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Submitted by
adrynalyne01
a Weekend Warrior
from lubbock, texas, usa
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | mlk | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | DFC cycles and fitne | | Strengths: | In this price range it is very well equipped. Also the Rokshox fork owns this price range. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't really found one considering the price. The factory inner tubes are paper thin and puncture easily. but $12.00 cures that problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Raced BMX, diamond back, test rode alot of bikes before buying the giant. | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock 2008 giant yukon | | Bottom Line: | I was 325 lbs when I bought this bike. I have since lost 30 lbs and I ride like a maniac. I have dropped 3+ feet, wiped out riding wheelies, and aside from my fat butt bottoming out the shock it has taken it all in stride with no mechanical failures to date. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. This machine is smooth, strong and works seamlessly. This is a value packed bike for anyone getting started in any type of mountain biking. 5 chili's for being the best value for $500, 3 chili's overall because it's not a $2000 full suspension rig. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Buttermilk | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Conte's | | Strengths: | This review is for the 2006 Yukon, 21" frame. I ride 2 times a week, about 10 miles/ride, technical single-track with some stunts thrown in on occasion. Overall this has been a pretty good bike. Good tires (Nevegal, Blue Groove) that grip anything. Just changed them out after 2 years. The Nevegal was a slick, the Blue Groove still had a good bit of tread on it. The Deore rear derailler has been a trooper, with NO ADJUSTMENTS. Alivio shifters have been great, hand grips are excellent (I ride with no gloves because gloves are for pansies!), and the rims have been strong even though they have taken a beating on many 3-4' jumps/drop-offs. The seat was VERY comfortable until I bent the rails when I bailed on a huge jump. I wish I could find another just like it..... | | Weaknesses: | I realized right away the fork (Suntour) was a piece of junk, as it would bang any time there was a little compression on it and the compression released. The brakes are decent, but need a lot of pressure. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Yukon, Manitou R7 fork, Kenda Kenetics tires | | Bottom Line: | Good for the money. Nice entry level bike. New models have RockShox Dart, so should remedy the crappy Suntour. As ability increases, upgrades will become necessary. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy S
a Downhiller
from Farmington CT usa
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Maze | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Wheel | | Strengths: | 2008 Model
Great XC Hardtail for the $$$
Strong Frame Descent Forks Good Brakes
Well built | | Weaknesses: | They used Shimano Deore in just the R/D, the alivio shifters and acera F/D work well,just would be nice to have the Deore throughout.
not that big a fan of the brakelevers,handlebars or grips...not a big deal though | | Similar Products Used: | Haro Flightline
Specialized Hardrock
Cannondale F7 | | Bike Setup: | Stock..For now | | Bottom Line: | Bike takes a beating period.
I'm 230lbs and have crashed hard at speed numerous times and not a single thing on the bike has broke yet.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Weekend Warrior
from West Jordan, Utah, US
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything I see | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Great frame and brakes(stop on a dime even in water). Love the tires(they grip anything) and wheels have held up through all of my crap. Seat is pretty comfy but I don't suggest a long road trip.shocks adjust plenty on it for me. Overall best bike for my money. | | Weaknesses: | The stock plastic chain gaurd on the front broke off in the first week(me and my freind are working an a metal one). The chain catches when you back pedal too far. The shifters get a bit slow after they have gotten wet and dried. But still the best bike I've owned, even compared to some of my custom bikes. | | Similar Products Used: | same range Diamondbacks | | Bike Setup: | all stock '08 Yukon | | Bottom Line: | Couldn't have bought a better bike for the money I had at the time. WISH I COULD GET ANOTHER. Great for those want a light, convienent bike for doing some crazy things. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor M
a Cross Country Rider
from Minot, ND
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, wheels, drivetrain | | Weaknesses: | brakes, brake levers, heavy | | Similar Products Used: | piece of crap walmart bikes | | Bike Setup: | avid bb5 brake levers, bb7 front brake and some other little replacements, otherwise stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for the money. You wont find much else out there in this price range that can compare to the quality. I ride pavement and xc and its perfect for both and dont be afraid to try some dropoffs and harder hits, the well built foundation will hold up. You probably want to replace the brake system eventually but other than that no big problems with anything. I have 1600 miles on it and it runs like new. The kendas it came with and the grips wore out but all the mechanical parts are doing just fine.
The difference between this bike and those walmart "mountain bikes" is night and day. Get it if you want an all around tough long lasting bike without spending a fortune. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Chapman
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Saratoga Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Off Ramp | | Strengths: | This is hands down the best XC hardtail I could find for the money. I did a ton of research. If your not looking to drop $1000 on a good entry level softail, this bike is the way to go. I have put about 100 miles on it and really give it some abuse and there has been ZERO problems. The fork is good and I tip the scale at 280lbs. The bike shifts every time, just really a solid setup. | | Weaknesses: | None for this price range | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6000 series | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Best bang for your buck! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike wood
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Nice hardtail frame. That's all I care about. If you're going to upgrade everything anyway, why buy slightly better gear and pay more for stuff that you might or might not like anyway. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap components, but you get what you pay for. If you wanted to pay more, you can easily do it with a similar frameset, but high dollar components. I'm riding an 06 bike and I believe they only had a 17" or 19" frame. I'd prefer an 18", but the 17" is fine. Really, the components are great for the money on this bike. I think better than any of the other manufacturers in this price range. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots. | | Bike Setup: | Right now, I think about the only thing that is still stock is the brake calipers. They're not too bad. Other than that....XT cranks, XT derailers, XT hubs on Mavic 321 rims, Easton EA70 bars and stem with XT rapid shifters and Avid levers. WTB racing saddle with Easton EC70 seatpost. Oh, how could I forget...Rock Shox Reba Race with lockout lever. | | Bottom Line: | I do love the hardtails (insert joke here) and really like to be able to pick out all of my components myself. So, I prefer to get a cheap frame and do it myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any trials around the dallas area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheels in Motion | | Strengths: | Great frame, great wheels, Disk breaks are very smooth and stop on a dime, RS Dart fork does everything i need it to do, great components for price, great bike both on and off road | | Weaknesses: | Seat is a little hard but not to bad, tires wear down kind of fast on paved trails but that about it | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300, Jamis Cross Country 3.0 | | Bike Setup: | Stock 08 | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike for the money. If you are looking for a bike to get back into riding (like me) or wanting to upgrade this is a great purchase. I plan to upgrade the components eventually but for right now that work great. Out of all the bikes I tested, this one was the best deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cole Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Covington, Louisiana, United States
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | new ones | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$593.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Zone | | Strengths: | Great frame, brakes work excellently, tires are good, and the shifters are lagniape(in other words, the are an added bonus). | | Weaknesses: | The chain gets caught every now and then when you back pedal~ I'm going to fix that before my next ride. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock '08 Yukon Giant. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It is an unimagineable leap up from WalMart bikes I'm so used to riding(it was like going from a '81Civic to a '08 Corvette). The shock does it's job perfectly, and the frame and tires can take a good pounding. The brakes work great even when submurged in muddy water. I abuse it regularly and hit some pretty tough trails with a lot of downhill, mud, and big drops. If maintained, this bike will ride like new everytime you take it out. I have a feeling my Yukon will last me a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaime
a Cross Country Rider
from Blue Mtns, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Yellowmundee, Blue Mtns | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Panther Cycles | | Strengths: | strong frame, strong wheels (i have given mine a beating),
brakes are good when they are maintained, as with gears...
very good xc bike for the money, it has helped me improve my riding greatly. | | Weaknesses: | constantly need to adjust gears and brakes. Very hard Shocks, need softer springs. brakes need to be adjusted so pads are closer together or the dirt and small rocks get in there and wreck your discs. not very good for DJs (could be my riding). | | Bike Setup: | Animal Pedals, WTB tires | | Bottom Line: | Keep maintaining the bike and change the pedals. i found the bike handles and grips better with new tires, not for DJers, and will take a beating on light trails. all in all, a great bike. Reccomend it to anyone looking for an entry level or even pro xc bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carson
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tecolote Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Arrowhead Cycles | | Strengths: | Tough, durable frame. I also like the Alivio shifters and the Haynes disc brakes. It sure is a good looking bike. | | Weaknesses: | HEAVY! Derailuers fell out of adjustment somewhat easily (at least initially). | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bike Setup: | All stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is my first entree into the mid-level mountain bike market. I am definitely impressed with it. It's built on a tough, solid frame that has really taken a beating. It sure likes going downhill, and the lowest gear is geared so low that I can practically ascend hills I couldn't walk up. Fairly spartan in terms of set-up - the Deore derailuers fell out of alignment quite frequently, but we finally found a sweet spot and it sure rides well. Only real complaint about the bike is its weight (sure makes hills seem a whole lot higher) and the stock tires (Blue Grooves are alright, the Nevegals wore down too quickly). Great, versatile bike for the money, and it sure is good looking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Grafton Ski and Cyclry | | Strengths: | Good frame so far, good tires. Fork is okay for the price. Rims are also nice. | | Weaknesses: | Basically, I bought this for the frame and rims. Almost everything else is going. Brakes! I hate Hayes for one, but the OEM MX4s are awful. Sketchy, and difficult to adjust. Curious thing: the bike comes with 4-finger brake levers that have yellow stickers on them saying "Attention! Linear Pull Brakes Only!"... ummm, this bike has discs, albeit, crappy ones. Crankset was clicking for the first few months but has gone away so far. Overall, the bike is a nice setup (though i'm worried about the quality of the giant headset), except for the brake system if you are at all serious about riding. | | Bike Setup: | New 2.5" Kenda Blue Groove and Nevegals with Stick-E rubber and DH casing (these add considerable weight over the included 2.1"s unfortunately (~3 lbs more)). Different Pedals. Marzocchi AM2 2007 fork. Avid BB7s front and back. Avid speed dial brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | READ THIS!!! Great for a typical rider. Some components are weak, but the frame and rims provide a good base to build off of if you want a good hard tail. I do recommend this bike, though I implore you to consider upgrading at least the brake system, and definitely the levers. Somehow Giant ended up putting 4-finger LINEAR brake levers on there. Even cheapies like the Hayes MX4s have a lot of power, and with a 4-finger lever, it is VERY easy to pull too hard and eat ground. Also, my brother got the same bike (still stock) and his front brake got out of alignment and would LOCK with very little pressure. A car pulled out in front of him and he only had the left hand on, and ended up doing a Superman. I have since fixed this problem, but he's kind of scarred from the experience.
The drive train is in short, okay. I'm fairly competent at adjusting bikes, and it is impossible to adjust it to work perfectly through all gears. I never use the low on the front (too much torque for steep climbing, you just spin), so I just have it adjusted to work perfectly on 2 on the front since I spend the most time there.
I hope someone actually reads this and finds it useful. Just to recap, this IS a good value of a bike, but the brake system I would HIGHLY recommend changing.
Happy Biking!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Notes
a Cross Country Rider
from Ca
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Las posadas | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Good frame, decent handle bars, reliable shifters, ok derailleur, ok brakes. | | Weaknesses: | The wheels are crap, went out of true within two weeks, broke fifth gear on the back out on the trail, busted the crankset after a year. But my bike is great now. but i replaced almost every part on there with good racing components. Including Marzocchi All mtn. 3, TruVative Firex 3.3, Shimano Sunrims rhynolits, Shimano 5 into 1 cassette....and a lot more. These upgrades are mandatory if you want a true reliable bike that can take punishments repeated times. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rincon, trek 4k something or rather. | | Bike Setup: | Everything is replaced with new racing components, or hardcore sport components. (I have over 2000 invested in mine) | | Bottom Line: | Not a bad bike if your a softcore trail rider without any intentions to win races. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy kraebel
a Cross Country Rider
from cutchogue new york united states
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | diablo, rocky point sag harbor | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Purchased At: | country time cycle | | Strengths: | 2008 comes with rock shox dart 1, same shifters and everything for the money its a good bike. upgrading to hayes or avid hydraulic brakes is a good idea | | Weaknesses: | hayes mx4 are pain in the ass, you get what u pay for im not mad about it | | Similar Products Used: | giant xtc, giant nrs air, salsa mamasita, giant rainier, giant reign x1,giant anthem advanced (custom built) | | Bike Setup: | crank brother 5050x petals are good to roll with | | Bottom Line: | you get what u pay for, its nto that bad price wise either | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a
from Mittagong NSW Aus
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any single track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Phantom Cycles Tahmoore | | Strengths: | It has good gears an handles nice. | | Weaknesses: | The forks are 2 hard for me and don't have enough adjustment.The Shifters are a bit dodge and sometimes ghost shift. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh Eliminator | | Bike Setup: | Shimano m458 pedals or something, Maxxis Highroller rear tire. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good Entry level Mountain Bike and handles well it is a tough bike that has been thrown around (Doing 5-6 ft drops).
I would Change the Forks 2 Recon or tora318 or something. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate, NY
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | N/A | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Strengths: | Good value for a starter bike thats just a few steps up from entry-level. Disc brakes and Deore rear derailleur are suprising at this price range. Mine is the Black 2007 model which looks real sharp. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost seems to be fairly weak, mine came loose and ground down the adjustment teeth after a few cross country rides and needed to be replaced. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Kalloy seat post. | | Bottom Line: | I've ridden this almost daily on trails for the last month and its been great. Just the seatpost issue and have to tighten up some cables every couple rides. Good starter bike or long-time bike if you're not going to do anything too extreme. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Pierangelo
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Shanipset State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski-Inn | | Strengths: | Great geometry, top cross bar not in way of my balls, reliable, very light, nice paint job, shifters are great, fork not too bad | | Weaknesses: | pedals (total piece of crap), bolt to crank stripped, brakes, grips, seat clamp | | Similar Products Used: | jamis dragon, schwinn frontier | | Bike Setup: | mainly stock except for crank brothers 5050xx pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike overall. It was step up from my Schwinn Frontier (okay a big step). I have been riding this bike for over a year, and mostly stock its been great. Some problems I've had are the bolt that holds on the crank stripped out, but was replaced, both pedals cracked and should be replaced asap. The brakes aren't the best by far. The rear brake glazed over and I had to replace them. The fork SR SunTour XCR, 100mm-travel, is very good, except the adjustment doesn't do that much. Top crossbar is sloped down which is a nice touch as it presents less of a danger to future children (2006 model). Looks great and rides great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Windsor
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fanshawe Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Tri-Sports, Windsor | | Strengths: | Bulletproof frame with new (for 2007) reduced-stepover-height hydroformed top tube, disc brakes, 175mm splined crankset, excellent tires, good wheels, decent shifting mechanism, steep head angle makes for good handling | | Weaknesses: | Throwaway pedals, horrible grips, undamped springer front fork, overly narrow bars, mechanical disc brakes need a little preventative maintainance to keep functioning at peak performance, uncomfortable seat, steep seat tube angle requires a lot of seat setback (at least for me) | | Similar Products Used: | CCM department store bike, older Norco | | Bike Setup: | Old Skool Shinamo DX pedals (1985 vintage!) Easton EA30 27" bar, WTB seat, Sertas grips, RockShox Recon 351 fork | | Bottom Line: | This is for the Canadian-spec 2007 Yukon with the hydroformed curved top tube
I was in the process of upgrading my won-it-in-a-raffle department store CCM (decent frame, crappy components) when I stumbled across this bike in a LBS. For the money, it was WAY cheaper to buy this bike new than to source similar components and upgrade my existing bike.
Giant makes several models based on this frame, with the componant mix determining the price. At this price point, you get:
- A Suntour XCR fork
- TruVativ ISOflow splined crankset
- Hayes MX2 mechanical disc brakes
- Deore rear mech
- Acera front mech
- Alivio trigger shifters
- SRAM 8-speed rear 11-32 rear cartridge
- own-brand Giant bars, stem, seatpost, and seat
- WTB Dual Duty rims
- Kendra Blue Groove front tire, Kendra Nevregal rear tire, 2.1" both ends
Bars, stem lengths, and seats are largely personal preference - I found the bars a touch too narrow, the stem a tad too long, and the seat just didn't fit my hindquarters at all, so those got swapped out right away. The stock grips are frankly horrible, as are the plastic no-name cage pedals, so those also got replaced (not unusual at this price point)
But with those changes made (and aside from pedals and grips, those are YMMV changes) the bike was amazingly capable and fun to ride. I'm a bit on the heavy side and resumed riding after a long hiatus to get myself back in shape; this bike has taken everything I threw at it with no problems. It climbs like a goat, shifts are lightning-fast and never seem to miss, and it decends and jumps fine too.
Built for strength, not speed, it may be a little bit heavy - but only for the gram-counting, leg-shaving set. For general thrashing and hammering the trails, it works great.
I've noticed that the MX2 mechanical brakes need a little fine tuning to keep working 100%, but nothing outrageous and when dialed in they stop the bike HARD (and wheel removal is just so much nicer with discs)
It comes with great tires, although I prefer a narrower semi-slick on the rear, so I changed out the rear tire for a 1.9" Kendra Kwick and am saving the Nevregal for when the Blue Groove front wears out.
The only real downside to the bike is the Suntour XCR fork. It is a preload-only spring fork with no damping at all - not just adjustments, but no damping PERIOD. Over slower bumps, slow decents etc it was just fine; it has plenty of travel and no noticable stiction. But hit it hard, and it'll return all that travel back in a heartbeat - about once or twice a ride, I'd find myself being bucked or ejected from the bike when the fork ricocheted off a hard hit or a fast transition. Swapping forks to a RockShox Recon 351 with actual rebound damping tamed the front end and made a good bike great.
For the money, this bike is an amazing value - throw away the stock grips and pedals, and you've got a great recreational trail bike that can handle mild to intermediate singletrack with no trouble at all. Swap out the front fork to something with rebound damping, and you can pound trails of all skill levels with a fraction of the investment demanded by many other bikes. And while the mechanical discs need a little more maintainance than hydraulics, they work much better and are way easier to live with than the best V-brakes.
Highly recommended.
DG | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Harkins
a Weekend Warrior
from Charleston, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$465.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes, James Island SC | | Strengths: | Black on gray looks tight, and goes well with the frame! Deore components, unlike other bikes who offer Acera and Alivio for the same amount or more. Disc brakes. Lifetime warranty on the frame, year of free maintenance and part replacement from dealer. | | Weaknesses: | Mushy shock | | Similar Products Used: | 2005 Giant Iguana | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except (don't cringe) I added a kick stand | | Bottom Line: | Bought the bike today. Great bike for the money, paid $465 with Deore setup. Here's a rundown of what others offered. Jamis Cross Country with Acera setup $465, Specialized Rockhopper with Alivio setup and no disc brakes $549, Trek 4900 with Alivio and no discs $425. No one was offering Deore for the price. Definitely more bang for the buck. And these other riders who are complaining about theirs breaking have admitted to beating the sh#! out of it (4-5 foot drop-offs!?!?! Come on), and some others just need a good tune-up. Rode my bike today pulling my son in a bike trailer (yes I've become quite the family rider, in younger days I used to have a Gary Fisher ProCaliber GT) and had no problems shifting, pedalling backwards, nothing, although it was tuned up straight after removing from the box. Bottom line, this isn't a bike to beat up or abuse, or expect alot from in competition, but it sure is better than anything Dick's or Sports Authority is offering, which you'll notice alot of Tourney and Acera setups. This bike reminds me alot of my Iguana, which I did ride pretty hard and didn't have to abuse. Like some people mentioned, a beginner's bike, but beginning for what, to become pro? I find it's perfect for the weekend warrior like myself, and no I'm not ashamed to admit that :o) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedarburg, Wi, USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Strengths: | Looks good, great frame, decent fork for the money. I unfortunately have to say, it stops here. (see below) | | Weaknesses: | Basically every component on the bike excluding the frame and fork are crap. The bottom end disc brakes (Hayes MX4s) have the smallest pads made. Discs are supposed to reduce breaking force required by the hands. It requires just as much strength to stop as my old GT with linears. It also has 4 finger brake levers for some reason (they even have stickers that say "linear pull brakes only"). The drive train is awful. Just plain awful, I am going to try to replace all of these parts. The pedals to start with are ridiculous, they are just flat metal with little bumps, almost zero grip when wet. The entire drivetrain is weird. On 3 in the front and 1 in the back, the angle of the chain causes it to rub against the bottom pulley of the rear deraillure (sp?). I have painstakingly adjusted it but there's no way around it. I have had the bike two weeks and i'm getting clunking off and on when I pedal (every gear). I have yet to diagnose that. The bike also doesn't like backwards pedaling, the chain starts jumping around on the front sprockets and cassette and eventually gets bound up or comes off completely. Lastly, my rear brake has been hanging up. The rear wheel does not spin freely. Even with the brake cable disconnected and the brake pulled all the way open, it still contacts the disc. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Saddleback | | Bike Setup: | stock, so far. | | Bottom Line: | I actually wanted the Giant Ranier for its better components, but they were basically sold out when I got around to buying a bike, and they didn't have my size anyway (24") because I am very tall. So I actually bought the Yukon planning to replace most of the components, namely the brakes and eventually the drivetrain. I'll point out, I expected less than total satisfaction when I bought the bike, I'm just letting you know what to expect on the stock bike. P.S. I am taking the bike back to the store soon to have them check it out but I dont think I should be having so many problems with a brand new bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ciaran brown
a
from NY
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | dryer road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Strengths: | everything except rims | | Weaknesses: | rims they got out of true after a year then eventualy broke but i was jumping it off 4 or 5 foot jumps dropoffs andwall on the street or park | | Bike Setup: | stock except time pedals | | Bottom Line: | its a great beginer bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Cox
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Home | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesmiths Bloomington IN. | | Strengths: | best components for the price. as a noob, I find this to be a very good starter bike. easy on the hills, good control going down hill. | | Weaknesses: | front fork seems a little weak... tho I weigh about 250lbs... adjustment seems narrow. | | Similar Products Used: | Wal~Mart special Mongoose, Specialized rockhopper, Specialized hardrock. | | Bike Setup: | stock... hope to break the front fork soon, need an excuse for new one. | | Bottom Line: | great bike, thanx to this bike my interest in this sport will excel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh crawley
a Weekend Warrior
from nashville, Indiana, USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | new to sport.. n/a | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$435.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Garage Indy (www.bgindy.com) | | Strengths: | I'm a 6'5 guy weighing 300 lbs who's trying to become physically fit. Due to this, I liked the option of a 23 in frame. For someone who snaps desk chairs like twigs, I feel very secure on this frame and fork.
My other decision was to go with disc breaks. On the low-mid end of MTB's, these discs beat V-breaks hands down. When I stop, I KNOW I stop.
Also, the price was perfect for the amount of features I was looking (and could afford) to spend. | | Weaknesses: | Being new to the sport, I'm not used to the saddles, but the default saddle is a "butt buster", at least for my geometry. Then again, a decent saddle is in the 30$ or so range: A minor weakness and easily remedied. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Marlin (believe 20")
Trek 4300 Disc (19.5")
Trek 4300 (19.5") not disc
Gary Fisher Wahoo (believe 21") | | Bike Setup: | Stock. I haven't had enough time and know-how to to properly change for improvement. | | Bottom Line: | If you're starting out and would like a bike that grows when you grow, and is very extensible in terms of equipment, buy this. There are many after-market options for this bike that can definitely prolong this purchase.
If you're a big buy who needs a sturdy bike, get it. The price is right on the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CHRIS MCDONALD
a Cross Country Rider
from TUSCALOOSA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | DEATH BY CONCRETE | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | VELOCITY | | Strengths: | GEOMETRY OF THE BIKE IS GREAT. IM 6 FOOT AND RIDE A LARGER FRAMED 22IN WITH NOT MOUNT OR DISMOUNT PROBLEMS. THE BIKE HANDLES GREAT AT LOW AND MODERATE SPEEDS. THE SHIMANO ALIVIO SPEED SHIFTERS ARE NICE AND EASY TO READ JUST MAKE SURE YOUR DERAILERS ARE ADJUSTED PRIOPERLY. IT TAKE DECENTS (ROUGH OR SMOOTH) WITH GRACE AND EASY THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBS ALOT OF TERRAIN. THE KENDRA BLUE GROOVE TIRES ROCK, THE DONT SLIP EVEN IN LOOSE DIRT THE TRANSFER TERRAIN VERY WELL. GREAT GEARING THIS BIKE WILL CLIMB A 45 DEGREE INCLINE WHILE YOURE ON YOUR ASS. TALK ABOUT HILL FLATENING.
| | Weaknesses: | THE FRONT FORKS ARE SUPER SOFT AND EVEN THOUGH ADJUSTABLE DONT SEEM TO CHANGE MUCH WHEN ADJUSTED. BIKE IS ALITTLE ON THE HEAVY SIDE BUT WITH A NEW FORK AND DIFFERENT WHEELS IT WOULD DROP ABOUT 2LBS BUT BEING A STRONG RIDER 2 LBS WOULD ONLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON A DAY TRIP. I LIKE THE WORK OUT I GET WITH A HEAVIER BIKE | | Similar Products Used: | CANNONDALE F5, SPECIALIZED HARDROCK, GIANT REINCON | | Bike Setup: | STOCK, WHEN FRONT FORK GOES A MARZOCCHI MONSTER WILL BE INSTALLED | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE IS BAD ASS FOR THE PRICE. GIANT FRAMES ARE SOLID AND CAN TAKE A BEATING. THE COMPONENTS ARE GOOD BUT NOT GREAT (YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR) AS LONG AS YOU KEEP EVERYTHING ADJUSTED AND MAINTAINED YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS GOING WHERE EVER YOUR LEGS CAN CARRY YOU.
I DO TEHNICAL AND FREE RIDE AND EVEN WITH THE LARGER FRAME I HAVENT HAD ANY PROBLEMS YET.
IF YOURE LOOKING FOR A BIKE IN THIS PRICE RANGE MAKE SURE TO TEST DRIVE A FEW BUT MAKE SURE THE YUKON IS ONE OF THEM.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Tuscaloosa, Al
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Blood Stone | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | Velocity Cycles | | Strengths: | The frame is light, the shimana alvio speed shifters are smooth as long as you use them properly, the gear set up is great for just about anything, low enough gear to flip the bike over on yourself while walking but high enough to level the steepest hills, kendra blue groove tires are narrow but will not let got of the dirt... wet, dry, covered with leaves... it doesnt matter. and the seat.. for a mountain seat this thing is plush and fast.. good choice giant | | Weaknesses: | gears are oval shaped to give a better power range at lower speeds.. this is problematic when starting out at the base of a hill or at high speeds (inconsistan pedal travel) but this is something that can be delt with by upgrading or learng how to use the bike. front shocks are a little soft for my taste but they load and jump great... just watch out for the bounce when you land. they can also give you some trouble on the technical side. (going over obsticales is questionable with such a soft shock) | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale f5, specialized hardrock, giant rincon, ibex trophy | | Bike Setup: | stock for now except kendra tires.
looking at a fox racing or velvet front for upgrade
in the near future | | Bottom Line: | there were alot of complaints about the 01-05 modles but it seemed as the bike got more reputable the company decided to take care of some problems. this is a bad ass bike for what it is.
the bike is light at 22lbs it has good components for the price range, it rides almost as well as my full suspension without all the give. it climbs like a kudzoo on a hill face.
i havent beat the hell out of my bike yet but i will...
and if my opinion changes ill let you know but for now... this bike gets a 4. its not the best bike out there but in this price range you either give up good components or a good frame and this bike seems to be a happy medium between the two... with the emphasis on the frame strength.
this is not a pro bike but it is great for begginer to semi-advanced riders doing all mountain or cross country.
ive been told the handle up 3 and 4 foot drops but i probably wont find out untill i replace my front fork
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from asheville
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Decent paint, comfortable ride position. | |
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$ 470.00
