Submitted by
Duncan
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2010
Strengths: I had the 2006 model with V brakes. Great bike for $500 NZD. Have ridden well over 10000km of light trail and road riding as well as alot of jumping, skate park and BMX tracks and a few endurance races on mine before the frame broke. Well balanced and light.
Weaknesses: RST front shocks were terrible and needed replacing not long after I got it. Some of the components didn't enjoy endurance racing, but for the price and age I can't argue.
Bottom Line:
Excellent buy, wouldn't go past it in it's price range.
Bike Setup: Suntour XCM V2 front shocks, clip pedals, new cranks, heavy duty velocity rear rim, lower gearer front crankset, oversize grips, mud tyers and road tyers, had various cycle computers, lights, tyers ect at different times
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Crazy Dude
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2006
Strengths: The Bike is good for its value. The breaks are good and the frame is pretty strong for its weight. This bike weighs nothing. It is also a fairly fast bike and would be good for racing or entery level freeride biking. Also has good grips and a comfortalble seat. It is also a BEAUTIFUL looking thing. However this bike doesnt suit my off road style of riding.
Weaknesses: Forks are small and extremely soft. If you move onto doing big drops you will need to get forks with more travel. This is not a true downhill or free ride bike and is better off for street use. If that is what you are useing it for you will be extremely happy. If you want an off rode bike, this will not hold up on the bigger stuff. I did a fw 2 foot drops and a few dirt jumps on it but the back end is uncomfortable to land on. The cranks are crap too. For street use this bike is great, if you want an off road bike then spend an extra few hundred bucks and get an off road bike
Bottom Line:
Great bike for street riding. Really light and very easy to manual. It will also take small drops/jumps and othe minor off road riding. It is extremely good for its value.
Similar Products Used: Shogu Trail Breaker, Norco Sasquatch
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Josh Wolf
a Downhiller
from hamilton, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006
Strengths: nice light frame, great value for bike, smooth riding, I've taken it over 6ft drops and its still fine -(except for bottom bracket)
Weaknesses: the components- even though they are good for the price you pay, they don't last long. The shocks are terrible, they wore out so much they bottm out over speed bumps now, plus they only have 3 inches of travel.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for cross country, local trails or for beginners, but even though its nice and light and looks good its just not strong enough for what i would like. If you want to do downhill, freeride, dirtjumping, or something like that, this bike isn't going to be able to take it. I reccomend this bike to anyone who wants a fast, smothh rolling and light bike for really cheap.
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Prescott, Arizona U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005
Strengths: Good frame.
Weaknesses: Headset, cranks and wheels
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money. I really enjoy the frame and after three years of riding seems strong. Upgraded most of the componets after two years even though I did not have any problems with most of them I just like working on bikes. The stock cranks did bend on one ride and one of the plastic bushing covers on the headset broke soon after I bought it. The stock RST shock worked fine for XC, downhill, rocks and some two foot drops. Only had to adjust the derailers once but it was a new bike and cables stretch. Great bike for the XC rider but less expensive to buy a bike with all the upgades than doing it a part at a time unless your like building bikes.
Bike Setup: LX shifters,derailers,deore v brakes, alivio cranks and Rock Shox Judy SL u Turn.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2004
Strengths: Value...
Weaknesses: Components Durability.
Bottom Line:
I really have enjoyed this bike as an entry level bike, but I ride some very hard trails and the bike has had quite a few visits to the shop to get things repaired and replaced, I was quite disappointed by the durability, but considering the price and what i put it through it did. O.K. I think that this bike is good for people who are looking for a value entry level bike, but should plan on upgrading in the future if they continue for a few year with tough riding.
Strengths: solid ride. even though its a hardtail, when your downhilling it does bounce around but it it is very controllable. the frame hasnt broken yet even after jumping off a chevy van and a few 4 footers. the seat is the most comfortable thing ever.
Weaknesses: over time... the gears require a longer and harder pull on the shifters, it takes forever. the rim brakes have to constantly be adjusted to keep from rubbing but im used to discs so i could just be being picky.
Submitted by
John Urkuski
a Weekend Warrior
from Reading, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004
Strengths: The frame isn't great but it takes a beating and absorbs the shock of the roots and rocks of the Marsh okay. The rims held up to a year of abuse.
Weaknesses: The bottom bracket disentegrated after about six months. Crank set is a piece of junk, shredded the middle chain ring teeth in about eight months. Deraillures need constant adjustment and must be kept spotless and well lubed to have any kind of consistency. Performs poorly in muddy conditions. The shimano brakes are deplorable on downhills unless you start breaking early.
Bottom Line:
For very light trail use and some road work probably an okay bike. For single track or for climbing it will not cut it. Great on hard pack flat surfaces. Front RST Capa shock should be replaced immediately. Bottoms out on an ant hill!! For light excersize or very occasional trail use ONLY!!!
Submitted by
Morgan B.
a Weekend Warrior
from Honolulu
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2004
Strengths: Light weight, handles well, easy to shift
Bottom Line:
Loved that bike until it was stolen in September 2003. I rode it all through Long Island NY and brought with to Honolulu. Was a great tough bike for getting around single track, and city traffic. I'll miss that bike
Submitted by
Trevor
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2004
Strengths: Light, attractive, easy to handle, great value for the money.
Weaknesses: Front shock is adjustable, but doesn't get as rigid as I like at times. Too mushy for smoother rides.
Bottom Line:
I just got into mountain biking from bmx. Many bikes that I have ridden just don't ride the way that I like, on or off road. The Giant Rincon has a perfect ride. It has the touch to go from dodging trees and crossing streams to dodging cars and pedestrians while crossing the streets. Excellent value for such a great bike. This bike has made me a fan of Giant bikes.
Submitted by
jakeda snake
a Weekend Warrior
from riverside ca
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2003
Strengths: the price is a plus. nice frame and i like the huge giant logo. the bike shifts and brakes well.
Weaknesses: i do not like the tires there is too much resistance. cant upgrade to disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
I cannot see how people complain about a 300-dollar bike. If you want a high performance bike, you should go out and get one. I will upgrade the bike as things break and end up with sweet machine. The disc upgrade is not really an issue because I do not like the way disc brakes feel. If you are looking to get into the sport and do not want to break the bank buy this bike. I saw the past reviews with people swapping out everything on the bike before leaving the store and wonder why they did not buy a better-equipped model. The bike feels solid and high performance parts break just as easy. I am sure the NRS Air shifts and rides smoother but it also costs $$$$$ dollars more. The bike can handle what you through at it. BUY IT, RIDE IT AND HAVE FUN.
Strengths: Good overall value, new models have upgraded front forks(now have SR XC-60). This corrected one of the biggest weaknesses of earlier models. Lightwwight and comfortable bike with slick paint jobs.
Weaknesses: Low end Altus front derailleur & lower quality rims.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price, the weaknesses are expected for the price - remember that this bike is more of a starter or casual rider level. With the great frame, it could be upgraded in the future. Excellent ride and great look.
Submitted by
Matt O
a Weekend Warrior
from Surret B.C Canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003
Strengths: Mine is a big one 21' hahaha big aint it but i love it i like how the frame is light and looks strong brakes were ok till i fixed them to what i wanted to be at.
Weaknesses: Did not like the fork i got an old school stiff fork i got a factory 2.6 dh tred cause when i hit a jump with the old tred i didnt feel safe so i got a bigger 1 and its great. dont like the cranks ugly as hell dont like no disc mounts that just pissed me off the stem to long uggraded to a shorter dh stem very nice easy to cat walk how ever the colors not a big fan of the blue and whote thank god i dont got that i got the black and silver!!:)
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great beginers bike and does not cost alot but be warned to spend a bit upgradeing like me but i love it owell
Bike Setup: Short stem old school stiff fork i think a mozo rally nice ride hasnt bottomed out yet! factory 2.6 dh tred soon to get new cranks and a 04 dj3
Let me start by saying that this frame is DEFINITELY worth upgrading. When I first started shopping around for a bike, the first thing I looked for (like most people) was a quality frame. As a college student with limited funds I was looking for a bike at a reasonable price that was worth upgrading. The Giant Rincon is it!!! The stock 2004 Rincon is a great buy as it is. Before I upgraded I had no complaints with any of the bike's components, but I am a fairly aggressive rider and I wanted a little bit more out of my ride. Thanks to Ebay I was able to upgrade practically my whole bike at nearly half the cost. There's a lot of bike shops selling new and quality-used bike parts on Ebay (check it out). If I had the money at the time, I would have bought a bike with all the components that I wanted. I am extremely happy, though, that I had the freedom to mix-and-match the components that I wanted. To sum it up, the Rincon frame is worth the money for anyone looking to gradually upgrade components. With all the new parts installed and tuned to perfection (thanks to Cycles 'n' Sports in Worth, IL), my bike rides like a dream. It is significantly lighter, feels tight, and rides extremely smooth. I no longer second guess my bikes capabilities when I'm out on the trail (If I'm second guessing anything, it's my own cojones). This bike leaves my buddies in the dust (some of them ride high-end bikes $$$). My only complaint is that the frame does not have mounts for disc brakes. I am giving the 2004 Rincon 5 flamin' peppers for both value and overall rating because it is a solid-worthwhile performer off the showroom floor, and even better when you upgrade it.
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