With a lightweight, durable ALUXX aluminum frame built to maximize a 100-millimeter suspension fork, Rincon is ready to explore the path less traveled. Dependable components, including sturdy disc brakes, make it a fun and reliable adventure companion.
Submitted by
the other dude
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2011
Strengths: Durable. Very Very durable.
Lifetime warranty on the frame (not needed yet)
Cheap
Amazing rims (in strength, not sure how light)
Weaknesses: Fork Rock Shox Dart one - did not have lockout and after a while (dunno when) it froze - so now it is stuck and acts like a non-suspension fork.
Pretty heavy
It likes to be serviced every 500km or so
Seat post kept on sliding in the clamp - had to add some cardboard around the seat post to make it stay.
Bottom Line:
I have used this bike since 2006. I did not ride it offroad much (only a handful of times). It was used almost exclusively for commuting.
I used this bicycle mainly on the roads in Brisbane, Australia. For over 6000km (since 2007 till 2010) I have only changed 2 sets of brake pads - in 2010 I changed the casette and the chain.
It is a reliable, hard-working horse. I fell of it pretty hard but it had no problem - jumped back on. I did not take care of it - treated it like it is some comsumable good that I'll throw away if it fails - but it didn't fail. When I was riding it to work (at least 15km/day) I used to take it for a service every 3 months - after the service, it rode like a dream.
I have used it to do a 100km ride (Brisbane to Gold Coast) - with absolutely no issues - it went pretty fast. Although unfit, I averaged 32km/h for the first 40 km (drafting a lot) and 3h 20 min for the entire ride.
I occasionally used a racer bike to do my commute to work and the difference (for 7km each way) between these two bikes was around 1 minute or so - not that obvious.
The seat is comfortable (not sure what brand) and although crashed and has some foam sticking out, still holds up.
I abused the brakes as much as I could (was trying to see if the discs can turn red at one point) but they are still working fine. Changed the pads a couple of times though. The brake pads are bigger than the pads in my new Avalanche Tektro brakes and the Tektros squeak really loud - whereas the Shimanos on the Rincon are quiet.
The rims are incredible - once at work I got my wheel stuch under a large down-sliding garage rolling door (it was made of VERY thick steel). As the door came on the wheel, I thought: that's it. Instead, the sliding door got bent (this is no joke) and snapped off the rails (there was a 2kw electric motor driving that door via a gearing system). Luckily I didn;t get in trouble for that - the same door damaged the roofs of cars before. I don't know how much the rims weigh (they are double-walled) but I am keeping those babies. The front wheel had absolutely no damage, not even in need of truing!
Now for the bad.
The rock shock fork did not have a lockout and at some point it froze. As in, it does not slide anymore. I only found that out when i took it on some trails and realised that I have no suspension. As I used it mainly as a commuter, that was not such a bad news.
The seat post slides down now - either the clamp is not working well or the post has some problem. Fixed it by wedging some thick paper around the post. Before wedging the paper I tightened the clamp so hard that I broke the lever.
The bike is pretty heavy but then again... it doesn't cost much.
The paint has some chips and marks however, considering how it was treated, i'm surprised there aren't more.
Overall value: it's a great bike for commuting at least. Can't say about mountainbiking ability as I didn't use it for that. While looking now at entry-level bikes, I have a very strong feeling that the components and the quality of my Rincon is higher than what is currently the standard.
It doesn't get an overall rating of 5 chilis because of the fork and seatpost issues, but for the money, it's a great bike.
Similar Products Used: Wheeler Titanium, GT Avalanche 3.0 (MTB)
Cannondale System Six (road)
Bike Setup: Stock, only with Geax StreetRunnner tires
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
mtbridder
a Weekend Warrior
from cold spring mn
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2011
Strengths: light weight, shifting is amazing!
Weaknesses: brakes are ok, shocks are bad (my fork seals came undone after 1 week of ridding and had to get them replaced after mud got into the forks).
Bottom Line:
I think its a great bike to learn on for there first time downhill riding, but i would reccomend this bike :D
Submitted by
ChuckyNYC
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2011
Strengths: I have 2 09' Rincon's one is size Small, the other is size Large. Both bike frames are rock solid, have been riding the small one everyday for over 10 months doing urban, single tracks and DJ. Takes everything you throw at it and asks for some more!
Frame does not flex, Quality welds, geometry, and wheels that come with the bike are decent.
Weaknesses: -Heavy
-Comes with crappy components.
(Broke bottom bracket, rear hub, seatpost after +/-6 months)
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is, although i have upgraded all of the components since i purchased the bike it has been nothing but good to me. My bike has been abused everyday which is why i broke most of the original components!
Get it! Ride it till it breaks and than just upgrade it! Its worth keeping around.
Submitted by
the.rebot
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2010
Strengths: Great geometry, strong frame. Great all around bike to learn and have fun on.
Weaknesses: forks aren't the best (but not broken yet) This bike isn't for anyone who wants to show off or is a weight weenie.
Bottom Line:
Great beginner/weekend warrior bike - stock components aren't the best, but ride 'em 'till ya break 'em. This bike has really let me have so much fun this summer.
Bike Setup: Crankbros 50/50xx pedals, lock on iodine grips.Shimano LX 852 cranks (broke stock ones), Gorilla tubeless conversion.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
rage675
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2010
Strengths: Bang for the buck, durability, disc brakes are a plus for wet riding.
Weaknesses: Weight, pedals (get rid of them immediately)
Bottom Line:
I bought this with the expectation I'd lose a few pounds and get active. A year later, I'm now into road bikes, but the Rincon Street 2009 is were it all began. It is certainly heavy, in the 30 pound range, plus the accessories I have on. The medium frame was strong enough to hold me at 5'10", 330 lbs. last year. Now, I currently am around 205 and I haven't noticed any frame integrity issues, especially after two bad crashes. I can comfortably get this going at around 16 mph average speed on mostly flats and slight grades here in Buffalo, topping out at nearly 30 mph maximum speeds on good days. The Kenda K-Rad tires that are stock for the Rincon Street are better for road riding or commuting which has been advantageous in my case.
I love this MTB, I won't be riding it as much now that I purchased a road bike, because I'm looking for distance, and this (or any MTB for that matter) isn't ideal for distance rides. I can do 40-50 miles on this no problem, but after that, I'm just about spent.
Perfect MTB for beginners and especially those on a budget.
Bike Setup: Stock, except Shimano M324 clipless pedals
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
GSXRScott
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2010
Strengths: Price, Frame and Component Strength/Durability, Climbing Ability.
Weaknesses: Very Heavy compared to higher end bikes.
Bottom Line:
This is an awsome bike for the money. This bike is much much heavier than some of the higher end Giants and Fishers that my trail mates ride but then again I only paid $225.00 for the thing as compared to my buddies Specialize FSR that he paid over a grand for used.
Bike Setup: Mostly stock with the exception of Kenda Nevegal Tires and Stans Tubless Kit.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Soccer Star
a Weekend Warrior
from aptos, CA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2010
Strengths: It has a strong frame and acceptable brakes.
Weaknesses: I have had some personal issues with it. I went through two inner tubes in a weak. The second time I dont understand why. I think its that the tires arent thick enough for the rocks i go over. The fork is ok, but for the mountains. Nah, it even says on the fork, do not use for extreme jumps and stuff you know.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line. Its a great bike for the price, but try to upgrade the tires and fork.
Submitted by
RUDY
a Weekend Warrior
from Juarez Mexico
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2010
Strengths: I have used in mtb competitions without any issues at all
Weaknesses: front gear change I never have adjusted correct
Bottom Line:
Good for the price I bought it because I was new on the sport but it hsa been my bike for ccompetition on the mountain for over 66miles and the bike remains as new..
Submitted by
gloria
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2010
Strengths: This bike is the bomb!! The frame it terminal. I knew it was a good bike when I seen it. I bought it for the price of repairs since someone left it at the bike shop, totally their loss. I have been riding it for at least 10 years now and when I wash it it looks like new, only thing is broke is the kickstand and one of the rt pedal since I have had it. I shifts so smooth and rides smooth too. The only thing I changed was the seat so I could ride long with less but pain.
Weaknesses: the kickstand is hard to replace, I have not been able to find one to replace the one that broke off.
Similar Products Used: dont know they names of them; they belonged to other people
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
monsterjeeper
a Cross Country Rider
from Sugar Notch, Pa, USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2010
Strengths: This Frame is indestructible
Weaknesses: anything bolted to the frame should be scraped
Bottom Line:
what a mess huh...It is a real screamer in the tight fast downhills. it can climb like a cat pretty light in the front and a little bouncey with the 29" wheel up front...hey try it you'll love it, it's nothin' like the stock deal but if you have this frame you're a lucky dog put your imagination & a few dollars to it and get out and ride it...ps hardtails are the only way to climb anything
Similar Products Used: my only other bike was an old Marin bobcat trail from the late 80's...no comparison
Bike Setup: I have completely reworked this thing, it is now a 69er with a marzocchi bomber 100mm mx comp w/eta, hayes nine hyd. disc brake, race face post & mizuno saddle, cane creek sealed bearing headset, fsa flat bar & ritchey stem, its got a wtb stout tire on the front & a ritchey on the rear, truvativ BB shimano cranks, deore front & rear derailer
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Submitted by
TreButler
a Cross Country Rider
from Garden Grove, CA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2010
Strengths: Rock solid, takes abuse from a heavy rider, durable, disc brakes, price
Bottom Line:
Best deal of the bikes I test rode. I needed a strong bike; period. Granted I'm a beginner, I'm 6'2" and over 400lbs. (yeah u read right)! Test rode many bikes over months, and this was the ONLY one I didn't feel like I was going to snap by sitting on it! I even got cocky and jumped off of a few curbs and bunny-hopped; ended up test riding for nearly an hour! A love fest, made me proud to say I'm an owner of a 2010 Giant Rincon! Highly recommended "beginner bike"!
Bike Setup: upgraded every thing: rockshock tora shocks new drive train new brakes
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
peitrus
a Weekend Warrior
from Colton, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2009
Strengths: Great looking bike, especially the color. The bike's geometry is nice and tight as well. The brakes and derailleurs were nice and responsive after a bit of self tuning.
Weaknesses: A bit on the heavy side. Haven't weighed it but it feels like its around 30lbs. Accidentally broke the bolt on the seat post that clamps the saddle while casually riding.
Bottom Line:
Great beginner bike and a bike to train on. Training on a heavy bike = faster on a lighter bike. I'm not sure if this is the best bike for climbing hills or bombing serious downhills. But it's definitely nice for the back trails.
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