| |
Submitted by
Barkleyfan
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Shirley Meadows, Ca | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | Good spec, sturdy components, tuneable and upgradeable as you grow. | | Weaknesses: | The Axel fork has no lockout, and the websites instruction to convert to 100 mm is incorrect, leaving you to figure out what they really meant. The 80 mm setting was FAR to pluch for my 240 lb Clyde riding style. The conversion to 100 mm seems to have stiffened them up nicely.
The Mosquitos wear fast. They also stick like glue, and are LIGHT. | | Similar Products Used: | several hardtails | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Rainier frame, Manitou Axel fork, Truvative Fire X isis cranks and BB 22-32-44 with 11-34 cog. Avid BB7 discs with AD3 levers. Deore shifters and front derailleur, LX rear. mosquito tires. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike, well behaved on the trails, rode it home every trip out. Fork was too plush, so I finally converted it to 100mm, and as I was having problems pulling the front end up on climbs, I inverted the ugly stem. The bike came alive, the climbing is more predictable, flicking it back and forth on the trail livened up as well. Bike is now 5 years old, pads are just plain gone, and the rear Mosquito is now a semislick. And it still grips better than my brand new Mythos on my spare bike. Shame I can't get more. For a cross country beater, this bike is what it supposed to be. For a race rig, or a free ride big-air toy, look elsewhere. This bike is game to try any of it, but you're going outside of what it was designed for. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Spillane
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Musquash sand trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles etcetera | | Strengths: | Very fast and efficient on the trails. The components are all high quality for the price. | | Weaknesses: | I've never been the biggest fan of the marzocchi fork
tires wore out fast riding to the trails on the roads | | Similar Products Used: | Pro-flex 814 stock
Specialized P.2 with bontrager earl rims, junior T and hayes disk brakes | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I've had this bike for a long time now, 2003 model, and its seen some really epic rides and some epic crashes. Overall this has been a great bike and it has gotten me through highschool and half of college with very few problems. Always a smooth ride, and for only 700 dollars this make has been more than worth it. Earlier this year my axel fork blew out so I just ordered a new Marzocchi all mountain 2 online so hopefully this will keep my bike going strong. This bike has served me great and would be a good investment if you can find one used for cheap( I dont think they make this one anymore) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Max Hanson
a Weekend Warrior
from Shorewood, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | sunbaum | | Strengths: | great geometry, great avid brakes, solid components and marzocci shock. | | Weaknesses: | slightly heavy | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | great bike for the money, absolutely love the ride and it can take just about anything you throw at it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Antoine Pro
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, On
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere quick and dirty in the Don Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Sporting LIfe | | Strengths: | Outstanding Price Quality Ratio
Great fun, solid climber, capable descender
Fantastic brakes (avid mechanical disk) | | Weaknesses: | Front Derailleur slow on downshift under power.
Moderate flex on Judy SL under breaking.
Low end cranks.
Pedals clog with mud relatively easily | | Similar Products Used: | Concorde (old...), Rocky Mountain hammer (feel of steel) | | Bike Setup: | Stock (2004) with exception of flat handlebar and (old school) bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | Unless you're a pro, you cannot go wrong with this bike. Solid frame, well spec'd out, more than equal to any (but not big hit) task you throw at it.
Short chainstays make for excellent climbing, the slightly relaxed geometry allows for confident descents and nimble, easy handling. The hardtail keeps the weight down, and makes for happy climbing. I'd beware of any FS bikes in the same price range - they might just be too portly to keep up with your friends going up hills.
Even the RS Judy SL does the job OK with a useful adjustable travel feature (nice for downhill stretches). ALthough under heavy breaking there is some flex and chatter (150 lb rider).
The brakes are definitely a bonus - reliable, easy to set up, powerful. They actually make riding more fun (can dive into corners with few doubts about the bike).
It's not a pro bike, but then again, it's far cheaper. I could spend twice what I paid and still not have more fun. At some point, it's simply more about the rider, and the Giant's quality takes you well beyond that point.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean M. Murphy
a Weekend Warrior
from Middletown, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Middlesex | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Suburban Sports | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, Avid Disc Brakes, Marzocchi Fork, Great Looking Bike.... | | Weaknesses: | Alot of complaints about the Hutchinson Mosquitos. The tires are beginning to wear, and have not ridden the bike more than a few times | | Similar Products Used: | Trek | | Bike Setup: | GT Bar Ends, Shimano PD-520s, rest of the bike is stock | | Bottom Line: | The bike was a great leftover pick up for me.
I have only had the chance to take the bike out a half dozen times so far, and am very happy with the performance and feel.
The bike climbs quickly, feels like it can take a good pounding, and is comfortable. The disc brakes are incredible, as is the front suspension. Some reviewers have complained that this bike is too heavy, but hey, this is not a competition-ready bike! This is a great bike to enjoy on trails, single track, and should be able to handle some good downhills.
IMO - You probably can't get much better value than this bike's set up.
Bottom Line - Learn how to MTN Bike wit the stock pedals, than swap out for clipless, and get new Tires!!! After this, you will be a happy Rainier owner! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean M.
a Weekend Warrior
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Middletown | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Suburban Sports | | Strengths: | Great bike for the price, was a left over. Frame feels solid, components are solid, for price paid. Great Fork, Avid discs. Some reviews complain about the bike's weight, but this is obviously not a race-minded bike. A great training and XC bike to hit the trails hard with. | | Weaknesses: | Reviews complainabout the wear on the tires, and I can agree. In the short time I have used the bike, the tires are showing their wear, and I am sure that they will need to be replaced soon.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek | | Bike Setup: | Stock bike, with the exception of Pedal upgrade to Shimano's PD-M520, GT bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This bike is my foray back into XC. I had done some extensive biking while in college, and then gave up the sport for several years. In getting back into the sport, I wanted to buy a hardtail that was affordable, had reasonably good components, and the Rainier fit the bill perfectly!
The bike is perfect for the rider who wants to hit the trails hard, get a good workout, and feel great about the price paid for the set-up.
Performance: The bike climbs hard! You can dash up inclines, bomb down hills, manuver technical single track, and most anything else you can encounter. Avid Disc Brakes stopping power is incredible, and takes some getting used to.
The bike however, is not made for 5-foot drops, save that for a full-suspension with beefier treads!
Overall, I would recommend the Rainier to anyone who is looking for an affordable XC bike, with great components, and the has the intention of hitting the trails hard | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Great value for first mountion bike. A good base to start adding up-grades | | Weaknesses: | heavvvvvvvvvvvvvy parts. But, lite parts cost $$ | | Similar Products Used: | Now riding XTC2 due to cracking frame. I weight 135lbs. No extreme jumping, just trail stuff. | | Bike Setup: | XTC2 frame. Thompson laid back post, LX cranks, XT rear Deraileur and cassett, Old school Nuke Proof Stem, Easton bar. Original marzochi fork, Giant seat and Avid disk brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Bought the bike in 03' as an 02 close-out. Rode for a year then raced the folowing year. Bought a used LiteSpeed Unicoi (love it) then the Rainier frame started to fracture on the head tube side of the weld at the downtube. I took it to my LBS and Giant warrantied it for me. No complaints. Now I have a new XTC2 frame. I had to buy a new seat post due to the difference in seat tube diameter, but hey, the stock one was heavy anyway. Overall this bike served me well. Good entery bike, go ahead, rough it up and modify the components. Then when you get good. Buy a better bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Muller
a
from Innsbruck, Austria
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | All over Sweden | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$780.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Cellar | | Strengths: | Looks great, Avid Discs brakes, perfect for entry level riders. You get what you pay for. | | Weaknesses: | Terrible stock tires and pedals (I hate cages). Hutchinson Mosquitoes have the fastest wear-rate I have ever seen. Decent Fork, can wear out after 1 year of hard riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock, Kona Stuff, Haro Escape 8.2 | | Bottom Line: | Perfect for entry level riders, if you have some experience, get something more beefy! If you buy it, you'll enjoy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sung C
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern CA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Los Alamitos Creek Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Fast Bicycle | | Strengths: | Avid Disc brakes, strong frame | | Weaknesses: | Stock rims, Hutchinson Mosquitoes, cage pedals, stock saddle | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Time ATAC pedals, WTB Laser V Steath saddle, Mavic 321 Disc with XT hubs, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires, Cateye Enduro 2 | | Bottom Line: | After much research, I bought this bike when I decided to get back to XC biking with occasional mountain riding. With my target price of $600 - $650, I felt that this bike offered the best value for my money. I taco'd my front wheel in my first crash, and decided to replace both wheels with something a little more heavy duty, Mavic 321 Disc with XT hubs ($225), Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires ($50). I weigh 250lbs and I am confident that my bike can handle my weight well now. I also upgraded to Time ATAC pedals ($60) and WTB Laser V Steath saddle ($65). By the way, swap out the saddle as soon as possible. It makes riding that much more pleasant.
After the upgrades, I'm quite happy with my Rainier. The disc brakes are awesome, but make sure to feather it coming down a hill. I have my taco'd front wheel to show my learning curve. Only semi regret is that at the time of purchase, I thought $1000 bikes were a little more than what I wanted to spend, and yet I ended up with one anyway. And a $1000 bike would have had a lighter frame than the Rainier. Oh well.
Overall this is a great entry level mountain bike and fits my riding needs. I give it 5 value rating and 4 overall rating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Deibel
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocean Shores WA.
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The Dump | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | La Vogue | | Strengths: | Great bike | | Weaknesses: | Entry level bike | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | I just started to build it up, Race Face crank and bb, Scott bars, Mosh pedels, Bontage seat ODI lock-on gips, XT r-derailler, Rock-Shock Psylo XC 120mm travel fork and just bought Velluta freeride rims to build. | | Bottom Line: | I cracked the down tube at the headset. Just riding along an snap! O-well I new it was a entry level bike a I am not riding entry level. It is a great bike and I loved it for two an half years. Ride Hard | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hot Socks
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Corrals | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$730.00 | | Purchased At: | Bob's Bikes | | Weaknesses: | Loose the pedals and get something clipless. | | Similar Products Used: | An old giant back in high school...a yukon or something. | | Bike Setup: | I've kept everything the same except for adding clipless. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great little hardtail, especially for the entry-level biker. It’s a little too heavy otherwise (my bathroom scale says 27lbs). My first experience with disc brakes and I'm never going back! It climbs like a banshee (thanks to my ripple-y muscles), and corners like Al Green on speed. I bent the rear rim pretty bad trying unsuccessfully to bunnyhop rocks and it was cheap and easy to fix. It's not a big drop bike, but duh, enjoy it on those long cross-country rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Quebec
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Tremblant | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Depot on Mont-Royal | | Strengths: | Geometry, Deore Setup, Avid Brakes, looks great | | Weaknesses: | Bottom Bracket, Fork | | Bike Setup: | Just got it, only changed pedals for Wellgo Platforms | | Bottom Line: | Got the Bike less than 2 weeks ago, noticed a defect with the Marzocchi EXR Air fork the next day. Now they want to take the bike back for 2 weeks so they can send the fork back and repair it. They don't think it's a good idea though to wait 2 weeks for the payment, do they??? Also I think I should get a NEW fork, cuz I didn't break it so they should just be replaced. Don't want a repaired defective product. The store doesn't want to give me a new fork until they get it from the manufacturer and there is no way to contact Giant besides a long distance call to BC. Contacted Marzocchi on the on-line Customer care page, maybe they will reply with a better idea!
Anyways, when you buy a bike make sure you have a manufaturer warranty shop around so you can go yourself and get new parts. Also broke the bottom bracket on my first trail. Very reliable! :) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Jones
a Racer
from Washington D.C. USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Poor Farm State Park or any fast rocky technical track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | Marzocchi shock, awesome avid disc brakes, Incredibly strong frame, race inspired geometry | | Weaknesses: | First of all the stock tires suck. Next, the seat is a little small, my ass falls of after four hours of riding. The drive-train components are a little low-end but fine for an entry level bike. the stock pedals are useless, replace them with eggbeaters. lastly the frame is very heavy but depending on the conditions that could be beneficial. | | Similar Products Used: | Roadmaster Mt. Climber, 2003 rainer | | Bike Setup: | stock + conti tires Sram chain and egg-beaters | | Bottom Line: | This was my first bike and it has served me very well considering the amount i payed for it. The Zoch shocks are very smooth and easy to adjust but don't bottom out even on a four foot drop (i only weigh 150). I have put close to 9000 miles on this bike and never broken the s, BB, derailleur, ed the frame or even gotten the wheels out of true(remember i only weigh 150).
remember this bike was designed to be a fast entry level xc racer. for someone in my weight group the component spec is not terrible and the problem with parts breaking is a null issue. It climbs like a goat and descends even faster. if you want the best bang for your buck buy the 2002 frame-set with the zoch shock and add your spec of other components. However if you are planning on racing in a higher level consider a higher end bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
johnnyb
a Cross Country Rider
from San Anselmo, CA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tamarancho | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$620.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Strong frame, Great fork, Great brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket, crank, headset, | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpy Pro, Fisher AL | | Bike Setup: | Monkey bars, xt crank-bb and cassette, specialized seat, koski stem, mythos front and rear | | Bottom Line: | I have used this as my training-exercise bike for the past year and have put over 5,000 miles on it.
The rear wheel was relaced by Gravy Wheels in SA due to spokes being broken, probably because I weigh 210 lbs. The bottom bracket, cassette and crank were replaced after 4,000 miles. They were some unknown cheapo brand.
The fork had warranty work due to a scratch on the upper piston from Marzocchi (customer service did a great job and I even speced a heavier oil from them!).
The rotor was replaced due to uneven wear for free from Avid (another great customer service story here.)
And I just recently had the headset replaced. These replacements and repairs were mostly from riding the hell out of it on singletrack for 5,000 miles!
The frame and geometry are excellent. Slightly heavy, but this is my training bike. It handles great, just make sure you practice scooting back over the rear wheel on steep descents!
The bottom line, the 2002 Rainier is the best buy for under $700 imho. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lakes | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Main Street Bicycles in Oxford | | Strengths: | Disc brake, very strong | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck after about 15 rides, averaging 8 miles a ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bike Setup: | Added seat post and clip ons | | Bottom Line: | I am writing this review to warn people about the unreliability of the bike. After only about 15 rides, averaging 8 miles a ride, I experienced "chain suck". The dealer, Main Street in Oxford MI, told me I had to replace the chain and the chain rings (over a 120 cost). I find this completely unacceptable as compared to the 6 years I rode my Specialized Rockhopper with only minor cost adjustments. Giant will not help and neither will the dealer. Being the bike is almost new I feel it should be fixed for free, covered under warranty. So my recommendation is do not buy the Giant and be very careful if you want to buy anything from Main Street Bicycles. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Houghton
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Dragon Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Downwind Sports | | Strengths: | Light frame, Avid Disc Brakes, Marzocchi Bomber Fork | | Weaknesses: | Seat, Hutchinson’s Mosquito tires, Pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cindercone, Trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock Setup except upgraded tires to Panaracer Fire XC and pedals to Sun Ringle Zuzu | | Bottom Line: | This is an overall good hardtail mountain bike. The Mosquitoes lost a lot of tread within the first month. I would also replace the pedals ASAP. The Avid Discs are a nice touch and extremely easy to adjust. If you are looking for an entry-level mountain bike that is just as good as the $1000 bikes, this is the one. And if you still have time, buy yourself a decent seat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roger F
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any at Wilder Ranch St Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicycle | | Strengths: | Frame geometry, Avid brakes, Bomber shock, Shimano drivetrain components, overall looks | | Weaknesses: | Stock rims, Hutchinson Mosquitoes, cage pedals, cheap plastic chainring guard | | Similar Products Used: | Performance M304 ('94 MTB w/fr suspension and Shimano STX brakes/drivetrain used for urban riding in Chicago) | | Bike Setup: | Time ATAC Alium pedals, Sun Ryno Lite wheelset, IRC Mythos 2.1 tires, Rockshox suspension seatpost, Cateye Enduro 2 | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike to replace my Performance M304 when I decided to get serious about mountian biking. At the initial purchase price of $650, the Rainier was a good deal on paper. As many others have noted, the Mosquitoes were really bad for about 250 miles and replaced with the IRC Mythos ($40). I taco'ed both wheels in my first crash and replaced them with a new wheelset ($200). After swapping out the stock cages with Time pedals ($60), and adding a suspension seatpost ($50), it's now a $1000 bike that I'm reviewing. (By the way, the seatpost spec (27.2) is wrong. I had to buy a shim. Another $10.)
I decided to wait until I put some miles on the bike (about 800) and pick up some intermediate MTB skills before writing the review. Here's the verdict:
It took a while to dial in the various components (shock, cockpit, seat, brakes) for my style of riding, and now I'm happy Rainier owner. Thanks to the bike setup, I've become a climbing fanatic. The bomber soaks up the bumps, and the Rockshox seatpost takes care of some of the minor tailbone hits. The Avids have excellent stopping power, so proper modulation is key to preventing endo's. (Had to retire a Giro helmet due to an itchy left trigger finger.)
It looks like we Rainier buyers fall into three groups:
1) Happy with the stock setup. (Willing to trade-off weaknesses for the price paid.)
2) Happy after upgrading some parts. (Should we have considered bikes in the $900-$1000 range since that's what it eventually cost us?)
3) Not happy for various issues (rider type, quality, components).
Since I fall in the second category, I give the Rainier a 4 value rating and 4 overall rating. As I pointed out, riders like me should give bikes in the $900-$1000 price range some consideration since that's what we're spending. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Myc Rekrdz
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, Co, US
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | mountain goat | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$770.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bicycles | | Strengths: | Overall, fun to ride. Fork is good. | | Weaknesses: | frame cracked after about six months. Avid diskbrakes are hard to adjust and wear down quickly. Also, screws that hold disk brakes in tend to rattle out.Hole in seat. Rims very weak. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This was a very cool bike, until the frame cracked. Then it turned into a pain in the ass. This is a great bike for someone who is interested in getting started in biking, but should not be used for 4 foot+ drops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John S.
a Weekend Warrior
from Allentown, PA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Schools | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Hellertown Bikes | | Strengths: | Strong frame, could also be used as a truss for any bridge. Disc brakes stop on dime. Shifter shifts like a honda and suspension is amazing when flying down a case of stairs. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are sloppy and of very poor quality. I recommend for fun to wear them out, just don't fly over the headset doing it. The seat looks cool, I think it was desinged in a wind tunnel but doesnt mesh well with the human lower figure. Pedals are a waste of manufacturing resources. Wooden blocks with a bolt in the middle would work better. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Performer, Mongoose | | Bike Setup: | New Tires, new platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is strong; I ride it hard down staircases and 3ft jumps in the city. Now I say this because that causes strong vibration on the bike and sometimes things get loose. But after a little maintenance it isn’t a problem, I just think the store assembly was poor. For the price of a bike with disc brakes, suspension, and clicker shifters you are getting a great deal for $700. Not many other bikes with these items and quality can be bought for that price. Just change the tires and pedals and you should have a solid ride. The seat is a comfort problem but that might be me. I've had this bike for a year now and it has served me well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from blackwood nj usa
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | roller coaster | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | erlton bike shop | | Strengths: | front and rear discs,handles well on descend,deore cross fire shifters,fork very responsive | | Weaknesses: | hutchinson mosquittos tires suck,chain broke 1st day on trails,can u believe that! saddle very uncomfortable | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | new chain, replaced cranks w/ deore cranks,will definetly replace tires,and saddle | | Bottom Line: | nice hardtail for money after a couple rides you will be very comfortable,except saddle,roomy in the cockpit.this is a great bike for a weekend warrior if you like hardtals.great bike for going up to the next level.has some nice parts and then it has some weak parts.all around solid bike w/ some minor tweaking | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from baltimroe
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Reliable up to a point avid brakes good price good parts for the money | | Weaknesses: | Tires are terrible Mosquitos just dont cut it worn out in about 3 weeks, the fork (marzocchi bomber exr or c whatever) leaks oil and lube out of the bottom screwed up my brake in the front. | | Similar Products Used: | jamis eureka | | Bike Setup: | kore stem 60mm, avid speed dial 7 levers, psylo sl, speed v seat, sun ringle zu zu pedals, panaracer smoke back tire, almost bald front tire, everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for the money change out a couple parts and you have an above par bike. Change out tires and seat, take care of the fork and it wont let you down. The 2003 bike i think is worse then the 2002 so if you can get a 2002 i would buy it especially beacuse the 2002 msrp is $700 whereas the 2003 is approx. $800. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard -
a Weekend Warrior
from Trinidad and Tobago
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | - | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$830.00 | | Purchased At: | Derick's Bike shop | | Strengths: | Good fork, Wonderful brakes | | Weaknesses: | WEIGHT! component quality, poor tires for bump absorbtion horribly hard seat | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XTR cranks and BB | | Bottom Line: | If you can't afford much, this bike is ok. The saddle is a killer though. I felt very uncomfortable within the first few mins of my first ride. Weight is also a big factor when considering purchasing this bike.My 6year old,cromo,rigid fork,Schwinn weighs less. The paint job looks cool,but it scratches and chips very easy. My last bike was set up more cross country style, so when I got the Rainier,the handlebar height messed me up, it was too high. I will soon change the stem and put a lower rise one. The wheels are too heavy.
Instead of upgrading, I suggest selling,and buying a better bike.
My style of riding is not competetive, but, I do go fast throuth rocky sections, and ride down some nasty decents. Compared to a rigid fork, the Bomber is a life saver. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BruceF
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Steep, loose and twisty.. HOOOOHAAHHHHH | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | B.I. Cycle Bainbridge Isl | | Strengths: | Geometry/Handling, Avid brakes, Zoke fork, Cartridge bearing hubs, Deore shifters | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Mosquito tires...take em off before you get hurt!! | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but with WTM Motoraptor 2.4's | | Bottom Line: | This is a super bike...handles great...has held up well..(yep, even the crank but I only weigh 175)
This also is a follow up to my earlier review...now that I've had the bike longer...
at 2500 miles still nothing has been replaced except the tires...the Hutchinson Mosquito tires are real crap...Positively Deadly on wet pavement and inadequate on any steep trail... they are no where near up to the power of the brakes...This bike cannot even be fairly evaluated with these crappy tires..I put on WTB Motoraptor 2.4's and it is like a whole new bike...
Also...others have complained about the generic hubs and zac-19 rims...I noticed the generic hubs are actually cartridge bearing hubs and good quality too...so what if there's no name...they'll go forever without maintenance...they may be a bit heavy but I don't think the 2003 switch to low grade Shimano hubs is any improvement...
As for the Zac-19's...the wheels were "machine built" with very uneven and loose spoke tension...I think many reviewer's problems with the rims are actually do to the wheel build...I had my spokes hand tightened and all has been fine...even with very hard use | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | St Andrews | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Freedom Machine | | Strengths: | Price, Marzocchi Shocks, Avid Brake levers, disc brakes, groupset, colour | | Weaknesses: | Handle bars & headset, Does not contain exploding mice defense. Bottom Bracket | | Similar Products Used: | ATX 840RG, GT Ruckus, Norco Storm | | Bike Setup: | Aint done nothing to it yet | | Bottom Line: | |
|
$ 700.00
