ryancx

Hey people!

I'm looking for a new all-mountain bike. My previous bike was a jamis dakar sport, which held up well but turned out to be too weak for the stuff I hit. I'm doing some 4-5 foot drops, and i ended up cracking the frame of the dakar. Anyway, it's way too small for me and I need a new bike.

My local bike shops are having some pretty great deals on bikes, and I found two which I think fit the bill. The Cannondale Rize 4 and the Giant Reign 1. They have very similar components, with identical suspension and comperable shifters, hydrolic brakes etc. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these bikes, as I really cannot decide. They are both 08 models, very close in price, the cannondale is just $100 cheaper, but on this scale $100 isn't really a whole lot.

I was leaning towards the Rize. It just looks a little better with the blue and white paint job. But the suspension of the Giant just seemed a little more agile to me. Also, though it is not as importaint, the Giant just seemed like a light downhill bike, whereas the Cannondale seemed like a strong XC bike with some extra suspension. I'm thinking that the Giant might work better for me, but I really don't know.

Thanks in advance!

michaeldmanthey

I have had a lot of trouble with The having Lefty forks rebuilt by Cannondale. I would avoid the Lefty shock.

ed 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these are two different types of frames, right.

Rize - 130mm trail bike (kinda Stumpy FSR'ish)
Reign - 160mm Agressive AM bike (kinda SX Trail'ish)

ed 

Both bikes are using Fox 32 forks.

ryancx

well the reign is more of an am bike, or so it seems. it is pretty light though, and i know people riding it on normal trails. the cannondale is more of an XC bike, but it is sturdy enough to take some big hits (supposedly). Anyway, i don't really need a bulletproof bike. I only wiegh 130ish and i would imagine it would take a really hard landing to break either frame. But i am leaning towards the reign, it seems like a better fit for me.

ed 

130'ish...??? I haven't weighed that since like 5th grade.

At 130lbs, the Reign would be a Freerider Hucker for you.

Smallguy

I know a lot of guys on reign's and they love em

they race xc on them occasionally... and rip up all mountain ....even some light DH

kindda a perfect all around bike at your weight I'd say you should be fine

that being said if you've ridden one and truly prefer it buy what you prefer

I weight 210 now but was 220 and rode all mountain all summe... doing smaller drops and my trek fuel ex 9 (2007) with 130 up front and 120mm in the rear handled it all

I set my fork to 110mm most of the time

jerrryhazard

I acquired a used Reign 1 last summer, and pretty much beat the tar out of it until there was too much snow to ride. I don't know much about the Canondale - but the Reign has held up very well to my punishment and drops up to about 5 feet. I'd have taken it off higher drops, but I just didn't have the minerals at the time. I'm sure the frame could handle it though.

Its a tough frame, and not too heavy for almost 7 inches of travel. I'd say if you thrash more than you cruise, go for the Reign...





**forgot to add - the Reign climbs very well too **