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Submitted by
Barkleyfan
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Shirley Meadows | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | http://finishlinebik | | Strengths: | Brakes are a work of art, component spec is great for the price level, bike is plain sturdy overall. | | Weaknesses: | Fork is WEAK. I weigh 230 lbs, and the fork simply can't handle me. Also notice alot of flex at the bottom bracket when I hammer. | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to list | | Bike Setup: | Deore front derailur, LX rear derailur, Deore shifters, Avid CPS disc brakes Avid Ad3 levers, Truvative Fire X crankset with Isis bottom bracket, Snafu concave pedals, shimano disc hubs, Mavic X139 rims, Hutchinson Mosquito tires, Giant stem, riser bar, seat, and seatpost, and the Manitou Axel Super fork. | | Bottom Line: | Sturdy, not TOO heavy @ 28lbs, and a nice, precise drivetrain. This bike was the best hardtail Giant offered at the time, and by far the best hardtail I could find anywhere near the pricerange. I've beat the bike for years on Shirley Meadows, Mt Pinos, Keysville, Mt Elden, and various CC trails around Iowa. Tires wear pretty quick, but they're pretty decent otherwise. Drivetrain stays true (I've had to adjust it a couple times since 2003) and wheels have never had to be touched. Brakes are everything I could ask for; high power, good modulation, and low maintenance. The geometry is comfortable and responsive without getting nervous (19 inch)
I don't like the fork. At 230 lbs, I'm not a finesse rider. I'm thinking about trying to upgrade the fork to a heavier spring and a lockout. My only other complaint is BB flex, but at my weight, I have yet to find a frame that won't flex when I hammer.
All in all, this bike is hard to touch in it's price range, and it can be lightened up if you want to race. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeepmb
a Cross Country Rider
from lake wood,co,u.s.a
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | mesa loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$412.00 | | Purchased At: | adventure cycles | | Strengths: | high quality components,nice suspension, great tires, and very, very, very durable | | Weaknesses: | durability comes at a price, this bike is a very heavy bike and has a hard time coasting | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4100 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike rocks but it is extremely heavy for my needs so i am looking at other bikes such as the fuel ex 9, but for beginners this is a dream but being surrounded by a family of full suspension bikers its hard to resist them.
yes i would recommend this to a friend | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Pony Pasture/Huguenot Flatwater | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$310.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | Light frame, handling, brakes, rims | | Weaknesses: | Sh-t stock pedals, worthless fork/shock | | Similar Products Used: | Demoed GT Avalanche 1.0, Giant Yukon, own a Specialized Corssroads Sport | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ Rock Shox Judy fork, Avid BB 5 brakes, Mavic Rims | | Bottom Line: | Great starter Mt. bike, a few steps up from entry level with some good stock components, Deore Lx rear DR, Avid bb-5 brakes and Mavic rims give you a competent, solid ride with good handling and shifting. Will want to replace fork and especially the worthless, cheap Forte pedals. Giant rocks! Excellent frame geometry! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Newark, DE, USofA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Plantation Trail, WV | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Wooden Wheels | | Strengths: | Great Price and components. Frame rocks! great geometry, light, unique color. Fork has never bottomed out, holds up well, 1/2 air, 1/2 spring. | | Weaknesses: | Tires: Kenda, wear fast and way too thin for real riding (puncture easily).
Bottom Bracket: I have had it for about a year now with no problems, but it has begun to click with the force of pedaling, annoying.
Pedals: Cheep. Dont hold my feet very well. Easy upgrade, no worries.
No Bash Gaurd: The bike did not come with a bash gaurd which is lame. I had to replace my biggest chain ring with a bash gaurd, well worth it though. I never really used the big chain ring on trails anyway. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Panaracer XC pro tire (front), Panaracer DH (rear), better pedals, and bash gaurd added. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is sweet. My first mid range bike--I was used to riding fully ridged, early 90's bikes--and it has proven heavy-use worthy.
While I haven't really upgraded too extensively, this bike is a keeper that I will continually upgrade for years and years to come.
Great beginners bike, and not too expensive.
I am giving it an overall rating of 4 chilis b/c I have never owned a high end bike and can not compair. However, for a mid-range bike 5 chilis all the way! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Satchel
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Delaveaga | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$532.00 | | Purchased At: | Family Cycling Center | | Strengths: | Frame rocks, avid brakes, Marzocchi EXR is pretty good for the price, kenda tires | | Weaknesses: | Pretty much the whole crank set, and the peddales could definitly be upgraded. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike if your into mountain biking but dont want to spend thousands of dollars to get a good bike.Overall a great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Brighton, Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Apex | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Used from C.U. Student | | Strengths: | Mavic X139 rims, AVID disk brakes, Fram, | | Weaknesses: | Axel pro fork-Stock spring had to put in a stiff spring and add a lockout $90 for both, now this shock rocks. Crank is average I may upgrade. Grips suck upgraded to Ergon grips. | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper. | | Bike Setup: | IRC Mythos, upgraded shock spring and LO, Ergon grips. Everything else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | I got this from a student for $300 with less than 500 miles on the bike. $90 for new stiff spring and Lockout. $40 for new tires. This bike kicks butt for the trails I ride in and around Denver Hardpack signle track etc. It is not a downhill bike so don't get it thinking you can go play with those boys. The Shock is one of the keys to this and any bike. If you are over 160lb you need to upgrade you stock shock with a heavy spring or get a new air shock that you can tune to your weight a lockout is a must also if you want to blow past all the weenies in the climbs!
The Value Rating is a 5 because of the steal I got. and the overall is a 4 because there is always you can do to improve this and any bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred Prather
a Weekend Warrior
from ft scott
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | neosho, mo | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycles etc. | | Strengths: | light frame, quick handler, avid disc work great, drivetrain shifts good, price, wheels seem strong, wide gearing, clipless pedals, color | | Weaknesses: | hutchinson tires to soft(wore-out the back in 3 months), Manitou axel way to soft for my 185 lbs, having a problem with crank bolts working loose, Top tube just a bit short for me | | Similar Products Used: | giant boulder se(rode into the ground), raleigh m80, trek 4500, and giant rincon | | Bike Setup: | Kenda Klaw back tire, easton ea70 stem, mini pump, saddle bag(2 spares) 19" frame | | Bottom Line: | My wife bought this bike for my birthday, and did a great job(praise bicycles etc. for being so nice to her!) I love the bike, very fast and probably 10lbs lighter than my ancient boulder. The spring is too light in the fork for my lard @$$, but easily fixed when I find a firmer spring. My only two real complaints: the top tube is too short(which was fixed for the most part with a new stem), and the cranks(can not keep the bolts from loosening, even with RED loctite!) I really like the quick handling, now that I am use to it, quite a change from my old boulder(69.5 head). Soon as I find the spring and swap my bracket/cranks(I hate taperlocks) for octilinks or isis; I will be extremely happy. Great bike for the dough, especially a birthday gift. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa (Ontario, Canada)
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Avid Mechanical disk brakes and Mavic X139 rims
Marzocchi EXR fork (air)
Deore LX rear derailleur
Paint job and frame quality | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Mosquito tires - rapid wear
Shimano Deore Bottom Bracket - ticking noise | | Similar Products Used: | other hardtails (nothing worth mentioning) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for 2nd set of rims - Alex ACE19 with Atomic hubs
| | Bottom Line: | I posted a review in October 2003 regarding this bike. Here is an update... Still love my Rainier (2003 model) !!!!
I have replaced my Hutchinson tires with something else and I will be changing my bottom bracket with an upgrade because of an annoying ticking noise. The BB works fine and turns smoothly without being wobbly. I had my LBS look at it (taken apart for maintenance and put back together) but the noise is still there (I can confirm the noise is from the BB after a lengthy search). I will simply upgrade the BB and I might spend the $$$ for a crank upgrade. The Deore HollowTech crank does flex somewhat under heavy use but it has held up (rider weight 190 lbs).
The Mavic X139 rims have performed well given the variety of road and trail use. Recently, I have purchased a 2nd set of rims for my city tires (Alex ACE19).
The Marzocchi EXR (air) fork has performed very well. Very reliable and I have yet to bottom it out (I use my bike for transit and XC trails - not drop offs).
I absolutely love the Avid Mechanical brakes. They brake hard with very little maintenance. They are easy to adjust as the pads wear down (dials). Replacement pads are inexpensive (16$ Cdn per pair).
For approx. 1100 $ Cdn, this is a hard bike to beat. The overall package is a good bang for the buck !!! I highly recommend this bike for the average user. This is not a competition bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Buxton, Maine
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Pride's Corner Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$675.00 | | Purchased At: | Quinn's Bike | | Strengths: | Great Frame, Avid Discs, Price | | Weaknesses: | Tires, Crank, Deore parts | | Similar Products Used: | Old Iguana SE Hardtail, NRS 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Kenda Front & Velociraptor Rear Tires, XT Drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | A Great bike for the price. I upgraded to an XT drivetrain for more reliability, although after my expirience with SRAM's X-9 on my NRS, I may go that route also. The tires are absolute junk and need to be replaced, but other than that, no complaints. A good bike and component spec for someone looking for their first serious bike, and a good starting point to upgrade from for those of a more serious nature. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Wyndmoor, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon Backcountry | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Montgomeryville | | Strengths: | awesome light frame, avids are nice too, frame geometry good, included clipless pedals | | Weaknesses: | hutchinson mosquito tires suck on ice, dirt, loose rocks, hell everything! cranks stink, just had to replace them (LX - very light and rigid), fork bottoms out alot when i ride...i am waiting for it to pop one day. | | Similar Products Used: | first bike | | Bike Setup: | stock + shimano PD-520 SPD pedals + Panaracer XC tires + shimano Deore LX Crank + shimano octalink bottom bracket + raptor light system | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great for the type of trails that I am riding in the Wissahickon. The terrain is very rocky and hilly at times, and this bike has taken everything that I have thrown at it so far. While the fork and the included tires are a weakness to the overall package, for what I paid this bike is a steal. Currently, I am turning this bike into a race machine, where the only stock part will be the awesome frame and maybe the brakes. I would recommend this bike to anyone with a tight budget but a willingness to upgrade. If you ride hard, then this bike will survive, but only if you maintain it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Francis Marcoux
a Cross Country Rider
from Mascouche, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mont Ste-Anne | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Expert - Mtl | | Strengths: | -Avid mechanical break are working great
-Seat is confortable and not as sleepy as last one
EXR air fork is working on the way I was expecting
- Very good painting | | Weaknesses: | - Mosquito tires wore too fast
- My chain brooke twice on paved road (after only 200 km)even with a great care and maintenance
- Air fork needs a special pump while my Louis Garneau can do the job and it is a standar mini pump
- My front derailleur broke in two after 200 km
- a litlle bite on the heavy side
| | Similar Products Used: | Minelly Montain Diablo Extreme 2000 edittion
Devinci Catctus 2002 | | Bike Setup: | Stock + XT chain + XT Front derailleur | | Bottom Line: | A good bike in this category, a lot of extra's like Air fork and mechanical break, such thing you'll find on pricier bike.
I lost one front break pad after 50 km and they cost as much as my car ones!!! My chain brooke twice on very smooth road and the second time it also broke my front derailleur. So i updated for XT chain and front derailleur and it works better now.
Mosquito tires are real piece of scrap. I not able to climp very big step as the tire loose the grip very easily. Also i found that the tire are not very good in corner while they are fast on paved road. But it is a good idea to upgrade; I installed Panracer XC pro and I very satisfied.
In overall I am satisfied with what i got
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | It's been great so far. I love the brakes, and the smooth shifting. The shocks are fun (my old bike didn't have anything like it). Great for trail riding, I wouldn't do anything too hardcore though. | | Weaknesses: | I already broke the Uturn knob on the shocks, had to order the new part which was very hard to find. I thought the shocks were leaking at first but it was the "trikle down" technology and it was trickling down to the floor. I have had no other problems. If I do anything to this bike I will get a new fork/shocks. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except bike rack. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, all of my biking friends envy it. I'm really glad I got it, and it wasn't so expensive for what you get. The frame is strong and defintely a good bike to upgrade if you so desired. Seat was uncomfortable until I road it for about 50 miles then my butt got hard or something because it doesn't bother me now. To get smoother shifting I noticed to let up on the pedaling some and it is barely noticible that it shifted. I'd say this is a keeper, and if you don't have one go out and get one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The Jack Rabbit Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Great frame, as mentioned by others XTC geometery! Like the blue color. Avid brakes are great, provide secure braking, and I also like the adjust feature. Couldn't beat the price, despite an unmatched fork. | | Weaknesses: | The fork is a bit heavy, seems to leak oil. | | Similar Products Used: | other Giants | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Cross Land UTS Wheels,with Geax Blade tires (for muddy trail conditions)X-9 Shifters, rear derailure, SRAM pc-99 hollow pin chain, Tru-vativ firex crank set. | | Bottom Line: | The bike came with good componentry as it was, and was a great deal. The upgrades have made it a pleasure to ride and a bit lighter. This bike offers more for the perfomance oriented is a good step up from the Giant Yukon recreation bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cory
a Weekend Warrior
from ancaster, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | dundas conservation | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | brantford cycle | | Strengths: | marzocchi fork, geometry, nice paint job, rideability, great disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | previous sportchek special nakamura spider | | Bike Setup: | bought used (5 rides) upgrades - ritchey stem, shimano xt shifters, selle italia saddle, tires | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike - my first higher-end MTB. What a difference on the trails - this bike just wants to go fast. Have had a few good spills - bike always comes through fine. Would highly recommend bike for riders like myself who like to get out once or twice a week for some good trail riding. Great deal for $700 CAD no tax. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Anderson
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, geometry, avid discs, 9sp with a nice low clibing gear, clipless pedals
sweet ride | | Weaknesses: | tires wore out already
wheels kinda flimsy
fork (rock shox judy sl u-turn)
front chainrings a little weak, bent the outter one
bb is not that great, still needs to be replaced | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | stock except: cheap suspension seat post, bar ends, | | Bottom Line: | Overall it's an awesome bike. I just started racing this spring and had a blast, this bike took me the whole way with only a few problems. The bb didn't stand up to the (ab)use of my riding, fortunetly it was still under warrenty at my LBS. I also bent my third chainring, it could have been from torquing it too hard during a shift from the largest one to the middle one, or it could have been on a log, who knows. I've had the bike for four months now and the fork needs a rebuild, thankyou rock shox. The disc brakes are great, plenty o' stopping power, i did warp the rotors within the first week of riding it, they still work alright. 5-5 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ken o.
a Weekend Warrior
from denver, co USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | acid trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike shop | | Strengths: | Fast nimble ride. Climbs well. Great components for the $$$. Nice color - looks sweet! | | Weaknesses: | None yet, even after a thousand "road" miles. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820, Huffy, BMX | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except: Shimano LX hollowtech crank, Easton monkeylite xc riser bar, ea70 stem, odi lock-on grips, cheap platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. First that I've ever bought for myself. It works perfectly for what I use it for (90% urban trail riding, occasional singletrack, commuting - 100mi. per week) Was looking at XTC models but were priced too high. Went to bike shop to get tires but ended up buying this bike - jaw dropped when I saw the price. Became Performance member to get 10% back on purchases - used it to upgrade crank/bar/stem in vain attempt to make it different from the rest. (ha ha! j/k) Paid just under 700 as listed above and am happy with the upgrades.
Because I use mostly for paved trails, I don't have the same complaints about the fork as some of the other users. Has worked out great for me.
Tires have been great as well - good traction on all surfaces. Rear tire showed some serious wear after about 250 miles but i rode it into the ground. It was reminiscent of that Seinfeld episode where kramer wants to see how far he can drive jerrys new car with gauge well past the "e" so he doesn't have to fill with gas. People commented on the bald tire all the time but I could not take it off because I had to see how far I could go. Just changed it, after 1000 miles - never got a flat :) (slime tubes!)
I am very pleased with this ride and would recommend it to anyone. It makes me want to ride more and more - and that isn't all that bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Hot Town, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | PC | | Strengths: | Brakes are pretty good. | | Weaknesses: | Seat Hurts. Derailleurs suck, always need to be aligned. Rims are complete cr@p. I got 4 flat tires on a week long trip to moab. I hate this bike. Fork's dropouts are messed up so it sets in crooked. Tires dont climb SH1T! Too Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Wahoo | | Bike Setup: | stock except downhill stem and i just got a new marzocchi Z150 and new rims. WOW!! much better after those upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I wish i never bought this bike the flat tires made me want to go on a random murdering spree and just murder about a million people. But instead i paid about a million dollars to make this into a real bike. Now I can ride this thing on some real trails and on the street w/o getting flat tires. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan R.
a Weekend Warrior
from Clearfield, PA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Overland Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$590.00 | | Purchased At: | State College | | Strengths: | The price is right!!! Brakes are great!! Frame geometry is perfect! | | Weaknesses: | The front fork does seem a little mushy, I think I will try the upgrade kit that everybody is talking about. | | Similar Products Used: | GIANT Yukon SE, Trek 4900, and a few others | | Bike Setup: | Titec "Hell Bent" bar, I didn't even try the stock saddle. TIME clipless pedals. WTB Weirwolf tires. | | Bottom Line: | I managed to get a great price from haggling with the dealer on a year old bike. I didn't like the crank at first, but I'll keep it until it breaks. And the fork does seem soft. Overall, the bike is a steal at $800. I ride in all conditions and the bike is just perfect for everything; rocks, mud, rain, leaves, streams, uphill, downhill, it can handle it all. This is a bike for everybody. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from canada
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclepath | | Strengths: | i like the bike good frame color gears are good | | Weaknesses: | didnt like the stock tires | | Similar Products Used: | hade a kona but gt stolen | | Bike Setup: | lot sof stuff replaced to much to list | | Bottom Line: | love the bike best bike i have gotten and only 1 in my area so its a real eye catcher for all da lady's j/k only thing i would like is a better seat it hurts in places were u shouldent have pains but all in all i like the bike i have told people to buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juan
a Weekend Warrior
from East Lansing MI USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$620.00 | | Purchased At: | A Store | | Strengths: | Excellent value. Brakes work great, geometry is quite agreeable, stock tires are actually pretty decent except for wear on pavement. Fork is fine once you swap for a stiffer spring. I even like the seat. | | Weaknesses: | The OEM fork spring is really soft. REALLY soft. But for $17 and five minutes of my time, a "firm" spring was installed and that solved the problem right quick, even for my 230lbs. The bike isn't the lightest ride out there, but it never feels heavy either. | | Similar Products Used: | Various | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup but for pedals, stiffer fork spring, and accessories and such. | | Bottom Line: | No real complaints so far. Not the world's most hardcore hardtail, but it isn't terribly expensive either. Well worth considering for reasonable trail and xc use. This is the sort of bike that you can buy, bring home, dial it in, and ride into the ground. It works just the way it is and is best if you just use it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Neibling
a Cross Country Rider
from Derby, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything but pavement | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$829.00 | | Purchased At: | L&M Schwinn Cycling and Fitness | | Strengths: | Avid CPS disc brakes. Mavic rims. Tires. The dampening adjustment on the fork. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is ok, but i had my old seat laying around so i put it on. Fork is a little too plush, but can be fixed with spring kit. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Gary Fisher Kaitai | | Bike Setup: | Crank Bro's Mallet C's. Deore Hollowtek Cranks. XT front derailleur (Replaced because of mudding incident, Will replace LX on the back with XT when I manage to break it). Converted Fork to 100mm. Koobi seat. Thorn resistant tubes. Extra set of 26x1.5 slick tires for the road. | | Bottom Line: | Best bike in it's price range. XTC geometry feels great and handles well. Avid CPS disc brakes are super easy to adjust. I've read reviews that trashed the tires, but I've found that they stick to any terrain. The tread life is a little short, but if you stay off the pavement you can get many miles out of them. I've put several hundred miles on it since I bought it and its still going strong. Two thumbs up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DJ Thompson
a Cross Country Rider
from North Street, MI USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Stoney Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Alpine Cycles in Port Huron, MI | | Strengths: | The disk brakes are great, frame has great geometry for riding or racing, sweet color. | | Weaknesses: | The crank is too weak for a powerful rider, too much snap crackle and pop. | | Similar Products Used: | I've had all types of bikes from different manufacturers. | | Bike Setup: | Salsa stem, 'THE' fenders, Michelin Wild Grippers on Ritchey wheelset w/ sealed bearing hubs, XT rear derail, Race Face crankset, Redline platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Even without the upgrades, I love this bike. In fact it is the best bike I've owned. It has the same frame geometry as Giant's XTC XC race bikes. This bike would be a great buy for anyone one from the once in a while rider to a full blown racer. I've had it a year now and I've done both. Two thumbs up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with dirt!!!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Main Cycle | | Strengths: | Great ride, smooth fast and light. Brakes feel tight and full of stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | Only complaint is the front fork so far!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock | | Bottom Line: | I absolutely love this bike. It has been the reason for the greatest rides of my life. It performs like it is worth twice as much. In one year of extremely hard riding and bailing every other weekend it has come out without a scratch. I recomemnd buying this bike, but be prepared to upgrade the fork in the near future. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Huffaker
a Weekend Warrior
from Denton
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Johnson Branch, Lake Ray Roberts | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike O Rama | | Strengths: | Disc brakes, Deore components | | Weaknesses: | stock tires are not very good. Back rim bent. Seems a bit weak. Stock seat was painful. stock shock is mushy. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | Replaced tires with WTB tires. Much better ride. Upgraded front shock to 100mm travel and stiffer spring kit. Replaced seat just for comfort. | | Bottom Line: | This is my second review of this bike. I wanted to post a review now that I've put over 250 miles on it. I am still very happy with the bike overall, but I did do some upgrades and still have some more to do. I bent the back rim and I need to replace it. I upgraded the Axel shock from 80mm to 100mm travel with a stiffer spring kit. It is now acceptable. Before, it was way to soft. Also, now that I put on a good set of tires, it is a much nicer ride. For the price, I still view this as a good bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a
from Usa
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Strengths: | Price!!! good brakes and grips are really sticky. | | Weaknesses: | heavy. rims bend really easily. tires a little skinny. seat hurts like a mother. fork could use more travel | | Bike Setup: | stock except maxxis high roller tires, mrp, new fork stickers. | | Bottom Line: | good bike, but u dont want to ride it more than once a week unless u get a new seat. also, id upgrade the tires to something a little wider.
if u race, this isnt the bike u want. its a good fire road and mild singletrack rider. the stock rims bend too easily to make a good dirt jumper though.
GET A MORE COMFY SEAT!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bigz
a Weekend Warrior
from Midwest
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$760.00 | | Strengths: | Frame, Avid disc brakes, decent component group. | | Weaknesses: | Forks, wheelset is a little wimpy, so so tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Sedona, Trek 850, Trek 7000 over the last 15 years | | Bike Setup: | '03 Ranier, Kore DSFR wheelset, RaceFace cranks & BB, Rouge grips, Titec bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | Replaced most of the weak links in the componants, should have replaced the shock! I'm not the average rider at 6'6" and 315lbs, but I "tweaked" the Manitou Super Axel in less than 50 miles of mostly flat, partly paved trails and thats just wrong for a fork on a bike with an $820 list price. This just happened, so I have no idea how things at the dealer will go...we'll see Monday, I want to see if they will give me credit towards a Skareb or Black Elite? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Qc, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Gianella cycles | | Strengths: | Brake power
Frame (solid + color + geometry)
Good component for the money
Front shock (Marzo EXR Air is the stock shock on the canadian version) | | Weaknesses: | Brake always need alignments
Mosquito tires SUCKKK!!!(got 2 sets of conti now escape protection for offroad and town&country for road
Hate presta valves! | | Similar Products Used: | None, well first good bike that you dont buy at home hardware | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for tires and somes add-on like speedmeter... | | Bottom Line: | First 1100 is canadian so that would make like 850us. The bike get you a lot of thing for your money. I check most of the other brand comparable bike(they all have a hard tail with deore/lx component) and the rainier was the one with the most things for you buck. After 5months, the bike is still very solid except that I have always have to align the brakes pads and I HATE PRESTA valves. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
riderfrom_ep
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, Texas
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Redd road trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Crazy Cat cyclery | | Strengths: | Very good frame design, brakes have REAL stopping power.
Good value for the money.. | | Weaknesses: | Handle bar and stem are too heavy, will replace them soon (replace them before leaving the store you'll $$ave) | | Similar Products Used: | Iguana 2003 | | Bike Setup: | All stock except tires (changed to Continental explorer), grips and pedals (shimano 424) | | Bottom Line: | Very good bike from the price, paid $750 including tax.
You can easily brake using only one finger, that's great for me because my hands are not that strong.
No complains about the fork yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Huffaker
a Weekend Warrior
from Denton
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Johnson Branch at Lake Ray Roberts | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike-O-Rama | | Strengths: | Deore components, disk brakes, Mavic rims, The bike just "feels" good. It operates like an extension of my body which I could not say for a couple of others I tested. I guess its just the right geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou front shock is too soft. Stock seat was brutal (replaced immediately). | | Similar Products Used: | I tested the Trek 4900, Specialized Hard Rock Comp, Gary Fisher Tassajara which was also very nice. It was a toss up between the Giant Rainier and the Tassajara so I let the disk brakes be the determining factor. In hingsight, the Tassajara had a better front shock. Oh well. | | Bike Setup: | bone stock except for a softer seat | | Bottom Line: | I'm new to this sport, so I don't have the experienced perspective that most of you have. I can't address things like crank flex and other more extreme performance issues I've read on this board because I haven't encountered it yet. But, the Giant Rainier feels good on the street and the trail. I feel very much in control no matter the terrain. It climbs very nimbly (I did some cross country off-trail climbing in the Texas Hill Country near Wimberly which is cactus and rock and it did pretty well). Is this the best hard tail out there? Probably not. But I made the choice based on a comparison of other bikes in the $550 to $600 range and this one seemed to feel the best. This bike is much better than I am as a rider currently. This is a great bike for an intermediate weekend warrior. It was overkill for a beginner like myself, but I plan to get better and I don't want to have to upgrade bikes too soon. You could say that my skill level has room to "grow" into this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blitz
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Strengths: | Disk reaks, Weight, Frame, Color. | | Weaknesses: | Tires suck, Seat, Grips. Change all before you leave the store.
Forks are way too plush. They absorbe the power when riding out of the saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Spe Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | I shopped around alot before buying this bike. I chose the Rainier because it is the best value for the money. The stock components are decent. There are a few changes to make when you buy this bike, but those are minor.
Really good XC bike for beginners and inters.
Make the upgrades and you will love this bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Cop
a Cross Country Rider
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | North Star Cycles, Burlington VT | | Strengths: | Frame, brakes, some components | | Weaknesses: | FORK FORK FORK. The American version of this bike comes with a coil-spring Manitou Axel Super. Whoever spec'd the fork at Giant should be fired. The spring in my ball point is stiffer. Damping is OK. | | Similar Products Used: | Looked as Trek 4900 disc (Hayes mech brakes killed the deal), considered Cannondale F600 (too $) and leftover Raleigh M80 (too flamboyant), thought about Fuji but hesitated to order sight unseen despite great cop pricing | | Bike Setup: | Stock except: stiffer fork springs and 100mm travel conversion; all the cop equipment - rear rack/bag, Nite Rider digital light, Club Roost Cross Terra tires, po-po stickers, little red/blue flashy LED for night pursuits - woo hoo!; upgraded cranks and BB's to Deore or LX Hollowtech (2 bikes); I put my own Ritchey clipless pedals on when I patrol, others use regular to clip pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike gave us what we needed for a semi-urban patrol bike without going to a specialty police bike (Fuji, Smith&Wesson, etc. - lots of component compromises). The frame is light and tough, the components are decent and the brakes are phenomenal for our purposes. The only disappointment is the fork. This is designed to be an entry-level aggressive XC bike. The big companies like Giant can spec whatever spring rates they want from their suppliers. There is no reason to put such a limp spring on a bike that's designed for rough terrain and small jumps.
Five flaming dime bags for value (especially with the North Star hookup). Four flaming dime bags for overall - should probably get a three for that damned fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fast Whiteboy
a Weekend Warrior
from Milwaukee, WI USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Milwaukee River Trail (West) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$767.00 | | Purchased At: | Corey the Bike Fixer | | Strengths: | Components (front & rear), respectable disc brakes, seat, chain, shifters, wheels, frame | | Weaknesses: | Tires, front fork is okay - a little soft for my riding tastes, handlebar, owner's manual (yes, I read them) | | Similar Products Used: | 95 Giant ATX, 94 Tequesta GT, 93 Trek (model #?) | | Bike Setup: | Swapped up to a better grade tire, went way positive on the front fork preload | | Bottom Line: | Nothing about this bike to get your rocks off for the experienced rider. If you are riding a rigid aluminum bike with rim brakes, you may enjoy the novelty of front suspension and disc brakes. Gave the bike a 50 mile mixed use break in and took it back to the bike shop to get the front disc brake re-positioned and to find a real annoying 'ching' sound (metal on metal swipe) from the rear. It rides like a slightly heavier bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Weekend Warrior
from Schaumburg, Illinois
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes Plus(employee discount) | | Strengths: | good geometry, light frame, deore lx componentry, avid disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | mosquito tires-get tioga factory DH, much stiffer sidewalls, heavier, but better for running low pressures
weak wheelsets (fine for normal cross country)
Axel Super fork-way too soft for any serious riding, switch it out for a zocchi MX Pro w/ eta | | Similar Products Used: | tested out just about every bike off the lines at giant/trek/fisher | | Bike Setup: | currently just Ranier all stock except, with haro super dx pedals, marzocchi mx pro w/ eta | | Bottom Line: | Although I have only had this bike for a little while, and have only really tested it's true possibilities once I must say this is an amazing bike. It has many great features such as the avid brake setup, the deore lx components, and the well designed frame. With all the bells and whistles that this bike has it is an amazing value at only 760(in our shop at least)
this bike is good around town for drops, jumps, wallrides, and stairs. It also performs at the BMX Track and on mountainous terrain such as the Kettle Moraine in Wisconsin
as for anyone who is thinking about this or a dual suspension bike, I would recommend the ranier if you want to build some skill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Red
a Weekend Warrior
from Oshawa
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Three Rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Impala | | Strengths: | Great deal, wicked Frame (light), mech. disc's, good components all round. | | Weaknesses: | Pump required for fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer, Specialized, Trek, and a couple Norco's. | | Bike Setup: | Canadian stock for now. | | Bottom Line: | No huge complaints and I beat the crap out of it.
Fork and brakes are great when setup properly.
Looks sweet, feels solid and keeps going amd going.
If you want a better bike, pay more money, period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Kotsakis
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skidmore Stables | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$820.00 | | Purchased At: | 820 | | Strengths: | it has a really nice frame light ok brakes | | Weaknesses: | rear derailer gets out of line (easily fixed) front brake rubs axel fork seems a bit flimsy no mager problems front brake rubs TIRES SUCK | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher sugar 4, specialized stupjumper pro, Giant NRS air | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price beside the fork being some what flimsy and the front brake rubbing it is a really good bike. With some easy upgrades like a shimano LX crank (make sure u switch the bottom bracket), a kore head , LX XT shifting setup, and some new brake pads i have found it somewhat compares to the Giant XTC 1. It is a great bike for a person who likes a fast cross country bike which can take the trails with ease. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anton Fomenko
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterdown, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterdown Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Brant Cycle | | Strengths: | Disk brakes have Awesome stopping power! An Extremely light bicycle. The shock absorbs tons of bumps (And regarding those comments that say the fork "bottoms out", it's completely untrue! All yuo have to do is adjust the amount of air in the fork. Lots of gears on this bike and the rear derailleur works perfectly. | | Weaknesses: | The Avid Disk Brakes rub and make noises! The front derailleur rubs. Also, its very hard to align the rotor properly with the pads. You also need to buy an expensive fork pump. | | Similar Products Used: | None, this is my first good quality bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with a free waterbottle holder and a waterbottle! | | Bottom Line: | The Rainier is a great beginning XC Bicycle for anyone. However, if you are a beginning cyclist, it's better to get a Non-Disk Brake bicycle because the disk brakes require tons of maintenance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Schlereth
a Downhiller
from California
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anderson truck trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | frame | | Weaknesses: | seat,wheels,grips,forks,tires | | Similar Products Used: | none (first mountain bike) | | Bike Setup: | giant 14" frame with manitou black forks, sun-ringle single track wheelsets with xt hubs, and irc trailbear tires | | Bottom Line: | i like to dirt jump and this bike is set up for xc so if you are looking for a xc bike this is it if you are looking for something to dirt jump i would recomend a p1 or a ms isle | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the one less traveled | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Towners | | Strengths: | of course the disc brakes, riser bars, components, $$ | | Weaknesses: | what was giant thinking with this fork??, tires kinda suck too. | | Similar Products Used: | Warp DS1, Iguana | | Bike Setup: | stock except michelin 24.1 soft 2.2 tires and one busted fork. | | Bottom Line: | The bike has performed very well for me with exception of the axel fork, upgrading the tires was a huge plus. very light and nimble ride. after about a month of riding the arch in the axel fork just split. the wreck didn't justify the break when it happened, but who knows. This is a blessing in disguise because the fork was too mushy to begin with and from what I've heard replacing springs doesn't make a world of difference either. Manitou blacks look nice. overall with a low cost this is a good value. 4 flamin dookies | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia PA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon Valley | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Sonic in Rockledge | | Strengths: | Stock components, Avid mech's | | Weaknesses: | fork springs too soft for my weight (150 lbs) | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike rules for the money. For what you pay, you get great componentry, a half decent fork, and wicked brakes. It feels so solid when it's riding. Soon I will pick up a spring kit from Manitou, the springs are just waaay to soft for me right now, I bottom it out on bunnyhops over logs, but it handles nice for it's softness right now. It's for the everyday rider who's not going off massive drops, but it likes to go fast for the XC people. Overall a great bike, great price, great ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch
a Weekend Warrior
from Jackson Heights,NY
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | brands cycle | | Strengths: | Frame,Avid Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Front Fork,Brake pads, Tires | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer Big Sur (1998), Tassajara (2002) | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shock Suspension Seat,Shimano Crank,Easton flat bar and stem,IRC Mythos Tires | | Bottom Line: | Great value per $$$ bike.Brakes give a higher level of confidence.With the few low cost upgrades I did, the bike has performed much better than when new. Have logged many miles on the bike,thru the fall,winter and spring.The only disappointing part is the fork,heavy leaks.The bike looks good,as in many reviews the paint job is sharp. Overall, for a weekend warrior who logs a lot of miles,I would recommend this bike to anyone just starting out or someone who hasn't brought a bike in a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Art
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Great price for a bike with so many features - $1100CAD.
Avid mechanical disk brakes are amazing!
Shimano components all around.
Marzocchi EXR (air) fork is very nice.
Paint job is flawless.
Seat looks very cool.
| | Weaknesses: | Even though the shocks are great, it's a hassle pumping them up. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend this bike to anyone. Great looks, great features and the feel of it is amazing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim walker
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | St. Edwards | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Recycled Cycles | | Strengths: | Brakes, weight, brand, design. | | Weaknesses: | Tires | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana, Gary Fisher Zebrano, Jamis Dakar | | Bike Setup: | All stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a nice hardtail for the money. The brakes are especially great--stop on a dime. I've found I have to adjust the brakes rather often though, but it's a simple adjustment. I find the shocks and derailleur like no other bike I test rode. It shifts smoothly and tightly--even under decent pressure.
I think the Rainier was a great deal for an intermediate single track rider like me. I waivered between the Iguana Disc and am happy I went with the Rainier, it's more easily adjusted and better overall components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren
a Cross Country Rider
from Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$820.00 | | Purchased At: | Olympia Cycle and Ski | | Strengths: | Brakes, EXR air fork, Deore/LX components, weight, design, feel, and looks | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Friends Oryx Equipe 175, Norco Sasquatch, Norco Rampage and my cheap Vagabond | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I got different pedals put on because I didn't want to buy shoes for the clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, I haven't even worn the avids in yet, and I already think they work great. I was especiallt impressed with the exr air fork--it works like a Z1 wedge. Shifting is really smooth and the bike has a great feel. The frame looks great and is pretty light. It is a great cross-country or trail bike. It was hard to find another bike at the same price for this quality | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a
from Ottawa (Ontario, Canada)
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Marzocchi EXR (air) fork
Shimano Deore and Deore LX components
Avid disk brakes
Giant name and reputation | | Weaknesses: | rapid wear of the Hutchinson Mosquito tires
slight warping of the front disk (very minor) | | Similar Products Used: | Nakamura | | Bike Setup: | stock setup (Canadian package) | | Bottom Line: | Great hardtail bike for the beginner to intermediate user. Somewhat light at 29 lbs for the price. Good setup without breaking the bank (1100$ CDN). The Avid brakes are easy to adjust and maintain. The Marzocchi fork allows for fine tuning and does not bottom out (rider weight : 185 lbs). Great paint job on the frame and the overall look is top notch. The Mavic x139 rims are adequate for your everyday use. I love my Giant Rainier 2003. Highly recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$730.00 | | Purchased At: | West Bikes | | Strengths: | Brakes, weight, design and feel | | Weaknesses: | No major complaints | | Similar Products Used: | Wal-mart special, Specialized Hardrock, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Overall, I have been amazed at the way this bike performs. The Avid brakes are unreal (this is the first bike I've ridden with disks). I've had problems with the front rotor rubbing the pad, but a few minutes on a trail always seems to work it out. I decided that the brakes were broken in after my second ride when I went over the handlebars twice. In other words, get used to the extra stopping power before taking it out. Despite other reviews, I don't have any real complaints with the fork (I weigh 160). It does make a decent amount of noise, but very rarely have I found it to be too squishy. For some reason, it seems to respond a little better if you don't preload it all the way. My only real complaint is that the chain seems to slap around too much. I'm sure this is an adjustment that can be made at the shop though. The bottom line: outstanding bike for a beginner or even a more advanced rider looking for a good deal. This is where it's at if you're not willing to shell out the extra cash for a full suspension (like me). Giant's reputation doesn't hurt either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael smith
a Cross Country Rider
from mississauga, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | bronte creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1035.00 | | Purchased At: | re my sports | | Strengths: | great brakes and fork super componets for the price | | Weaknesses: | not to much heavy and stuff but thats about it | | Similar Products Used: | iron horse rocky mountain etc etc | | Bike Setup: | canadian stock | | Bottom Line: | man you americans must be lighter why is giant importing the canadian bikes with marzocchi exr air forks.the manitou does suck and the marzocchi air rocks lots of ajustment and doesnt bottem out like manitou arent americans supposed to be fat(just jking)but really you guys are making this make seem worse then it is cause you got the crap version lol if you got the canadian version with the marzocchi air youd be so happy ask your dealer to see if you can get it anyway blah | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven VanPuyvelde
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagan, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | lebenon hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | penn cycle | | Strengths: | fairly light, strong frame, avid disk brakes | | Weaknesses: | fork is a bit noisy and a little too plush (i only weigh 135 lbs), bottom bracket bolt came loose but use lock tight and use a torque wrench to tighten it and it will be fine | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | good hardtail for an intermediate xc rider it can take a beatin i reccomend replacing the chainstay protector with a lizard skin due to poor positioning | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walt's Dog
a
from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | The Canadian version of the bike comes with a Marzocchi EXR fork and Shimano crackset. Both are nice upgrades over the US version. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Mosquito tires suck | | Bike Setup: | Factory although new tires are going on it soon. | | Bottom Line: | I did a lot of looking around for bikes before I bought this one and by far this was the best bang for the buck. THis is my first bike in a few years so I am still getting use to it but so far it has performed great and I LOVE this Avid discs, worth their weight in gold in a bike unfriendly city. I'd highly recommend this bike to anyone looking to get back in to biking without spending a fortune. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Clark, NJ
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$670.00 | | Purchased At: | Cranford Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Disk brakes! wheels, pedals, geometry | | Weaknesses: | Manitou fork, Giant cranks, stem and bar seem heavy, but will easily be replace as worn. | | Similar Products Used: | HooKooEKoo, Trek 6700, Kona Caldera | | Bike Setup: | wtb seat, azonic stem | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for a cross country rider, like many for this bike, my first real mountain bike.
Excellent bike except for the fork. I like the Axel Super but for my weight 185lbs., it is just too soft. I even upgraded to the heavier spring from Manitou but still too plush. Otherwise I love the bike. The frame is stronger this year with the gusseting and is an all around good value. Love the brakes, clipless, and drivetrain. Will upgrade cranks after I abuse the stock OEM cranks a little more. Peace a be nice on the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wahoo
a Cross Country Rider
from Falls Church, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$730.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Disc brakes, components, color. | | Weaknesses: | FORK, front derailleur rubs. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode Cannondale F300, Specialized Rockhopper, lower model Giants. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except temporarily using cheap platform pedals instead of clip-ins. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. The disc brakes are the envy of anyone who doesn't have them. Rode a friend's Specialized and realized the huge difference with the discs. Nice riding feel, smooth off smaller jumps. The FORK does indeed kind of SUCK. Adjustability doesn't really help, still bottoms out even on the most tense setting. It's not a huge deal though as long as you're not planning on racing. Front derailler rubs when in any high gear with the chain on the big ring. Seat is a little hard at first, but comfortable when used to it and probably better for you than some other seats. Couldn't go wrong when comparing to lower end Giant's or any other $400-500 bike. The extra money is worth it with the components, not to mention the paint scheme which is much cooler than others I've seen. Great bike for a relatively new or in my case, rider returning to mountain biking after short hiatus. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, Tn US
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 3.5 mile loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$875.00 | | Purchased At: | East Ridge Bikes | | Strengths: | This is a great bike, i had a rigid giant before this one and loved that so went with giant again and love the Ranier. Great brakes stop fast and quickly good response from the shifters. | | Weaknesses: | I hate the fork! It is so squishy and mushy, i've put a new spring kit in it (i'm only 145lbs) and it still bottoms out from just bunnyhopping. Oil leaks and makes a pretty nasty mess. I also wore the tires out fast very soft rubber. I had to ride a mile or so to get to the trail and within a month the tread was already not doin so well. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shox Judy TT and RST and Bomber | | Bike Setup: | All stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike switch the fork for a 125 or 100mm and it would be better and switch the tires. Overall a great bike for a beginner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marcel
a Cross Country Rider
from invermere bc canada
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | rebound cycle | | Strengths: | avid disc brakes,paint job, great components for the price,
bang for the buck!
| | Weaknesses: | non of yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock setup | | Bottom Line: | This bike feels very solid, it handles well. If you are
looking for a entry level bike that can handle just about
anything, then search no further. For the price you can't
go wrong with the rainier. good job Giant! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack
a Weekend Warrior
from dayton,ohio
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | avid discs- easy to adjust and don't squeak unless you drop the bike in the river, and pretty light for a bike in this price range | | Weaknesses: | forks, leaked real bad too spongey,bottom out hopping curbs tires aren't grewat for city riding | | Similar Products Used: | trek8000 | | Bike Setup: | skerab forks -rest sock | | Bottom Line: | now that the fork prob is fixed its awesome-
**FYI**when working on axels...the tubes are threaded backwards!!- i had my lbs put a heavier ride kit in and they stripped the threads... great for what i do -hit the trails everyso often and use for my main source of transportation | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike world (where I wrench) | | Strengths: | Internally molded frame gussets, smooth as hell, disc only(no brake bosses), hydraulic line guides in frame, square chain stays(STIFF),and an internal headset. | | Weaknesses: | stem is flimsy, tires(mosquitoes) not good for street riding, seat uncomfotable, bb comes loose frequently (to fix:remove bb, clean threads and apply loc-tite, reassemble) | | Similar Products Used: | I'm a mechanic so I've ridden all kinds from cool to crap. | | Bike Setup: | all stock except for answer protaper bar, azonic shorty stem, '00 xtr shifters, WTB kevlar bead enduro raptors 35psi., bontrager fs2000 seat, primo super tendoriers, ati bar plugs, MRP lrp chainguide/guard(yes, now it's a double). | | Bottom Line: | At just under 30lbs this thing kicks ass. Smooth, fast, and plush. I mainly use it for freeriding, trails/dirt jumping, and street. No compiaints at all besides the fork. I'm 145 and it's waay too squishy. I plan to buy a different fork soon. If you don't like bob, don't ride this fork.For the brakes being cable actuated they actually work very very well with excellent modulation. I know this is gonna sound silly but I'd say to get the best possible ride out of it, make sure you have it set up for what or how you are gonna ride. This bike stock is not going to work for everyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jameson hinkle
a Racer
from roanoke, va, us
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the commonwealth games of virginia trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$749.00 | | Purchased At: | cardinal bicycle | | Strengths: | great turning ability, goes down hills as smooth as butter, stops on a dime, goes up hills well also if your sitting in the saddle | | Weaknesses: | when your powering it up a hill the fork soaks up your pedals and you don't get any power to the wheel, gets flats easily | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for platform pedals with toeclips | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line for this bike is, if your a cross country racer who likes to do 4X and a tiny bit of downhill, this is your bike, it will go through the turns at high speed slow down for that corner and soak up the bumps so well you bearly notice it in the front, it will get up hills well as long as you stay in the saddle if u come out of it, the fork will soak up our pedaling, and you don't get much power, but overall a good bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Toby
a Cross Country Rider
from Seymour, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pommie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Wagga Cycles | | Strengths: | Manitou Axel Super forks, Shimano mechanical discs, value for money | | Weaknesses: | Tyres, Hutchinson mosquito airlite back tired worn out after about 600 klms | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp DS 1 | | Bike Setup: | Standard except tyres have changed to Ritchy ZMax | | Bottom Line: | A good entry level bike for the serious cross country rider.This bike can handle the roughest xc trails with ease.This bike has a good mix of components for the price. The Manitou Axel super forks work well as long as you keep the grease up to them or they will tend to stick. The Shimano mechanical discs are excellent. They do squeal a bit when hot but after 1500 klm pads seem to be wearing well. Overall an excellent XC bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kas
a
from Woodside, CA, US
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, it handles well and takes a good beating. The only bad thing about this bike i have had so far was the front shock, but nothing huge. This bike is great for anyonr starting out even a few years into mountain biking. Great bike for just messing around but not the bike you would wanna use for monstrous jumps....no ur bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Angel
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere in driving distance | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle & Fittness | | Strengths: | Above all price, components better than entry level
especially Avid mech.disc, finally LBS support with product. | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet. | | Similar Products Used: | demo'ed specialized rock hopper, trek 8000 and 4000 series
mtb's, schwinns mesa series, mongoose G series, jamis dekar
gary fishers and other makes of similar price range. | | Bike Setup: | '03 Giant Rainer Factory stock w/avid mech. disc and lizard skin protective gear. | | Bottom Line: | Bike fells nimble around corners and easily negotiates
rutts and most obsticles thrown in it's way. Front fork
feels solid even though it's not broken in yet. I'm about
5'9" 175 lbs. bike size is 17" which works well for me.
For an entry level mtb I do not feel you can go wrong,
but do your own product research and make sure that the
bike shop you select stands behind the product their
selling you and not just tring to move old inventory. I've
read some comments regarding factory support for products,
but LBS have a good say on warranty issues with
regards to the factory. After all the LBS is a factory
representative for the product sold. I can't say enough
about the avid cps mech. disc, fantastic stoping power
especialy after pads have seated. Yes the giant crank set
does flex some, but unless you weigh in the 200,s or do
halo drops constantly I don't think you will tear them off.
Derailleur's are shimmano deore front/deore lx rear. Not
bad for an entry level. They shift smoothly and work well
even when covered with mud and sand. Do clean and lube
them along with chain once home. Rims are mavics x139 w/shimmano disc hubs. Remember be good to your equipment and it will be good to your wallet. As long as the buyer is aware of the bikes'limitation as well as his own, for the price he will not be disappointed. I hope to put more mileage on the rainer in the up coming months seeing as we have no snow in Miami except for the snow that comes from the Bahamas. Wedo in turn have some nice mtb riding areas that naturesupplied and with some human intervention which accomidatejust about all riding skill levels and fortunatly they arewithin a couple hours driving distance. Until my next review happy XC and for those still researching good hunting.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graysen
a Weekend Warrior
from Bakersfield CA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Just Outstanding | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$820.00 | | Purchased At: | Finish Line Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great beginner bike. Has many strengths for the price. I had to work all summer to buy the bike and I think that it was worth it. The clipless pedals are a leap up from the
02 bike pedals, and the Mosquito tires are great. I also like the AVID disc. No more rim brakes for me. | | Weaknesses: | The forks should be switched out for something a little better. I am only 125lb. and they bottom like crazy. I have had to take them into the shop about 15 times in a 1 month period. The seat and cranks make alot of noise on any ride, but with a few minor changes the bike would be great. | | Bike Setup: | all stock baby | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a great first time bike with awesome components, then get the Ranier. But if you want something that is RTR (ready to race) then I would suggest saving some more money and get a full suspension. Or get an upgraded fork for the Ranier. Hard core riders look else- where. This bike was made to race X-country and that is pretty much it. Overall this bike has been great for me. A 14 year old weekened warrior that wants to race every so often. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Switch
a
from Coolsville
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Nice, light frame that's stong enough to take abuse, beefier rims, good stem, good drivetrain | | Weaknesses: | fork was a bit problematic but since it's a first year production that's understandable. Replaced fork with Rock Shox Psylo | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Psylo, redline pedals | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike, however fork was a pain. Giant made this bike better but also more expensive for 2003. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$749.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Sport | | Strengths: | Avid disc brakes, the new pedals for 2003, better color than the plain old silver 2002. | | Weaknesses: | Increased price for 2003. Crank seems to have a bit much deflection under hard cranking. The front derailer rubs the chain a little when I crank down the right pedal in high gear. I'm sure I can adjust that out once the cables break in a bit. | | Similar Products Used: | The usual suspects: G Fisher, Trek, Specialized, Huffy, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup | | Bottom Line: | I'm as happy as a teenage girl backstage at an Aerosmith concert. This bikes is sweet. I haven't put too many miles on it yet but I thought I'd write an early review to give people an idea of the changes for 2003. I had a hard time finding out all of the specifics when I was shopping and trying to understand the price increase.
New in 2003:
Fork change. 2002 had a Marzocchi and the '03 has a Manitu. I've been happy with the fork so far. And yes, it does have a rebound control adjustment.
Thicker seatpost. They've also made some changes in the frame construction with some extra gusseting in places. Supposedly it makes the frame stronger without adding weight. They've changed the brake levers to Avid which matches the disc brakes. They've also added Shimano hubs.
The rims are a tricky bit. According to the Giant website, the 2002 and 2003 both have Weinmann rims. The brocure for 2003 says Mavic rims. Well, the 2003 came with "Mavic X-130 Disc" rims.
My personal favorite: The new pedals. They're clipless but you don't have to wear special shoes if you don't want to. The bottom half of the pedal is normal. Just flip them over and use your normal shoes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Hillman
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheridan, WY
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tongue River Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Back Country Bikes | | Strengths: | Disk Brakes, Color | | Weaknesses: | The shock is a hunk of junk. It kept flexing and causing the front brake to rub. I wiegh about 190. It should not do this. The front derailleur always needs adjusting, the chain rubs. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | After the fork casting was replaced the brakes worked great. It is a fun bike but a bit heavy. I would save a little more money and buy a bit nicer of a bike if I had to do it all over again. It is a great bike for new bikers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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