Giant Reign....

[Jman]

I'm wondering how these ride? I was at Bicycle Warehouse the other day and one the guys was really raving about his. He had a coil over instead of the air but I can't find that option on-line. Anyone had any experience with the bike. It seems to be built along the same lines as my Heckler (AM with 5 to 6 inches of travel) but he was talking about using it for more freeriding. Just curious what others opinions are of thise rig. Thanks.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I know alot of people love that bike Iwouldnt call it a freeride bike though just another AM bike I think it can be setup to be a pretty good slopestyle type bike

[jeffj]

Noel (Hanzo) has a coil on his Reign and likes it over the stock air shock. I'm certain he can give you more details...

I (and my son Ted also has one) have a 2005 Reign and have nothing bad to say about them, especially since we took full advantage of the $399 WW special. I use it as a heavy duty trailbike because I'm currently built on the heavy duty side. It's been a great bike for me.

[crazyjeys]

i've heard a lot about the reigns. looks like reviews on it is good!

[katonk]

Here's thread from awhile back about the Reign vs. the Trance. It's not really a freeride bike. More like a trail bike that can do some light freeriding.

You an tell it's an old thread, because everyone was pimping the Chumba.

Giant trance x 2 vs reign 1.0

[Jman]

Thanks for the link, interesting read. I'm thinking I probably want a bigger bike but was just curious.

[Rockinthecasbah]

7 point !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PacMan]

I had an '05 Reign and loved it. The new '08 Reigns are lighter--frame claimed to be 26 ounces lighter than last year's, stiffer--claimed to be like 18% stiffer than last year's and they look better too IMHO. Sounds like a winner to me.

[Rockinthecasbah]

if your looking for a kind of do everything AM type of bike its a hard iche to fill anything that has enough squish to be a light freeride bike sucks at climbing or some other aspec tof xc type riding ( I know people will dissagree with me) and anything that is decent at the xc end of AM riding usally sucks at FR stuff thats why we all eneded up with garages full of bikes even though we didnt want too.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

if your looking for a kind of do everything AM type of bike its a hard iche to fill anything that has enough squish to be a light freeride bike sucks at climbing or some other aspec tof xc type riding ( I know people will dissagree with me) and anything that is decent at the xc end of AM riding usally sucks at FR stuff thats why we all eneded up with garages full of bikes even though we didnt want too.

I whole heartedly agree and since I already have several bikes I'm getting to be quite picky about my next bike. I'm trying to avoid the style-specific bike though (like DH only) as I know I'm going to have to ride it up from time to time. There are a couple of bikes calling my name but I'm really trying to be open minded and trying the various styles of suspension before I buy. It's actually sort of fun.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Jman

I whole heartedly agree and since I already have several bikes I'm getting to be quite picky about my next bike. I'm trying to avoid the style-specific bike though (like DH only) as I know I'm going to have to ride it up from time to time. There are a couple of bikes calling my name but I'm really trying to be open minded and trying the various styles of suspension before I buy. It's actually sort of fun.

What kind of bike are you looking for?

[Jman]

Originally Posted by PacMan

What kind of bike are you looking for?

Ah the million dollar questions. Something that'll take a pounding, yet rideable (thus the no DH rig thought). To be honest I'm really digging on a Bottlerocket and will probably end up going in that direction. I'll probably never be ballsy enough test the bike but I think the whole Slopestyle style of bike is the direction I wanna go. There are a few other bikes that have grabbed my attention like the Jamis Parker and the Transition Double (probably to DJ oriented) or the Intense 6.6 SS (Although it'll probably be WAY out of my price point), or the SC Blur 4x. (Just to name a few)

I've been crying about this for a while now and I figure Ricky and Todd (and heck the rest of STR. ) are probably tired of hearing about it. However I've never owned a bike that wasn't a Specialized or a Santa Cruz so I'm just asking questions and trying everything out. Thanks for asking and listening.

[Rockinthecasbah]

The bottle rocket is awsome and can go up hill if it has to. The Soul Cycles matador is in the same slopestyle type of bike an is a little cheaper. if your not goign to be riding to much competitive 4x on it go for a bigger FR bike so you can slam through the rocks. My 7 point can go up hill it just takes awhile

[Jman]

I've never heard of Soul Cycles, are they local?

[2wheel_lee]

I've also been researching a bike with "slopestyle" geometry. For those who don't know, this is basically a 6-7" travel frame with 66-67 degree head angle, less than about 13.75" bottom bracket height, and a chainstay length of about 16.75" or less. This has been the holy grail of bikes for me. Of the last three specs, it's easy to find a bike with two of the specs listed, but finding a frame with all three is tough.

Although I have not actually ridden on yet, of the mass-produced bikes, I think the 2008 Giant Reign X (not the standard Reign) comes the closest. Its biggest short coming is not, in fact, short. The chain stay is claimed to be 17.3" (the one I measured was 17.5"). But I think this may be my first choice.

My next choice for mass-produced bikes is the Specialized SX Trail, but once again, it has a short coming. But it's also not short. The bottom bracket is 14" tall.

So, since I can't get the geometry I want from the mass producers, I soon hope to be turning to an Intense SlopeStyle for my all-mountain/DH bike.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

So, since I can't get the geometry I want from the mass producers, I soon hope to be turning to an Intense SlopeStyle for my all-mountain/DH bike.

Now if they could just do that with Big Hoops all would be good

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Now if they could just do that with Big Hoops all would be good

As long as we're dreaming, 150-160 mm width rear hub with a 120-130 width front hub would be nice on a 29er, too.

[Rockinthecasbah]

soul cycles is in tempe so its kind of local . I know a guy was riding one at fontucky a few weeks ago and it looked like a worthy bottle rocket foe

[Dino Brown]

Jman- The Iron Horse 7 point should merit some consideration. A better OVERALL option may be an Iron Horse 6 Point with a 7" rear shock!!! Ask Tani (at The Path) about it!
All mountain/freeride... 35 pounds.... huckable.... ultra efficient.. ultra plush... super stiff rear link... 67.5 head angle.... 83mm bottom bracket... 150mm rear! Pretty impressive numbers if you ask me!

As for the GIANT REIGN'S, I highly recommend them! The fact they share many similarities to the DW-LINK (cough... in court.. cough) should be all the reason you need to demo one.

For XC/AM riding, the 6" Reign's are all you need. Very light. Efficient pedaling. Relatively inexpensive! Ask "Das Brink" what he thinks about his. By the way, it was I who took him to purchase it!

For All Mountain/Freeride/Light DH- The Reign XO is tough to beat!- Much improved for '08. Reign owners will attest to the bikes exceptional handling. Rails corners very well. Low center of gravity. Very flickable and lively feel. The XO also benefits from 6.7" of travel! 67 degree head angle ain't too shabby!

Why am I so passionate about this bike? If not for the sweet deal I received on my Iron Horse MKIII Team- I would probably be riding a Reign today!!!!!

Then again, don't take my word for it- ask the DOZENS of people racing their REIGN'S every other weekend in Fontana!!!

What am I thinking?!? You need a 6 Point!

[RacinJason]

I promote great customer service.

Originally Posted by katonk

Here's thread from awhile back about the Reign vs. the Trance. It's not really a freeride bike. More like a trail bike that can do some light freeriding.

You an tell it's an old thread, because everyone was pimping the Chumba.

Giant trance x 2 vs reign 1.0