Mountain Biking - giant iguana good or bad... is it worth $450 on sale

I just got back from my LBS and they have a giant iguana (i believe 2004, blue in color) for sale... what are the pros and cons of this bike.. any input would be awsome... thanks

I personally think this would be a better bike. I'm just waiting for a "free s/h" coupon before I order mine...

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=26476&lsubcat_id=7&lcat_id=7604&referpage=

Good Luck !

even with alivio components...is there REALLY a difference between alivio and deore?

It's all according to how much you ride, Man.
I ride 3-4/per week for about 45 to 50 miles a week. If you don't ride like me, then you may be OK with the lower grade of components. Nothing against them, but they just wear out quicker than the upper grade's...

also i'm more of a HT kind of guy... i dunno if the FS is my thing... hey do you know anything about a 2004 raleigh talus...
http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=11&itemid=182&va=4
i can get one for under $700

There's a world of difference between Alivio and Deore, and usually a price difference too. Nothing wrong with the Iguana, I was seriously considering one before I got the Kona.

ok how do you add pics in here... (tell me please)
u know there are NO kona dealers near me... that sucks cuz they are cool... so are felts... any ways back to the bikes.. the raleigh is 2.2 lbs lighter and $200-250 more...i really like both of them cuz not too many people buy anything higher than the yukon here...and i dont think anyone has a Talus around here... what to do what to do....

ok i figured out the pics..lol

I think $450 is kinda of high for a 2004 model because I recently bought a 2005 model for that price.

I have been riding a Giant Iguana since June of 03, almost 2k trail only miles on it. Bought it for the 23in aluminum frame, I have upgraded and replaced, (only after the parts failed), front shock, cranks and front rings (03 had the hated bradded chainrings), chain, freewheel and rear wheel.( I had stressed the factory wheel beyond recoverey).
The frame has held up well to 3 season of Colorado mtn biking, I am happy with it

I am lazy, the above was a cut and paste from another Iguana inquiry post.

The blue is definitely an 04 model, as the 05 is grey. $450 seems a bit high

BTW, the $330 K2 would be suspect in my book.

I ride a 2005 giant Iguana also and like it a lot. Most components seem the same except for 100 mm
travel marzochi exr shock and truvatativ powerspline bottom bracket. It also has a square tubing in the frame. If you are a bigger rider you may bottom out the 80 mm shock and wish you had a different shock.
Ask your dealer to compare the bikes and the differences of two bikes. this would be a good question to ask in the " around 500 dollar mountain bike thread".

well i wouldnt say im a bigger rider 5'11" @ 177lbs ... ...or am I? ......hmmm good question

I think the 100 mm travel exr is better because it has more travel for bigger hits.the 2005 spring model has some nice upgrades over the the 2004. I am 6 foot and 200 lbs. and it works for fine for me. The new square frame is tough as nails. I would get the 2005 spring model.

BTW, the $330 K2 would be suspect in my book.

Agreed. I don't have any opinion on the Iguana, but you're not going to get a good full suspension bike for under $1k - let alone $330.00 like the K2.