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Good Value
I was down at Bike Addiction today grabbing some more gear, and was also having a look at a Giant reign 1 2009 model.
The retail price has jumped up to $4,299 recently, but they have them on sale for a few more weeks and I was offered a price of $3,600, is this a good price for this bike or do you think it's still too much?
Here's the spec below:
colour Charcoal
frame: ALUXX SL FluidFormed™ alloy Maestro 6.0"/152mm travel
fork: Fox 32 Float RL w/lockout, 15QR, 5.5"/140mm
rear: shock Fox Float RP2 w/adj. ProPedal
rear: derailleur SRAM X-9 9 speed
front: derailleur Shimano SLX
shifters: SRAM X-7 trigger shift 27 speed
crankset: Raceface Evolve XC X-Type 22x32x44T
bottom bracket: Raceface Evolve XC X-Type integrated, outboard
shift/chain guide: NA
chain Shimano: HG73 9 speed
cassette SRAM :PG980 9 speed 11-34T
brakes: Shimano SLX hydraulic Disc w/7" front and 6" rear rotors
brake levers: Shimano SLX
wheelset: Shimano XT UST Tubeless
tyres: Kenda Nevegal, Stick-front, DTC rear, 26x2.35"
pedals: NA
h.bar/stem: Raceface Evolve XC 31.8mm low rise/Raceface Evolve XC
seat post: Raceface Evolve XC 30.9
saddle: SDG Bel Air (actual saddle was a gobi "something" (couldn't remember the model)
grips Giant lock-on
extras Shock pump
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I think that price is reasonable, but the component list has probably slid a bit since last year. If the dollar tanks worse than it already is, anyone buying a new bike is probably going to call bike prices today a real bargain. Who knows how much worse the exchange rate will get? Having said that, I am not sure I would buy it.
For me, I don't like the forks. I don't reckon Fox 32s are big enough. I can't provide you any specific or scientific data on it, but I think they will struggle. Especially if you are going to hit it off stuff, like it was intended.
The spec is pretty much the same as 2008,the key differences being the new for 2009 Shimano SLX brake set, this is the series below the XT's and the shimano XT wheelset instead of DT swiss hubs/spokes and Mavic rims.
Here's the 08 spec:
frame ALUXX SL FluidFormed™ alloy Maestro 6.0"/152mm travel
fork Fox 32 Float RL w/lockout, 5.5"/140mm
rear shock Fox Float RP2 w/adj. ProPedal
rear derailleur SRAM X-9 9 speed
front derailleur Shimano Deore LX
shifters SRAM X-7 trigger shift 27 speed
crankset Raceface Evolve XC X-Type 22x32x44T
bottom bracket Raceface Evolve XC X-Type integrated, outboard
shift/chain guide
chain Shimano HG73 9 speed
cassette SRAM PG980 9 speed 11-34T
brakes Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic w/6" rotors
brake levers Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic
hubs DT Swiss 370 disc 32h
rims Mavic XM317 disc 26" x 32H w/eyelets
spokes DT Swiss 15g Champion stainless
tyres Kenda Nevegal, Stick-front, DTC rear, 26x2.35"
pedals Shimano M520 SPD clipless
h.bar/stem Raceface Evolve XC 31.8mm low rise/Raceface Evolve XC
seat post Raceface Evolve XC 30.9
saddle SDG Bel Air
grips Giant lock-on
extras Shock pump
With respect to the forks, 32mm top tube sized forks seem to be the norm for all mountain bikes with a 1-1/8 (28.6mm)steerer tube. Now as the steerer is already smaller in diameter and without knowledge of the wall thickness of either tube and given that stiffness is primarily a function of geometry and there are two 32mm tubes and 1 steerer and the fact that the maximum bending stress occurs at the steerer, the steerer tube is the weakest point with respect to bending. As for compression until you bottom out the internal valving does most of the work. I'm still new to all the details about fork internals but I guess a larger fork diameter allows for increased strength.
Anyone else got some ideas about what sort of fork should be on an all mountain bike i.e. 32mm or 36mm?
Cheers,
Drew
My fox Talas 32 are just dandy for me, 140mm is ample and used only on bigger rougher stuff, usually sit on the 120mm setting but I am a bit smaller than Ditty.
That said, I do agree with Ditty and think it's a little de-spec'd to meet the price point but if you are happy then thats all that matters. It is a pretty good bike and it is a pretty good price in todays market.
Craig
http://nobmob.com/node/7495
I know its a few more $'s but I know which of the two I would be scraping up the extra pennies for. (No, I'm not on a commission)
Let there be light
I have an 07 Reign. It's great. I've had the stock Fox Float 32 140mm forks serviced and tuned to my weight and they work a treat. However the bike would benefit from a longer and stiffer fork such as a Fox 36 160mm fork.
If I needed to, I'd buy that 09 Reign and immediately plug in the above suggested fork. Because of the front axle difference, I'd invest in a set of Saint hubs built onto Mavic EN521 rims. This combo gives the 20mm axle required for the fork and a 10mm for the rear. Use a Saint axle or a DT Swiss RWS type. Either way, a massive improvement in stiffness.
Then, ditch all the Sram/Avid stuff and get some full Shimano action happening, be it Saint or otherwise.
Give it a stir and serve piping hot.
Remember this; the 09 Reign is a whole degree slacker than before. This matters people. Really.
Ive invested in the 160mm (6.3 inch) FOX Talas fork with 36 mm stanchions and a 20 mm through axle.
i have found this fork to be absolutely bomb proof.
Thanks for the comments, but at the end of the day the reason I've got into mountain biking and why I am looking to upgrade from my current bike (Specialized XC Pro 4inch travel) to an all mountain bike is I want something versatile, something I can pedal down hill fast but also climb up a hill or ride for a couple of hours, without having to stop every 5 mins to catch a breathe.
I'm not after a freeride bike, so not sure if I would really need the larger forks, if I want to go jumping I'll take my BMX to a skatepark or Redhill.
And changing parts straight up is expensive especially if the LBS can't sell the swapped parts on.
What I really want to know is for a complete bike is there anything in this price range (3500 - 4000) that beats the Giant Reign 1 on componentry and value for money? Not considering 2nd hand bikes (i.e Gazza's very tempting enduro)
... and haven't looked back. Before that I had 3 bikes in six months (Trek rigid, Giant Xtc hardtail, Jamis XC Pro dual sus), none of which did it for me.
Only now am I dabbling with the 29er revolution: http://nobmob.com/node/7862
It pedals just fine - did the Oaks up and down last Saturday and (with a bit of effort) can average 20km/h on Terry Hills.
It's a really, really solid bike - and the 140mm fork is great (but I'm currently running a 100mm with a 29" front wheel). The front through axle is a good bonus (my 2007 Reign came with the quick release)
Cheers
Nic
... you may not need any bigger forks that what you get if you are not doing to ride much rough stuff. But if that's the case, what do you need a Reign for? Maybe a trails/XC frame is the best bet?
I have always felt much more comfortable on the Reign - when hammering the Jamis, I always had the feeling it was about to break. My hardtail is OK, but there are several disadvantages:
- I'm much slower through bumpy, loose corners and obviously on downhill too
- the frame feels flexy
- every little rock or bump gives me a kick in the pants
Having said that it is very light and responsive.
Cheers
Nic
Thanks guys for the info, if I do get a new bike (80% certain) I'm gonna get Gazza's Enduro it's too good a bike, the reign doesn't even come close.
this is no sales pitch but i'm really afraid i'm gonna regret selling it!
If I had the money, I know what I would buy
Gazza's Enduro is pre-loved. Just run in you could say
A bargain
And no, that Reign doesn't come close to this bike
Edit: yep, like he said ^^^^