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Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Reach 11, Papago | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | AZ Bike Source | | Strengths: | Good aluminum frame. Decent starter components, compared to other bikes in the same price range. | | Weaknesses: | RST front shock, grip shifters | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Sierra, Cannondale M400 | | Bike Setup: | Stock, RST 281 front shock, Alivio FD, Acera RD | | Bottom Line: | Great starter bike for the money. It's taken some abuse with no problems. Grip shifters are a pain in the butt - too easy to accidently shift during wheelies, jumps. Front shock is jumpy. Good all purpose street & light trail bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cojac
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, OK USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sparrowhawk | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | new on ebay | | Strengths: | Price and Frame | | Weaknesses: | gears, forks, rims are heavy | | Bike Setup: | Stock except seat and suspension seat post | | Bottom Line: | This is a great lower end bike. The butted 6061 aluminum frame is light and strong. Yes the components are cheap, but they have held up well for me, minus some annoying creaking. I'm not to crazy about the grip shifters, but they have worked adequately. If you don't want to spend several hundred bucks on a bike, this could be the one. Just note that this is the 1999, and newer models have different quirks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al Lockya
a Downhiller
from Corner Brook
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | EXTREME!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | T&T bikes | | Strengths: | none...Actually, the wheels did manage to hold up, somehow. | | Weaknesses: | Everything!!!(wheels were a fluke)Frame is weaker than a guy named Overton. | | Similar Products Used: | Same quality being about a CCM excel, or Supercycle Bullet. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is poop. It developed an annoying creak after only 2-3 months in the cranks. Bike feels like jelly to ride, Suntour forks ride worse than friggin' rigid beefs. The brakes needed pads at 2 months. The seat broke open, foam fell out on the road. I weigh 170lbs, and frame broke in 2 pieces from pansy-ass 3-4 footers and minor dirt jumping. Absolute no-no for any type of freeriding, buy the bike if you don't like to ride, or if you are an XC rider looking for a cheap bike for screwing around on. As far as im concerned, just as well to buy a Crappy Tire or Wal-Mart bike. At least they will give you warranty, which GIANT didn't!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Cassimatis
a Weekend Warrior
from australia
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | dont have one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | redcliffe cycles($500.00 australian bucks dont forget) | | Strengths: | STRONG FRAME,NICE BRAKES, | | Weaknesses: | GEARS ARE A INOYING SUMTIMES | | Similar Products Used: | RADIUS TARGA,RALEIGH RS 4200 | | Bike Setup: | ALL STOCK | | Bottom Line: | GREAT BIKE, I TAKE IT ROUND LOCAL TRACKS IT GOES PRETTY GOOD. THE RIMS ARE A REAL LET-DOWN THO I THOUGHT FOR $500.00 BUCKS ID GET GOOD RIMS, STILL A NICE SET-UP FOR THE PRICE THO. I PLAN TO PUT MICHELIN WIDEGRIPPERS ON IT, ROCK-SHOX PYSLO (FRONT)AND ALSO SHIMANO DEORE GEARS(27). ID RECOMMEND THIS BIKE TO MID-CLASS RIDERS BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE GREAT POTENTAIL. JUST WITH A FEW AJUSTMENTS MADE:) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Butler
a Racer
from Neenah, Wi, usa
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | gear n' up | | Strengths: | not too many...held up to my abuse for 2 years. and it can still take the 5 footers. | | Weaknesses: | well...crank arms creek after about a year of riding...every time i ride it i tork my rims...hanger that holds my front dr broke and cant be replaced...fork squeeks...front break broke after a year of riding...just payed 40 bucks for a tuneup and the d@mn thing went back to its old self that night. | | Similar Products Used: | any giant hardtail or huffy | | Bike Setup: | mainly lx some ghetto sh1t too. | | Bottom Line: | dont get this bike unless you want to ride trails that are flat and or paved. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Butler
a Racer
from Neenah, Wi, usa
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | gear n' up | | Strengths: | not too many...held up to my abuse for 2 years. and it can still take the 5 footers. | | Weaknesses: | well...crank arms creek after about a year of riding...every time i ride it i tork my rims...hanger that holds my front dr broke and cant be replaced...fork squeeks...front break broke after a year of riding...just payed 40 bucks for a tuneup and the d@mn thing went back to its old self that night. | | Similar Products Used: | any giant hardtail or huffy | | Bike Setup: | mainly lx some ghetto sh1t too. | | Bottom Line: | dont get this bike unless you want to ride trails that are flat and or paved. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cody
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, OK USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | bike & hike | | Strengths: | Butted 6061 Aluminum Frame, price | | Weaknesses: | shifters, pedals, overall components | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great entry-level bike with a solid, light frame. I haven't done much trail riding, but it suits my needs well as a multi-purpose bike. I'm upgrading to clipless pedals and plan on going with rapid-fire shifters over the stock grip-shifters (1999 model, I heard the newer ones have rapid-fire). I like the brakes, and haven't had any problems with the shocks. The Shimano Acera derailers could also be upgraded. The main reason I bought the bike was the frame which you don't see on many bikes in this price range. Check on Ebay; that's where I found it new for 200 bucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Devin
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsfield MA, US of A
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bridal | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Plains | | Strengths: | The only stock strength is the frame... | | Weaknesses: | I would say the biggest weakness is, or was the stock components, they ended up breaking after a little while of hard riding... One day my fu*king shifters broke and i had to stay in tenth gear a damn month... everything cucks except the frame... | | Similar Products Used: | umm GT's in simular price range, same with Specialized's... | | Bike Setup: | My bike is really nice now. I started of w/ a really nice, light frame and s**** components. I then perchased a new Shimano Deore LX drive train that rocks. I now have a 27 speed w/ rappid fire LX shifters that switch gears so nicly. I then bought shimano clippless peddles. I first tried regular peddles w/ cages but it just did not work for me. Also perchased was a Specialized seat that is much better for riding than the stock seat. I also bought Michelin Wildgrippers that grip a whole lot better than the stock tires. The last thing purchased (so far) was a Rock Shox Judy XC fork. I first thought my bike was pretty crappy, but now, after what I have done for it, it rocks. So i guess I could say The only good stock part on this hellriser is the frame... | | Bottom Line: | It was ok for a me rider starting off, but as I gradually got better the bike just diden't cut it. So like I said, I upgraded ALOTT of it! i put over $350 into it... But I'm hoping to keep this bike for awhile and its doing great. I'm killing my friend, with a suped up FSR with 5" of travel on both ends, on the uphill and stayin not too far away from him on the downs... I love my bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
????? ?????
a Downhiller
from newfoundland
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | derailer sux's- shock's are rly junky- crank's are RLY week-
| | Bottom Line: | bike was alright for the price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Panthers Cycles | | Strengths: | This bike has a solid, strong, rigid frame that is almost indestructable. I had a stack (crash for you Americans) on a 45 degree decline which I broke three ribs. The bike came out of it with a buckled front wheel. Tough bike. Its main strengths are best displayed on moderate off road to road environments or commuting on rougher roads. most of the componentry is of a high quality. polished alloy all over. Little to no rustable parts. A good dual surface cruiser. | | Weaknesses: | This is not a bike for people who want to go ferral on the dirt. On chopped up down hill sections the bike feels quite disconcerting. I put this down to its high centre of gravity. The standard group set is also a little lacking. The derailers seem to be a little on the loose side. You can't really expect to much from Shimano Acera. The brakes can feel a little under powered in high performance situations. | | Similar Products Used: | A mates Schwinn Moab. A great alround hard tail dirt bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I now run Slick road tyres as I mainly use it for commuting. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It suits my needs perfectly. If you take it on trails that are out of its league, you will find it lacking. I found this out the hard way. My crash was mainly due to my own stupidity but the bikes lofty stance was a small contributing factor.
If you are after something primarily for bush bashing, then look elsewhere. My mates Moab cost almost 3 times my Giant and it performs accordingly on the dirt but I have it over him on the road. The bottom line is that this bike won't let you down unless you try to ride it like a higher end MTB. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan cove
a Weekend Warrior
from ny
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | park avenue bicycle | | Strengths: | comfortable riding position, i like the finger shifters | | Weaknesses: | the front and rear deurailer suck, the rims are really weak, i bent the rear in the first month i had the bike, the chocks suck | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | descent entry level bike, i ride hard trying to talk my dad into buying me a full suspension. if you ride hard, dont get this unless youwant to upgrade about every component on this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Henry
a Weekend Warrior
from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mole Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Geard Cycles | | Strengths: | Bloody cheap, Good frame, | | Weaknesses: | Average components, drive train sux, Fork on the SE is pathetic I bought the standard and picked up a Judy XC on the cheep. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, Giant ATX, Cannondale, | | Bike Setup: | Velocity Deep V's, RockShox Judy XC, XT V brakes | | Bottom Line: | This Is my first and only real bike. For the price you can't go wrong. Recreational cross country is the best thing for this bike (after a few upgrades) The new rims were the best upgrade, original ones were weak. The old fork's not worth considdering, Get a standard and buy a decent fork.
Great frame but the components realy are pretty weak. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reid
a Weekend Warrior
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | my back yard | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Vitesse Cycle | | Strengths: | Nice and durable frame, a bit heavy though. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailer=crap. fork=crap. brakes feel mushy even after adjusting...but otherwise brakes work great. rims are heavy and made out of clay...very bendable...and i ride like a sissy. | | Similar Products Used: | my grandma's wheelchair | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | She was my first and I will always love her, but the travel on the fork is weak as well as the fork itself being clunky and unresponsive. If it's your first bike, you will likely LOVE it, I did until I learned what a good bike rides like. I'm selling mine to a friend attempting to get into the sport and after two years I have never had to replace anything except had to true the back rim due to it being crap.
If you are a long time rider, why are you even looking at this? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trail Blaizer
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodstock ON
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bone Echo Prov. Park Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Purchased At: | Oxford Sports/Cycles | | Strengths: | Recon provides a strong frame and overall is a good quality bike. The crome olly frame flexes some to provied a more comterble ride than aluminum. Although it is a hevy froame. I like the 21.5' frames because of my hight making this bike good for the taller riders. | | Weaknesses: | The only problem I've hade with this bike is in the front derailer. It stay in 3. The RST 280 Team Series fork is prity good for the price I paied although it could use a little more travle. After a while the derailers begin to loose there responce so swich gears before you need them. | | Bottom Line: | Over all this is a good XC bike. Especaly if your just starting. The price is reasonable for what you pay and you get the durability you need. This bike can take whipe-outs and wheely drops and keeps on ticking. The only part that had to be replaced was the rear deraler because a stick poped up and folded it in half. (an advantage of cheep lower end derailers is that they can be replaced cheeper than the higher end ones. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Ahskenasy
a Weekend Warrior
from Hayward, Ca
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Price ( I got mine for 300.00 USD) , Frame, and the colour. I am suprised to say the bike has held up after 400 miles I have not had to upgrade any thing yet. (except went to clipless pedals because I love them so much. The seat is real comphy too. | | Weaknesses: | The weight! This things a tank. I only use this as a commute bike. I have not and wont take this bike on any real trails...I would kill my self on it. The components are weak I really only like the frame. The paint chips too easy. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Gary Fisher, Cannondale, Trek, and Huffy. | | Bike Setup: | Stock (except for adding the clipless) | | Bottom Line: | This is a great commuter or light trail bike. If you are not big like me you might be able to pull off some moderate trails. I am really impressed with the fact that the components have not all broken off or blown apart. Its a fun bike for put puting around. I am giving it 5 chilis for its value. I might be too hard on Giant but only 4 chilis for the bikes extras and the shabby stuff that comes with the frame. I also must say bravo to Giant for using the same frame for this bike as in the more expensive better stocked bikes, and the cool seat. This not the best out there, but if you like to ride and are not into the best right now mind set you will like this bike. Just like a good starter home has only 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, this is a low maintance good starter bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Werth
a Weekend Warrior
from Terre Haute, IN
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Linton | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Everything has worked great so far, although I don't think I've ridden enough to know the difference | | Weaknesses: | Occasional misses on the front shifter but other than that none that I can tell. | | Similar Products Used: | That's the problem, I've got nothing really to compare it to. | | Bike Setup: | Vilociraptor tires, threadless headset, rapid-fire shifters, other than that, its stock | | Bottom Line: | I think the bike works great. Its stable and allows a new rider the confidence to take on some pretty cool stuff. Dave at Fat Bikes set the bike up for me knowing I was a beginner and did a wonderful job. I'm considering adding clipless pedals and changing the fork. For the money invested (the new 200 models are even less expensive) this bike is terrific. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Young
a Downhiller
from Calgary Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fish creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | The frame is really strong. I've taken this bike off 4 foot wheelie drops and haven't bent or broken my frame. The front rim bent really easily, but the back is still true. | | Weaknesses: | the bottom bracket is a P.O.S. It is not sealed. I've had to take it apart and clean it so often because it fills up with water so easily and grinds bearings like a MoFo | | Similar Products Used: | raliegh serengetti | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awsome. It has put up with the pounding I have given it. I ride it down steep technical hills, take jumps, and ride over big bumps. The frame hasn't even bent when I hit a car. The only damage to the bike was a snapped steerer tube on my fork and an ovalized headset. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lee
a Weekend Warrior
from sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | sweetwater trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | very smooth ride, shock keeps bike under control. I really like the feel of handle bars they are ideal for a 6' 180 lbs person. i like it | | Weaknesses: | tires really suck. 1st day owning bike popped tire. Shifting a little difficult. Have a tatter in the rear shifter that needs adjusting. | | Similar Products Used: | raleigh sc30 | | Bike Setup: | stock mulminum frame | | Bottom Line: | This bike for the price is great i have a blast and look forward to riding it more. i will be buying airless tires soon to fix the one shortcoming | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Price (at about 520 Aussie dollars they don't come much better value than this).
Durability - as a beginner I've hit a lot of rocks and dunked it in a lot of streams and the Rincon bounces back every time. | | Weaknesses: | A little bit heavy.
Seat post needs to be longer for me
Gearing too low. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Standard Aussie specs initially (21 speed Shimano rapid fire, Shimano V-brakes, RST 280 shocks, Cromoly frame)
Second 12 months - bigger groupset and upgraded Shimano crank, ceramic brake blocks, Continental beadless tyres. | | Bottom Line: | For the price I couldn't find a bike to match this. As a beginner I didn't want to throw hundreds of dollars at something I didn't know much about, so I went for the Rincon SE with the idea that I could upgrade as I got better. Well I didn't get much better, but the bike didn't need much upgrading anyway. It takes everything I throw at it, and gets over pretty much everything - rocks, sand, gravel, grass, water, mud - with just the slightest hint of wobble from the front shocks on some surfaces.
The gearing was a bit too low for fast downhills so I bought a bigger groupset and replaced the crank at the same time.
A few punctures made me look around at other tyres and the Continentals, although expensive, have saved me a bit in replacement tubes, and they have better ride and grip than the originals.
The gear-shift is very precise and has been trouble-free from day one, and although the brakes took a while to adjust correctly, now that they're right they'll stop you fast.
A great bike for beginners/keen weekenders which will have you wanting to be out there all the time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all the ones at Kelso | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great Light frame
The orange/black paint colour
The Shimano components have worked flawlessly
V brakes still work great
low price | | Weaknesses: | The only problem was, I had to replace the seat and post 2 weeks ago, but that happens with all bikes | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6500
specialized FSR
Gary Fisher Level Betty | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Although this bike doesn't compare to the gravity oriented Specialized, and Gary Fisher, It is increadible!
The frame is light and has been made with increadible quality.
After 2 years I still don't hear a thing from the drivetrain.
If I could give this bike more than 5 flamin' chilis I would, but I can't so I'm limited to just 5.
You can't get a better bike for this price and maby even higher! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chas
a Weekend Warrior
from Brandon, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Morris Bridge in Tampa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Price (less than 350 dollars retail); good components; great sized frame for short legs (14.5 inch) | | Weaknesses: | When peddling hard on the road, suspension fork tends to compress and decompress a little bit resulting in a small fore and aft rocking action | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, Diamondback Response, GT Saddleback (all demo'd); Huffy "Stalker" steel framed hardtail - one year | | Bike Setup: | 6061 aluminum frame; Shimano Altus/Acera drivetrain; Shimano trigger shifters (21 speed) | | Bottom Line: | First weekend and first 50 miles (half trail and half road). Let me say right up front that I'm a newbie in mountain biking (more like trail riding here in central Florida). I looked at Trek, GT, and Diamondback but ended up buying the Giant Rincon SE partly because of price and features, but mainly because of the buyer-friendliness of the bike shop. My comments are going to be skewed as I don't have a whole lot of experience with the technical nuances...but if you're a newbie like me - you might find his useful. One of the best things about the Rincon is that it handles like a sports car. I have short legs and the available 14.5 inch frame fits me perfectly. The 6061 aluminum frame is light and very responsive. I found that on sugary sand (we have a lot of that on Florida trails), the bike has a tendency to fishtail a bit - but after several sand pits, the handling became predictable. The Suntour 7600 suspension fork soaks up all but the meanest road ruts and is a vast improvement over the steel forked Huffy. On the road, especially when peddling hard, the bike develops what I call a small wave action - the fork compresses just a little bit resulting in some unwanted movement. Back on the trail, small roots are easily handled and larger roots are dampened. The brakes are excellent - again no comparison with old cantilever brakes. The Shimano trigger shifters are crisp and properly indexed. The Shimano Altus/Acera component combination has worked flawlessly. Overall, my first impressions are very positive. For less than 350 dollars you may not find a better bike for combined road/trail use. I'll update later once I have a feel for how well, it stands up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pierre Tousignant
a Downhiller
from Hagar, Ontario
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
the loose moose | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
A bunch, too much to name. | | Weaknesses: |
The frame ITs cro-mo | | Similar Products Used: |
Norco VPS-2, VPS-1
Norco Sasquatch(stock setup)
GT LTS-3000
CARIBOU!!! | | Bike Setup: |
i put XTR levers, fire xc pro tires, lx 9 shifters, dx pedals, NEW SEAT!. | | Bottom Line: | This bike sucks cuz it only has a 1 inch headset and i want to put a judy xlc on it but i can't.
5 CHILLIES FOR IT!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from IL
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kettle Morine | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Nice ride, Low weight, Looks nice, Great for a beginner | | Weaknesses: |
None yet! | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant Boulder(An old one) | | Bike Setup: |
1999 Giant Rincon SE, Turquise color, RST 281 front shock. Rapid Fire shifters. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for a beginner. I bought it so that I could have a bike that could actually be called a Mountain Bike. Unlike my older Giant that I bought years ago. And I got it so I could do the trails up in Kettle Moraine, Wisconsin. It's really a great bike for the money. I would suggest upgrading to some Rapid Fires. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronaldo L. Dalisay
a Cross-Country Rider
from Dededo, Guam
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Puntan Dos Amantes | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Price and durability | | Weaknesses: |
Cromoly Frame | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
1999 Giant Rincon SE with RST 280 Front Shock | | Bottom Line: | This was my first mountain bike and it was worth the $400 price tag attached to it. At first I didn't think too much about Giant Bicycles reputation, but when the stock components lasted longer than my friend's Specialized FSR, I was really impressed with the durability, especially considering the fact that my friend's FSR was only a week old and didn't survive the rain drenched and mud filled 1999 HTB Mt. Alutom Team Challenge! I'm now a firm believer in Giant's reputation and it is comparable to the more expensive Trek and Cannondale brand mountain bikes! The only problem with the bike was the cromoly frame, which made the bike heavy, but Giant is making their bikes out of stronger aluminum thanks to technological advances!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck
a Cross-Country Rider
from okay, Vernon
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Dunno | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
The bike is chromoly and lighter than than a Gary Fisher Marlin. For a beginner with a sobbing bank account, this is a great bike, it holds up well, climbs nicely, falls nicely, and doesn't hurt when you endo, and it lands on you. It's a great bike for beginners, and it's nothing too fancy, so you won't pay a hefty amount of cash. | | Weaknesses: |
The Maxxis Worm-drive tires won't collect mud, they'll simply let it go past onto your rims, which isn't really good when you've got bottom of the line v-brakes, and pads that melt in water to go with them. The front derailluer also needs constant cleaning and adjustment. The bike has a tendency to ghost shift if you don't. Other than that, just upgrade it as your skills get better, and eventually sell it for more than you bought it for. Kool, huh? | | Similar Products Used: |
GT palomar. ~ugghhh~
Gary Fisher Marlin (Way too much friccin money for full out Altus) | | Bottom Line: | The bike is top of the line for beginners, and rides like something that would cost $400 more. | | Overall Rating: |
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