2014 Giant Reign X 1

2014 Giant Reign X

In December I was surprised by my wife with a new bike an not just any bike but the one I had my eye on for several months, The Reign X.  I have been needing a new bike for a while (the Airborne Marauder I had didn't last long under real use) and had been riding everything we had at the shop.  I really liked the new 27.5" wheeled bikes that Giant has out like the Trance and Trance SX and I liked the Trance X 29er.  I rode the crap out of all of these trying to decide what to get but for the type of riding I enjoy it was narrowed down to the Trance SX 27.5 or the Reign X.  In the end I was more comfortable on the 26" wheels and the Reign was the bike I wanted.  The surprise was that my wife got it for me!

Giant's Reign X is the one of the last 26" wheeled bikes being offer by Giant.  The last 26" offerings are the Reign X, the Glory, and the STP.  The Anthem, Trance, XTC, and Talon are all going to 27.5 wheels, and I would not be surprised to see the Glory and Reign X go that way in the next couple of years.

The Reign X 1

Price-$3,825 msrp

FRAME
Sizes	S, M, L
Colors	Red/Black/White
Frame	ALUXX SL-grade aluminum, 6.7" Maestro suspension
Fork	RockShox Lyric RC, w/20mm thru-axle, OverDrive 2 steerer, 160mm travel
Shock	RockShox Monarch Plus

COMPONENTS
Handlebar	Giant Contact All Mountain, 31.8mm
Stem	Giant Connect SL, OverDrive 2
Seatpost	Giant Contact Switch-R, 30.9mm
Saddle	Giant Contact, Upright
Pedals	N/A

DRIVETRAIN
Shifters	SRAM X7, Trigger Shift
Front Derailleur	SRAM X7
Rear Derailleur	SRAM X9, Type 2
Brakes	Avid Elixir 7 Trail, hydraulic disc, [F] 200mm, [R] 180mm
Brake Levers	Avid Elixir 7 Trail
Cassette	SRAM PG1070 11x36, 10-speed
Chain	KMC X10
Crankset	SRAM S1000, 24/36 w/MRP 2x Guide
Bottom Bracket	SRAM GXP

WHEELS
Rims	Giant P-AM2, Double Wall
Hubs	[F] Giant Tracker, w/20mm axle, 32h [R] DT Swiss 350, w/12mm Maxle axle, 32h
Spokes	DT Competition, 14/15g
Tires	Schwalbe Hans Dampf Performance, 26x2.35, folding

My size large Reign X weighs in at 32lbs with Wellgo Magnesium platform pedals.  While this is definitely an improvement over my 42lbs Airborne Marauder it is still not the lightest bike out there.  The Reign X does not climb like a heavy bike but it also does not climb like an XC machine.  The Maestro suspension does a great job of controlling pedal bob, and with my upgraded Rockshox Monarch High air volume rear shock that has three compression settings it will get up anything I need it to.  When the trail heads down the Reign X is really in its element.  Rock gardens vanish under it and drops feel like your going off a curb.  The Reign X's slack head angle and 29" bars give the bike a very controlled feel while descending and inspires confidence.  

The Reign X comes with a Giant Contact Switch-R dropper post that has 4" of travel.  I personally would like one with 5" or 6" of drop so I could run the post all the way down and still get high enough to pedal, as it is I have about 3" of post exposed to get the saddle height I like for pedaling and in the dropped position it has not interfered with my descending so I am just nit picking.  I also would have liked to see the bike come set up for internal cable routing for the dropper post. 

The brakes that are spec'ed for this bike are Avids Elixir 7 Trail brakes, while I sure they are good brakes and have plenty of power I can't say anything about them because they were replaced with my Avid XO Trail brakes before I ever put a leg over the bike.  The XO Trails are the best feeling brakes I have ever used.  They provide the power that a four piston brake should and have great modulation, unfortunately they take a little more maintenance than Shimano brakes, but I would not trade the feel of these brakes for the difference in time it takes to bleed them.

Sram's 2x10 drive-train is a solid performer and the MRP 2x guide will keep your chain were it belongs in most situations, I was able to drop a chain during a downhill race but never on a trail ride.  

The bike comes with the Rockshox Monarch rear shock, mine had a problem when it arrived and Rockshox sent out an upgraded version that has a higher air volume and 3 setting compression switch.  This has worked great for me since I am 220lbs.  The front suspension duty is handled by the Rockshox Lyric.  The Lyric is and has been one of my favorite forks in the last few years.   It has both rebound and compression adjustments that allow you to dial it in where you like.  The fork will take anything you can throw at it.

All in all the Reign X is a solid All Mountain/ Enduro bike that will get you to the top relatively painlessly and let you really enjoy the trail on the way down.

Ryders Eyewear

Shore Goggles

About a year ago Ryders Eyewear provided me with two pairs of the Shore goggles for testing and review, unfortunately it took a while for me to get enough use out of them to give an honest opinion.  Most of my riding is done on local trails that do not require the use of a full face helmet or goggles, but this summer I was able to get several days of riding in at Mammoth Mountains bike park and at Snow Summits bike park along with some time on local downhill trails where I had ample opportunity to throw on the full face helmet.  My son who is 13 also tested a set of shore goggles to see if there was any difference with different size helmets.

 What Ryders Eyewear has to say about the Shore goggles can be seen at http://www.ryderseyewear.com/node/6655

I have used several other goggle brands prior to using the Ryder Shore goggles, I have used Oakley, Scott, Smith, and Dragon brands.  I liked all of these and thought that they were really good products but the ones I liked the best were the Oakley MX O-Frames.  These fit my helmet better than the others but they had a smaller field of view.  I always felt that I was riding with blinders on while wearing the Oakleys, but they did not pinch my nose or rub weirdly on my face.  They also stayed in place really well.

I did not think that the Shores would stand up to the Oakley O-Frames, until I put them on.  The Oakleys always sat a little high on my nose giving me the feeling of looking out the bottom of the lens.  The Shores have a higher nose bridge and they seemed to fit to my face perfectly.  This also made it easier to breath without the extra pressure on my nose.  The Ryders Shore goggles also have a wide field of view, I never felt that my peripheral vision was suffering any more than it would wearing my Bell full face helmet without goggles.  The Shore goggles are designed from the ground up for Mountain Biking and they are made to fit the mtb full face helmets.  These frames fit my m/l size Bell helmet like a glove and they also work perfectly on my sons small sized Bell helmet.

Most goggles I have used will fog up if the conditions are right.  Stopping in cool air with my heavy breathing the Shores fogged up, but as soon as I started to move again the Ryders vent design immediately clear the lenses.  I never had a problem with fogging up if I was moving and they never got bad enough that I had to take them off to clear them.  The vents also help to keep your face cool on hot days better than any other goggles I have used.

I had the chance of testing the durability of the Shore goggles at Snow Summit where I went over the bars at a good speed and slide down the side of the hill on my face.  My visor on my helmet broke and I was able to watch the dirt as it came over the front of my full face helmet and into my mouth, but the goggles kept it out of my eyes and they never slipped.  My eyes were the only place that dirt did not get!  The goggles also came away from the crash scratch free.

Ryders Eyewear has continually impressed me with the quality and design of their products and the Shore goggles are no exception.  They are light, durable, and comfortable.  They come in 4 different colors.   The lenses are compatible with tear away systems and they are affordable at $54.99.  I will continue to use these goggles, and if I ever need another pair the Shore goggles will be my first choice!

Jake with his Shore goggles at Mammoth Mountain

Jake rocking the Shore's in El Moro

Aliso, Ryan's first time down Rock-It, Jake's debut as a Photag, and the Trance X29er. Today was a good day!

In the words of Ice Cube "Today was a good day." When I got off work and came home everyone had finished their homework. I went to the shop and the bike I wanted to ride, the Giant Trance X 29er 1, was there. Riding clothes were on, riding shoes were found and ready, helmets were by the door, hydration packs were out, and we were headed to Aliso to introduce Ryan to Rock-It. Yes, today was a good day!

 We got to Canyon Vistas park with only minor traffic and when we arrived there was only one car on the street. Everyone strapped on their helmets and packs got on the bikes and we were off. At the bottom of the asphalt hill we hit the first snag of the ride, Ryan was going way to fast and lost control. I saw a trip to the emergency room and lots of missing skin in our immediate future, but Ryan was able to save it. We got to Cholla and started to climb, Ryan has never climbed Cholla. She has only been to Aliso twice before and that was all on Coyote run. This being her first "real Aliso trip" according to Jake, coupled with the fact that I am testing several new pieces of equipment, Jake decided that he wanted to test his skill behind the camera. So armed with my crappy cannon point and shoot digital camera Jake took off ahead to set up his shots. He took this very seriously. Here are some of his shots from Cholla.

Ryan headed up!

Still going up.

The Trance X 29er climbs great.

One of the photographer.

After reaching the top of Cholla we set off for Rock-It.  We stopped at the trailhead of Lynx for the kids to have some play time.

Ryan does a little roll in.

Jake showing good form!

At Rock-It Jake once again took off to set up his shots.   Ryan and I gave him a couple of minutes the we headed down.  Jake set up in a pretty good spot but he was not ready for how fast we were moving!

This was supposed to be me, but Jake was slow on the trigger. 

But he got a great shot of Ryan!

After this we regrouped and Jake re-positioned himself for the next round of shots.  He got to the rock garden and went a little ways down it.

A little blurry, but kind of a cool picture! 

Ryan got a surprise when she hit the rock garden!

I took the rock garden faster than usual and the Trance X 29er felt great.  Ryan did well for her first time. Jake tore it up!

What rocks?

Jake was testing the new Ryders Shore Goggles, They meet with his approval!

Ryan had one little crash a little farther down the trail, but she was ok and more mad that her brother took her picture on the ground than that she fell.

Besides this crash the rest of the ride was great.  I got another test run on the Trance X29er, I also got another test of the Ryders Caliber Polarphoto sunglasses,  Jake tested the Ryders Shore goggles, and we got to have fun on our bikes.  We also rode Coyote Run out and back, then Wood Canyon to the truck.  Thanks to Ryders Eyewear who are providing me with the glasses and goggles for testing.

And a few more pictures!

She refuses to let me take her Over The Hump # plate off!

Trance X 29er

Besides taking some good pictures Jake also rode great today!

Stay Tuned!!!!

In the next few weeks there is going to be some big things, at least to me, that at are coming up.  I will have several reviews of new products that will include the Fox Flux Helmet, several offerings from Ryders Eyewear, a one year review of the Shimano DX spd shoe, and at least one 2013 bike review for the Giant Trance X 29er, maybe one for the 2013 Giant XTR and some of Treks 2013 offerings if I have the time to put in some miles on them.  I am also going to try to put together a maintenance tip every month with one of the excellent mechanics I know.  In the next week I will be covering the 6th annual Ride Like a Kid mountain bike ride that is our local IMBA event aimed at getting more kids riding their bikes.  So, stay tuned!!!!

Ryan Rides Aliso

So, Ryan had her 8th birthday in January and she got a new bike.  She has been riding on a huffy princess bike, but now she has her Giant Areva mountain bike.  She has had it since her brithday but we have not had the time to get her out on the trails, that is until today!  Armed with her new bike, a months worth of practice in shifting and braking, and a brand new kid sized pink Camel bak we took to the trails in Aliso Woods park.  This was her first trip to Aliso, so we took it easy.  The original plan was to ride from Canyon Vistas to Coyote Run and ride it to Mathis then ride back on the fire road to Cholla, up Cholla and down Lynx then back to Canyon Vistas.  However the small steep portions of Coyote Run were giving Ryan a hard time so we rode it once through then went back to the start on the fire road and rode Coyote Run again and she had no problems on most of it but she still chickened out on the last hill so we rode Coyote run back and decided to skip Cholla and Lynx this time. 

Jake was slightly up set because he was all set to do some downhill with his new full face helmet and felt his sisters skills were holding him back from  proving that his new helmet would make him as fast as Aaron Gwin!  He may not have been any faster but I noticed that he was definetly more confident on features that he had been nervous on before.

Right now Aliso requires more skill than Ryan has, but not for long!!!

Hard Work Pays Off!!!

This morning I woke Jake up at 6:30 am and we headed to my fathers glass shop to strip aluminum and take it to the scrapyard, I do this every couple of months when I have free time to get a little extra cash.  Usually I will get some upgrade to my Marauder or a piece of equipment (helmet, shorts, gloves, pads, etc...) that I want and the rest of the money goes to bills.  Lately Jake has been riding with my old road helmet because he lost his good helmet.  Has also been riding more advanced trails in recent months.  He was told that if he helped he would get $20 and he agreed, but today he worked harder than I have ever seen him work so instead of giving him the $20 I took him to the Fullerton Bikes and got him a full face helmet.  He picked out a flat black Bell Sanction.  It is a sweet looking lid and makes me feel better when we take more gnarly trails, but most important (at least to him) is that he looks rad like Aaron Gwin (who also wears a Bell, but he did not mention dear old dad who wears a Bell Drop).

 Here is the info on the lid:

The Sanction is Bell’s all-new lightweight, recession-busting full-face helmet. Weighing in at 950 grams, the fully-ventilated, low-profile helmet was designed with the younger rider in mind. Its sizing skews smaller than both its predecessor (the Bellistic) and the more robust Bell Drop, and is squarely aimed at BMX, Super-D and all-mountain riding. The moto-inspired style lines and graphics are youthful and contemporary, adding to the Sanction’s aggressive attitude.

Hand lamination is still the best way for our helmet builders to orient the fiberglass weave to create a shell that is both strong and lightweight in full face helmets.

Bell Sanction Specs:

• HAND LAMINATED FIBERGLASS SHELL
• CAM-LOCK LEVERS
• CHANNELED VENTILATION
• FUSION IN-MOLD MICROSHELL
• IN-MOLD BOTTOM WRAP
• INTERNAL REINFORCEMENT
• REGISTERED GRAPHICS
• TWIN AXIS GEAR (TAG)
• VARIABLE POSITION VISOR (VPV)
• WEIGHT: 950 G / 33.5 OZ
• VENTS: 15


• CERTIFICATIONS: CE EN1078, CPSC BICYCLE

The shall be a review to follow when it's had some use!