Prudence911

I'm a newbie into XC mountain biking and I'm looking for a bike I can grow with. I want to use my bike in the woods, bike trails, local school parks (so I can jump on benches, tables, dumpsters, etc.) and the road to bike along road bikers. Basically an all-versatile bike.

I am 6'1 and 175 lbs.

I want to get a bike by Giant because I believe they give you the most bang for your buck. I have narrowed down to the 2006 Giant XTC and 2006 Giant Rainer. I know one cost $1000 and the other cost $700 so it is not fair to compare. Ignoring price for a second and thinking in terms of the "best bang for your buck" and "value", which bike am I better off with? (I don't have a lot to spend but I will spend $1000 if it is worth it. However, I prefer to keep the extra $300 in my wallet.)

XTC
https://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....06&model=11265

Rainier
https://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....06&model=11386

Thanks for reading and giving your suggestions in advance. I truly will appreciate any help out there.

blue_neon

Wow that XTC is so underspecced compared to the AUS version! (that retails for $2.5kAUD).

There has to be more of an XTC range that that in the US! What happened to the XTC's with Juicy 5's etc...:S....

wheelhot

From my opinion both bikes is not very bad at all, I like the Rainier cause it looks like a hardtail version of maestro trance/reign bike and it has a Avid BB5 and the only bad part is its using Deore, but if you dont mind then its ok, Giant Xtc on the other hand has only 80mm of fork travel which is a XC spec rather then Trials (100mm), It has a better RearDerailleur then Rainier, its disc ready, but the only problem is u will be using V-Brakes AKA Cantilever brakes. My verdict is XtC has better components but the Rainier is a better bike cause the difference between components is not very critical. I dont recommend Discs if you are planning to jump on tables or like that

scr1be

for xc and trails, it seems like the xtc will be better, but for "jumping benches, tables, and dumpsters," i think the rainier looks like a bike more suited for that.

personally, i like the freeridish look of the rainier more, but i like having both wheels leave the ground a lot. i also like more travel.