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Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from VA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fountain Head | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike lane | | Strengths: | This bike is a great bike to learn about mountain biking on. The frame has the same geometry as the top of the line xtc which you can pay several times more for. This bike has treated me well as I have learned more about mountain biking for the past 5 years or so. | | Weaknesses: | You get what you pay for. The components aren't amazing, but they do their job just like they should. Many of the components are much better suited to more casual riding. But heh, you are getting a great bike for the price, so you can upgrade these components as they wear out / you get better. | | Similar Products Used: | 1997? specialized hardrock | | Bike Setup: | egg beaters (the best upgrade you can do for the money on this bike) blackspire single speed chainring, race face bash guard, panaracer fire xc pro tires, good quality wtb enthusiasts saddle, avid single digit 7 brakes (another worthwhile investment over the stock tektro). | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great bike to learn on. As you can see I have upgraded a lot of components from the stock setup as I have gotten better (or broken things). The bike is still in great shape. I highly recommend this bike for someone looking to get into mountain biking. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kasey
a Cross Country Rider
from Billings MT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | zimmerman park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Awsome Frame, great price, looks awsome, good climber, handels well | | Weaknesses: | front fork isnt stiff enough. i only weight 150 and i bottom it out alot. Week front derailleur and really crappy tires. | | Similar Products Used: | old school schwinn before they went to crap | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | good bike for a great price but because of the fork i would buy somthing else. its just too weak. i think they have upgraded forks recently and they have gone to disk as well but i would definatly not buy a 2002 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from N/A
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Gatto | | Strengths: | Great bike. No real problems at all. Breaks are dam good in all weather. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are crap change them ASAP. there very soft and wear easy. Break pads get dirty easy. Change the tires to better and change seat if you plan doing over 6 miles. Not for the real ruff off track but i did not need it for that. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Raleigh, CLAUD BUTLER ( b4 and after they got took over by falcon. they suck now :() | | Bike Setup: | Standerd | | Bottom Line: | Great so glad i got it, it's been worth EVERY penny. Change the tires to better and change seat if you plan doing over 6 miles. Firn stedy bike. NEVER had to redo the gears not slipped at all. GREAT MUST BUY!!. Maybe be better wait till next model is out and try to get it as i would of thought the price would drop too.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Balderick
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | lBS | | Strengths: | Good reliable components. Nice frame. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou 6 shocks too flexy and weak | | Similar Products Used: | 1995 Giant Iguana, Voodoo Ti, Proflex | | Bike Setup: | Stock save for Marzocchi (sp?) Z1 shocks, new seat, and very flat stem. | | Bottom Line: | For the money at the time of purchase, a good bike. The RH chain stay developed a crack just aft of the BB. Giant replaced it with a new frame (Ranier graphics, but same frame) and my old components were swapped across. Giant were great - they knew I was a heavyweight (at the time about 120kg +) and had ridden well over 10,000 kilomtres on it, but the LBS knew I take care of my bikes.
The bike, both new and old frame, is a good and not too heavy hardtail. I've towed tag-along bikes with my kids with it (and that really stresses out a frame) and I've raced endurance events on it. Only negatives are the wheels are bit heavy and not all that strong, but after a rebuild with better spokes they've held up OK.
I've broken one and worn out another front DR. The rear DR is now cactus, and I will replace it before the Mont 24 hr event with an XT. The difference between the Manitou 6 and the Z1s is huge - the Z1s are really nice and good quality.
Lowering the bar, then swapping the stem for something flatter, has really improved the bike. It is now much less relaxed, and more like a roadie, which helps in endurance events.
Next upgrade - the V brakes are stuffed, so I will upgrade wheels at the same time and put on Avid cables or Hayes Hydros - money is the issue.
Overall - I am happy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Bonnell
a Weekend Warrior
from St. John's, NL, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Earle Industries | | Strengths: | Seems to climb well (or is that just me?). Comfortable on longer rides (2h+).
Shifting is relatively smooth, and has required minimal adjustment. Much better shifting than I had expected, given the level of componentry. | | Weaknesses: | Gearing seems to be 'short' compared with similar products (i.e. slightly slower in top gear....this is compared to two similar Giant products, both with 13" frames)
While I think the frame is sturdy (size: L), I don't feel great about drops more than 1'. This is in comparison to a cheaper CrMo MTB I had back in 2000.
A little on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 GT Palomar | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with the exception of a Shimano chain and some SPD pedals. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the price...I abuse the bike (when I can)and it gives me no troubles. Switching to clipless pedals has made it even more enjoyable.
Drops larger than 1' tend to feel harsh. I used to drop 2' - 3' on my old CroMo GT and it was much easier on my body (of course, I am getting older...)
Oddly enough, despite the rocky terrain I ride through, I still have original tires/tubes installed. Some people complain about the durability of the Hutchison Mosquito tires, but they have worked out great for me so far. The sidewalls are noticeably scored, but no punctures. 3 years and no flats?? Guess I'm lucky.
If I had my time back, I would have purchased exactly the same bike. I think this is a terrific entry-level bike, but at the same time feel it is suitable for an intermediate-level rider. I have no plans to purchase any other mountain bikes in the near future.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roman
a Cross Country Rider
from bratislava, slovakia
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | koliba | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | rusovce | | Strengths: | brakes, frame, geometry | | Weaknesses: | tires(flats too fast), fork | | Bike Setup: | I plan to buy new fork. | | Bottom Line: | I checked all stores around, red some reviews and chose this bike because its price and quality components(for its price). I use it for mountainbiking and downhill riding. Mailny in the weekends. Im very satisfied with this bike. I dont have any problem past 1 1/2 year of quite hard riding. Im 200cm high and i enjoy its geometry. 21 frame is very comfortable for me. GO FOR IT! ;) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Houghton Michigan USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | solid frame | | Bottom Line: | This bike worked great for the first year, and it held up well until the second, which in 2 weeks, I popped a tire, broke the chan, and snapped the derailer hanger. Also, I had to do extensive work on the gears to get it to gear all the way up or all the way down. On top of that, I broke the peadal and both toe clips. Overall, this bike is solid for the "social" mountain biker, whileif you use it every day, it just dosent have the longevity I had expected | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Austin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Sydney | | Strengths: | Looks great. Fairly light so easy on the uphills.Good quality parts all round for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Seat too hard for my skinny butt.changed to softer saddle. Tyres not really suited to road riding which I do a lot of. Fork feels softer than I'm used to but will get used to it. | | Similar Products Used: | Had a Rincon | | Bike Setup: | stock. changed pedals to clipless and changed seat. | | Bottom Line: | A damm good bike for weekend rider.Can hit the trails with confidence. good parts for the money. buy it if you want a bike that is good quality but don't want to spend a months wage. don't buy it if you want to do serious trail riding and jumping, but you would know that anyway. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ute Valley Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Criterium Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great price and good bike to upgrade. | | Weaknesses: | Stem, fork is in desparate need of upgrading after 2 years, brakes could be better. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized bars (off a P.2), Specialized stem, Race Face Bash Ring, WTB Moto Raptor 2.24 tires and Lizard Skins chain stay protector otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike 2 years ago to get back into mountian bike riding and to ride bikes with my son. I was going to sell when I bought a P.2 when my son became very interested in BMX racing but liked having a cross-country type bike that is easy to pedal uphill. This bike has been a great bike especially for the price. I do ride the bike fairly hard and have had no problems with breaking anything yet. The fork has gotten very soft lately and I am looking to upgrade this summer poddibly to a Rock Shox Pyslo SL. In general if you are looking for a great all around mountian bike I don't think your going to find much better for about $500 especially considering that the new models have mechanical disk brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DaMan
a
from Dover, DE
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Strengths: | Great Frame and componets | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy but for under $500 it is steal | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Tas. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Hayes Disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is a fun little trail bike that has been good to me. I am no small guy and this bike holds up to my constant abuse. Giant assembles there own frames so they can deliver quality at a reasonable price. I will always stick with Giant. I wish I could afford a Rainier! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David1021
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Solid built, looks sharp, good stock componets | | Weaknesses: | Crankset is weak, Seat hurts | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300, Fisher | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike for trails and street. The seat hurts though. It took alot of getting used too. The bike is great bike if you want to step up from the basic starter bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miked6
a
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Cycles | | Strengths: | Name Brand Componets, Quality strong frame | | Weaknesses: | Saddle!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Yukon, Trek 4300, K2 Zed 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Sixx Comp Fork, Shimano Deore Shifters, Tektro V Brakes, Shimano Deore Crankset, Shimano Deore Rear Der., Shimano Alivio front der., WTB Speed V Saddle, Titec X Wing pro post, Sram 7.0 Powerglide II Cassette, Zac 19 Wheels, Shimano Hubs, Panaracer Fire XC Tires, Specialized Dirt Rodz Bar Ends | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike for the money. If you are looking to get started on trails this is the bike for you. Giant is a great name and the Iguana is a great bike. Mine has a few upgrades, but it was ready to go out of box. The only thing I would change right away is the seat. Other than that it is near perfect for under $500. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Jone's Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Worth every penny! Sturdy, well designed frame. Decent forks. Light weight for price... Yes, low price is nice. It can handle three-foot flat landing drops and fast-paced rough steeps easily. | | Weaknesses: | None for price. Maybe components. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized StumpJumper | | Bike Setup: | Bone Stock | | Bottom Line: | I'm not bragging, but I can rip on this bike. I've ridden with many riders who insist they need expensive and/or full suspension bikes to ride tough terrain, but I seem to keep them a good distance behind me just fine. Of course, a pro could ride better on a huffy than most could on any bike, but the point is that this bike is sturdy and capable. I agree, the components aren't that great, but it comes with the price. I actually have a 2000, which is pretty much the same as the '02, and I have beaten it for three years now. The drive train is worn out but the frame is as sturdy as ever. I'm contemplating upgrading the components vs. buying a new bike, which will be a hard decision because this bike handles so well.
I recommend this bike to beginners ranging from bike-path leisure riders to future hardcore riders. The cheap price is soft on the wallet and the bike allows a great margin of ability growth, allowing you to progress without having to worry about buying a new bike every step of the way.
Don't buy this bike if you know you will be a strictly downhiller or freerider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Casey
a Cross Country Rider
from St.Louis, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ranger station | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | the touring cyclist | | Strengths: | light-weight for its price, good fast alivio/deore drivetrain. Good frame in general and its warrenty from Giant. Great feel climbing. fun desender(if u go a little recklessly everyonce in a while) Won my first race with it! | | Weaknesses: | Fork has nothing but internal adjustments. stem/bar/post combo has no name brands(although post looks cool) saddle is uncomrtable, grips too flat and soft. brakes are kinda cheapy feeling. crankset kinda cheap, worth an upgrade.wheels would look cooler with black spokes(ah, just spray paint 'em) | | Similar Products Used: | Uh...Schwinn Mesa? | | Bike Setup: | hmmmm IT | | Bottom Line: | Great beginer mountain bike, u can upgrade off of this puppy as much as you want. It will make you feel a lot more like a true mountain biker if your UPgrading to it. Its got bang for buck. This will also hike up your level of being an enthusiest. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JON ROMANOV
a Cross Country Rider
from DAVIE,FLORIDA USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | MARKHAM PARK SINGLETRACK | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | WESTBROWARD BIKESHOP | | Strengths: | STURDY FRAME FOR A 200+LB RIDER, PRETTY GOOD COMPONENTS FOR A NOVICE TRAIL RIDER | | Weaknesses: | SEAT TAKES TIME TO GET USED TO,NO DISK BRAKES, STEM WAS TO LONG | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | UPGRADED TO COMPLETE XT COMPONENTS,EASTON SCANDIUM DH BARS,EASTON EA70 STEM,SEAT POST,TELLURIDE SEAT,HAYES MECHANICAL DISK BRAKES WITH SHIMANO XT DISK HUBS | | Bottom Line: | I LIKE THE FRAME ALOT AND I SPENT SOME MONEY TO UPGRADE A LITTLE AT A TIME . THE BIKE TAKES A LOAD OF ABUSE ON THE TRAILS AND ONLY NEEDS BASIC ADJUSTMENTS. GREAT BIKE FOR A NOVICE RIDER, UNTIL THEY WANT TO DO MORE JUMPS AND SUCH.THEY WILL NEED TO UPGRADE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell
a
from Macedon, Near Melbourne VIC
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Shoot | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | The Freedom Machine in South Yarra | | Strengths: | The Bike has a Strong Frame and the Deore Components work really well. The Tires grip well in the dirt and the forks help absorb a bit. | | Weaknesses: | The tires wear down really quick on concrete and the forks are not meant for jumping or drops. I have or ready stuffed mine. | | Bottom Line: | A good bike for someone with a low budget like me and wants to do cross country riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Osborn
a Downhiller
from Carbondale, Colorado, US of A
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Urban assault | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Ajax Bike and sport | | Strengths: | Strong light frame | | Weaknesses: | ,the Fork | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Giant Iguana, Snapped in half | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Psylo,Avid V brakes, Sunn ryno lite rims, Tioga Factory Fat 66 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Really my review is on the frame since none of the parts on mine are off the original bike. I got the frame from my LBS and converted it to a single speed. I amnily use the bike for dirtjumping, urban assaults and riding to school. The is built good, it took me while to not think Giant was a mass producer of bikes that doesnt spend anytime to put real quality into there bikes. But this frame realy proved me wrong. It is light, Strong and responsive. I have the $hit out of this bike and it still performs great. If you are a beginner cross country rider, this bike will get you in the right direction. I know the real intetion of this frame wasn't droping 5-8 foot urban drops, or tackling 10-15 foot doubles, but it handles it. If you are looking for a good starter cross country bike, excelent if you upgrade, to a better fork and shifting and brakes, Get this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Value for money, Deore components, seat rather comfy compared to anything else I have ridden. | | Weaknesses: | None for me although I have only been MTBing for a couple of years. | | Similar Products Used: | A couple of borrowed bikes before I got this one. | | Bike Setup: | Stock apart from clipless pedals and CygoLite Night Explorer setup for night time fun! Oh yeah, get a lizard skin to stop that chain slap! | | Bottom Line: | I have found this a great bike. I got into MTBing as a result of buying it (that was the plan) and I haven't ridden on the road since. It has taken a beating including 24hr race and loads of training and hasn't missed a beat. I think I'll wear out before it does.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Missy Calimba
a
from NC
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | -Im not sure if it is the same geometry as the XTC frame but when I got the XTC frame it felt like the same geometry. I might be mistaken but im pretty sure.
-Deore shifters are good
-Deore rear shifts good
-I really like the cassette (Powerglide 7.0)
-Tires grip well
-Micro Lube ports on manitou
-easy to pop your front wheel up | | Weaknesses: | -Manitou six comp is good for okay for light riders but heavier ones well bottom it out
-Seat might be to hard for recreational riders though youll probably get used to it
-Stem has really killed my knees
-If ridden on cement alot the tire well wear down quickly
-The brakes are extremly sucky
-cranks look kinda bulky and are pretty heavy
MAIN PROBLEM
The main problem is my frame broke. It was because a defect. I guess I just got unlucky for choosing that particular frame because im sure only 1/999 have that problem. But giant told me they would give me a new frame. Since they didn't have the iguana frame they gave me a XTC frame. | | Similar Products Used: | XTC, Trek 4900, Giant Warp, and others | | Bike Setup: | XTC and lots of different components | | Bottom Line: | This bike has some good components and some bad components.
The best thing I like about this bike is it handles great and is so easy to maunever around.
OVERALL RATING - GOOD -- extremly nice frame but some of the components have room for improvement | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RAY gordo
a Racer
from nashville
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | bike smiths | | Strengths: | the seat ooks cool but thats about it | | Weaknesses: | lots of stuff i dont want to go through the list | | Similar Products Used: | foes fly | | Bike Setup: | mamoth rims thats it | | Bottom Line: | this is a no good bike i hope to buy a new one soon and seel this one on ebay. who ever wrote that first review is all wrong this is not a goodbike and it all sux . and what a hippie "save the mountains so i can ride on them", said that dork. the are more fun to ride on if they are all torn up. i bet thisguy wouldnt ride through a grassy feild because he would hert the daisys what a weeneie i did a 6ft 6in drop on this ween-dog bike and i almoast apologized to the fork . i thaught i killed it. oh and one day i got one of my bright ideas and i said to my self . i bet te forks would be stiffer if i filled them u with penzoil. no that didnt work. so dont try it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Rodriguez
a
from Arcadia, Ca
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Winter creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Velos, Monrovia | | Strengths: | Almost EVERYTHING! | | Weaknesses: | Chang still slaps like mad, Set post can jar loose at times Wish I wated for the 2003 disk setup. | | Similar Products Used: | old TREK 820 | | Bike Setup: | 2002 fairly stock iguana with clipless up grade. Not big on the low rise bar so picked up a Raceface Air alloy-riser, made a big differance in my riding position. long legs and short trunk, long arms make for a hard to position setup for comfortable long riding. | | Bottom Line: | The bike still holds solid. I wish people would stop burring up our mountains so we could go back to hicking and riding (WHAT A BUNCH OF BUFOONS!! STOP SETTING OUR FOREST A-BLAZZ!!) Anyway, I know the front shock may have to go someday, sad to say I hope soon. A lock-out system would be a nice deal. the front derailer I hardly ever use but if I where to more consistantly I would mostlikly go for a matching deore. other than that, It's been a good ride all around and would recommend it to anyone wanting a nice hardtail bike. OPEN UP THE MOUNTAINS!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Osborn
a Downhiller
from Carbondale,Colorado,USA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mushroom Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Ajax bike and sport,Carbondale(the best of all 3)3) | | Strengths: | The lightness of the frame. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Surly Singlutor rear derailluer,Marzocchi MXC 80 fork,Tioga 2.3 tires. | | Bottom Line: | I got this frame for free after i broke my other Giant. Giant found something wrong with the frame so they sent me a new one. I turned it into a DS/DJ bike and it works really weel. I hope to put some Disc brakes on it but for now the Deore's work good. The frame is really light and responds well. Since it is three size's to small (13 inch) that is probably why it is so light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Gurnee
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kettle Morain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes | | Strengths: | The bike is relatively lightweight. The geometry of the bike fits my body nicely. | | Weaknesses: | The gears are constantly skipping and I can't get any power going up steep hills. The seat sux.
| | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Big Sur
SPecialized Hard Rock | | Bike Setup: | CatEye odometer and light
soon to get disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | It's a decent bike, with a great ability to upgrade. The bike has taken a beating and the only real problem has been the chain skipping a lot.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KC
a Weekend Warrior
from St.Louis,MO
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Touring cyclist | | Strengths: | Nice smooth fork,deore everything - alivio ft. der. , fast on road and trail,tektro brakes. | | Weaknesses: | If you jump any curbs and dont want chips out of the paint , get a chainstay protector, corny looking stem, Alivio frt. Der. saddle kind of stiff. | | Bottom Line: | Get it and you can upgrade what you dont like. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Horacio Flores
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City, Mexico
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Viansi- Mexico | | Strengths: | Great frame, tires, Deore group | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is not my favorite, should have the complete Deore group | | Similar Products Used: | None, it`s my first real bike | | Bike Setup: | Changed saddle and put clipless pedals. I`ll change front derailleur to deore. | | Bottom Line: |
Very good bike for someone who rides in an beginner to intermediate level.
Hope to but my next bike in a US store. seems to be cheaper.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LUKASZ STAMFORD, CT, USA
a
from LJTRZEBINSKI@YAHOO.COM
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | E-BAY | | Strengths: | PRICE IS SOMETHING THAT IS HARD TO BEAT FOR 350 YOU GET ALMOST EVREATHING THAT YOU CAN GET. DISC BRAKES ON BIKE UNDER 400 THATS AMAZING. ALL THOSE COMPONENTS FOR THAT PRICE NOTHING CAN BEAT THAT. | | Weaknesses: | SHOCK IF YOU PLANING TO RIDE IT HARD. SINCE THAT BIKE IS STILL ALMOST NEW ITS NOT THAT BAD BUT IN COUPLE WEEKS I WILL NEED TO UPGRADE SPRINGS OR JUST TO GET NEW ONE. WE SEE DEPENDS FROM MONEY AND TIME. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I DON'T REMEMBER EVEN THE NAME ANYMORE I DIDN'T RIDE A BIKE FOR OVER 4 YEARS SO THATS MY COMEBACK. BUT MY LAST BIKE WAS AROUND 700 RANGE AND HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SHOCK. | | Bike Setup: | IT'S ALL STOCK. NO UPGRADES AT LEAST YET. I KNOW THAT I WILL NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE SHOCK. BUT EVREATHING ELSE WORKS JUST FINE. LOVE IT. ESPECIALY THE DISC BRAKES. AND WHAT I FOUND OUT FROM ONE OF MY FRIENDS WHO RIDES BIKES FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS HE SAID THAT THE BRIKES ARE REALLY OF GRADE VALUE. AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE IS GOOD FOR BEGINERS AND INTERMEDIAN RIDERS THAT ARE SHORT ON MONEY OR SIMPLY LIKE ME ARE JUST CHEAP. I WOULD RECOMEND TO LOOK ON E-BAY FIRST RATHER THAN IN STORE SINCE YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY. LIKE ME LOLLLLLLL SUCKERSSS WHO BOUGHT IT AT STORES AND OVER PAYED IT. I DON'T REALLY MEAN OVERPAID IT BECAUSE THE BIKE IS WORTH EVEN THAT 500 BUT WHY PAY MORE IF YOU CAN GET THE SAME THINGS FOR LESS. LIKE I DID. IF YOU LOOKING FOR BIKE THAT WILL TAKE YOU ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO IGUANA IS YOUR CHOICE. AND THE SEAT IS SWEAT LOVE THE LOOK AND I DON'T THINK IS UNCOMFORTABLE. THE BIKE IS JUST PERFECT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fenn
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney, nsw, australia
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$545.00 | | Strengths: | i spose i mite have sum... | | Weaknesses: | well, apart from chain breakage, bent fork, wearing down tyres, and crappy pedals, there's also the fact that my frame broke in half. | | Similar Products Used: | kona stuff, kona caldera, gt agressor 2.0, gary fisher mamba, avanti hotdog | | Bike Setup: | broken in half | | Bottom Line: | i suppose this is a good bike for anyone who likes their bikes in two pieces... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything Rocky & Tricky | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Solid Frame, Disc Brakes (front & rear Hayes HMX-1) stealthly quiet, powerful enough, deore shifters, deore rear derauiler, Front Fork (I got a Marzocchi EXR swapped free for the Manitou - gotta be happy with that. its bomb proof) Sweet ride, so smooth, lightning changes, lightweight, rigid - top cross country/commuter bike
totally upgradeable frame - great componentry for $$$, sweet routing mechanism under top bar
seat is ok too. I like it and I dont know what all you babies are crying about. I find it much more comfortable than my old ball buster | | Weaknesses: | alivio front derauiler
rear disc caliper needs adjusting whenever I remove my rear wheel. Gets thrown out of whack. Takes a bit of time to adjust properly but is so smooth when you get it right.
Toe clips - got rid of them pretty quick. Very dangerous | | Similar Products Used: | Old cromoly shogun trailbreaker. This bike is a porsche compared to a mini | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi EXR Front Fork, Hayes HMX-1 Front & Rear discs, Vittoria Road Tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a top bike and is sooooo sssmmmoooottthhh. I recommend this bike to all people. I love my brakes, they are great. the Marzocchi fork is better than the Manitou and can handle about anything.
THe front deraiuler is pretty dodgy and will be upgraded to deore in the near future. Apart from this everything else is sweet. The Hutchinson Mosquitos handle great in the dirt and my Vittoria Road Tyres take over on the hard stuff.
One problem I did have was two massive scratches I found concealed by stickers on my top bar. I took it back to my LBS and they got paint from Giant and sent it away to be properly repaired by an airbrusher. Consequently, I have these awesome custom graphics on my top bar making my bike one of a kind.
Awesome bike, will handle awesome on the road and cross country trails. Will go downhill but dont push it. It will stand up to it no worries, is great on technical sections but watch big drops. Giant will replace your frame but you can screw your componentry tooo.
Ride on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason white
a Cross Country Rider
from Hesperia, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | slick rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | victorvilleschwinn | | Strengths: | frame, bars, rims, tires and brakes. | | Weaknesses: | chain, forks and seat. | | Bike Setup: | 19 inch giant aluxx frame. | | Bottom Line: | It's a great bike for the price. Giant has put good quality componets on this bike. A very reliable and durable bike. Good bike for someone who likes to go hit the trails, but not a race bike. Put some clipless on and it's ready to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh PA USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Seven Springs, PA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | N/A | | Strengths: | I have a 2002 Iguana frame only, everything else is custom. I bought it used for 600 with all new parts, but its at my LBS stock for 500. Always loved this bike, and made the mistake buying a Trek 4500 (piece of Kmart garbage) this year. As far as that frame though, it is great for the $. Very stiff, boxed chainstays at this price are rare. Deore shifters and rr derl are great for the $. Integrated headset a nice touch. Machined rr dropouts nice manufacturing touch too. Giant reputation for good frame work is eveident here. | | Weaknesses: | I have few stock parts, but I seem to knock the seatpost down an inch each ride. Mosquito tires are ok, but I upgraded to the green Michelin Comp S Lite and they hook up maybe 30% better. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hard Rock GX, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Iguana frame. 2002 RockShox Duke SL 100mm, stock drivetrain, XTR brakes, Rolf Satelite wheels, LX Hollowtech cranks, Salsa MotoAce Stem, Bontrager Race bars and seat. Shimano 535 clipless pedals, Michelin Comp S Lite tires. | | Bottom Line: | Go get one if you are serious about biking and you have only 500 to spend. Beats everything in its clas |
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$ 500.00
