On the fence

Shore Rydah · 04-15-2012, 07:52 AM

Well, I'm getting back into riding after a couple years off. Dusted off the old 07 giant faith and did some singletrack, a bit of dirt jumping/freeride.

Looking around at the lbs, it really seems no one rides this type of bike anymore. Its great for flying downhill and freeride. But if I want to hit a bit of xc trails its a struggle of course.

I'm mulling over the idea of picking up a used 2010 reign x2. Seems like a great all around'er. Just worried as its listed as an all mountain bike, will it be able to handle some decent freeride/shuttling?

I only weigh 150 and am pretty smooth. But want something I can take up to washington this summer as well.

I have looked at all the reviews and they are positive but alas, I'm on the fence.

C.Lee · 04-15-2012, 07:55 AM

it will handle light freeriding no problem. but keep in mind that lower linkage is prone to breaking.

Shore Rydah · 04-15-2012, 08:05 AM

huh...did you say something?

Oh, sorry your sig is kinda distracting. Really, hadn't seen anything about the lower linkage. There's no fix for that? Aside from replacing it after?

I think the worst thing the bike would go through is the odd 8' drop, maybe its not meant for that...

Was thinking of putting some single crowns back on the faith to make it a little more managable. But everything is a tapered steerer now.

C.Lee · 04-15-2012, 08:15 AM

From what i know, they have revised linkage to replace it.

Cheez1ts · 04-15-2012, 10:00 AM

Why not just keep your current bike and get a cheap hardtail for XC?

gotham · 04-15-2012, 02:46 PM

Why not just keep your bike for Mt. Washington, ad use the Reign everywhere else?

Carrot Top · 04-15-2012, 04:55 PM

Just because no one else rides it anymore, doesn't mean you shouldn't either. If your rides consist of many xc trails or climbing, then by all means go for an AM bike. But to me it sounds like you'd still be shuttling, park riding, and still ride DH/FR more than you would AM, so I'd stick with the Faith. Final option is to buy two bikes.

shonky · 04-16-2012, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shore Rydah

huh...did you say something?

Oh, sorry your sig is kinda distracting. Really, hadn't seen anything about the lower linkage. There's no fix for that? Aside from replacing it after?

I think the worst thing the bike would go through is the odd 8' drop, maybe its not meant for that...

Was thinking of putting some single crowns back on the faith to make it a little more managable. But everything is a tapered steerer now.

I would say the 2010 Reign X isn't really meant for that. The lower linkage is prone to breaking under less severe riding than that. The 2009 Reign X is stiffer and stronger but a little heavier. This is based on side by side comparison over a year or so of riding - I have a 2009, my buddy had a 2010 - he sold it because the link kept breaking; note that we both also have DH bikes so it's not like his bike was getting hammered at Whistler every weekend. Great bike, but not really suitable if you're thinking of doing much park/shuttle riding.

Zedbra · 04-16-2012, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheez1ts

Why not just keep your current bike and get a cheap hardtail for XC?

i agree. i have a cheap hardtail made up of parts i had lying around, or parts i could get for beer and man is it ever a blast to ride, knowing what little i have into it yet how many hours of singletrack it rewards.

Shore Rydah · 04-17-2012, 03:19 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll stick with my faith. Another bike wouldn't really be my cup of tea. I want more of an all arounder, but I decided I'd rather deal with the odd struggle peddling to have something that won't fall apart on me.

cazadaniel · 04-17-2012, 03:35 AM

You know the race they have down A line every year at crankworxs. The guy who won it last year was riding a Reign X1. I hear what the others are saying and A line is nice and buff. But unless you ride a Kona, riding is hard on any bike. The lower linkage though would concern me. I have a 2011 X2 and no problems yet. I ride it pretty hard to - don't always hit the tranny's, case some, rock and roots, etc.

craw · 04-17-2012, 05:10 AM

You could always, you know, consider other brands/models. There are a ton of amazing bikes like the Reign, just think of the Chilcotin/Enduro/Nomad/SXT/Truax. These newer bikes are lighter and more pedally than your Faith, but are probably better descenders too.

Cheez1ts · 04-17-2012, 05:46 AM

Some one has to say it. Nomad.

04-15-2012, 07:52 AM	#1
Shore Rydah Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Parksville, BC Posts: 1,194 Rep Power: 40339	On the fence Well, I'm getting back into riding after a couple years off. Dusted off the old 07 giant faith and did some singletrack, a bit of dirt jumping/freeride. Looking around at the lbs, it really seems no one rides this type of bike anymore. Its great for flying downhill and freeride. But if I want to hit a bit of xc trails its a struggle of course. I'm mulling over the idea of picking up a used 2010 reign x2. Seems like a great all around'er. Just worried as its listed as an all mountain bike, will it be able to handle some decent freeride/shuttling? I only weigh 150 and am pretty smooth. But want something I can take up to washington this summer as well. I have looked at all the reviews and they are positive but alas, I'm on the fence.

04-15-2012, 07:55 AM	#2
C.Lee Pepper Mint! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Burnaby/BC Posts: 5,400 Rep Power: 6135445	it will handle light freeriding no problem. but keep in mind that lower linkage is prone to breaking. __________________

04-15-2012, 08:15 AM	#4
C.Lee Pepper Mint! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Burnaby/BC Posts: 5,400 Rep Power: 6135445	From what i know, they have revised linkage to replace it. __________________

04-17-2012, 05:10 AM	#12
craw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,125 Rep Power: 2276592	You could always, you know, consider other brands/models. There are a ton of amazing bikes like the Reign, just think of the Chilcotin/Enduro/Nomad/SXT/Truax. These newer bikes are lighter and more pedally than your Faith, but are probably better descenders too. __________________

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04-15-2012, 08:05 AM	#3
Shore Rydah Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Parksville, BC Posts: 1,194 Rep Power: 40339	huh...did you say something? Oh, sorry your sig is kinda distracting. Really, hadn't seen anything about the lower linkage. There's no fix for that? Aside from replacing it after? I think the worst thing the bike would go through is the odd 8' drop, maybe its not meant for that... Was thinking of putting some single crowns back on the faith to make it a little more managable. But everything is a tapered steerer now.

04-15-2012, 10:00 AM	#5
Cheez1ts Needs More Mullet Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: At the Woodlot Posts: 1,589 Rep Power: 16833360	Why not just keep your current bike and get a cheap hardtail for XC?

04-15-2012, 04:55 PM	#7
Carrot Top Steep and Deep Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 1,398 Rep Power: 0	Just because no one else rides it anymore, doesn't mean you shouldn't either. If your rides consist of many xc trails or climbing, then by all means go for an AM bike. But to me it sounds like you'd still be shuttling, park riding, and still ride DH/FR more than you would AM, so I'd stick with the Faith. Final option is to buy two bikes.

04-17-2012, 03:19 AM	#10
Shore Rydah Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Parksville, BC Posts: 1,194 Rep Power: 40339	Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll stick with my faith. Another bike wouldn't really be my cup of tea. I want more of an all arounder, but I decided I'd rather deal with the odd struggle peddling to have something that won't fall apart on me.

04-17-2012, 03:35 AM	#11
cazadaniel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Port Moody Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	You know the race they have down A line every year at crankworxs. The guy who won it last year was riding a Reign X1. I hear what the others are saying and A line is nice and buff. But unless you ride a Kona, riding is hard on any bike. The lower linkage though would concern me. I have a 2011 X2 and no problems yet. I ride it pretty hard to - don't always hit the tranny's, case some, rock and roots, etc.

04-17-2012, 05:46 AM	#13
Cheez1ts Needs More Mullet Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: At the Woodlot Posts: 1,589 Rep Power: 16833360	Some one has to say it. Nomad.

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