Submitted by
collin smith
a Cross Country Rider
from st. louis, missouri, usa Date Reviewed: July 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
downtown streets
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
craigslist
Strengths:
great frame, great crank,great shifters, great brakes,love the whole bike
Weaknesses:
seat post size sucks
Bike Setup:
rock shox dart 3, bbb carbon fiber handlebars, bbb carbon fiber bar ends, dia comp brake upgrades, sette carbon fiber seatpost, sette lite racing saddle,dimension toe clips, race face good n evil sticky grips,kendra kross plus slick xc tires. more to come
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike i love it. If you find one buy it and ride it alot,It will not let you down. I ride mostly in the streets but i take the hard routes and hills . I ride everyday anywhere from 12-20 miles a day and no major problems yet. Bottom line great bike for the price and i only paid 180 for it in mint con.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Middleburg, VA Date Reviewed: February 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
about $550, I think (it was a gift)
Strengths:
A strong bike, will hold up to abuse. A cool electric blue frame. Shocks rarely bottom out. Toe clips took getting used to, but they're great!
Weaknesses:
none that I found
Similar Products Used:
none. my previous bike was a Sears-special Open Road piece of junk.
Bike Setup:
stock, with chainguard and kickstanc
Bottom Line:
I have enjoyed riding this bike. It has worked great on all kinds of terrain, from road to rocky hills. Never had any problems with it. My previous bike, like I said, was a cheap piece of junk that hardly worked correctly more than two weeks. Shifting is much smoother than on the Sears junk. I'm only moving on from this Iguana because it is a little small for me, and I'm interested in trying a full suspension. I recommend this bike to anyone and everyone!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dingo Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Colo. Sprgs., CO Date Reviewed: October 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
chutes ( its all downhill with berms)
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Cycle therapy
Strengths:
looks bad ass. Good price, Giant is super cool about a no questions asked warrenty and can get you a new frame in half a week.
Weaknesses:
Look, im 13, and ive cracked 3 of the same frames! dont use it as a jumping bike. i do, just because giant gets me a new frame and a renewed warranty every time it breaks and its free! (super cool)
Bike Setup:
sram 9.0 and xt with avid arch rivals
Bottom Line:
the bike is a great value, plus giant's warranty is so sweet!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Nichols
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA USA Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Mountain Bike Warehouse
Strengths:
Good Frame, very sturdy, I like the rapid fire shifters
Weaknesses:
I can't think of any
Similar Products Used:
Friends Bikes
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I go biking when I can, and this bike does everything I need it to do. It is a good at going up the hills and it will fly on the downhills. I have not had any problems with the bike. It is a great bike for a good price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lon
a Weekend Warrior
from Canyon, TX Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Capital Peak, Eagle Point, in Palo Duro Canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Bike Korner, Amarillo, TX
Strengths:
6061 frame, old school XC stem and bars. Great local dealer. Giant warranty.
Weaknesses:
middle chainring bent, Shimano is crappy about warranty, they take too long to tell you they won't warrenty yours, or the other 5 riders that have bent chainrings.
Similar Products Used:
'93 Mongoose (before AMF) Hilltopper sx - 3 years '98 Voodoo Hoodoo- tested for a day
Bike Setup:
stock except Warrentied new crank set-steel 5 arm alivo instead of alloy acera. Pyramid gel saddle. Ritchey clip-in pedals, Summit gel grips. Tektro anti-chain-suck spacer.
Bottom Line:
I beat this bike every day except Thursdays. I've left it dirty after a muddy ride. It has sat out in the rain and snow. I've endoed bad enough to bend the seat into the seatpost. It's covered in scratches but hasn't dented. It lives to climb and is indifferent to pedal style, sit and spin, or stand and hammer, it is easily balanced front to back. When the trail points down it is sure footed and tracks well, even with the scary-fast handling of the long stem/XC bar. This is my last hard-tail because with better components will make a great bike even better. Too bad the value rating can't go past 5. Buy it because it is a mid-level bike at entry-level price. The money you save between it and others will buy you a raceface crank and a good seat. Don't buy it if you are in the day-glow-jersey-drink-foreign-beer-because-the-other-riders-do-it-I'm-so-concerned-with-what's-in-fashon-wannabees. Buy it to ride. Giant and the local dealer will take care of you if you break it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd K.
a Weekend Warrior
from Canton Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything rough
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Pretty much everything, good tires, shiftes good, a great climber, has globs of traction, mud riding is good, excpet could use dics, suspension is very plush, fast bike too, and great ground clearance.
Weaknesses:
For the price pretty much nothing, except for the hard seat, though it is easy to get on and off, also pedals should be clipless
Similar Products Used:
other crap bikes
Bike Setup:
some Specialized tires, LX rear derailleur, front and rear fenders, Sette Italia seat, rockshox seatpost
Bottom Line:
Great bike, i love it and going to keep it all my life, its a good light bike that can get over pretty much everything once u get use to it, it has good traction, some good stock WTB tires, and drivetrain does not have any problems no matter what people say. i ride hard with it, i ride it about 5 hours a day both on and off road, and log on about 50 miles a week, its also got a good light frontend for wheelies but still keeps the bike balanced. hell i even do huge downhills with it, its not a downhiller but one reliable bike that can do everything almost. defintly deserves 5 chilis
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Savannah, GA Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Gwinnett Street and Skidiway Island
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Everything!!! The best bike for the price!!!
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose
Bike Setup:
Shimano XT's all around, suspension seatpost, etc.....
Bottom Line:
Great bike!!! I bought the bike used and the components were already upgraded to XT. I did upgrade the pedals and added a suspension seatpost. I'm 6'3" and 240lbs and can really put the bike through hell. So far not one problem!!! Highly recommended!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim G
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield Date Reviewed: March 28, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Comfortable ride. Good components. Good value for the price. Excellent frame. An excellent bike for pratically any road surface.
Weaknesses:
I upgraded the pedals and seat post after reading some of the reviews. The seat post kept sliding down during riding.
Similar Products Used:
I used to have a $2000 Kline. I'm just as happy with my Giant Iquana.
Bottom Line:
If you want a very good bike for a really good price I would check out the Iquana.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam Palmer
a Cross Country Rider
from Groton, MA Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Groton Town forest
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great Lite snappy frame, responsive, and takes one heck of a beating. Vilociraptor tires, great all around. Good fell, you can tell what this bike is going to do. Hops well, and does everything when you want it. Also, long travel rock shox suck up the hard hits, so your arms dont tire out so fast.
Weaknesses:
Alivio drivetrain advertized as stx-rc. Alivio sucks! I already killed the whole drivetrain
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose
Bike Setup:
Stock, with following exeptions: Deore XT Crank, duerailuers, cog, SHifters, Brake levers. Kore GASS pedals.
Bottom Line:
Great bike at a great price, just upgrade components when you break them. Frame design makes it a great bike. I give it 5 value chili's cun, hey what kind of components do you expect for $550? And I give it 4 overall chillis cuz whatever the price, my drivetrain broke, but love the frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood Ohio Date Reviewed: February 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Vulture's Knob, Wooster Ohio
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
SOLID, SOLID, SOLID, SOLID this bike has endured 6 foot dropoffs(some landed, some not) without complaining. I ride this thing like i hate it, and it comes back for more!
Weaknesses:
WTB saddle sucks, bottom bracket needed replaced after 2 weeks(my brother's too, we have identical rides) Cheep rims
Similar Products Used:
schwinn mesa, gt (can't remember name)
Bike Setup:
stock except the following....titec hellbent riser dh bar Time atac pedals titanium/kevlar saddle Shimano LX bb
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this.....this bike (for the money) rocks. I have beaten this bike, abused this bike,....(insert another creative metaphor here)...this bike!
I love it. it has held up to more punnishment than any bike i have ever owned.
I am not, by any means, a weathy individual, but i like to ride hard, so i go out and buy a $500 r so bike, and run it till it don't run no more. this bike won't stop runnin'!
5 of the flamin' ones!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Road - Raleigh, NC
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Excellent value for the money! Great tires Good components Solid frame
Weaknesses:
For the money - none to speak of...
Similar Products Used:
This is my third mountain bike. I started 6 or 7 years ago with a Schwinn Impact Pro MOS, then moved to a Trek 930 - all in similar price ranges. The Iguana SE is by far the best bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock - with Rock Shox T2s.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent bike for anyone except perhaps a serious racer. Beginners can be confident that it will meet their needs as they develop and more experienced riders will appreciate its high quality frame, solid value, and its ability to take abuse. I use it frequently on rather technical trails and it does great. I have also put slicks on it and done fairly long-distance road touring. Versatility and value -- BUY IT.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kenny Davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Plano, TX Date Reviewed: November 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Erwin Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Solid Build Easy to Handle Good Looks Takes a Beating
Weaknesses:
Pedals Saddle Rims
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh M50 Schwin Moab
Bike Setup:
RS Jett T2
Bottom Line:
When this bike is dead and gone I will look at Giant first for a new one. This bike is a sweat heart as far as handling those tight turns. I have taken it of drop offs, down some major downhills and had a few bad wipeouts with this thing, but it just keeps going. If you are looking at this bike, be ready to get a new saddle, cause that WTB saddle will let you know its there. I also put on some Shimano clipless pedals, get rid of those toe straps, they will do you harm. For the price this is the perfect bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Danny
a Weekend Warrior
from Hastings, MI Date Reviewed: October 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
yankee springs
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
like the short chain stays, turns on a dime
Weaknesses:
broke the seatpost after two weeks, lame stem
Similar Products Used:
giant boulder
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
i'd buy another iguana se if i don't upgrade to the xtc ds1, (if i can afford it that is)great bike for the money
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Salvatore
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY Date Reviewed: August 30, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great components Smooth Ride Nice Looks
Weaknesses:
Uncomfortable Seat Pedals
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet bike for the price, especially if you are a beginner like myself. The first weekend I rode this bike I tore apart Central Park without a problem.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Virginia Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Components Price
Weaknesses:
Brake levers
Similar Products Used:
Hardrock 6500 and 7000 Rockhopper
Bike Setup:
110 mm stem Otherwise stock
Bottom Line:
Buy this one. It has the best stock components in its price class. It has a better fork, better brakes, and better tires than other bikes near its price. Set this rig side by side with something like a Hardrock A1 and compare the components and this Iggy is the clear winner.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Jackson Date Reviewed: August 8, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Good weight for a good price.
Weaknesses:
None
Bike Setup:
Shock Jett T2
Bottom Line:
Excellent Bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Schoehnerr
a Weekend Warrior
from Big Rapids, Michigan Date Reviewed: July 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
no name trail
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
almost everything
Weaknesses:
Stiff seat post, and an advertised STX RC drive train, only the rear der. is STX RC, everything else is alivio
Similar Products Used:
Shitty Roadmasters Diamondback Resonse Sport
Bike Setup:
Stock setup,
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I've ridden, ever! This is the first day I've had it, I rode it 7 miles home, and it perfomed wonderfully, except for sliding in the mud while I was going up hill, but that's expected i guess. The 3 inches of travel on the Jett t-2 absorb everything, I was catwalking and when I landed, I didn't even feel it. This is and awesome buy for $530. Only upgrade I'm making is a LX front deraileur and a suspension seatpost. RIDE ON!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from New Tripoli, PA Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Blue Marsh
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Rapid Fire, VelociRaptor tires. Good all around components.
Weaknesses:
Seat is hard as a rock.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Tassajara, GT Timberline, Marin Palisades Trail
Bike Setup:
Stock setup. Rock Shox T2...
Bottom Line:
I shopped around like crazy, and rode every possible bike I could. The Iguana was the best value for the money of all the bikes I tried. I have been riding it for a few weeks now, and it is an excellent bike. The front shock has enough travel to make it a hard trail bike. The tires grip like glue. The only upgrade that I may consider in the future would be to upgrade the drivetrain components to LX or higher. This bike is an excellent value for the money.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, TX Date Reviewed: July 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Behind UC Park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Long Travel Rock Shox, RapidFire shifters, Awesome Velociraptor tires.
Weaknesses:
Alivio Drivetrain, pedals have little clearance from ground, keep scraping them on stuff.
Bike Setup:
Alivio everything, Velociraptor WTB Tires, V-Brakes, Rock Shox Jett T2, Slime tire liners and tube liquid.
Bottom Line:
This bike is one of the best out there for only 459.99, how much I bought it for, it does great everywhere.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Shepard Lake NJ
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Frame Nice Simple Suspension Fork Bang for Buck
Weaknesses:
pedals have cages instead of clips
Similar Products Used:
GT Rebound Trek ?000 Gary Fisher (i was dreaming)
Bike Setup:
Giant Iguana Aluminum Frame with Rock Shox Jett T2 Fork
Bottom Line:
Kick ASS! I shopped a lot and this bike had the best component set and the most upgradable frame out there. I've been beating the piss out of it and haven't had any problems at all. The Rock Shocx helps to soften the feel of the stiff aluminum frame. The whole package is incredibly solid. If anything does break it will sipmly be an opportunity to upgrade this great bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
L.
a Weekend Warrior
from NY Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
PRICE! components for $$ 6061 alu frame
Weaknesses:
rims alittle heavy
Similar Products Used:
TREK 6500 FISHER HKEK ROCKHOPPER A1
Bike Setup:
stock so far, will upgrade.
Bottom Line:
If your on a limited budget or just getting into mountain biking, picking out a great entry level bike is a tough thing. There are so many bikes on the market it's insane. I for one am very pleased with the 99' Iggy! I didn't have a ton of change to spendon a bike but I love to ride. The GIANT is worth every penny. From the 6061 frame (not the cheaper 7005 series alu), to the shimano components, to the WTB velociraptor tires it's a great bike for the money. Plus the frame is very upgradable. If your looking at the Iguana's .... don't pass it up!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jared Toothman
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999
Rock shox Jett T2, Shimano STX RC rear derailer,24 speed rapid fire shifters
Bottom Line:
Great mountain bike, especially for the price.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kenneth
a Weekend Warrior
from Manhattan,Kansas Date Reviewed: May 22, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Excellent Bike
Weaknesses:
Non
Bike Setup:
Rock Shocks
Bottom Line:
Top Quality bike for a reasonable price.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario Date Reviewed: May 7, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Price, endurance and handling. Can take a good beating and still work great.
Weaknesses:
Spokes become loose after even moderate trails; some trouble shifting up from the granny gear; some slight problems with play in the rear brake assembly, but nothing major. Mine gets punished in the open woods, and still these problems are more of a slight irritation than a real concern.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Cardiac Norco Sasquatch Giant Sedona SE Giant ATX 840 SE Giant Rincon
Bottom Line:
For the money, this is a great bike. I had the seat changed and added bull horns to the build, which have helped for both comfort and control. Not as fast out in the open as other bikes, but it shines on the trails or in open woods. I ride mine at least 180km (114 miles) per week.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bob
a Weekend Warrior
from watervliet,n.y. Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
great looks,handles great
Weaknesses:
spokes became loose with only light trail riding.seats as hard as a rock
Bottom Line:
after the thirty day tune up the bike rides great I plan on doing alot of riding this year
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin M. Quinn
a Weekend Warrior
from State College, PA (Philadelphia-home) Date Reviewed: April 20, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Bang for the buck!
Weaknesses:
None (yet)
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale 400-500, Trek 6000
Bottom Line:
This bike delivers a great bike for well under $600. I got the bike with a head light, water botlle, and Lock for $600 even. The bike was $505. I took it on a very muddy trail and it was flawless. So far I love it!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Abq Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
?
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
I like the components
Weaknesses:
?
Similar Products Used:
trek 6000, specialized hard rock comp fs
Bottom Line:
I need advice on buying a bike at $500. I'm looking at the Iguana SE and the Trek 6000. any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary Washmon
a weekend warrior
from Denton, TX USA Date Reviewed: March 6, 1999
Bottom Line:
I did way too much homework looking for my MTB purchase. Reading catalogues, comparing specs, riding bikes. Apparently Giant makes frames for most major brands. So, I found this unit was by far the best bike for the buck ($500) and a pretty not bad bike for someone who wants good quality.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dcr
a weekend warrior
from maryland Date Reviewed: March 1, 1999
Bottom Line:
This bike is well worth every penny I shelled out for it, 550 dollars. It's a dream to ride, sturdy, handles the weight of the full baskets I keep on it. Try one out at your local bike shop, you'll agree.
Overall Rating:
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