Christoff

I've been saving to get a hard tail and was set on one, but I'm not complaining. I'll still get one eventually...

It was my sisters and her friend had it for a while but we finally got it back. She lives in Kauai so it's mine for now. Let me know what you guys think. I'm a rodie trying to get into MB'n.

I ride a 58 cm on a road bike but on this one the frame is 18.5?

My sister is sort of short. Should I go get sized up for it? Can I still ride it fine? Is this a pretty nice bike? (It sure looks like it!) and what exactly is it made for? I know the trails around here that I wanted to ride are nothing to strenuous. Will I look like a fool if I putz around with a full suspension? (Not to mention my roadie jersey and helmet)








Also, let me know everything I should know. Do's and don'ts...

I'm 5'11 165 by the way.

FF 6800

THAT my friend, is a nice bike. i dont think you will look idiotic riding around with a roadie helmet and jersey because i do it (i just recently got into road biking). i have never ridden on a bike like that, but i wouldnt do anything too crazy though. i would also change out the seat, i dont really like womens seat because they are short and wide, not very comfortable for me.
good luck

Jason222

Looks nice! The size doesn't matter as much in mountain biking as it does in Road biking. There are several types of Mountain biking, and there is a different way of sizing for each.

wheelhot

Im not sure the difference between roadie helmet or off road helmet but I suggest you to try your helmet from easy terrain to hard terrain cause trying a helmet which is not designed for off road and use it on a hard or bumpy terrain could be risky and i recommend you to buy your own saddle so you can just switch it when you want to use it. ^^

jsigone

The bike is a good all around bike, the new Reigh is it's current replacement. So it's in the class of "Trail Bikes". Not complete XC racer and not complete freeride. Don't worry it's a GOOD bike and excellent rear shock. Read up on the Swinger 4 Way shock so you know how to adjust it.

I just built the same bike a few months ago. I also ride a 58cm roadie and my VT2 is a 22.5" (xl) frame. it's big, plush and fast. I have a 45mm long DH stem and the seat is pushed up a bit more then normal, but it fits my body like a glove. Climbs very very well and is a bomber on the Dh sections.

The 18.5" frame is the Med, from what I see, alot of people like smaller frames, but I didn't. You can't lower the seat all the way down with the smaller frame w/o hitting the rear shock. So set the seat post to your pedeling height and trim the seat post to it's min and that will help buy some more space to drop the seat. Theres a small hole on the frame where the post goes to mark the min. I'd cut it a lil below that hole.

In order to make it fit you better, throw a 90-110mm flat stem on it with some 1.5" or 2" riser bars. The riser bars will give you knees some more clearance when you get off the saddle. You might also need a offset seatpost. I have a Ritchey post from performance that has a 1" offset. It was only $27 compaired to the Thomson's $75 post w/o offset.

You can change the rear pivot bolt location to change the rear travel from 5" to 5.7". The bike will climb better in the 5" mode and be more plush in the 5.7" mode. In the 5.7" mode, you lose about 1* over head tube angle so it will fell like you leaning back a lil mor on the climbs. I just leave it in 5" mode cuz it's plenty enough to do the job.

troie

Youre joking right?

Tequila Joe

The size of the bike is in the ball park for someone your height. I'm 5'11" and ride a 56 cm road frame and a 19" MTB

I'm with Jason222 on the importance sizing of MTB vs. Road bikes. On my road bike, I'm pretty much in one position for hours non stop. On a mountain bike, although a right sized bike is important, my position changes every minute as I loft the bike over things, climbs, descents, body english around trees.... In short, there is a lot more body movement in MTB that reduces its importance. I immediatly notice changes of a few mm on my road bike and it could mean the difference of comfortable vs. painful ride. I don't notice few mm changes in setup on my MTB too much.

BTW: Giant VT's are awsome bikes. Have fun with it.

T.J.

DiRt DeViL

I think is a bit small for you or you use a big road bike. I'm 5'8" and have a 16.5" Giant VT2, 18" Kona Unit and a 54cm Orbea Volata.

I also agree that the proper sizing is more important on the roadie but a bike too small isn't ideal, too small and you'll be cramped. On the other side the VT runs a bit on the bigger side of sizing and it has a higher stand over clearance than most bikes around and that why I went with the small.

Play with several stem, handlebar and seat post combinations until you get it right. In my case I'm using a 90mm stem, 1.5" riser bar and a setback post.

The VT is a sofa, there are not many bikes around with that much travel that can climb as well and are as comfortable as the VT; it's a shame that Giant took such a nice bike out.

LowCel 

The helmet will be fine. Road helmets and mountain bike helmets are pretty much the exact same. Typically road helmets just don't have visors, which is a good thing. I take mine off as soon as I get a helmet anyway.

wheelhot

So lets see, VT is a good bike?, is it lighter then Reign??

DiRt DeViL

I don't know the weight of a Reign frame but a nicely built VT should be under 30 pounds.

Is it good? They are great!!!

jsigone

I've read that the Riegn is about 5-6lbs heavier then the Trance. Which is in teh low 30's and very high 20's. So given that info the Riegh is around 35lbs? Any Reign owners know the weight? My VT2 22.5" (XL) frame w/ cheaper rims and 2.35 tires wieghs in at 31lbs. Im sure I can get it under 30lbs with some better rims and XC type rubbers.

wheelhot

Huh? im confused, i dont understand what you mean, what is teh? low 30's? very high 20's? <---what it means?

jsigone

Most trances are like 33lbs to 28 lbs? pending on whats one it. So the reign is 5-6lbs more so anywhere from 33-38lbs pending on whats on its.

DiRt DeViL

He's saying that should be over 25 but under 35.

If not mistaken my VT is 29 pounds.

wheelhot

oh ok thanks