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Submitted by
rossd
a Downhiller
from Squamish, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | McKenzie River Trail, Oregon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | privately | | Strengths: | Lightweight, nimble, super fast in the corners, excellent frame design. Hayes Strokers are impressive, almost as good as Avids. | | Weaknesses: | Components: matching an X9 derailleur with X7 shifters is a waste. The shifter has absolutely no positive feel when you shift.
Fork: Why does Giant put a 140mm fork on a 160mm bike? Weak.
RaceFace BB bearings are shot after 3 months riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Fluid LT, Specialized Enduro, Santa Cruz VP-Free (ok this one isn't very similar) | | Bike Setup: | Replaced parts: Rock Shox Lyrik, Mavic 219s, Easton DH handlebar, X9 shifters, tubeless Maxxis Lust tires.
Stock parts: X9 derailleurs, Fox RP2 shock, Candy pedals, RaceFace Evolve xc cranks. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for a 2008 Reign 1. With the upgrades mentioned, my bike weighs in at exactly 30 pounds.
This is one sweet bike for the price, and it is made even sweeter by the smooth Lyrik fork. Anyone who buys this rig absolutely must upgrade to a bigger fork to do the bike justice. If you're doing some moderate drops, it will pay back. Wider handlebar helps too. If you're not dropping anything, just save some weight and get a trance x.
It's definitely not as smooth as a big dh bike over small bumps, so I was pleasantly surprised when I dropped 6' and it soaked it up with ease. Very impressive for such a light build. This design is also incredibly fast through corners, much faster than my VP-Free, which is no slouch. Giant has definitely got it dialed.
Climbs like a dream. 5 chilis for up and down performance. Only gripes are with Giant cheaping out on the shifters and fork. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a
from Elon, NC
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Owl's Roost | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles de Oro | | Strengths: | brakes, suspension design, components, lightweight frame | | Weaknesses: | The rear shock blows through the travel real easily. I'm only 180 lbs and I have the shock at 220 psi and i go through all 6 inches going off tiny drops. The seat is also real hard | | Bike Setup: | 08 Reign 1 with clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | Great bike that can do allmost anything. This is my first full suspension bike and I'm not the greatest rider so it makes up for any mistake I make. I kind of wish it came with a bigger fork with a through axle but the 140mm Float is good. I use the bike for mostly xc riding but i do some light freeriding every now and then. It's real light for the amount of travel and climbs very well so it's a blast on the trails but it can descend like crazy. I think it's a great bike overall and would recommend it to anybody looking for bike that can do a little bit of everything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Palaszewski
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Looks, Spec/Price/Weight Ratio, Pedaling Platform (Maestro, Quality Frame, EVERYTHING! | | Weaknesses: | None unless you count the Mavic stickers of the rim pealing off a bit... | | Similar Products Used: | None - This is my first Dualie. | | Bike Setup: | Stock (Australian Spec) with Truvativ flats. | | Bottom Line: | this is a great product which I cannot fault!
I was tossing up between the Reign 1 or the Trance X 1 and it was a tough decision but I opted for the Reign 1 because its more suited to my riding (Everything LOL!)
The suspension is great and really plush, the travel is comparable to a coil (if not more) in its plushness. The front and back shocks feel really matched in their absorption performance capabilities.
The bike gets better as I ride it and it truly is an amazing work of art the frame. The price is awesome for the spec and the weight of it (which is really light for a 6 inch travel bike).
Overall this bike is great. Its my first dual suspension bike and my second bike Ive brought over all and I couldnt be any happier. The travel is super plush the handling is spot on and in general; Giant have manufactured a faultless bike that is worthy of every rider!
I you do buy this bike I swear you wont be disappointed. Ive spent well overt 3 months thinking and researching the bike I wanted to by - I don't buy bikes every time the wind blows so I want one that lasts and is good quality.
And after extensive looking and researching Ive narrowed it
down to the Reign 1 for my budget constraints. So right here, right now I'll save you all the researching Ive done by saying, "For 2008, the Giant Reign 1 is the best money for value for performance bike you will find".
This bike is THE bike you will ever need...
Downhill? Cross Country? Trail? You want it? You got it! The Reign 1 will handle all of it and come back for more!
And a side note - If you are thinking of buying this bike and are looking at pictures on the net... STOP!
Go to your LBS and see the bike for real! It looks like crap on the net (the reason it held me back from buying it initially) So do your self a favor and go see it in real life!
his bike is THE
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan R
a
from Long Island NY
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | **This is a follow up review for my 06 Giant Reign 1**
After two years of riding, crashing, and fun, the bike still is holding up great! Hasn't even needed new bearings or anything else. For light free ride and trail riding the bike still performs beyond expectations. The only three problems on this bike had nothing to do with the frame at all but parts that were chosen when it was built. To date it now sports a Fox 32 Vanilla fork up front due to a problem with the Marz All Mountain. Crank Bros Eggbeaters were a bad choice but was a take off from my XC bike. A set of Candy SL's fit it so much better. I decided later to set up a better crank and sold my XT's. I now use a Shimano Saint triple on this bike with Heim 3 Guide chain wheel. Still for a bike so much cheaper than an Intense, Santa Cruz, or Rocky Mountain, I'm impressed. Three years and not a peep from the frame or the shock. Giant went out on a limb and built the Maestro suspension and created on of the best 6 inch travel frames for the money!! If your looking for a bike that can do it all. give this bike a serious look before you buy, it WILL surprise you!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie Hamilton
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Pushbikes | | Strengths: | This is an update from my previous review for the 08 Reign 1.
Maestro suspension is brilliant! Very well balanced, nimble, laterally stiff, precise wheel placement | | Weaknesses: | Honestly nothing major to complain about. | | Bottom Line: | I have know ridden this bike in most riding situations, climbs, light freeride with 4 - 6ft drops, roots, rocks, scree slopes, single track, flat up, down all around. Every ride gets better and confidence to keep pushing myself and the bike. Having come from a DH bike there hasn't really been too much I wouldn't feel comfortable on this bike with. Of course I'm not hucking this bike, but it handles everything very well, no need for heavy handedness, just point shoot and ride out. Generally I ride with the ProPedal off and forks plush and have only really needed the lockout and ProPedal for long climbs. But I prefer to let it all just flow. I highly recommend this as a do it all bike. Corners like it's on rails, nice trail feedback, balanced, great in technical sections, VERY stable at speed, flickable in the air. I always come back with a huge grin on my face so enough said, go ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City, Utah
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | brothersbikes Heber Utah | | Strengths: | Great suspension, efficient, relatively light, good components | | Weaknesses: | None yet...too early to tell | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575 | | Bike Setup: | Large frame. Stock, but with XT crankset, 70mm 15 degree stem, vs stock 100mm 6 degree, lunarlite tubes, titanium skewers, crankbros. mallet C pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review of the 2008 Giant Reign 1. Rider: 6'1", 145 pounds.
Bike setup: Large frame. Stock, but with XT crankset, 70mm 15 degree stem, vs stock 100mm 6 degree, lunarlite tubes, titanium skewers, crankbros. mallet C pedals. Weight, 29.4 Lbs on an Ultimate digital scale. (With regular eggbeaters and Continental 2.4 inch Mountain Kings front and rear, 28.5 pounds). I think it could be built at about 26 Lbs pretty easily, with a light wheelset, light, tubeless tires, monkeylite bars, WCS stem, twist shifters, eggbeater pedals...if light weight is important to you. It comes with 2.35 inch Nevegal Stick E's which are wider than the WTB Weirwolf 2.55 or the 2.35 small block 8's. The tire/rim combo makes going tubeless with Stans a bit difficult unless you use Stans downhill strips, as the rim has a deep channel. Rear shock at 145 PSI, almost all of the rides on this trip were done in Propedal OFF. Even in the jump park, PP off seemed to give a better ride.
Geometry: pretty high bottom bracket height of 12.8 inches, with no wt on the bike. My set up has the bars about 2 inches higher than the seat.
Just got back from 3 days in Moab, 2 rides on Slickrock and 1 ride on Amasa Back, 1 ride in the local dirt jumping park.
Surprisingly, with the high bars, the front wheel stays down nicely, though on some of the stupidly steep climbs of Slickrock I had to really concentrate on getting forward....but hey, it's Slickrock!
An adjustable travel front fork would help a bit on these steep climbs, but I don't think it's essential. On some of these steep climbs, getting out of and forward of the saddle resulted in no noticeable pedal bob.
Amasa Back has much more of a ledgey makeup, and here the rear shock setup really worked well, again, Propedal off. Some of the ledge climbs that I had trouble with PP on were much easier PP off with no loss of pedaling efficiency. Coming back down Amasa Back was a breeze on this bike. Next trip, I'll try Porcupine Rim on it...I'm really looking forward to that on this bike.
All in all, a great bike....Slickrock, Amasa Back and a dirt jumping park are 3 completely different rides, obviously, and this bike handled all three beautifully. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie Hamilton
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1921.00 | | Purchased At: | PushBikes | | Strengths: | Light weight, Strong, Plush, great cornering, great handling, Maestro suspension | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | GTi-Drive, Kona Stinky Deluxe, Keewee Stealth, Kona Coiler, Specialized Pitch | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for 50mm Vice Easton stem, DMR V8 flat pedals | | Bottom Line: | So far this has been a great do it all bike that I'm very happy with. Rails corners, stable and un-fussy handling. I'll update this review the more I ride the bike. But initial month and a bit of riding hasn't thrown up anything I haven't liked so very happy with this bike. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SimpleSimon
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | price,
weight,
pedal efficiency. | | Weaknesses: | Blows through travel!
When new, zip ties for cables are too tight and need to adjust (minor) | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This brief review is for the '08 model. Good bike for the price. Pity that it blows through all 6" of travel for a standard 2ft drop. This is when running with ~25% sag.
Apart from that, the Reign pedals great when seated... not so much when you stand up. Traction is awesome as well. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brody Stiarwalt
a
from Alto, Ga
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | All Lake Russell Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Habersham Bicycles | | Strengths: | This bike is light! I never imagined this bike, especially having 6 inches of travel, would be this light. It is well under 30lbs.
Well first off I am a believer of Giant's Maestro suspension design. This bike climbs really well and the back end is completely independent of braking.
The component package is very nice. I like the Sram shifting. It is really definite and quick. The Hayes brakes have a nice, progressive feel and with the easy adjuster you an easilly adjust the reach of the levers while riding. All the Fox suspension is spot on and the lockout on the fork is very nice for the steep sections. I'm also impressed with the DT Swiss hubs. I know from road riding that DT makes some nice and smooth spinning stuff. | | Weaknesses: | There are only a couple of things that i disliked about this bike. First off is the saddle. Now granted the Devo is a great XC saddle I immedietely swapped it for a Rocket V. The only other issue I have is very minor. I would have liked for the Nevegal tires to have been the Stick-E variety instead of the dual compound but they are still great tires. In the future I plan on swapping to the Schwalbe Big Betty's. Other than that this bike is rock solid. | | Similar Products Used: | Well this is my first long-travel all mountain style bike. I've been riding mostly XC and trail style bikes.
Litespeed Pisgah
Giant XTC
Giant Trance
Giant Anthem | | Bike Setup: | All stock except I swapped the Devo saddle for a Rocket-V and I plan on swapping the tires to Schwalbe Big Bettys | | Bottom Line: | For the money this bike rocks. Giant does well specing their bikes. Not a whole lot you can do to this bike. To have 6 inches of travel, be $2300, and be well under 30lbs. I couldn't ask for more | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Manly Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | ABC Bicycles | | Strengths: | Reign 1 2007. The whole Bike is well built. My first All-mountain full suspension bike. | | Weaknesses: | The Stock tires that came with it, weren't to great. They lack the grip going around corners. Tend to wash out | | Bike Setup: | All stock.
BUT
DH Minion 2.5 Front, High Rollers 2.35 at the Rear | | Bottom Line: | Great bike to ride, up and down hills. Well built. Frame nice an strong. Once i changed the wheels, it handle great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Wodonga
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | nail can hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | The full Cycle of Albury | | Strengths: | great pedaling platform, big hit ability (never bottoms out), | | Weaknesses: | juicy sevens still haven't bed in, and i never want to get off! Hutchinson tyres let go too easy | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky (crap), giant hardtail | | Bike Setup: | pike team air forks, juicy sevens, raceface carbon seatpost, crossmax xl wheelset, full xt drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | i've had this bike for three weeks and i can't get enough of it. it climbs better than my hardtail! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from High Tatras, Slovakia
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | High Tatras | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Strengths: | review for 2007 Reign 1, green and black...very good frame geometry,Maestro system works perfectly-I had Stumpjumper FSR Comp 2007 and I sold it also because of big pedal bob,components,well climbing,downhill&freeride riding... | | Weaknesses: | first think what I've solved was strange cabeling on back frame side-when back springing,part of cabel stoop to outside(I put joint-tire stripe on it),I think wheels are not the strongest-I did "8" on back one just from small skipping to get mud out,somebody says weight(around 14kg) but I think my Reign is climbing better than SJ FSR Comp 2007 with 12,5kg what I had before(I was surprised also...),Hutchinson tires are also not best,but will upgrade to Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.40 Big Betty or Albert,that's all what I found till now... | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp 2007,Canyon Nerve ES7 | | Bike Setup: | Original,but I will uprade tires,wheels,fork(for RS Pike-maxle),then I change Race Face stem and riser for Specialized(from Stumpjumper-oversize)-that is great,somebody here complain on crankset,so maybe this after some damage and maybe saddle in future,but it is not so bad for me... | | Bottom Line: | This is GREAT all trail bike!You can ride from XC,All mountain,Enduro to Freeride with this devil,but need modifications-for riders type of riding of course.It has small weaknesses,which you can upgrade after some time(rims and tires for me).If you are deciding for bike,you have hills,mountains in your area and you're not racer/marathon rider,you will be very happy with this bike ;) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
richard
a Weekend Warrior
from redmond, wa USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | tolt mcdonald | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | redmond cycle | | Strengths: | components, well built, Shock technology. | | Weaknesses: | none that I have found\seen. simular bikes I have purchased had choice of clip ins or not.... this only comes clipless. which may actually be a dealer thing and not a manufacturer thing. | | Similar Products Used: | last bike was an enduro, Demod varios Iron mountain bike builds, and Kona builds. | | Bike Setup: | all stock except clip in pedals | | Bottom Line: | WoW... after a long day of demoing several bikes for my new addition... Dealer highly reccomended this bike from his stock and WoW... Demo'd and found the SRAM X9 shifts are SO SWEEET! I have always been a shimano man... but that is a talk for another topic.
The ride was beyond plush... 6 inches of travel that seemed to only give when it was suposed too and not from peddling. Bike weighed in @ 35 pounds stock however; It did not feel 35 pounds heavy. I know that is a hard one to explain but the balance of the weight distribution and design really made it FEEL like a lighter bike.
When you hold the bike a couple of feet off the deck and drop it to bounce... No chain slap or noisy vibration... Seems well built.
One thing that made me say hmmm is the choice of shock mount below the bottom of bike.. it sticks out from the bottom and was protected by a plastic shield. I tested some small drops and rolled over some high curbs just to see how close it was to bottoming out... but did not come close.
IT FEELS LIKE A WELL MADE BIKE.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Dave's Bike Infirmary | | Strengths: | This is a review for 2007 Reign 1, green and black | | Weaknesses: | Weight... 34 lbs. I broke one of teeth on the outer chain ring on a big rock - for first time buyers of a higher end bike, know that the rings are less tough then the cheaper/heavier steel ones on your average low end beater. Giant offers a lot for the money but skimps on these things: paper thin paint job (cable rub is evident), cheap plastic guard around rear chain rings, hutchinson tires, cheap hard grips. Haven't had a problem with the cables yet, but wouldn't be surpised. Maestro suspension is great, but if you stand and lean forward while pedaling fiercly, you will get pedal bob (though haven't seen a suspension yet that has corrected this). Fox front fork the Fox 32 RL (I think)... know that on you can adjust the shock rebound rate and the travel... but you have to upgrade to Reign 0 to get the 3rd adjustment, which allows you to tune feedback over bumps (check out Fox website to compare forks). | | Similar Products Used: | I tested a ton of bikes brand including Specialized, Giant, Santa Cruz and Kona.
Products tried include: Stumpjumper 2007, Enduro 2007, Giant Anthem 1 2007, Giant Trance 1 2007, Santa Cruz Blur LT with 160" fork
Here's what I learned... Specialized as a company has the best marketing, but Giant has the best suspension. Cannondale always has whacked out wierd looking bikes. Konas are heavy as hell, but solid.
More on Specialized... I wouldn't even consider this brand because the suspension has so much pedal bob on the low ends. To compensate they put on the Brain, which is extra cyclinder on top of the suspension -- adds weight and one more thing to break. The only other contender against the Giant maestro suspension was the Santa Cruz VPP (virtual pivot point) tech. Santa Cruz VPP seemed to still have a little bob when seated and pedaling hard, where Giant Maestro seemed firmer... also I think Giant's was more stiff for uphill climbs. | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Lizard Skin Moab grips. Will add a bashguard soon. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike to transition from the from hardtail trail riding in Minnesota to Boston which has XC trails but tons of freeride/urban assault potential ;). I'm a budget conscious guy and this bike was perfect for me because it can be ridden on trail and for aggressive boulder fields. It allows me to push my potential and explore new types of riding without having to commit to any one or the other. Giant shaves a little on quality of non-essential parts... so know that you might be spending 100 to upgrade the wheels and grips, and later cabling and potentially the bar (depending if you want something wider). Consider a bashguard too and something to protect the paint from chain slap (electrical tape works too).
Handling is excellent, climbing has a hard feel, you can lock out the suspension and make it feel like a no suspension bike (much better than the Santa Cruz Blur LT). Takes hits well.
If I had another grand I might spring for something less heavy... but it doesn't feel heavy... you can still bunny hop like 2 feet (unlike the Enduro which feels like a train under you)
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a do-it-all under 3 Grand, try Santa Cruz Blur and Giant Reign 1 and see what you think. The Blur is about 8 pounds lighter but is a few hundred more expensive and has a worse suspension and climbing capabilities. I'm pretty happy with the Reign 1 so far... but some sub-par parts makes me worry the bike might not hold up over time (although the frame has a lifetime guarentee. Time shall tell. Also... Santa Cruz hasn't really fundamentally overhauled the suspension for years... so I feel Giant is more up to date on technology. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bruce
a
from nc
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | great climber, super plush. qiuck out of turns. amazing stability down hill. | | Weaknesses: | the stock wheels | | Similar Products Used: | gt xcr 2000. TRANSITION COVERT. | | Bike Setup: | FACTORY BUT WITH X7 TWISTER SHIFTS | | Bottom Line: | I was worried coming off of a xcr 2000 that i would lose my ability to pedal, but was i wrong. I believe this thing pedals better, i for sure know it is smoother over ruff stuff. Rear end is tight and super plush.
This was the best upgrade to my riding that i could have made. Havn't had long but i trust it will hold up as well as my gt.
Anyone who loves downhill but loves also to climb and go fast through flats, should check this one out. xc'srs looking to get a plusher ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Kirshner
a Weekend Warrior
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | ToWheels | | Strengths: | Super-light stock build, great fork [Fox Float RL] and rear shock [Fox RP], great componant choices [X.9 drivetrain and Race-Face Evolve XC everything-else]... MAESTRO SUSP. design is incredibly pedal-efficient.. climbs like an xc hardtail and decends with a very plush fully active 6.0 inches of buttery air travel. i honestly love it... NO LIES OR EXAGERATION! did i mention that its built stock and only weighs in at just under 33lbs?! | | Weaknesses: | the only two things i immediately noticed that will have to be changed were the WTB ThinLine super-stiff seat, which i frankly though was unbearably hard [even for a guy who likes a hard seta!]. The second thing that will be switched asap are the Hayes HFX-9 XC hydro brakes... now this is a personal opinion, but i frankly HATE Hayes' brakes with a passion after having ridden a set of Hope's for a season. Either way, I dont like them, but i guess they work... somewhat?! | | Similar Products Used: | Old XC mongoose?.. not really similar. | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Reign 1: completely stock, with the current exception of the seat [WTB Thin-Line stock changed to WTB Super-V] and the pedals it didnt come with were replaced by a new set of ShadowConspiracy BMX platforms [sealed]. | | Bottom Line: | After I graduated from DH'ing to street/urban assault, and now from street to All-Mountain/Light Freeride, from what i have seen, this bike is simply put: friggin insane for a 2300$ 5.5&6" travel fully air beast. Climbs like a mountain-goat and decends like a freeride bike. if you cant decide between the Trance vs. Reign, test ride both, both incredible, but differend intentions [reign = am/fr, trance = xc/trail/light all-mtn]
do the research on other stock bikes, but i assure you you wont regeret riding in the Reign.
Value = 5 Exceptional
Overall = 5 Spectacular | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ash
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Jarrahdale & Little Ovens, Yippee | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Port Kennedy Cycles | | Strengths: | Like the ad says, climbs like a mountain goat then zooms down the other side....the F & R shocks are great, and the frame is the gear | | Weaknesses: | Rear cable routing pretty poor, Hutchinsons a bit loose on the WA pea gravel... | | Similar Products Used: | None really, just graduated to my 1st dually, and loving it! Hardtails have a definate place, but go try one of these.. | | Bike Setup: | Aussie spec '06 Reign. chucked on a set of pd-m540's and can't wait for my UST Conti Verticals!! | | Bottom Line: | If you get the chance, get one. I know this is for the '06 spec, but this is an awesome bike. I read the reveiws and was really unsure whether the Reign or the Trance was for me, but was convinced after the 1st ride this was the better choice for me. As someone stated this is a bike that won't restrict where you ride and what you wan to do! Go get one!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Sutton
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | fast and flowing | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Strengths: | This is review of the 2007 Reign 1.
Plush, doesn't bob, minimal pedal feedback, climbs well, light and well specced for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Wish I could drop the fork travel to keep the front end down without having to kiss the stem on steep climbs. Rear derailleur cable housing was too long and poorly routed, became kinked and didn't shift properly after a week of riding. A new bit of housing fixed the problem.
Could do with a 7 or 8" disc rotor on the front, will upgrade eventually. | | Similar Products Used: | First dual suspension bike I have owned. Iron Horse Vice hardtail, old Raleigh Technium Chill rigid MTB (still my commuter) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for pedals (switched to flats), seat (put on my old seat) and tyres (went for something with lower rolling resistance). | | Bottom Line: | A fantastic machine that really fits the all-mountain tag. Soaks up the bumps whether descending or climbing, without robbing your power through bob. Has improved my riding abilities and enjoyment on steep and technical rocky terrain immensely. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oso Negro
a
from Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1920.00 | | Purchased At: | NWT eBay | | Strengths: | Suspension, spec | | Weaknesses: | cable routing, tires | | Similar Products Used: | '05 Reign, Trance (owned) '06 Enduro, Nomad (demo) | | Bike Setup: | stock except tires | | Bottom Line: | RE: '06 Reign 1
true All Mountain- not Freeride.
If you want FR, go with the new '07 Reign X with 67 deg. headtube angle. If you want a do it all AM, stick with the 69 HA. Better yet, pick up an '06 and get travel adust Talas while their still around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack mowatt
a Cross Country Rider
from lantzville
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | monkeys | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | arrowsmith | | Strengths: | light, strong , price, travel, no bob long travel flier at whole sale pricing | | Weaknesses: | cable routing.. had to reroute cables should have being better at the factory level... | | Similar Products Used: | tested. trance , nomad, blur | | Bike Setup: | traded sram for XTR rapid rize ( personal preferance only)upgrades . carbon bars, mavic XL wh set, nevegal tires | | Bottom Line: | just over 30lbs this bike climbs great and flys down hills its a true bargin in this class, a scott Ransom spec bike at a wal-mart price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, New York
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt Ones! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Six inches of rear travel, oversized tube-set, Maestro Suspention system, Super strong frame that can pretty much handle anything, Light weight too for a frame with so much travel! | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet, bike was built up as a frame set so I don't see any either. Little worried about the Manitou Swinger 3-Way | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing really in this type of bike, Just my Gravity Sled, built up Kona Stinky. Demo'ed a Santa Cruz Nomad, Blur LT, and Intense 5.5, this bike is on par with all of em for less money too!! | | Bike Setup: | Giant Reign 1 with; Marzocchi All Mountain 1 130/150, Full SRAM X.O Drivetrain, Shimano XT cranks, Crank Bros. Eggbeaters peds, SRAM PC-991 chain, Heim 3 ring chain guide, Thomson Elite Stem and Seatpost, Salsa Flip lock seat collar, WTB Rocket V Saddle, Avid Flack Jacket cabels set, Shimano 525 Hydro-Brakes, ODI Ruffin Lock-on grips, Mavic F-219 wheelset, Shimano XT 11x32 cassette, WTB Weirwolf 2.5 tires, Easton Monkey Light Handel bar hi-rise, FSA Orbit Headset, | | Bottom Line: | If your for a bike that can pretty much handle anything, within reason look to the Giant Reign series. I pretty much Freeride allot but when I decided to build up a new trailbike I wanted something that could handle a little light freeride too. I got so sick of my XC bike not being able to do this or breaking from too rough of use. So I built this bike to take it's place. I wanted something that could climb but still have fun with too. My Kona is just to heavy and built up too burly to do that with. Eight inches of travel in the back and 170 mm Marz 66 VF up front makes it just too much iron to push. This bike can do everything Climb, Decend, ride flatland, and can be pushed for hours on trail too. The suspention is so active it soaks up everything, and the pedaling platform makes the bike feel like a 4 inch travel bike, till you hit something! This bike can handle anything I've thrown at it so far. Makes riding so much fun again, not having to worry about breaking anything anymore. No brake jacking or anything bad to say about the frame at all.
The Manitou Swinger 3-way worries me, it has yet to give me problems but as all Manitou products go, to me it's only a matter of time. If only the spec'ed a Fox RP3 or DHX Air on this bike in 05 it would have been the perfect frame. Still great bike very happy with it, built up rock soild and no compromises made when building her either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
anthony alarcon
a Weekend Warrior
from temecula, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Laguna Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2499.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | Bike is more than I expected. It makes me try things that I never would have on my other bike. It performs far better than I imagine. Climbs excellent for a bike with 6" of travel. Setting it up was easy and fine tuning the fox forks and shock was not hard at all. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. It's heavier than my last bike, but the weight is negligible. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Prophet 1000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I got a great deal from the local shop after my other bike got ripped off, and though I had to pay an additional 500 dollars for my insurance copay it was well worth it. I never would have attempted a drop over 2 or 3 feet on my cannondale but have already done a few 4 footers with ease. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob Meyer
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro,Ga,USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | RPM Cyclery, Lake Elsinore CA | | Strengths: | This is a really fun bike to ride. The six inches of travel soak up everything. I love the componets on the bike. Even on the climbs the bike just powers through everything. I just down shift stay seated as much as possible and go. The downhills and the flats are just amazing, you just pick up so much speed. Everytime I come off a ride I always have this Sh*t eating grin on my face. As far as Hucking goes, I have yet to take it off of anything lager than |
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$ 3200.00
