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Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from VA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountain Head | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike lane | | Strengths: | This bike is a great bike to learn about mountain biking on. The frame has the same geometry as the top of the line xtc which you can pay several times more for. This bike has treated me well as I have learned more about mountain biking for the past 5 years or so. | | Weaknesses: | You get what you pay for. The components aren't amazing, but they do their job just like they should. Many of the components are much better suited to more casual riding. But heh, you are getting a great bike for the price, so you can upgrade these components as they wear out / you get better. | | Similar Products Used: | 1997? specialized hardrock | | Bike Setup: | egg beaters (the best upgrade you can do for the money on this bike) blackspire single speed chainring, race face bash guard, panaracer fire xc pro tires, good quality wtb enthusiasts saddle, avid single digit 7 brakes (another worthwhile investment over the stock tektro). | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great bike to learn on. As you can see I have upgraded a lot of components from the stock setup as I have gotten better (or broken things). The bike is still in great shape. I highly recommend this bike for someone looking to get into mountain biking. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kasey
a Cross Country Rider
from Billings MT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | zimmerman park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Awsome Frame, great price, looks awsome, good climber, handels well | | Weaknesses: | front fork isnt stiff enough. i only weight 150 and i bottom it out alot. Week front derailleur and really crappy tires. | | Similar Products Used: | old school schwinn before they went to crap | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | good bike for a great price but because of the fork i would buy somthing else. its just too weak. i think they have upgraded forks recently and they have gone to disk as well but i would definatly not buy a 2002 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from N/A
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Gatto | | Strengths: | Great bike. No real problems at all. Breaks are dam good in all weather. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are crap change them ASAP. there very soft and wear easy. Break pads get dirty easy. Change the tires to better and change seat if you plan doing over 6 miles. Not for the real ruff off track but i did not need it for that. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Raleigh, CLAUD BUTLER ( b4 and after they got took over by falcon. they suck now :() | | Bike Setup: | Standerd | | Bottom Line: | Great so glad i got it, it's been worth EVERY penny. Change the tires to better and change seat if you plan doing over 6 miles. Firn stedy bike. NEVER had to redo the gears not slipped at all. GREAT MUST BUY!!. Maybe be better wait till next model is out and try to get it as i would of thought the price would drop too.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Balderick
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | lBS | | Strengths: | Good reliable components. Nice frame. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou 6 shocks too flexy and weak | | Similar Products Used: | 1995 Giant Iguana, Voodoo Ti, Proflex | | Bike Setup: | Stock save for Marzocchi (sp?) Z1 shocks, new seat, and very flat stem. | | Bottom Line: | For the money at the time of purchase, a good bike. The RH chain stay developed a crack just aft of the BB. Giant replaced it with a new frame (Ranier graphics, but same frame) and my old components were swapped across. Giant were great - they knew I was a heavyweight (at the time about 120kg +) and had ridden well over 10,000 kilomtres on it, but the LBS knew I take care of my bikes.
The bike, both new and old frame, is a good and not too heavy hardtail. I've towed tag-along bikes with my kids with it (and that really stresses out a frame) and I've raced endurance events on it. Only negatives are the wheels are bit heavy and not all that strong, but after a rebuild with better spokes they've held up OK.
I've broken one and worn out another front DR. The rear DR is now cactus, and I will replace it before the Mont 24 hr event with an XT. The difference between the Manitou 6 and the Z1s is huge - the Z1s are really nice and good quality.
Lowering the bar, then swapping the stem for something flatter, has really improved the bike. It is now much less relaxed, and more like a roadie, which helps in endurance events.
Next upgrade - the V brakes are stuffed, so I will upgrade wheels at the same time and put on Avid cables or Hayes Hydros - money is the issue.
Overall - I am happy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Bonnell
a Weekend Warrior
from St. John's, NL, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Earle Industries | | Strengths: | Seems to climb well (or is that just me?). Comfortable on longer rides (2h+).
Shifting is relatively smooth, and has required minimal adjustment. Much better shifting than I had expected, given the level of componentry. | | Weaknesses: | Gearing seems to be 'short' compared with similar products (i.e. slightly slower in top gear....this is compared to two similar Giant products, both with 13" frames)
While I think the frame is sturdy (size: L), I don't feel great about drops more than 1'. This is in comparison to a cheaper CrMo MTB I had back in 2000.
A little on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 GT Palomar | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with the exception of a Shimano chain and some SPD pedals. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the price...I abuse the bike (when I can)and it gives me no troubles. Switching to clipless pedals has made it even more enjoyable.
Drops larger than 1' tend to feel harsh. I used to drop 2' - 3' on my old CroMo GT and it was much easier on my body (of course, I am getting older...)
Oddly enough, despite the rocky terrain I ride through, I still have original tires/tubes installed. Some people complain about the durability of the Hutchison Mosquito tires, but they have worked out great for me so far. The sidewalls are noticeably scored, but no punctures. 3 years and no flats?? Guess I'm lucky.
If I had my time back, I would have purchased exactly the same bike. I think this is a terrific entry-level bike, but at the same time feel it is suitable for an intermediate-level rider. I have no plans to purchase any other mountain bikes in the near future.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roman
a Cross Country Rider
from bratislava, slovakia
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | koliba | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | rusovce | | Strengths: | brakes, frame, geometry | | Weaknesses: | tires(flats too fast), fork | | Bike Setup: | I plan to buy new fork. | | Bottom Line: | I checked all stores around, red some reviews and chose this bike because its price and quality components(for its price). I use it for mountainbiking and downhill riding. Mailny in the weekends. Im very satisfied with this bike. I dont have any problem past 1 1/2 year of quite hard riding. Im 200cm high and i enjoy its geometry. 21 frame is very comfortable for me. GO FOR IT! ;) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Houghton Michigan USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | solid frame | | Bottom Line: | This bike worked great for the first year, and it held up well until the second, which in 2 weeks, I popped a tire, broke the chan, and snapped the derailer hanger. Also, I had to do extensive work on the gears to get it to gear all the way up or all the way down. On top of that, I broke the peadal and both toe clips. Overall, this bike is solid for the "social" mountain biker, whileif you use it every day, it just dosent have the longevity I had expected | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Austin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Sydney | | Strengths: | Looks great. Fairly light so easy on the uphills.Good quality parts all round for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Seat too hard for my skinny butt.changed to softer saddle. Tyres not really suited to road riding which I do a lot of. Fork feels softer than I'm used to but will get used to it. | | Similar Products Used: | Had a Rincon | | Bike Setup: | stock. changed pedals to clipless and changed seat. | | Bottom Line: | A damm good bike for weekend rider.Can hit the trails with confidence. good parts for the money. buy it if you want a bike that is good quality but don't want to spend a months wage. don't buy it if you want to do serious trail riding and jumping, but you would know that anyway. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ute Valley Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Criterium Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great price and good bike to upgrade. | | Weaknesses: | Stem, fork is in desparate need of upgrading after 2 years, brakes could be better. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized bars (off a P.2), Specialized stem, Race Face Bash Ring, WTB Moto Raptor 2.24 tires and Lizard Skins chain stay protector otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike 2 years ago to get back into mountian bike riding and to ride bikes with my son. I was going to sell when I bought a P.2 when my son became very interested in BMX racing but liked having a cross-country type bike that is easy to pedal uphill. This bike has been a great bike especially for the price. I do ride the bike fairly hard and have had no problems with breaking anything yet. The fork has gotten very soft lately and I am looking to upgrade this summer poddibly to a Rock Shox Pyslo SL. In general if you are looking for a great all around mountian bike I don't think your going to find much better for about $500 especially considering that the new models have mechanical disk brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DaMan
a
from Dover, DE
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Strengths: | Great Frame and componets | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy but for under $500 it is steal | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Tas. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Hayes Disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is a fun little trail bike that has been good to me. I am no small guy and this bike holds up to my constant abuse. Giant assembles there own frames so they can deliver quality at a reasonable price. I will always stick with Giant. I wish I could afford a Rainier! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David1021
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Solid built, looks sharp, good stock componets | | Weaknesses: | Crankset is weak, Seat hurts | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300, Fisher | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike for trails and street. The seat hurts though. It took alot of getting used too. The bike is great bike if you want to step up from the basic starter bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miked6
a
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Cycles | | Strengths: | Name Brand Componets, Quality strong frame | | Weaknesses: | Saddle!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Yukon, Trek 4300, K2 Zed 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Sixx Comp Fork, Shimano Deore Shifters, Tektro V Brakes, Shimano Deore Crankset, Shimano Deore Rear Der., Shimano Alivio front der., WTB Speed V Saddle, Titec X Wing pro post, Sram 7.0 Powerglide II Cassette, Zac 19 Wheels, Shimano Hubs, Panaracer Fire XC Tires, Specialized Dirt Rodz Bar Ends | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike for the money. If you are looking to get started on trails this is the bike for you. Giant is a great name and the Iguana is a great bike. Mine has a few upgrades, but it was ready to go out of box. The only thing I would change right away is the seat. Other than that it is near perfect for under $500. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Jone's Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Worth every penny! Sturdy, well designed frame. Decent forks. Light weight for price... Yes, low price is nice. It can handle three-foot flat landing drops and fast-paced rough steeps easily. | | Weaknesses: | None for price. Maybe components. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized StumpJumper | | Bike Setup: | Bone Stock | | Bottom Line: | I'm not bragging, but I can rip on this bike. I've ridden with many riders who insist they need expensive and/or full suspension bikes to ride tough terrain, but I seem to keep them a good distance behind me just fine. Of course, a pro could ride better on a huffy than most could on any bike, but the point is that this bike is sturdy and capable. I agree, the components aren't that great, but it comes with the price. I actually have a 2000, which is pretty much the same as the '02, and I have beaten it for three years now. The drive train is worn out but the frame is as sturdy as ever. I'm contemplating upgrading the components vs. buying a new bike, which will be a hard decision because this bike handles so well.
I recommend this bike to beginners ranging from bike-path leisure riders to future hardcore riders. The cheap price is soft on the wallet and the bike allows a great margin of ability growth, allowing you to progress without having to worry about buying a new bike every step of the way.
Don't buy this bike if you know you will be a strictly downhiller or freerider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Casey
a Cross Country Rider
from St.Louis, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ranger station | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | the touring cyclist | | Strengths: | light-weight for its price, good fast alivio/deore drivetrain. Good frame in general and its warrenty from Giant. Great feel climbing. fun desender(if u go a little recklessly everyonce in a while) Won my first race with it! | | Weaknesses: | Fork has nothing but internal adjustments. stem/bar/post combo has no name brands(although post looks cool) saddle is uncomrtable, grips too flat and soft. brakes are kinda cheapy feeling. crankset kinda cheap, worth an upgrade.wheels would look cooler with black spokes(ah, just spray paint 'em) | | Similar Products Used: | Uh...Schwinn Mesa? | | Bike Setup: | hmmmm IT | | Bottom Line: | Great beginer mountain bike, u can upgrade off of this puppy as much as you want. It will make you feel a lot more like a true mountain biker if your UPgrading to it. Its got bang for buck. This will also hike up your level of being an enthusiest. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JON ROMANOV
a Cross Country Rider
from DAVIE,FLORIDA USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | MARKHAM PARK SINGLETRACK | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | WESTBROWARD BIKESHOP | | Strengths: | STURDY FRAME FOR A 200+LB RIDER, PRETTY GOOD COMPONENTS FOR A NOVICE TRAIL RIDER | | Weaknesses: | SEAT TAKES TIME TO GET USED TO,NO DISK BRAKES, STEM WAS TO LONG | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | UPGRADED TO COMPLETE XT COMPONENTS,EASTON SCANDIUM DH BARS,EASTON EA70 STEM,SEAT POST,TELLURIDE SEAT,HAYES MECHANICAL DISK BRAKES WITH SHIMANO XT DISK HUBS | | Bottom Line: | I LIKE THE FRAME ALOT AND I SPENT SOME MONEY TO UPGRADE A LITTLE AT A TIME . THE BIKE TAKES A LOAD OF ABUSE ON THE TRAILS AND ONLY NEEDS BASIC ADJUSTMENTS. GREAT BIKE FOR A NOVICE RIDER, UNTIL THEY WANT TO DO MORE JUMPS AND SUCH.THEY WILL NEED TO UPGRADE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell
a
from Macedon, Near Melbourne VIC
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The Shoot | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | The Freedom Machine in South Yarra | | Strengths: | The Bike has a Strong Frame and the Deore Components work really well. The Tires grip well in the dirt and the forks help absorb a bit. | | Weaknesses: | The tires wear down really quick on concrete and the forks are not meant for jumping or drops. I have or ready stuffed mine. | | Bottom Line: | A good bike for someone with a low budget like me and wants to do cross country riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Osborn
a Downhiller
from Carbondale, Colorado, US of A
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban assault | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Ajax Bike and sport | | Strengths: | Strong light frame | | Weaknesses: | ,the Fork | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Giant Iguana, Snapped in half | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Psylo,Avid V brakes, Sunn ryno lite rims, Tioga Factory Fat 66 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Really my review is on the frame since none of the parts on mine are off the original bike. I got the frame from my LBS and converted it to a single speed. I amnily use the bike for dirtjumping, urban assaults and riding to school. The is built good, it took me while to not think Giant was a mass producer of bikes that doesnt spend anytime to put real quality into there bikes. But this frame realy proved me wrong. It is light, Strong and responsive. I have the $hit out of this bike and it still performs great. If you are a beginner cross country rider, this bike will get you in the right direction. I know the real intetion of this frame wasn't droping 5-8 foot urban drops, or tackling 10-15 foot doubles, but it handles it. If you are looking for a good starter cross country bike, excelent if you upgrade, to a better fork and shifting and brakes, Get this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Value for money, Deore components, seat rather comfy compared to anything else I have ridden. | | Weaknesses: | None for me although I have only been MTBing for a couple of years. | | Similar Products Used: | A couple of borrowed bikes before I got this one. | | Bike Setup: | Stock apart from clipless pedals and CygoLite Night Explorer setup for night time fun! Oh yeah, get a lizard skin to stop that chain slap! | | Bottom Line: | I have found this a great bike. I got into MTBing as a result of buying it (that was the plan) and I haven't ridden on the road since. It has taken a beating including 24hr race and loads of training and hasn't missed a beat. I think I'll wear out before it does.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Missy Calimba
a
from NC
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | -Im not sure if it is the same geometry as the XTC frame but when I got the XTC frame it felt like the same geometry. I might be mistaken but im pretty sure.
-Deore shifters are good
-Deore rear shifts good
-I really like the cassette (Powerglide 7.0)
-Tires grip well
-Micro Lube ports on manitou
-easy to pop your front wheel up | | Weaknesses: | -Manitou six comp is good for okay for light riders but heavier ones well bottom it out
-Seat might be to hard for recreational riders though youll probably get used to it
-Stem has really killed my knees
-If ridden on cement alot the tire well wear down quickly
-The brakes are extremly sucky
-cranks look kinda bulky and are pretty heavy
MAIN PROBLEM
The main problem is my frame broke. It was because a defect. I guess I just got unlucky for choosing that particular frame because im sure only 1/999 have that problem. But giant told me they would give me a new frame. Since they didn't have the iguana frame they gave me a XTC frame. | | Similar Products Used: | XTC, Trek 4900, Giant Warp, and others | | Bike Setup: | XTC and lots of different components | | Bottom Line: | This bike has some good components and some bad components.
The best thing I like about this bike is it handles great and is so easy to maunever around.
OVERALL RATING - GOOD -- extremly nice frame but some of the components have room for improvement | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RAY gordo
a Racer
from nashville
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | bike smiths | | Strengths: | the seat ooks cool but thats about it | | Weaknesses: | lots of stuff i dont want to go through the list | | Similar Products Used: | foes fly | | Bike Setup: | mamoth rims thats it | | Bottom Line: | this is a no good bike i hope to buy a new one soon and seel this one on ebay. who ever wrote that first review is all wrong this is not a goodbike and it all sux . and what a hippie "save the mountains so i can ride on them", said that dork. the are more fun to ride on if they are all torn up. i bet thisguy wouldnt ride through a grassy feild because he would hert the daisys what a weeneie i did a 6ft 6in drop on this ween-dog bike and i almoast apologized to the fork . i thaught i killed it. oh and one day i got one of my bright ideas and i said to my self . i bet te forks would be stiffer if i filled them u with penzoil. no that didnt work. so dont try it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Rodriguez
a
from Arcadia, Ca
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Winter creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Velos, Monrovia | | Strengths: | Almost EVERYTHING! | | Weaknesses: | Chang still slaps like mad, Set post can jar loose at times Wish I wated for the 2003 disk setup. | | Similar Products Used: | old TREK 820 | | Bike Setup: | 2002 fairly stock iguana with clipless up grade. Not big on the low rise bar so picked up a Raceface Air alloy-riser, made a big differance in my riding position. long legs and short trunk, long arms make for a hard to position setup for comfortable long riding. | | Bottom Line: | The bike still holds solid. I wish people would stop burring up our mountains so we could go back to hicking and riding (WHAT A BUNCH OF BUFOONS!! STOP SETTING OUR FOREST A-BLAZZ!!) Anyway, I know the front shock may have to go someday, sad to say I hope soon. A lock-out system would be a nice deal. the front derailer I hardly ever use but if I where to more consistantly I would mostlikly go for a matching deore. other than that, It's been a good ride all around and would recommend it to anyone wanting a nice hardtail bike. OPEN UP THE MOUNTAINS!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Osborn
a Downhiller
from Carbondale,Colorado,USA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mushroom Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Ajax bike and sport,Carbondale(the best of all 3)3) | | Strengths: | The lightness of the frame. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Surly Singlutor rear derailluer,Marzocchi MXC 80 fork,Tioga 2.3 tires. | | Bottom Line: | I got this frame for free after i broke my other Giant. Giant found something wrong with the frame so they sent me a new one. I turned it into a DS/DJ bike and it works really weel. I hope to put some Disc brakes on it but for now the Deore's work good. The frame is really light and responds well. Since it is three size's to small (13 inch) that is probably why it is so light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Gurnee
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Morain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes | | Strengths: | The bike is relatively lightweight. The geometry of the bike fits my body nicely. | | Weaknesses: | The gears are constantly skipping and I can't get any power going up steep hills. The seat sux.
| | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Big Sur
SPecialized Hard Rock | | Bike Setup: | CatEye odometer and light
soon to get disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | It's a decent bike, with a great ability to upgrade. The bike has taken a beating and the only real problem has been the chain skipping a lot.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KC
a Weekend Warrior
from St.Louis,MO
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Touring cyclist | | Strengths: | Nice smooth fork,deore everything - alivio ft. der. , fast on road and trail,tektro brakes. | | Weaknesses: | If you jump any curbs and dont want chips out of the paint , get a chainstay protector, corny looking stem, Alivio frt. Der. saddle kind of stiff. | | Bottom Line: | Get it and you can upgrade what you dont like. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Horacio Flores
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City, Mexico
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Viansi- Mexico | | Strengths: | Great frame, tires, Deore group | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is not my favorite, should have the complete Deore group | | Similar Products Used: | None, it`s my first real bike | | Bike Setup: | Changed saddle and put clipless pedals. I`ll change front derailleur to deore. | | Bottom Line: |
Very good bike for someone who rides in an beginner to intermediate level.
Hope to but my next bike in a US store. seems to be cheaper.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LUKASZ STAMFORD, CT, USA
a
from LJTRZEBINSKI@YAHOO.COM
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | E-BAY | | Strengths: | PRICE IS SOMETHING THAT IS HARD TO BEAT FOR 350 YOU GET ALMOST EVREATHING THAT YOU CAN GET. DISC BRAKES ON BIKE UNDER 400 THATS AMAZING. ALL THOSE COMPONENTS FOR THAT PRICE NOTHING CAN BEAT THAT. | | Weaknesses: | SHOCK IF YOU PLANING TO RIDE IT HARD. SINCE THAT BIKE IS STILL ALMOST NEW ITS NOT THAT BAD BUT IN COUPLE WEEKS I WILL NEED TO UPGRADE SPRINGS OR JUST TO GET NEW ONE. WE SEE DEPENDS FROM MONEY AND TIME. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I DON'T REMEMBER EVEN THE NAME ANYMORE I DIDN'T RIDE A BIKE FOR OVER 4 YEARS SO THATS MY COMEBACK. BUT MY LAST BIKE WAS AROUND 700 RANGE AND HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SHOCK. | | Bike Setup: | IT'S ALL STOCK. NO UPGRADES AT LEAST YET. I KNOW THAT I WILL NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE SHOCK. BUT EVREATHING ELSE WORKS JUST FINE. LOVE IT. ESPECIALY THE DISC BRAKES. AND WHAT I FOUND OUT FROM ONE OF MY FRIENDS WHO RIDES BIKES FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS HE SAID THAT THE BRIKES ARE REALLY OF GRADE VALUE. AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE IS GOOD FOR BEGINERS AND INTERMEDIAN RIDERS THAT ARE SHORT ON MONEY OR SIMPLY LIKE ME ARE JUST CHEAP. I WOULD RECOMEND TO LOOK ON E-BAY FIRST RATHER THAN IN STORE SINCE YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY. LIKE ME LOLLLLLLL SUCKERSSS WHO BOUGHT IT AT STORES AND OVER PAYED IT. I DON'T REALLY MEAN OVERPAID IT BECAUSE THE BIKE IS WORTH EVEN THAT 500 BUT WHY PAY MORE IF YOU CAN GET THE SAME THINGS FOR LESS. LIKE I DID. IF YOU LOOKING FOR BIKE THAT WILL TAKE YOU ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO IGUANA IS YOUR CHOICE. AND THE SEAT IS SWEAT LOVE THE LOOK AND I DON'T THINK IS UNCOMFORTABLE. THE BIKE IS JUST PERFECT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fenn
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney, nsw, australia
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$545.00 | | Strengths: | i spose i mite have sum... | | Weaknesses: | well, apart from chain breakage, bent fork, wearing down tyres, and crappy pedals, there's also the fact that my frame broke in half. | | Similar Products Used: | kona stuff, kona caldera, gt agressor 2.0, gary fisher mamba, avanti hotdog | | Bike Setup: | broken in half | | Bottom Line: | i suppose this is a good bike for anyone who likes their bikes in two pieces... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Rocky & Tricky | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Solid Frame, Disc Brakes (front & rear Hayes HMX-1) stealthly quiet, powerful enough, deore shifters, deore rear derauiler, Front Fork (I got a Marzocchi EXR swapped free for the Manitou - gotta be happy with that. its bomb proof) Sweet ride, so smooth, lightning changes, lightweight, rigid - top cross country/commuter bike
totally upgradeable frame - great componentry for $$$, sweet routing mechanism under top bar
seat is ok too. I like it and I dont know what all you babies are crying about. I find it much more comfortable than my old ball buster | | Weaknesses: | alivio front derauiler
rear disc caliper needs adjusting whenever I remove my rear wheel. Gets thrown out of whack. Takes a bit of time to adjust properly but is so smooth when you get it right.
Toe clips - got rid of them pretty quick. Very dangerous | | Similar Products Used: | Old cromoly shogun trailbreaker. This bike is a porsche compared to a mini | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi EXR Front Fork, Hayes HMX-1 Front & Rear discs, Vittoria Road Tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a top bike and is sooooo sssmmmoooottthhh. I recommend this bike to all people. I love my brakes, they are great. the Marzocchi fork is better than the Manitou and can handle about anything.
THe front deraiuler is pretty dodgy and will be upgraded to deore in the near future. Apart from this everything else is sweet. The Hutchinson Mosquitos handle great in the dirt and my Vittoria Road Tyres take over on the hard stuff.
One problem I did have was two massive scratches I found concealed by stickers on my top bar. I took it back to my LBS and they got paint from Giant and sent it away to be properly repaired by an airbrusher. Consequently, I have these awesome custom graphics on my top bar making my bike one of a kind.
Awesome bike, will handle awesome on the road and cross country trails. Will go downhill but dont push it. It will stand up to it no worries, is great on technical sections but watch big drops. Giant will replace your frame but you can screw your componentry tooo.
Ride on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason white
a Cross Country Rider
from Hesperia, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | slick rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | victorvilleschwinn | | Strengths: | frame, bars, rims, tires and brakes. | | Weaknesses: | chain, forks and seat. | | Bike Setup: | 19 inch giant aluxx frame. | | Bottom Line: | It's a great bike for the price. Giant has put good quality componets on this bike. A very reliable and durable bike. Good bike for someone who likes to go hit the trails, but not a race bike. Put some clipless on and it's ready to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh PA USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Seven Springs, PA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | N/A | | Strengths: | I have a 2002 Iguana frame only, everything else is custom. I bought it used for 600 with all new parts, but its at my LBS stock for 500. Always loved this bike, and made the mistake buying a Trek 4500 (piece of Kmart garbage) this year. As far as that frame though, it is great for the $. Very stiff, boxed chainstays at this price are rare. Deore shifters and rr derl are great for the $. Integrated headset a nice touch. Machined rr dropouts nice manufacturing touch too. Giant reputation for good frame work is eveident here. | | Weaknesses: | I have few stock parts, but I seem to knock the seatpost down an inch each ride. Mosquito tires are ok, but I upgraded to the green Michelin Comp S Lite and they hook up maybe 30% better. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hard Rock GX, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Iguana frame. 2002 RockShox Duke SL 100mm, stock drivetrain, XTR brakes, Rolf Satelite wheels, LX Hollowtech cranks, Salsa MotoAce Stem, Bontrager Race bars and seat. Shimano 535 clipless pedals, Michelin Comp S Lite tires. | | Bottom Line: | Go get one if you are serious about biking and you have only 500 to spend. Beats everything in its class. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Wheeling, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kickapoo St. Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Frame is light and strong, breaks work well | | Weaknesses: | Fork is a little soft, looking to buy a heavier spring but having trouble finding one. Chain comes off front derailleur way too much (even caused me to get 3rd to last in a race the other day. Also, I only beat the crap out of the bike once and the tire is already leaking, but I was planning on switching to slime tires anyways. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, planning on adding heavier fork spring and clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | Good beginner bike besides the derailleur. I beat the crap on it and it at least allowed me to finish the race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Kennedy
a Weekend Warrior
from VA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$469.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Great Frame, drivetrain was best feature on the bike. Really durable so far. I've ridden it a lot since I first bought it and I've had a lot of fun with it. I haven't had to worry about it too much. Nice fork for my weight (165lbs). Strong rims. | | Weaknesses: | I traded the seat that comes with the bike for a more ample size. I didn't like that original seat at all. The tires that come with the bike don't give me very much confidence. I'll probably end up buying different tires. Drivetrain went out of alignment early when I bought it, took it to the shop and the guy "fixed it". Long story short, he didn't. I eventually fixed it by turning the hi and lo screws. The drivetrain works fine now. It's a good drivetrain nonetheless. | | Similar Products Used: | none, first real mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Deore drivetrain, Giant Iguana 2002, Hutchinson Mosquito tires, no name brakes | | Bottom Line: | I've beaten the crap out of this bike so far and it has taken it real well for the most part. I did have trouble with the drivetrain but that was mostly my fault for bailing off the bike one time and knocking it out of alignment. The original seat sucks, the tires don't give me very much confidence but both don't cost very much to change. I took off the original straps because they're cheap and I don't even use them. This bike can do everything that everyone else's bike does and it doesn't cost a whole hell of a lot. I'm a beginner so I've been learning a lot with this bike and would recommend it to other beginners just starting out mountain biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
big papa
a Cross Country Rider
from baltimore
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | susqueha and deep creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$460.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike | | Strengths: | beefy downtube good components for the money | | Weaknesses: | alivio front derailuer, brakes are a little weak, seat loosens up, tires suck | | Similar Products Used: | trek 820, jamis dakar sport, schwinn badlands | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Giant Iguana with Cateye Enduro 2 computer | | Bottom Line: | the brakes need a little work and the seat comes loose if you come down on it a little hard BUT it has an awesome setup the handle bars are easy to reach beefy cranks. awesome deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MAILE FLESHER
a Weekend Warrior
from SANTEE, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | MISSION TRAILS | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$426.00 | | Purchased At: | PERFORMANCE BIKES | | Strengths: | Good quality components for the price | | Weaknesses: | I had to have the bike custom fitted because it didn't come in a 15" frame. | | Similar Products Used: | SPECIALIZED Hard Rock Pro | | Bottom Line: | Excellent value for someone wanting to spend under 500. I'll probably change the front brake to disk but so far it's kept pace with some of the more expensive bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allan
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clara, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$460.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Price - about $500 is the starting point of serious mtn. bikes.
Components - good components for the price, I even like the bike seat.
Frame - My first bike with an aluminum frame. You really get to appreciate it when you start of with a steel (Cro-Moly) bike.
Design - I like it! | | Weaknesses: | Tires - replace at least the rear one right away. It was slipping around on me on my first ride.
Shock - I've very happy to finally have a bike with a shock but it is quite soft. Is it normal for the bike to dip forward when you stop? | | Similar Products Used: | '96 Trek 930. (Cro-Moly, no shocks) | | Bike Setup: | Other than the rear tire, I haven't changed anything. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, it's a responsive bike with decent components for the price. It is good enough to take out on the trails. I definitely don't feel like I'm missing out by not spending more. Bottom line is, if you want to spend no more than $500, this is a good bike for you.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Bonnell
a Weekend Warrior
from St. John's, NF, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | Earle Industries | | Strengths: | I am amazed by the smooth shifting (haven't heard that horrible clicking sound yet) as well as the quick acceleration. I ride over a lot of rocky terrain, but no flats as of yet. Relatively lightweight for the price. | | Weaknesses: | I can't complain about this bike; everyone seems to complain about the saddle and cranks, but I think they're fine. Fork could be a little stiffer (but that's a matter of preference; it can handle a drop of 1 or 2 feet no prob. (I weight about 190). The rear end is a little bumpy on the trail...but whaddya expect, it's not a FS. | | Similar Products Used: | '99 GT Palomar, '00 Trek 850, Supercycle crap | | Bike Setup: | stock; removed the toeclips due to a near-death experience :) | | Bottom Line: | Excellent value for the price. Based on my use of $250 and $350 bikes, I can honestly say that this one handily outperforms either. Smooth enough to use as a commuter bike, yet durable enough for the (rough) trails.
I would recommend this bike if you're an entry-level to intermediate MTB'er. I suspect that the entry-level cyclist would probably opt for a cheaper bike (please don't), while the intermediate cyclist is looking for something in the $700-$1000 range. At $475, how can you go wrong?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a Weekend Warrior
from sioux falls, sd, united states
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$530.00 | | Purchased At: | spoke and sport | | Strengths: | the frame is very rigid-disc mounts-integrated head- good bike for beginners to make a real bike out of-this bike really has alot of potential cause it is cheap and you can ride it as you save money to get better components to put on it... like that damn front fork | | Weaknesses: | seat sucks-if youre like me (200 lbs) then the fork also sucks even after a larger spring-crank set way too soft if youre hard on pedalin' | | Similar Products Used: | renier (just an iguana on steroids)-various trek and specialized | | Bike Setup: | nothin special yet... still workin on that part | | Bottom Line: | if you really like to get nothin and make sumthin of it... this really is the bike to do it with- i just got done riding 200 road/dirt miles this weekend and i had some fun. i have had to take it to the shop a bunch cause of my bottom bracket comin loose, but i am a heavy guy and i pedal hard so it all depends on you... the rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettles | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Purchased At: | Village Peddler | | Strengths: | Good Frame, everything seems to work well. Sweet look. | | Weaknesses: | Tires suck, changed them at the LBS for semi-slick. Fork does seem a bit spongy, but this is my first real mtn bike, so how am i to know? Seat is really hard at first, but your ass will break it in (just don't ride for more than an hour a day for the first week), and it keeps my junk from falling asleep. | | Similar Products Used: | Fiancee's old old old Trek 800 (a 22.5" BEAST) | | Bike Setup: | Stock everything, except some semi-slicks | | Bottom Line: | The iguana has been a top-notch first bike. I don't do anything really hardcore, but I've dinged it pretty well and ate it a couple times. Got recommended by a pal that manages a bike shop (because I know dick about bikes), and it has yet to disappoint. I would buy the fiancee one, but I'm short on the dough. Have ridden on some pretty fun trails and also commute to work with it. I like it so much I use two bike locks on it! Overall would have been 5 turds, but for the tires (mosquito). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan Dyck
a Downhiller
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Prairie View (Kananaskis) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Western Cycle | | Strengths: | Great handling, the frame is solid, good upgradeability, not feather light, but descent for wieght. All around an excellent bike. | | Weaknesses: | Hard seat, soft tires. I've ridden friends bikes that shift smoother. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. With a new seat of course. | | Bottom Line: | I road a Kuwahara Chromoly BMX as a kid, and haven't owned a bike for well over 10 years, so this is my first mountain bike. This whole gear thing is great! Excellent entry level bike for someone who wants to do some fairly technical and aggressive trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Local Stone Quarry | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | BGI | | Strengths: | Disc Brakes, wonderful frame. Decent drivetrain. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou is a bit soft and the tires are wearing pretty fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek930 (my last MTB) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a Lizard Skin Jumbo chainstay guard. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 2003 model which includes Hayes mechanical disc brakes. Actually I have to admit the discs were what drew me to this bike. I thought it was eye-candy but figured the rest of the bike was solid enough to warrant looking into it further. Man I can't believe how much better I ride with the discs! I know it sounds crazy but it just is better. Definately get some type of protection on the chainstay. This thing slaps pretty hard. I am a fairly large guy 6'2" 185# and the Manitou is kinda soft for my taste. Not real bad but you'll notice it when hammering uphill. As for the rest it's a solid bike and would recommend it to anyone (except maybe the total hardcore or a weekend sidewalk cruiser). It's pretty much an all-around performer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Oberlin, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$519.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good components for the price. Lightweight. Highly upgradeable. The Manitou Fork is great for me. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are prone to punctures. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, Raleigh M80 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except mine came with Hutchinson Mosquito tires. I am going to be changing to Panaracer Fire XC Pros when I have the time to go into the LBS. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the perfect entry-level mountain bike. I am by no means a beginner but also am not an avid racer. Can take a beating (except for the Mosquito tires) and is nice and lightweight. I have rode it well over 50 miles after owning it for about a month and am extremely pleased with its execution. The Manitou Fork might be a little spongy for people of a little more bulk but I weigh 175 pounds and it is the perfect firmness for me. Another great reason to buy this bike is its overall upgradeability it is set up to add disk breaks (although I have no reason to) and also could benefit greatly from clipless pedals. I will be using this bike for the next couple years and I promise to be ruthless with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | one without hikers | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | gears and grills, cambridge (excellent) | | Bottom Line: | Originally bought with "weekend enthusiast" mentality. Take the trails to work, etc. Became Addicted.
Umm.
A great frame for more serious riding with upgrades. Avid mechanical discs, and shimano clipless have so far made a huge difference. The manitou shocks are the next to go. But whatever, eh? I found it fine as was until I got more serious; the brake pads wear out fast; the shocks are sloppy and don't track well. Componentry I will replace as it breaks. Alivio front deraileur is almost ready to go.
Before I purchased the disc brakes I noticed the rims were unspecifiably unsatisfactory, something about the way they warp. But again, I am riding the bike harder than for what is was setup.
The frame itself is great. Personally, a little weight is a good thing - momentum, rigidity.
If you want to get a good bike that handles experiments with difficult terrian well, for testing the waters so to speak, it's great. Even if you decide the trails aren't for you, so what? You got yourself a good bike for taking shortcuts to work when you're late.
But, I feel that if you know you really want to get out on the trails, maybe look for something else. Maybe something with better pre-installed comp. or buy a good frame and build'er up yourself. I feel that, in the long run, I may end spending more on the upgrades. But it's just money right? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Matson Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Touring Cyclist | | Strengths: | Butted Frame, tires, wheels, shock, component selection for price, color scheme, shifter wire routing (under top tube), weight. I have seen complaints on the derailuers(sp) and I just do not understand what these people are talking about. Mine works great...I push the shift lever and the bike changes gears. What more is it supposed to do??? | | Weaknesses: | The fork works great but the standard spring is a little soft for my 200 lbs. I had my shop order a new heavy spring and that seems to have helped a little. The brakes don't seem to grab very well but they do stop you eventually...nothing to get too scared about. The saddle was killer on my rear and I had to change that out at the shop when I bought the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 & 4900, raleigh M80, Kona NUNU, Schwinn Mesa GSX...I only demoed theses bikes but the Giant just seemed to feel more solid over bumps and off curbs. It just felt right! | | Bike Setup: | Stock equip. except for new seat (gel), Shimano M515 clipless pedals, bar ends, heavy spring in shock | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been fantastic. I am not a hardcore/technical rider but I do like to get out on the trails and ride. I enjoy doing some small drops, hop over a log or two, and fly through a shallow creek crossing. This bike can handle all of that with ease. This bike is light and fast. I don't know what some people are complaining about with the Manitou shock? I went from a rigid bike to this and the same trails now feel like smooth asphalt with the front shock. If you want a bike that has a good mix of components, and a quality frame that is upgradable (it's the same frame as the $750.00 Rainier) that will work well for riding a couple times a week I would recomend this bike. Don't buy this bike if you just want to ride around the neighborhood withe the kids. The geametry and positioning is not right for that. Buy it if you want to hit the trails hard and fast but don't need to have the newest and most expensive ride on the block. I would buy this bike again unless I had a higher bike budget. If your in the $500 range look at the Igauna. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Mc
a Weekend Warrior
from jacksonville FL
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | hannah park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | champion cycles | | Strengths: | Light, handles good with good breaks.It works great up hills and in sprints. | | Weaknesses: | the seat hurts and the toe clips r cheap | | Similar Products Used: | demo'd te trek 4900 iguana is a better value | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | great bike for people who aren't insane bikers. Unless you are doing crazy downhill trails or you are over 200lbs you will like this bike. You might wanna change the seat though cause it pretty small and hard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Islip, New York, USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Point/ Green Belt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Depot (East Islip) | | Strengths: | Light Weight frame, good components for the money. Real nice to look at. | | Weaknesses: | CHANGE THAT SEAT! | | Similar Products Used: | gt saddleback, Trek 700 | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Judy ( personal preference) | | Bottom Line: | This is the first bike I have owned,that I really love. It shifts smoothly under a load, and really climbs well. This bike handles really well, especially on the loose trails on Long Island. It is a perfect bike to ride with the wife and kids during the week, and to go "JACK ASSIN" with the guys on the weekend. If anyone is looking for a new bike in this price range, don't buy until you check out the Iguana. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Prokopowich
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Turtle Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$789.00 | | Purchased At: | OLYMPIA CYCLE & SKI - Henderson Hwy | | Strengths: | Great component matchup! | | Weaknesses: | Soft front suspension (installing a firm ride kit) | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd other mtb's within this price range. | | Bike Setup: | Added a firm ride kit to the front suspension. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. Believe me, I shopped around a lot and compared components on other mtb's.
Just have to say that it is cool to be able to convert the travel on front suspension from 80mm to 100mm on this suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew m
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney, australia
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | oxford falls, in sydney | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | northside cyclery | | Strengths: | This bike in general is good value for money, particularly with its disc brake; its light, has ok wheels, good drive chain, pretty durable. | | Weaknesses: | THE FORK!!! I realise that most people's forks probably work fine, but only a week or so after i bought the bike (before I'd even done anything rough on it) the fork bent on me. Only a little bit, so I can't even get f#@^$ing warranty on it, but enough for it to not work properly at all. The tyres also wear down WAY too fast and the pedals suck a bit. Pretty uncomfortable seat. | | Similar Products Used: | kona caldera, kona stuff, gary fisher mamba, gt aggressor 2.0, avanti hotdog. | | Bottom Line: | Good all-purpose bike, a very good starting mountain bike and good value. I'm am really very p%$^^*d off about my fork though, but it's unlikely to happen to many people. Good bike overall (with some upgrading). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a
from Caledon East, Ontario Canda
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Strengths: | Great bike..very light frame..great front forks if ure not to heavy..27 speed is a nice feeature..nice quick shifts..great bike for the price (799 Canadian) | | Weaknesses: | tires kina suck..rides rough.SEAT SUCKS..my ass hurts like hell after riding for 4 hours..it hurts to sit down!! the seat bracket becomes jared loose if u have any hard impacs on it and requires an allen key to fix | | Similar Products Used: | Treck | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money..great for trails and almost all types of riding..ull be glad u bought it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Rodriguez
a Weekend Warrior
from Arcadia, Calif
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Winter Creek Trail, | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$454.00 | | Purchased At: | Velos, Morovia | | Strengths: | Looks good, strong conponance for the money,light,nice shock for a 145 Lbs guy like me. Handles nicely up and down fire and single tracks at high speeds (love that down hill speed!) | | Weaknesses: | Heavy change slap on chine stay(no big,). Cover it up with a Jumbo Lizard Skin, it may fit a little tight because of rectangular tubing, just reinforce it with some Strap All velcro from REI . Seats a little rought, but got use to it quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Older TREK 820 no front shock. | | Bike Setup: | STOCK-O-RAMA! | | Bottom Line: | When I went hunting for a bike I did my homework ie; hit all the local shops for prices and input, hit the internet
like MTB Review and others, indepth reading about shocks and talked with friends who have ridden longer than me. After all that, It all came down to the Iguana. The best
price, for the best componat setup and lightest bike I could find for under $500. So far I've enjoyed the bike as a whole, no flats or bent rims have been experienced, and I don't play nice on my bikes. I'll do a follow up in a few month or so. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Owings Mills, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$515.00 | | Purchased At: | Eldersburg Bike Shop | | Strengths: | For the money I would have to say that the bike is all strengths. I have yet to have a problem with it. I have received plenty of complements on my bike from a coworker who is an avid mountain and road biker (also the one who recommended the bike). | | Weaknesses: | Well I think the only weakness is not necessarily a weakness. I am just over 200 lbs. and find that the front shock (Manitou Six Comp), with the preload as stiff as it'll go, is still a little lose. Well I guess I can think of one more.....the seat that was no wider than the seat post. I did not even sit on it because I was afraid to. I guess it could have been the most comfortable seat in the world...I'll never know. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M 55, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Replaced the seat with one that won't disappear while I ride on it. Also replaced the pedals with clipless. | | Bottom Line: | I would have to say that the more you spend the better the bike. Being that I was not going to spend $700 on a bike (this time) I think I got a pretty good bike. I have no complaints as of yet but who knows what will happen in the future. The majority of the people looking to buy this bike or one like it are not expert bikers. As far as beginner bikes this one seems to be a little hard to get a hold of but it’s a good bike. As you can tell by the depth of my review I am no expert either so please read the other reviews also. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse McLean
a Cross Country Rider
from Moncton, NB, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | centre du cyclisme | | Strengths: | this bike comes with decent componentry. Nice frame with decent welds and disc brake mounts. The replacable dropout is nice too. | | Weaknesses: | Weinman ZAC-19 rims suck. These cheap ass rims weigh a tonne and react nicely to hitting curbs and tight corners. Gotta love that rubbing noise from the break pad touching the rim every time you corner on a single track. You might notice an annoying brushing sound coming from the rear hub. Don't worry thats just the bent spokes rubbing against the plastic chain gaurd.
The frame is solid but its no light weight. | | Bike Setup: | I ride a 17 inch frame and it still weighs a tonne! | | Bottom Line: | Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't get cheap and buy an iguana with plans to upgrade. I didn't want to spend the extra 300 bucks to get the rocky mountain with a bomber for and deore lx components. I've upgraded my giant and I still would much rather have the rocky mountain any day.
This bike is too expensive for the casual rider and not worth the price tag to for an intermediate bike rider. The Giant iguana is most comfortable leaning against the back wall of your garage wishing it was a great canadian bike like a rocky mountain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Junior
a Cross Country Rider
from Kalamazoo
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$529.00 | | Purchased At: | Alfred E. Bike | | Strengths: | Light frame and great stock setup | | Weaknesses: | The toe clips will pop off under alot of strain with the factory attachments. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money light fast and absorbs shock well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$585.00 | | Purchased At: | Element Sports | | Strengths: | great shocks, light frame, good brakes | | Weaknesses: | seat sucks, alot of flats | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | The Iguana is a great bike for the money. The Manitou shocks are very nice, its overall very durable, but the seats totally blow. I'd highly suggest this to a beginner to intermediate rider. I've only had it for two weeks and I already have had 7 flats. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew McLarty
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$630.00 | | Purchased At: | Northside Cyclery - Chatswood | | Strengths: | Best component & frame combination at this price. Good Hayes disc on front, 27 speed, rear Deore derailer, Deore Shifters. | | Weaknesses: | Front shocks are a little soft and bob a bit too much on the climbs... will wait a bit longer and maybe will try changing the springs and/or installing a lock-out assembly. | | Similar Products Used: | Malvern Star 'something'. No comparison... the Iguana is in another league... | | Bike Setup: | As stock, considering some modifications to the forks. Put a chip on the chain stay first kerb I rode off so have fitted a jumbo size LizardSkin chain stay guard. May also fit some clipless pedals later. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for all round use, best component selection on a proven brand bike at this price. Highly recomend this as a entry level mountain bike for anyone intending to go off-road. Not the cheapest around but you deinitely get what you pay for with this model.
(The seat wasn't too popular in previous reviews on this site; I alternate between the Iguana and a road bike so I find the supplied seat is perfect though riders not used to the narrow stle may find it a bit hard). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, MD USA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Catonsville Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Good Brakes, light frame....overall good fit! | | Weaknesses: | Seat SUCKS!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Tested the Spec. Rockhopper, Fisher Marlin and Tassajara...the Iguana better value for you dollar! | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I've been out of riding for a little while. This is my first MTB and I my only complaint is that you will have to get a new seat....it feels like you're sitting on a park bench. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from P.E.I., Canada
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any steep one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Sporting Intentions | | Strengths: | Frame, componentry picks,Manitou fork, awesome colour(red-white), and price. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is not the greatist. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd Trek 4900, Rocky Mountian Fusion, and KHS Alite 1000. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with wellgo clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Very nice bike for the money, the best deal that I could find in this price range. Sure some parts could be better, but this is a $500 bike we're talking about. It is a very nimble and fun bike to ride on or off road, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great mid-range mountian bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Stony Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bodin's | | Strengths: | Traded in my Specialized Hard Rock for this bike. Great value...deraileurs decent, brakes good, frame geometry decent | | Weaknesses: | Seat sucks, dealer said it was unisex seat...(unisex for whom?) Frame is heavy, weighs as much as my Hard Rock steel frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Had Hard Rock sport...waaaaay better than that. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. Good clmber...did a 2.6 mile loop up a hill and down and climbs great. Shifts ok under load. If you can live with the extra weight and the seat its a great value. Was looking at Trek 4900 but out of price range...this was almost 200 cheaper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Huber
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland ME
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ------------------------ | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Allspeed Bikes | | Strengths: | Great stuff for the money. So far a decent frame design, very light, no strength is sacrificed. | | Weaknesses: | Soft, Manitou six comp fork. this can be helped by changing the spring set if you are heavy like me (200 and up) nothing else so far, hopefully no more. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona "blast", Fisher "marlin", trek 4900 | | Bike Setup: | stock...(plan to change springs, crankset (shimano LX?), maybe the seat.) | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. I shopped around forever, i couldn't find a bike in this price range with better components. Deore is "high end" but they are great for this price range, just a great all round bike for someone who wants to get into mountain biking. Very upgrade worthy frame, you will not be wasting your money by buying better components and such. My advice is to just wear-out what is on it, then replace the parts with higher-end parts. Buy the bike...no regrets. (i give it overall four because i don't think anything in this price range deserves 5) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bo
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Huntsville state park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | SUN & SKI SPORTS | | Strengths: | Frame is super strong. Seat is comfortable. Tires are good. | | Weaknesses: | Chain bangs the heck out of the frame in rough terrain. Derailer is very sensitive. You have to baby it. Forks are very spongy for a 200 lb. person. | | Bike Setup: | Deore derailer, Manatou forks, | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for the money. I've tried to trash it and it just keeps on ticking. The derailer is touchy but can be adjusted or you could upgrade. It is very spongy in the front end for a big guy. This has to be upgraded. Once this is done I'm sure it will have a better feel for you. If you are a bigger person be prepared for the fork upgrade. besides that Its a climbing machine. For the money you cant go wrong. See you on the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from austin, tx, usa
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Strengths: | Excellent frame, great price/performance | | Weaknesses: | lame Manitou Six fork, Alivio front deraileur | | Similar Products Used: | 95' Giant ATX870 | | Bottom Line: | As mentioned, excellent value. The bike's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. If nothing else, the frame alone is worth the price. A few hundred in upgrades and you have a top-notch cross country bike. Even better, you have a great bike plus a few bills remaining in your wallet. Strongly recommended for serious riders who can't stand poseurs. Happy riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Ali
a Cross Country Rider
from Leytonstone,London,UK
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Epping Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | daycocks.co.uk | | Strengths: | Deore! | | Weaknesses: | Paint rubbing off under brake lines. Rubbish outer chainring. | | Bike Setup: | Blackspire Super Pro Outer Ramped 44t chainring
Front and rear Crud catchers | | Bottom Line: | Reporting back after service>
Clipped outer shimano deore chainring on concrete kerb and lost 2 teeth, ring is super soft and heavy! Have replaced it with Blackspire Super Pro Outer Ramped: much better I can feel the difference, less flex, and the chain easily shifts onto it. Getting DMR wing bars soon! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nancy H
a Weekend Warrior
from Coal Valley IL USA
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike N Hike | | Strengths: | rock shocks, big phat tires, very light...great value | | Weaknesses: | some clicking noises while riding, though not too bad...also I'm not crazy about the seat. (ouch!) | | Similar Products Used: | this is my first!! | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | I think this bike is awesome, I just bought it today and rode it for like 2 hours. since I'm pretty light (120 lbs) it really flies on jumps...lands very nicely too. not nearly as clumsy as a heavier bike. I will definitley be looking in to getting a different seat. however, I can't really argue with the price (msrp $500)
if you're thinking about buying a bike, don't rule out the iguana until you at least test ride it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Parrack
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, Florida
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oyster Ridge @ Oleta State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$485.00 | | Purchased At: | Fritz's Bike & Skate in Miami Beach | | Strengths: | Light, rigid aluminum frame with a big bang for the buck component selection. | | Weaknesses: | Quite possibly the seat clamp, it tends to get jarred loose. Also, I sense the low end Shimano derailer componenets are indecisive while shifting over rougher portions of a trail. Stock Manitou Six Comp is much too soft and springy for my 200 pounds. | | Similar Products Used: | None really. Was riding a department store "trail bike" with a hard tail and hard front fork. | | Bike Setup: | Standard Iguana component selection on a 17" frame and Hutchinson Mosquito Air Lite Rubber. | | Bottom Line: | The Iguana is more than adequate for a weekend rider and forsee no problem entering and finishing the upcoming Oleta race as a first timer. As with any hobby, I've already got the upgrade fever. Minimum improvements will be magnesium or clipless pedals, manitou's heavier fork spring kit,
tires more suited to the loose gravel terrains, and possibly a suspension seat post. I recommend Giant's Iguana to riders of most skill levels (except extreme and crazy)who must assaault the trails every week but do so with a modest budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Ali
a Cross Country Rider
from London,England,UK
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Epping Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Daycocks.co.uk | | Strengths: | Looks cool, good value for money, great frame from high up the product range, nice fork, jumps quite nicely (so far) | | Weaknesses: | presta only rims, rear tyre (1.95) comes too close to frame | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | UK setup
Front fork: Suntour XCR
Component group: Deore 27sp/shifters/cranks/brake levers/
Wheels: Unbranded black rims
Bars: flatty bars
Grips: giant grips
Tyres: F/Kenda contact R/Specialized 02 Crossroads EX
| | Bottom Line: | Called a TERRAGO in England.
My first mountain bike and it kicks arse! A good performance beginners bike. Haven't got off it since I bought it! Its due for it first service soon as all the cables have slackened up. Have(accidently)launched it six feet in the air and landed it and nothing fell off or broke which is a good sign. I have been riding a Mosh (Giant) BMX for three years and the my Terrago can do anything my BMX could! Great Value and a great frame.
Will report back after its service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, IN USA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Womble Trail, Mt. Ida Arkansas | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Garage Indy | | Strengths: | I found the bike fairly light weight but stable. | | Weaknesses: | While the price is great the components can always be better | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale m300 | | Bike Setup: | factory set up | | Bottom Line: | Its a good bike that is not too expensive that you don't feel like you can't chain it to a bike rack, but at the same time I felt comfortable using it on some pretty difficult trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Skaneateles, New York, USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Nolan's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Every review I read about the bike was great. The bike is light and attractive. The rear derailer does a nice job. | | Weaknesses: | The second day of riding I got in some mud which gunked up the brakes and got stuck between the tire and the front forks. Not only did it make it almost impossible to move forward but it also got in around the front derailer and made shifting impossible. Even after a thorough cleaning the front derailer would not shift properly and needed to be adjusted. The next day out I managed to pop the front tire and knock the seat out of adjustment. It seems as though the seat also needs a special wrench to fix (thank god for Dad's tools). The front suspesion is weak and unresponsive. | | Similar Products Used: | Test road a GT Agressor1.0 and a Fuji Outback. | | Bottom Line: | The front suspension sucks. The tires spin too easily in the mud. The tires don't kick off mud, but hold it so you can get no traction. This bike may do well on a paved raod but for offroad use you had better hope that the paths are pretty dry. Hopefully it will get better when the ground dry up. Oh yeah almost forgot, my crotch hurts like a ...!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Hines
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cane Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Source | | Strengths: | Well made bike with quality components for the price range. I have used the bike a lot in the short period that I have owned it, and I have experienced no problems at all. I was amazed at how light the bike was compared to some others in the price range. | | Weaknesses: | I have not had any problems with this bike, although it was a little harder to find than some of the other Giant models or similiar bikes in the same price range. This might just be where I live though. Also, the seat was a little uncomfortable, but it is pretty light, and I can live with it. | | Bottom Line: | In my opinion, this bike was very well made and is well worth what I paid for it. I compared most bikes in this price range, and most of them seemed to be the same. For a beginner like me, I could care less about small differences. I have already put this bike through quite a bit, and it has been perfect for what I need. Shop around, but don't overlook this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Stanglewicz
a
from St.louis, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ithica | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Terey's Cycle | | Strengths: | Fairly light frame, quick shift hasn't gummed up like on my trek. | | Weaknesses: | Mine didn't come with front shocks, i added $150 shockes after i puchesed it. | | Similar Products Used: | treck 4600 | | Bike Setup: | Hard Tail | | Bottom Line: | This is the bike that i alwasy use and i can keep up with my coaches full suspention Cannandale | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Cross Country Rider
from Midland,Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | I Bought the frame only.Its plenty stiff and fairly light. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Older giants,raleigh,trek,khs | | Bike Setup: | 17in,frame,xt every thing,thompson stem,post.tioga saddle raceface bar,sun rhyno lite rims xt hubs.Duke xc 80mm | | Bottom Line: | I was going to buy a complete bike. After thinking about it
it was cheaper to buy a frame and build it my self.At first
i wanted XTC se 2 frame after looking at them both the igauna was not much diff.Great frame at 3.21lbs for a 17inch
frame thats not bad its very solid and i love the cable routing great frame.I seen the bike as a hole and i would over looked it but thanks to the guys at the shop i didnt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Chestnut Ridge, NY
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Congers Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Frame, Fork, Shifters | | Weaknesses: | Seat | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, Diamondback Response | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Its a great bike for the money. I can highly recomend it to anyone who is looking for a great bike to get started. The seat could be a little padded but thats just my personal prefference i know some who love it. In its price rande came with the best stock componants out there you could spend more if thats what your budget dictates but you dont have to if you are looking for a great bike to get out there and have some fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eddie ortiz
a Weekend Warrior
from staten island
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | local park trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | bennets bicyles, staten island | | Strengths: | great components and frame for the money, among the best deals I could find, compare and you'll see what I mean!!! | | Weaknesses: | Believe it or not, this bike's frame and light and stiff, but because of that it doesn't absorb bumps well. I now know why cromoly is often used on expensive frames, iron is flexible and absorbs vibrations better than aluminum. Still light frame is great for climbing and speed, and the trade off is well worth it in my opinion. | | Similar Products Used: | owned a Giant Boulder, which I had souped up, but it was stolen. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, but I plan a few upgrades, its got a frame you can build on. | | Bottom Line: | I am in love with this bike, it looks great and rides well, and for the money it can't be beat!!!! I looked at other bikes in same price range, which dealer tried to sell me, but even he admitted that the Iguana had great frame and components, perhaps among the best in its price-range. If you're a weekend warrior new to the sport like I am, and aren't willing to spend too much, this bike's for you, I love it!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Fritz's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | clean shifting, light weight, comfortable seat, good braking | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | a stock except for Shimano M515 clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for anyone entering the sport. It's perfect for someone like me who only mountain bikes on weekends. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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