Outdoors

2007 Giant Reign Xo’ Review

>>2007 Specialized Stumpjumper Review

My first impression of the Giant Reign X0′ was WOW what an aggressive looking bike!

With monotone graphics, embossed emblem badge, and solid gold dipped frame, there is an ominoous appeal to the bike. With slick square tubing, perfect welds, and slack angles, the Reign is reminiscent of a downhill design. But when we saw its 33.6lb weight on the scale, I realized the Reign X0 was going do it all.

My first ride on the Reign X0 started with my favorite familiar trail, Tiger Mountain. Tiger is about 7 miles of the most rooty, rocky, mud filled terrain you can possibly imagine.. It was amazing how well this thing climbed. It was very efficient once you settled into the sag and we always felt right at home in the short-stemmed, low rise bar cockpit (a very freeride-esque setup). .

On the descent it felt like a downhill bike as it effortlessly glided over roots, trees, and rocks. It also has a very smooth pedaling motion and jumped equally as well as it cornered. The Bike also shined on more technical trials such as the Tolt Loop, and the Gold Bar Valley Run..It ripped the tight bermed corners, cruised through the washes, and was stable crossing logs and going over teeter-totters.

The Reign always felt natural and handled well. The Reign X0 proved to be the perfect bike for the epic Porcupine Rim trail in Moab. It drenched us in confidence through the burliest rock sections, and it handled every drop with seemingly bottomless suspension. It never felt squirrelly, and it tracked wherever it was pointed.

The Giant Reign X0 comes off the shelf with a top-notch parts kit (Fox 36 Float up front, Fox DHX 4.0 in the rear, Juicy 7′s, SRAM X-0 rear derailleur, X-9 shifters, Race Face Atlas Cranks w/ bashring, Race Face Evolve XC seatpost with amazing adjustability, WTB dual duty wheels, WTB saddle). We felt that for some, they might like the addition of a lightweight chainguide, like a Heim, just to keep things tightened up and quiet, but it never lost a chain once.

Pros

• Great components.
• Lightweight bike with plenty of travel.
• Natural feeling cockpit.
• Good performing suspension.

Cons

• Chain slap.

Description

• Weight: 33.6 lbs.
• Suspension: Fox 36 Float RC2 (160mm travel) Fork, Fox DHX 4.0 air rear shock (170mm wheel travel).
• Drivetrain: SRAM X-0 rear derailleur – X-9 shifters, Shimano XT front derailleur.
• Brakes: Avid Juicy 7, 7" rotors.
• Cranks: Race Face Altas with Bashring.
• Seatpost: Race Face Evolve seatpost.
• Wheels: WTB Dual Duty FR rims, WTB LaserDisc Lite 20mm front hub.

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2007 Specialized Stump Jumper Review

>>2007 Giant Reign Xo’ Review

I tested the 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper on some awesome rides in Washington, including the notorius Tiger Mountain Trail.

The conditions ran from mud, roots and rocks, and a little bit of snow.T he test bike was a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert. Let me say that this bike rocked! I have ridden Hard tail Specialized Stumpjumpers for years, and when compared with several other test bikes at the same, nobody ever complained about having to ride the Stumpjumper.

The Specialized Stumpjumper has been around for many years in many incarnations. No doubt, several of them have been our favorites list over the years. This version, for the ’07 model year, is in our opinion, the best yet.

Riding the Specialized Stumpjumper is a pleasure. With great natural feeling geometry and a healthy amount of squish (120mm rear, 130mm front) the bike is just plain fun. The Specialized Stumpjumper feels great in corners and can launch airs with little effort.

The bike inspires confidence in rough sections and is tough enough for some hard hits. We have been using the Fox Talus RL fork for years now. Great performance and great durability. For those concerned with efficiency, the three position Fox Triad rear shock worked well in the ProPedal position creating an effective platform.

Downhills were quite nice in the open position. Component spec on the Specialized Stumpjumper Expert is both lightweight and durable. Although we like to see SRAM rear derailleurs on FSR designs to reduce knock, It’s hard to complain about XTR.

Pros

• Good comfortable geometry
• FSR (Horst Link) rear suspension
• Lightweight with good amount of travel
• Good reliable fork
• Nice component spec

Cons

• Limited seat post height adjustment
• Derailleur Knock

Description

• Trailbike Travel: 120mm rear, 130mm front
• Custom valved three position Fox Triad rear shock with optional ProPedal setting
• Fox Talus RL Fork with adjustable travel, rebound, and lockout
• High performance FSR (Horst Link) rear suspension
• Avid Juicy Seven disc brakes
• Shimano LX/XTR drivetrain
• Mavic 317 rims, mixed Specialized Stout/Shimano hubs
• Secialized Resolution Dual Compound tires

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