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Submitted by
rinconrider213
a Downhiller
from CA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | imartin!! support yo | | Strengths: | I bought this bike with all the upgrades so it was great. Great fork, great for jumping now, upgraded gears, new tires, if you get a good upgrade its great for jumping. Just not like beasty jumps. | | Weaknesses: | Having some trouble holding the tire pressure | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stuff 2-4 | | Bottom Line: | If you get it upgraded, it will be great for the road, downhilling, jumping, all that good stuff. If you are into jumping and downhilling you should get an upgraded fork and keep it a hard tail. Otherwise its a great bike!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jonnie moss
a Downhiller
from albuquerque
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | buddy , never riddin | | Strengths: | 19" alu frame, price. looks and ok forks for truckin to school | | Weaknesses: | it rubs when i power crank in high gear
| | Similar Products Used: | trek, nishiki | | Bike Setup: | a#1 i ditched the pedals (generic platforms), field goalded the seat (k2 bargin bin)and shortend the post (i have short legs)need some crow bars. | | Bottom Line: | nice bike for the price.. not as good as my real mtn bike but fair and comfortable, i tested it up and down route 66 last night for a couple of hours... i i think its worth the 2 bones i paid.
perfect school bike.
and bunny hops like a champ. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allison
a
from NYC
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | VERSATILITY and craftsmanship. This bike can go anywhere and do anything. It feels sturdy, secure and safe no matter what pedals, standing, sitting, uphill, downhill. Braking is perfect and shifting can be perfect with some fine and frequent tuning. The PAINT job is incredible. This thing has been brutalized and still looks brand new when cleaned. (Not like my road bike with pinstripe decals instead of paint!) | | Weaknesses: | Front shocks loosen after the first 1,000 miles and can not be set back to no-bounce for road climbing-- but then I should be using my road bike for that. High mileage, cross-shifters may require frequent shifter cable adjustments/replacements. No big deal. TIP: When shifting is set up to perform flawlessly, the very highest gear may produce rubbing on the front cage. My advice is to leave it be. Too many people have tried to eliminate this for me, only to mess up my shifting and chain line. LBS has it shifting perfectly again. I can live with the limited use of that one gear. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for pedals and tires. | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding performance for it's price range! I had not been riding for 15 years. This Giant Rincon made me passionate about cycling all over again. Light enough for 40 mile road trips, tough enough for off road. FUN to ride. After 1,000 miles I was itching for a road bike and got one for 50+ mile rides and beautifully paved roads, but this is the one I use for everything else. I put two flat-center Kendas on this and have been riding trouble free through glass, metal, potholes, sleet, rain, heat waves, blackouts, road craters, metal clothes hangers (for real), sticks, sand, dirt and gravel for two years.
5 Chilis for value. The only thing keeping it from an Overall 5 is the occasional quirky shifting and suspension; but I would buy it again and can highly recommend.
If you are a new enthusiast or returning to riding after a long time, this one is going to keep you in the saddle for life!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Ocala, Florida
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | Santos Bike Shop - - Support the local guy!!!! | | Strengths: | This bike is light and has a tough frame. Solid V-brakes and shifts smooooooooth. Comfortable seat. Good components for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Stock pedals are crap resin.......thats about it. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant Rincon with Sigma BC1200 speedo, Sigma Mirage/Mirage X dual light kit, 2003 Ritchey Logic Pro V3 pedals, shortly upgrading to avid disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Like Dave from Denver said this is a great all around bike, since they improved the deraileur from 2002 this thing shifts like a dream and doesn't adjustment very often. I have over 300 hundred miles on this bike and have had ZERO problems. The only thing I have changed are the pedals to SPD clipless and I'm contemplating upgrading to Avid disc brakes.
This bike also rides like a dream, it handles well off road as well as on road, it has upgradability (e.g. v-brakes to disc brakes). I'm not real hard on the bike likes some people are (just because of my skill level) but it has taken everything I' dished out including some drops and jumps with no rim truing needed.
Bottom line if you're on a budget looking for a solid bike with good components that will take punishment this is the bike to buy
DON'T FORGET TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE DEALER!!!!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Leon
a Weekend Warrior
from Guadlajara, Jalisco
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | La Primavera | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Import Bike, MEX | | Strengths: | Great Value, even when I've paid a little bit more than usual, but that's because I bought it in Mexico. I've spent a lot of time riding it, and it never cause me any trouble. It's great for entry level riders. Good traction and stays on the ground when going down hill. Components are good for its price. The suspension feels great when it's as hard as possible. Few things to complain about it. | | Weaknesses: | Obviously it'll be better with at least 8 speed, but enough for the price. The saddle it's too quilted. It came with plastic peddals, but again, PRICE!!!. The handle bar and post are a little bit cheap. | | Similar Products Used: | GT All Terra, Java Decaf, '98 Trek 7000zx | | Bike Setup: | Rithcye Rizer Handle Bar, Bontrager 10cm post, Selle Bassano Anti Compression Saddle, FPD Clip On Pedals. | | Bottom Line: | GREAT BIKE FOR THE PRICE! My last bike was a '98 Trek 7000zx, and I don't miss it, except for the 8 speed transmision, but I'm about to upgrade it for about 150 bucks, so after 2 years of using it, I think it worth it. I hardly recommend it for Entry Level/Week End riders. But one thing: If you can, get the '03 rincon, IT'S EVEN BETTER! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Braatz
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin, USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Morain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$222.00 | | Purchased At: | Budget Bicycle | | Strengths: | Good durablility. I ride off-road often from just gravel roads to steep ups/downs, roots, logs, rocks, etc. It has last me 2 years and I still have almost no problems with it. Great bike, especially if you are on a budget or a beginner. Very light. | | Weaknesses: | The shifters were kind of weak, especially when in hi-gear/hi-gear or low-gear/low-gear. Also, the shock absorbers aren't ajustable, which really ticked me off. The cup-holder cage that came with mine was a piece of crap. I was riding around the block and it got caught in my pants; broke right off. I had to replace it within 3 weeks | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900, Trek 4300, Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized Stumpjumper, Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | stock - i put pedal cages on and soon i will be taking those off and putting on shoe-clips, bar ends | | Bottom Line: | Great bang for the buck. I would recommend this bike to anyone who is on a budget and/or a beginning mountain bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Ranger
a Cross Country Rider
from North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Jack Pine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Cheapskates | | Strengths: | -soooo light
-comfortable seat
| | Weaknesses: | -i found the wheel rims to be too weak, they were warped after like 6monthes! | | Similar Products Used: | -velo sport blast
-norco katmandu
-norco wolverine | | Bike Setup: | -stock
-sept for my 2002 RockShox Psylo XC front fork!!! | | Bottom Line: | great bike, if you are willing to put some money into the wheels, i also found the rims too narrow, the starting fork is OK, overall, its a great bike for the price! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse Waldrop
a Weekend Warrior
from Eden Prairie, MN
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | River Bottoms/General Commute | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | Prairie Cycle and Ski | | Strengths: | A solid, beginner bike. | | Weaknesses: | Don't expect to get much out of this bike beyond some minor trail riding. | | Similar Products Used: | '03 Iqauna | | Bike Setup: | All Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is an updated review from a previous one I had done below.
So far this bike has been nothing but great. It has basically become a commuter bike of sorts, (after spending about four or five months on the trails). I currently use my newly purchased '03 Iqauna for the trails now. If you are a 'newbie' to the sport or just need a good bike to get you places, I definitly recommend this bike, I've yet to have ANY problems, and still put more miles on it than my $600 Iqauna.
NOTE: I've actually, (previous from my last review), bumped the Overall Rating up to five Flamin' Chilis. Reason being is this bike is a descent trail rider, but to be frank, it's more or less a commuter bike, and with that, don't plan on getting a whole lot out of this bike when it comes to the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marco Velasco
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Orland cyclery | | Strengths: | excellent handling, fork and components are good for beginer riders, great warranty on frame | | Weaknesses: | Components are cheap if you ride everyday, but will hold for a while | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | clip ons and suspension post and marzocchi fork | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for new riders or old ones making a come back, i rode the bike in all kinds of terrain and had a very few problems like :I bended the original fork so i changed to a marzzochi, broke rear axle, tacoed front wheel,and finally broke the frame, but I must tell you none of this was the fault of the bike it was me, because i'm a heavy guy 250 pounds and i ride at least 4 or 5 times a week on single trail( by the way a got a new frame from Giant to replace my old one when it broke) thanks to the guys at "WORTH CYCLES AND SPORT" give them a call if you are in the south side of chicago they will take care of you and your bike, they took care of verything even do i diin't originally bought the bike from them.Finnaly if you want a good reliable bike and have about $300.00 to spent dthis is the bike you sholud buy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie T
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta Georgia USA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellow River park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal POWER! | | Strengths: | New 2003 model handles like a glove. Great comfy suspension. Adjustable so i can ride about Anywhere. Strong frame. Delicious colors (Gray and dark gray and white) | | Weaknesses: | Yet to find any. I don't think there coming either. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Boulder SE Raleigh M30 | | Bike Setup: | All stock. Thinking about new rock shox judy TT. But the stock handles great | | Bottom Line: | Well after some intense riding, that was very enjoyable becaue my ass didn't hurt like a damn brick brought a bright ear to ear smile to me. It handled very well, it was very predictable. It rode like a glove, and i like to ride hard. I weigh about 190 and showed no problems. I went with a Boulder SE then it was stolen, then somehow i ended up with a raleigh and that sucked. This is a new rejoice, and i recomend it deeply. Begginer to intermediate, you'll love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Taiwan
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | GIANT bike shop, Tucheng, Taiwan | | Strengths: | Great value, comfortable to ride and can handle a range of conditions. | | Weaknesses: | The rear derailleur is a bit dodgy. | | Similar Products Used: | GIANT Boulder | | Bike Setup: | Added bar ends, otherwise standard. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It's light and handles well. I mainly used it for road riding (in the mountains) and some rough dirt roads. It was very comfortable and easy to handle. My only complaint is the rear derailleur, but for a bike at this price you can't expect all the components to work perfectly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricky Frost
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor Cal, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Steeper the better | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$279.00 | | Purchased At: | Local dealer | | Strengths: | I just started to ride off-road this year and this was a good way to get started. The frame seems bullet-proof. I'm 210lbs and I treat it very badly (lots of jumps) and it just keeps on goin'. | | Weaknesses: | Fork is for smooth trails only. Drivetrain and wheel truing needs constant adjustment for medium-hard riding. Wheel brake surface isn't very good and half the brake pads end up there. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 850 | | Bike Setup: | Duke Race fork, Rhyno lite wheels, Time ATAC pedals, suspension seatpost, cycle computer, contemplating XT drivetrain (thanks eBay) | | Bottom Line: | If you're serious in any way about MTB then save your money and get in at the $700 level. With all the upgrades I've done I've ended up there! The frame and it's rock-solid feel almost make up for all the shortcomings. Unless you want to do a lot of minor tuning between rides (or you only ride very smooth or paved trails) then the low-grade parts won't last. The Rincon is a good way to spend week-nights working on the bike just to ride 4 hours on Saturdays. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Fiddyment
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart Tasmania
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | McBains Cycles | | Strengths: | Value for money, best setup for the price. Strong frame but fairly heavy bike overall (XL size). I'm 250lbs/6'4" so was worried about getting a bike that lacked structural strength. This bike has taken everything I've dished out. I bought it as a way to get back into cycling and it's been a good return bike (short term option). Very predictable handling. Inspires confidence. | | Weaknesses: | Bent the second chainring twice (replaced) buckled wheels (2) but that's my weight not the bike's fault, Seat appears comfortable but wasn't on 50k plus rides, tyres ok but a little too squidgy for my liking. Ceramic brakes nothing special. | | Similar Products Used: | first bike in 15years | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded chainrings and cranks, Brooks B.17N saddle (best saddle money can buy), Continental Town&Country tyres (excellent: low roll resist, good grip really great), Changed to Koolstop brakes - much better. | | Bottom Line: | Obviously this is an entry level bike but within that sector of bikes it is a good bike for the beginner or re-starter and good value for money. Will take some really hard k's/miles from heavy rider without letting you down. After sales service has been excellent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john griffiths
a Cross Country Rider
from dunsborough, western australia
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the dunsborough free-fall | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | blazing sadles bikes | | Strengths: | This bike has great gears, great bouncy seat, nice light frame, great up hill, good v-brakes nice front suspen. | | Weaknesses: | tires are a bit gay, it doesnt like to much bang and wack of-road! | | Bike Setup: | its sweet really, i love it! | | Bottom Line: | If you want a bike thats smooth and allso is really good for a little bit of of-road action(not jumping) go for the 2003 model 24 speed giant rincon. its ace!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse Waldrop
a Weekend Warrior
from Eden Prairie, MN
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Minnesota River Bottoms | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | Prairie Cycle and Ski | | Strengths: | Great bike for this dirt cheap price. Have yet to have any real problem with it. | | Weaknesses: | Some of the lower end parts like the gear shifter and such seem to wear down somewhat easily... | | Similar Products Used: | I guess you could count my Huffy, but then really.... | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Not only is this is my first *real* MTB, it's also my first Giant, (I plan on sticking with this co., I'm getting an '03 Rainier). The Rincon has given me no problems, and I've given it some nice XC abuse. The only thing I've noticed is that the Suntour shocks kind of suck.
If your looking for a great $300 and under bike this is it. Tough as nails!
(Only four hot chilis for overall rating because I'm starting to need more for the trails I've been riding). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Strong Aluminum Frame, Suspension Fork, Brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Rear Derailer (Shimano Acera). | | Similar Products Used: | If you read one Rincon Review, Read this one. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Altus Front Derailer, Acera Rear Derailer, Suntour XCR Suspension Fork. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding this bike for four months now and waited to upload this review until I'd had some time to break it in. This is a great bike! The frame is light and very nimble, making cornering or steep ascents a breeze. And the reviewers who are bashing the suspension fork are - - well, mistaken. Now, I'm not doing 8 foot drops or anything like that, but I just returned from a trip to Moab and rode plenty of potted slickrock. That fork was a lifesaver and performed marvelously. I had it set as soft as it would go and never bottomed out. Now if you weigh 250 pounds or like to do big drops, maybe you will bottom it out. (I'm 160 pounds.) Just to compare, I rode my girlfriends rigid fork steel-framed Fuji bike and thought I was going to die. It was like riding a tank and I was sure my arms were going to rip apart going downhill. Not to mention it was slow going down because of all the jarring on the slickrock. (We rented a suspension bike the next day.)
The only downside to this bike is the Acera rear derailer. It's really a piece of junk that needs to be tuned frequently. I have several gears that won't index properly, often having to go up two and come back down one. So I continue to work at tuning it. The reviews on this site, coincidentally, give the Acera the worst rating of all the Shimano derailers. The upside is that the 2003 Rincons are already in stores, and have upgraded to the Alivio rear derailer, which gets better reviews. You also get 24 speeds rather than 21 speeds on the 2002 models. So it looks like Giant has fixed the only problem that I have with my 2002 Rincon.
So if you want a great bike with a kick-butt lightweight aluminum frame for around $300, this is it. Don't waste your money paying for the Trek or Specialized name. If you want to drop off cliffs and beat the hell out of your bike, spend more money and get that super dooper bike with a Marzocchi fork, - - but don't bash the Rincon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ash
a Weekend Warrior
from Mankato, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | A1 Bikes, Mankto | | Strengths: | lightweight, strong, frame. Tough brakes (V - shimano). | | Weaknesses: | Suspension aint all that, unadjustable handle bar. | | Bottom Line: | For its price, this MTB is a charm. I've used her rough for 3 years and done little maintenance work like oiling brakes and gears regularly, maintaining air pressure, new tyre tubes, checking brake joints. She hasnt broken down on me and handles like a dream, hell I can even downhill with her. Ofcourse, im pretty skilled. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John estrada
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, Georgia
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | stone mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | pedal power | | Strengths: | light frame, reasonable price, climbs well, descends well, does what it is supposed to do. | | Weaknesses: | components not race worthy, cant be used for jumping | | Bottom Line: | The Rincon is a well rounded bike that if you want to get into mnt. biking it will serve you well. You will not win any races but if you just want to mess around with friends this will get you there for a cheap price tag. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adin
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jumps and Jarrahdale Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Fleet Cycles Morley | | Strengths: | Good frame, can handle abuse well. Good suspension for the money. Superb Seat. The bike is pretty light. Shifters are good. | | Weaknesses: | Rims are a downside. I still need to replace them. Grips are ok but they wear fast without gloves. | | Similar Products Used: | My old bike? | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Removed all reflectors. Front Mudguard & Speedo. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is solid feels good and is easy to controll. I have purchased the small frame so it is a good jumping bike :D (just watch the rims). A heavy sidewards impact or a big crash could buckle the wheels a bit. Hell, mine are buckled a bit but are good enough to last a while. This bike is for the Beginner or the Intermediate biker. Dirt jumping is great with this bike if you know how to jump! Looks great in blue/black/gray dosen't look too good in the other colour.I think it is a good bike and worth your money. A good ride :D ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Teschke
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Don't have a favourite | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | Gears And Grills | | Strengths: | Low Price
Nice Seat
Aluminum Frame
Great Budget Bike
Decent front fork
| | Weaknesses: | Seat Post Clamp
Back Rim
Derailer Hanger | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex 856 | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rincon , RaceFace Crank, Manitou SX fork, Mavic/LX/XT rims / New Seat Post Clamp
| | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike when my proflex finally bit the dust. It rides much better and feels more solid. I changed some of the parts on the bike with parts that were still good from my old bike . Get this bike if your looking for a good starter bike or something to replace a broken bike. And i ride this bike VERY hard, and i weigh 210. i'm giving it 4 overall because of the stupid seatpost problem.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Freedom Machine | | Strengths: | A good general purpose bike. Value. Quality frame. | | Weaknesses: | Had a few breaking-in problems. Was back at the dealer several times for cable/derailler adjustments in the first couple of weeks. Rear wheel has already needed to be trued as was slightly off as well. Whether these are just initial assembly problems or ongoing problems remains to be seen. (A reputable dealer with good after sales service is VERY important. The guys at The Freedom Machine that I have dealt with have been great) | | Similar Products Used: | First bike in 20 years | | Bike Setup: | Stock - Shimano Altus/Acera crank/deraillers/cassette | | Bottom Line: | I bought the bike mainly for commuting. I'm doing a lot of miles on roads and bike paths and in all weathers. Although I'm not riding off-road, I'm 90k and strong and I ride hard. The bike is handling the load and force I can generate well. After the initial adjustments mentioned above the bike is now performing well. I would recommend it to people looking for a bike for similar use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will MacDonald
a Weekend Warrior
from Houghton, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | It's cheap and rides as well as any hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | The fork is crap, no damping, must be rebuilt often, lots of slop. The rear wheel doesn't stay straight (my rear axle also broke from fatigue). My frame cracked at the edge of the weld between the down tube and the head set. The seat clamp will bend if you hit something hard enough to bend the seat rails. The deraileur hanger is prone to fatigue. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for all the stuff that broke (wheels, seat, seatpost and soon the frame). | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike for xc and light trail riding, but it just isn't strong enough to take the abuse of jumping or long travel forks. If you plan on riding on trails for more than 2 years, get something with a better fork and stronger wheels; it will be cheaper in the long run. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Devon Meek
a Downhiller
from Wilton
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$310.00 | | Purchased At: | Outdoor Sports | | Strengths: | great price if you can't get parents to hook you up. tough frame that is light for the price. good feel when riding. | | Weaknesses: | very bad grips and components. i have a very hard time shifting going uphill and when i do small jumps or wheelie drops about 2 ft high my chain gets tangled in my derailler. also the standard shocks are lousy, i upgraded to psylo xc's and they are excellant, although not a very smart choice for this kind of bike the psylos work very well and make the bike a whole lot better. | | Similar Products Used: | gt saddleback | | Bike Setup: | shimano clips, 02 psylos xc's, stock rest of the way | | Bottom Line: | if your on a tight budget and you are afraid of jumps and too chicken to go downhill, then this is a great bike for you. i am upgrading to a ironhorse hustler which will be awesome, good for xc and strong enough for jump. all in all get the bike if you are new to mountain biking or if your old and fragile. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron Coad
a Cross Country Rider
from Hobart, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Treadlies | | Strengths: | Front fork is pretty good for the price. The frame is good and light and is very good for the price. Really nice squishy seat that is good for the long rides. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy grips that wear too quickly. Back rim bends all the damn time. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | It is a good bike for the price and I would recommend it to the new mountain biker that is starting out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh
a Racer
from roseville cal
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | um....great price, fork is ok, i like the shifters | | Weaknesses: | the rear rim has pretty much been totaled on my bike, you should really upgrade the rims. bar paint has faded after 18 months. i have crank problems that come and go. tires are ok, but give no traction for hill climbs. the fork will make noise if seals of the fork get a little wet. fork may bottom if riding through creek bed and go off 1 foot drop-off (weak). main thing im mad about is the crank and the rims. | | Similar Products Used: | gaint, something that was f/s. rockhopper. tons of various BMX (i came from bmx). mongoose. shiwin???? | | Bike Setup: | lizard skin frame pad, and bar pad zip tied on. tlc | | Bottom Line: | WARNING... do not buy this bike if you plan to: jump it, race it, ride fast, ride uphill, or ride downhill. This bike does not hold up to this type of abuse, buy a Giant Reinier. The Reinier is only around 700 bucks, has doublewall rims, and built for that type of riding. This is the greatest bike for some who is going to buy a bike for riding on horse trails, or fire roads. For me this bike has pretty much been trashed, and its not the bikes fault, it's the way I ride. I'm a aggesive rider, that does hill climbs and downhill, and the racing all for fun; the Rincon doesnt hold to that type of riding. ONLY... buy this bike if it's going to stay on the smoth graded trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jr. Miller
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ravenshoe | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Solutions | | Strengths: | Light-Weight, Average Quality Components for beginners, Durable, I haven't broken anything yet! | | Weaknesses: | Hard saddle, 30.9MM non-standard seat post, and riser hadle bars are too high. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for saddle and suspension post from axiom. Will be changing to clipless pedals, and lower rise handlebar | | Bottom Line: | Great value for the money! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Murphy
a Cross Country Rider
from East Lansing, MI
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Niagra Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Petals and Poles (Kingsford MI) | | Strengths: | The price is great for the light and durable frame. | | Weaknesses: | The one-peice stem has slipped on me during crashes no matter how tight I crank it, the lower-end components (deraillers, gaskets, brakes) dont react well to mud, bottom bracket went, Poor handgrips. Bearings in petal quit as well. | | Similar Products Used: | This was my first mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for richey speedmax tires and a computer | | Bottom Line: | As I said, this is my first mountain bike. It has been an excellent starter bike. Over time, it has begun to fall apart, but I have a lot of hard miles on it. I would recommend it to any one looking for a mt. bike to try the sport, but as a more experienced rider, I am now looking to upgrade. All said and done --excellent value, but not a performance bike-- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harry Smith
a Downhiller
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mundairing | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Kalamunda cycle-Aus paid in Aus $ | | Strengths: | Great suspension, head set, gears are reliable, very light. | | Weaknesses: | Derailler can break easy if landed on, seat is a bit hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Boulder SE | | Bike Setup: | Rincon SE- a lot better than the normal Rincon. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, can handle rough trails and is also great for regular rides, smooth, light and a pleasure to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | frame,forks,rear derailer | | Weaknesses: | tyres (they are shonky) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for new tyres kenda smoke | | Bottom Line: | great bike for the money strong realiable and really good light frame, if something breaks i'll just replace it with something better because the frame is great, i like the forks they are nice and plush and also the gear change is really nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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