this bike are the fork and the seat. The fork is lightweight and I have not had any problems with it. However, it's really soft. The preload works fine for me and I can make it pretty stiff, but I'm 118 lbs. so this has not been a problem for me. I think that if you're anything over 165-180 lbs. you would want to get a different fork as the preload on this fork acts like it gets exponentially ineffective as your weight goes up, as my 180-ish lb. friend found out when he was riding on my bike. The second thing is the saddle: it hurts. It has Kevlar sides but the "nose" part of the seat is really thin and protrusive and your ass gets sore pretty quick. I got used to it after just a couple rides, though.
For cross-country riding, this bike is great. It's light, responsive, and climbs well. If you're a light guy like me, I think you'll appreciate the fork. This bike is good for fire trails and such, but it's definitely not made for really rough stuff. The frame I have trust in; the fork, I don't for heavier riders.
Please do not take this bike freeriding with the stock Manitou Magnum. It'll smack itself silly. I saw reviews saying that the fork bottomed out or blew the top cap after going of 6' drops or the like. One guy even used it downhilling. Aaah! No, no, no! I don't recommend getting too aggressive with this bike but if you do, dump the fork.
I use this bike as city, get-around bike now, with lightly-aggressive street tires. It's great for that, too.
Submitted by
Asher Zoomers
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2003
Strengths: Raised hangers
Weaknesses: Frame cracked in half behind front headset, in the exact same spot that my friends iguana did. Luckily no one was seriously hurt. Only a broken rib and lots of bruises. Very Dangerous Frame!! Warranty sucks and won't cover it.
Bottom Line:
Nice bike untill the frames crack and try to kill you. Won't buy another Giant if their service and products continue to be total crap. Very dissatisfied and can't find anyone who seems to give a damn. If anyone does I would like to hear from them. Thanks
Submitted by
George W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Poway,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003
Strengths: Good bike for the money. Durable frame. Decent hillclimber.
Weaknesses: Stock seat. BB went South in 3months. Trued the front wheels twice in 2years. Broke a bunch of spokes in the rear[$26 to repair]
Bottom Line:
Good bike for the money.It never fit me quite perfectly but it did everything I asked of it within reason.AS I got better the bike rewarded me.The stock tires were OK, they were replaced with Velocoraptor on front,Panracer on rear after the first year.I put on 750 miles in the 1st seven months At that time I had a complete tune-up done[including a fork rebuild],this cost $60.The bike worked a lot better,and I started to really enjoy riding it.The Iguana is a recreational bike that has endured two years of hard ridng [no abuse,but numerous crashes].
Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from Hopewell, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002
Strengths: this bike climbs sumwhat decently and flows well.
Weaknesses: the fork... is heavy and unresponsive, the components are pore for doing any kind of hard biking. the bike is very unbalanced, with a heavy front and lite rear. the saddle could couse seriouse injury to the ass.
Bottom Line:
I barrowed this bike from a friend when my bike was being repaired. I took this bike to a very rocky place and it performed less than i would have liked. this bike is great for a beginner who is doing easy trails or using it to cruise the city. For your own sake don't try anything to hard with it.
Similar Products Used: Kona caldera, specialized rockhopper, trek
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Max
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2002
Strengths: seat, brakes, rims
Weaknesses: fork, rear derailure, gears, shifters
Bottom Line:
I got this bike on sale in 2001 since the shop was clearing out for newer models. The bike is an all-round good bike, but if you intend to ride it really hard (eg. my friends KHS Alite 2000 or my brothers Schwinn Moab Elite) you'll run into problems. The caps on the forks keep blowing up at my chest (3x), my quikshift shifters keep jamming. The brakes are good, and don't need to be tightened that much. The bike was worth it, but it needs frequent tuneups and fixes. Don't take this one to the Grand Canyon, but for the average mountain joyride, its good.
Submitted by
Colin Osborn
a Cross Country Rider
from Carbondale,CO,United States
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002
Strengths: rims
Weaknesses: Fork's bushings
Bottom Line:
This bike was a good bike. I beat the $hit out of this bike. I rode it hard for two years and only replaced the rear deraillieur, Tires and got the fork bushings replaced by Manitou.The bike shop that sold it was great, I was going to sell it but one night i was riding, bunnyhopped a curb and the frame broke. I liked the bike, but it is not for a abusive rider. It was a good bike though.
Submitted by
Wade
a Downhiller
from Carbondale,CO,United States
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2002
Strengths: Stong Frame
Weaknesses: Manitou Magnum fork
Bottom Line:
This is built well and works good, the fork the manitou was easilt broken, i replaced it with a Marzocchi z.1 fr and the bike felt like it could take anything. The front derailluer wore out quick also but i then replaced it with a MRP chain guide. It is now my screw around , dual slalom race bike, I love it.
Submitted by
Krazy Kid
a Downhiller
from Cranbrook, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002
Strengths: Every thing
Weaknesses: peadles, seat
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! I have the small frame so it lookes like a jump rig. I can't break it! I broke my full suspension 3 times and the hardtail won't bust! I Can go huge on this bike! Get it for awsome rides, Awsome times!
Bike Setup: Its all stock exept for the seat, and peadles.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Salem, Or U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002
Strengths: cheap, strong, great fit
Weaknesses: cranks are junk, seat rails bent, fork is down-right dangerous!!!
Bottom Line:
i bought this bike because it was the best value and it was all i could afford. i have replaced several components out of neccessity. the cranks bent, so i bought LX splined cranks. the manitou forks blew up and shot the cap into my face, so i bought marzochi djII. i also bought better brakes, bigger tires and a new seat because the rails bent. i ride this bike EXTREMELY hard. alot harder than it was made for. i do 4 1/2 foot drops on concrete and it has held up better than i ever expected.
Purchased At: mountain bike outfitters (washington)
Bike Setup: set up for freeride. lx cranks (splined), marzochi djII fork, 2.3 inch tires, lx brakes, riser bars.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ethan T
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2002
Bottom Line:
If you can possibly see yourself as becoming a regular mountain biker, don't get the Iguana. Get something better.
The Iguana is a great bike for the money, but the components are low grade and will soon wear or start to disappoint you. You get what you pay for though, and Giant is a great company. I recently had to return a bike frame to them for replacement. No hassle!
But seriously, go for the XTC SE 1 or 2 because of the mere fact that you will want more than just the Iguana. However, for pure recreational riders, the Iguana is worth it.
Submitted by
Ben Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from berne, IN, US
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001
Strengths: great bike for beginer. this bike has good demensions, and can be raced
Weaknesses: hardly any at all, except for the brakes, and the cranks. my only other gripe is the stock seatpost
Bottom Line:
this bike has been working out great for me. its stable, and can take lots more than what it was made for (trials type stuff). one of the only major problems i have had with it was the stock cranks which flexed quite a bit,and bent easily. but after i bought new firex's, the bike is like brand new. i plan on buying new brakes soon though, because the stock ones are cheap and don't have very good modulation. all in all, this bike is great for value, and possibly racing(as i plan on doing this comeing summer)
Bike Setup: mostly stock, except for tru-vativ firex cranks, and easton ea50 seatpost. i plan on replacing the brakes soon
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Olivier B
a Weekend Warrior
from San Mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2001
Strengths: Incredible bang for the buck! I love the way it handles around corners. Great Manitou Magnum fork that will take just about anything... Mine came w/ LX components, can't complain, can I?... Great aluminum frame, super rigid.
Weaknesses: The seat is way hard, but once broken in, it's just fine. The tires suck... Brakes tend to fade in long downhills... Just wish it were a Full-Suspension!
Bottom Line:
I've ridden this bike for almost 2 years now on all kinds of trails and I haven't had to change anything on it! The value is incredible.
It's a great bike for beginners and intermediate riders. Once you get into hard MTB riding, you'll probably want to upgrade to a Full-Suspension, but remember, your Iguana SE made you love it!
Bike Setup: QR20, Hayes front& rear, mavic D321 Disc rim, mrp chainguide, profile bars, raceface cranks, xt components, and intinse tires 3 front and 2.4 rear.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, Oh
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2001
Strengths: The bike is a good start to an even better bike. It has a very good frame and fairly good components throughout.
Weaknesses: The brake levers are the lowest quality component on the bike. Wheels are strong but heavy.
Bottom Line:
There are a few major upgrades that this bike needs to become an xc racing bike. The Suntour crankset has been through a lot and is still in good shape. This is an excellent starting bike for someone considering racing and is easily (not affordably) upgradable to an awesome bike. I recommend upgrading the brake levers immediately which gives the brakes an entirely different feel. This bike is worth the money for someone making a minimal investment in becoming serious in the sport. Don't buy this bike if you plan on racing it stock. Upgrading is fun!!!(and expensive)
Strengths: Price obviously Frame can take alot of s#*t Fairly good components
Weaknesses: None really, cept this bike made me want to do more, and fork out the $$$
Bottom Line:
The Bike itself does what it was designed to do, do cross country riding, except I got bored with that and went to freeriding. All the upgrades/conversions have made the bike a DS machine. It can also battle with the best of hardtails on drop offs, thanks to the new fork.
A couple of complaints though. First of all, I bent the stock riser bar and I had to get a new one. I also demolished the stock BB in a race. I went through the stock cranks and they were replaced free of charge because the chainrings warped. I got a new Shimano A crankset free which worked well till I started freeriding. I did a stair gap of about 6 stairs and my feet slipped to the outside of the pedals and I landed. The crank torqued sideways ALOT. The new cranks set me back about 100 dollars. The stock pedals are also junk. With the upgrades this bike is easily a 5, but without its about a 3 or a 4. The value is something you can't beat.
