New Bike - Giant Reign 3 2005

Obviously there is a massive debate over which is better, hardtail or full suspension? I prefer to think of them as different types of bikes for different purposes. After owning my Scott hardtail for three years I thought it was time to buy a full suspension bike and explore the differences in limitations and riding styles between these two different bikes. I decided I wanted something with a little more travel and a bit more removed from XC style riding because I thought what's the point in having two cross country bikes?

On Saturday I was casually looking through eBay at full suspension bikes as I had been doing so for the previous two weekends when I came across a Medium Giant Reign 3 from the good ol' year of 2005. After a look through the specification, images, seller rating and feedback, I decided this listing was legit and a fair price for me to pay for the bike. The bike's suspension travel, size and weight were exactly what I was looking for. Light enough to go uphill strong enough to go down them with great speed. This was an All Mountain bike!

After a bit of persuasion I managed to get my Dad to purchase the bike for the Buy It Now price. My Dad thought I should Make An Offer but I thought it would be to bigger deal to miss. Also I'm not tight like that. We arranged to pick up the next day. The bike was located around 70 miles from home and one of the roads we had to take was diverted. This made us late picking up the bike and I get the impression the seller wasn't best pleased but what can you do?

When we arrived I checked the bike over to make sure it was 'as described' which it was, cash changed hands, and then away I went with a nice new Giant Reign 3. I spent a good few hours cleaning it to perfection, moving the gear levers and brake levers so that they felt perfect for me, and drooling over the thing.

I took the bike out on the Red Hill route purely because it is a nice short local ride with some testing technical sections thrown in. When climbing the stepped path up towards the monument the bike performed brilliantly. I managed to climb a section in the wet on the Reign which I've never been able to do on my Scott. On the descents the bike seems to gobble up three or four foot drops without feeling a thing. The suspension is so smooth and supple I've never felt anything like it before. The bike amazed me. After going out on a longer 20ish mile route on Monday I realized that you do start to feel the excess weight of the bike as you start to pedal longer distances. I was really worn out by the end.

Anyway, here are some pics of it in its natural environment ;)

Spec:

Frame: Medium Giant Reign 3 2005 150mm Travel
Forks: Fox Vanilla 32R 140mm Medium Spring
Rear Shock: RockShox Ario RL High Volume
Bars: Easton EA30
Stem: Easton EA30
Headset: Cane Creek
Grips: Lizard Skin Peaty Lock-on
Bar Ends: Hope

Front Brake Lever assy: Hope Mono M4
Front Caliper: Hope Mono M4
Front disc: Hope Floating Black 203mm
Rear Brake Lever assy: Hope Mono M4
Rear Caliper: Hope Mono M4
Rear Disc: Hope Floating Black 203mm
Hoses: Hope Braided

Shifters: Shimano Deore 2 Way Release
Cables: Standard
Front Mech: Shimano SLX
Rear Mech: Shimano Deore LX Rapid Rise
Chain Device: N/A

Seat: Charge Spoon
Seat Post: Easton EA 50
Seat Post Clamp: Hope Q/R

Cranks: Shimano Deore Hollowtech II
Chainring(s): Shimano Deore
Chain: KMC X9
Cassette: Shimano HG61
Pedals: Wellgo
Bottom Bracket: Deore Hollowtech II

Rim: Alexrims DP20
Spokes: Black
Hub: Formula
Tube: Presta, unsure of brand
Tire: Michelin All Mountain 2.2
Dust Cap: KCNC Silver

Rim: Alexrims DP20
Spokes: Black
Hub: Formula
Tube: Presta, unsure of brand
Tire: Michelin All Mountain 2.2
Dust Cap: KCNC Silver

Extras: Custom Shock Guard

Weight: Light Enough