[zech]

Hey, I've been shopping for an all-mountain bike for a while now, and while I probably can't get a deal on the Reign X anymore I was wondering what you guys thought of these two bikes.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2007&spid=22012

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/218/24512/?collections_id=2

I don't get shuttled much, so I'm usually climbing when I ride. I'd heard the maestro suspension on the Reign X is better than fsr for climbing and it seems to have a lower center of gravity as well; I'm upgrading from a hardtail and like the feeling of a lower bb and the confidence it inspires when turning. But the shocks on the Enduro are better and have travel adjust, and it has an adjustable bb as well, so I could tweak the geo when I want to change something. That's all theory though, so I'm going to try to demo both bikes and see what I like, but I was hoping I could get some opinions too.

Thanks for your help.

 

[axolotl]

I like the longer travel, the slacker HT of the Reign.

 

[dirtpunk7]

I looked at both when I was shopping a year ago. The Reign did not have enough stand over height(I'm real short) so I went with the Enduro Pro. I'm a strong climber and it is heavy at 32.5 lbs in a small but I can go anywhere I want with it. And it can scream on the descents, gobbles up the gnar and is an excellent all mountain bike. I am very happy with it's performance and capabilities.
I have never used the other bb and most owners go with the low bb and never go back. I hardly use the travel adjust on the Talas 36 and this is definitely a personal choice but I don't feel the need. Others would disagree and say travel adjust is mandatory.
My advice:
Don't get caught up with all the bells and whistles and go with your gut feeling when you test ride both. Which ever feels best is your bike.

I'm sure the Reign is sweet too though, just have no experience with it. And it has more travel and slacker HT like axolotl mentioned.

Good luck!

 

[fsrxc]

I bought my Reign X1 expecting to upgrade to a travel-adjust fork, but have kept the Van36R for 2 seasons now. Because the Maestro suspension squats very little (if at all) while climbing, there is no need to drop the fork, except for extremely steep climbs, and at that point all my riding buddies are walking already anyway.

 

[Mr.P]

You really have a great choice between the two bikes as both are excellent.

I have an 06 Enduro that I love to ride - I have yet to touch the ceiling of it's capabilities. It really comes to life with a coil in the rear. My Enduro has a bit shorter i to i shock specced and a bit less travel at 150mm. This makes it super low and slack like (the over used term) mini-DH bike - 13.25" BB with 6" of travel. I cannot find any 6" frames that are this low and slack.

Gratuitous pic

P

 

[Cata1yst]

Both are good bikes....
I would go Reign over SX. But thats just me.
See what you like better.

 

[zech]

Thanks guys, it looks like I really can't go wrong with either bike. I haven't gotten a chance to try a Reign because of the rain around here yet, but I hope to asap. Thanks for all the info.