Hybrid Bicycles - Giant Cypress ST

Hi all! Just paid for (will pick up in the morning) my first bike in over 5 years. I'm pumped and a little anxious. :D

It seems like the Cypress ST (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/7354/44066/) has some decent comments in here. My reasons for buying it:

1) Right price ($240)
2) Thinner tires than a mountain bike
3) No front or rear shock (I don't like these--I want to feel the road)
4) I guess Giant is supposed to be good.

I'll post a picture tomorrow, but it's pretty much stock; I tested a medium and a large, and went w/ a large frame. Anyone on here have any experience/thoughts/comments on this bike and what to watch out for/consider upgrading over time? I'm planning to commute on good roads about 10 miles a day (5 each way), and then on weekends just ride until I'm tired.

Also, has anyone tried adjusting the bike so that they have a more "aggressive" posture. I'd like to lean forward just a bit more--I know I can't do much, but I was wondering how to go about doing that.

i have an older version of this bike--commute to work on it (20 miles r/t)..This bike is fine the way it is and I wouldn't upgrade anything. It's a little heavy but it works and it's comfy. I think it's a perfect bike for commuting/exercise/fitness and as a back-up should you decide to get a road bike eventually.

As for the aggressive posture--i'm not sure you can do too much. If the goal is to go faster, I would just change tires to a 32..(28's are probably better but i don't think you can fit those; don't know.)

Instead of making changes to this one--I would just save for a road bike--if speed and aggressiveness is the goal.

That is an all steel bike which provides very good road manners. You could get a quill to threadless stem conversion and acheive your desired position. You could then get a different handlebar and trigger shifters. I'd look at eventually replacing the rear derailleur with at least an Alivo as that Tourney will give out sooner or later (could be sooner). A good aluminum or carbon seatpost would be good as well. Good Luck!

Hi all! Just paid for (will pick up in the morning) my first bike in over 5 years. I'm pumped and a little anxious. :D

It seems like the Cypress ST (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/7354/44066/) has some decent comments in here. My reasons for buying it:

1) Right price ($240)
2) Thinner tires than a mountain bike
3) No front or rear shock (I don't like these--I want to feel the road)
4) I guess Giant is supposed to be good.

I'll post a picture tomorrow, but it's pretty much stock; I tested a medium and a large, and went w/ a large frame. Anyone on here have any experience/thoughts/comments on this bike and what to watch out for/consider upgrading over time? I'm planning to commute on good roads about 10 miles a day (5 each way), and then on weekends just ride until I'm tired.

Also, has anyone tried adjusting the bike so that they have a more "aggressive" posture. I'd like to lean forward just a bit more--I know I can't do much, but I was wondering how to go about doing that.

I have a Cypress that I use for running errands to the grocery store, coffee shop etc. I swapped out the stock handlebars for some old MTB flatbars I had laying around. With the addition of barends the riding position is a bit more agressive now and still very comfortable. I also ditched the humongous seat and the suspension seatpost. The bike is surpisingly fast. I would not change any other components until the originals wear out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/6talldog/IMG_2166.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/6talldog/IMG_2168.jpg

I have a Cypress that I use for running errands to the grocery store, coffee shop etc. I swapped out the stock handlebars for some old MTB flatbars I had laying around. With the addition of barends the riding position is a bit more agressive now and still very comfortable. I also ditched the humongous seat and the suspension seatpost. The bike is surpisingly fast. I would not change any other components until the originals wear out.


That is an all steel bike which provides very good road manners. You could get a quill to threadless stem conversion and acheive your desired position. You could then get a different handlebar and trigger shifters. I'd look at eventually replacing the rear derailleur with at least an Alivo as that Tourney will give out sooner or later (could be sooner). A good aluminum or carbon seatpost would be good as well. Good Luck!

Thanks for the info and ideas folks! I just picked it up, gave it another ride and I'm loving it.

@Talldog: You're not kidding, it is surprisingly quick.

I haven't been to an LBS for years, so I tried to take some time figuring things out yesterday when I went to test and purchase this bike, but the employee there seemed fairly hurried and uninterested in my questions. (I asked her about the seat & handlebars as well, and she said, "Don't worry about it. It's fine as it is.") Left me feeling pretty poorly. :(

But the guy there today (one of the techs) spent some time showing me the various options and apparently, they will swap these out within the first thirty days for no labor cost, and the parts won't cost anything either as long as they are equivalent parts cost-wise. He even said they'd take some time to work out the geometry with me on the various options and help me find a setup that sat me the way I wanted to sit. I'm much happier with my purchase now! :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/6talldog/IMG_2166.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/6talldog/IMG_2168.jpg

Also, that is a sweet looking setup. What seat are you using?

Also, that is a sweet looking setup. What seat are you using?


The seat is a Specialized BG2 Sport. I believe it has been discontinued but is still available if you search the net. I always liked this saddle but I think Specialized replaced it with the Milano Sport model which looks quite similar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/6talldog/BG2.jpg

That's good, take him up on the offer. I think a new seat, seat post and stem are all that you would need to adjust the posture to your liking. You will like the bike more after you get it setup the way you want it.

I had a Giant Sedona ST that my wife got me for my 63rd birthday and got me addicted to this cycling thing. It was a great bike but just a little heavy for the type of riding I wanted to do. I bought the Cypress and have not done much with it except change the saddle and pedals. I have Shimano M520 clipless pedals on it now, the same as what I have on my road bike. Although the bike is a year old, I have never been too happy with the stem and handlebar and I keep saying that I am going to change it for a straight bar, but never get around to it. It is a really great bike for the money and I have put almost 2,500 since I bought it last July.

207883

You could get a quill to threadless stem conversion and acheive your desired position. You could then get a different handlebar and trigger shifters...

Would this be a better route than using an adjustable quill and straightbars? I guess a difference w/ the Cypress ST is that it doesn't have an adjustable quill stem, so maybe that would allow me to drop the front end a bit like I'm thinking...

Would this be a better route than using an adjustable quill and straightbars? I guess a difference w/ the Cypress ST is that it doesn't have an adjustable quill stem, so maybe that would allow me to drop the front end a bit like I'm thinking...

That would work. Or you could get a non adjustable with less rise. On this class of bike I would personally go with an adjustable quill stem. Just check whether you need a 25.4mm stem or the the 22.2mm version. If you finally settle on a desired position you could always get a fixed stem later but it is not really necessary unless you are anal about adjustable stems..

That would work. Or you could get a non adjustable with less rise. On this class of bike I would personally go with an adjustable quill stem. Just check whether you need a 25.4mm stem or the the 22.2mm version. If you finally settle on a desired position you could always get a fixed stem later but it is not really necessary unless you are anal about adjustable stems..

Cool--I don't care to have a fixed stem, and the shop said they could work w/ me to swap some things out in the first 30 days as I got used to the bike. I think an adjustable quill sounds nice so I can sort out where I want to be.