Review by: Mike Swanson
Bike Build by: Clark’s Bicycle Center - Hickory, NC

First of all let me say this, I was not prepared for the ride that the new for 2008, Giant Reign 2 gave!  I was actually blown away by how this bike performs.  Is it a heavy-duty dh/freeride rig?  NO.  Well, then is it a lightweight (= poor performer?)?  NO!  Well then what type of bicycle would best describe what the new Reign 2 from Giant is, and what is it capable of doing in the dirt,woods and trails?

2008 Giant Reign Photos - Click Image to enlarge

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Well, I’ll kind of go down the list of how the bike comes out of the box-stock from Giant, and how we (Clark’s Bicycle Center) put the S.A. package on the Reign 2… From Giant, the medium frame Giant Reign 2 weighs an incredibly light 29.5 lbs.  The bike lost almost two pounds from last year’s model.  Where did the weight savings come from?  Giant slimmed down the downtube by nixxing the pierced downtube shock mount.  The bottom anchor bolt/pin is now mounted on top of the lower downtube.  The top shock anchor bolt is mounted in a conventional manner.  The top, unlike the bottom eyelet of the shock uses step-down washers and the teflon bearing/bushing.  The lower shock mount is anchored by a pin that goes through the downtube mount, and then passes directly through the lower eyelet of the shock…no teflon bushing!  That bottom shock mount bolt is not going anywhere!  The bike also features the RP2 high volume air chamber rear shock tuned for freeriding from FO X with a lockout no less!  The bike is also spec’d with a great drivetrain.  A SRAM X.7 long-cage rear derailleur, X.7 front and rear shifters, Deore front derailleur, Shimano chain, SRAM cassette, and Hayes new Stroker “Ride” front and rear disc brakes…7″ front, and 6″ rear.  To help keep the weight down, a wheelset featuring Formula disc hubs and WTB laser rims with Marwi spokes keep the kevlar Kenda Nevegal 2.35’s rolling with great grip.  RaceFace parts abound on the Reign 2….using Race Face oversize handlebars and stem, seatpost, and crankset and bottom bracket.  A Marzocchi XC 600 TST front suspension fork with quick release dropouts came on the bike.  WTB handles the saddle area quite nicely.  A lightweight freeride bike is not what I had in mind when I was building this bike!  A “lighter” freeride bike was what I had in mind for this Reign.  What I had previously been pedaling was a 46 to 48 lb. beast!  Now, let’s get to that story !

I had a special package that I was going to add to the Reign 2 from Giant.  Being in an “altered” state of mind and dense matter, I was going to build a great freeride kit!  The Reign 2 was going to become the Reign 2 S.A. or “Slightly Altered”.  What would this package include?  First thing to happen was to get rid of the 140mm of quick release XC-600 TST, and slap on a Marzocchi 55 TST-R front fork with 20mm thru-axle and Marzocchi’s new QR-20 axle system.  Moron, has written about this, and luckily, so far…no problems!  Next to go were the factory wheels, tires and tubes!  Gone were the lightweight XC tubes and small-for-the-bike rider (me) Nevegal 2.35’s.  I put on some custom-built wheels instead.  A set of Mavic EX 729 rims (double-eyeleted, and welded) with DT 14g spokes, XT disc hub in the rear, and Formula 20mm front disc brake hub on the front.  A proven combo to handle most shituations on the trail.  Kenda Blue Groove 2.5 ’s in Kevlar beads, and Michelin DH tubes were used to handle the rolling and rippin’ duties.  The Blue Grooves were chosen for their low rolling resistance and great non-compromising grip with dual-tread compound.  For disc brakes…the new Code 5 discs with 8″ rotors front and rear were chosen to handle the braking.  The proven Juicy 5 lever is used in conjunction with the Code calipers (four piston)…these brakes provide more contact area and better heat disipation for quicker cooling and no fade on those long dh sections.  ODI Rogue lock-on grips were used for that non-slip attachment to the bars.  The last modification was to increase the rear end travel of the Reign 2 S.A. to 171mm…to better match the 160mm travel in the front.  The stock numbers were 140mm front, and 150mm in the rear.  Ask any freerider, almost always….mo’ is better!  The rear shock alteration is an easy one, grab a 7.875 eye-to-eye and 2 .5″ stroke Fox RP23 rear shock…and it’s a direct swap, and presto!!!  6.75″ travel in the rear!   Eastern sealed bearing pedals were bolted on for foot grippage, and now for how it rides!

Where did I choose to test the “new” ride???  Well there had been plenty of ice and snow the week before, so I figured that Lettered Rock would provide a steep trial  burn-in spot for the Code 5’s and check out the bike’s improved and “slightly-altered” disposition. Brad Newby from east of Winston-Salem joined me for the ride in the N.C. mountains.  Had to take a pic of the Reign 2 S.A.  chillin’.  Looks good on ice doesn’t it?

The terrain on Lettered Rock is steep from the beginning…just right for burnin’ in the Code 5’s and checking out the set-up on the rear shock and 55 TST-R on the front.  The Reign was spec’d with a 90mm stem, even with a medium frame and my 5′11″ height the stem was too long.  It felt like I was over the front end, even on flat ground.  This left me feeling sketchy the whole descent.  I knew a stem swap was in the future for the Reign 2 S.A.  The bike felt great otherwise.  The longer stem also made the front end heavy when trying to lift or j-hop over things.  The brakes were a great decision, and a truly beneficial upgrade to this bike.  The added height and travel of the front fork made the downhill part of the ride very pleasant to say the least.  The 55 TST-R has the new TST cartridge, which Marzocchi backs with a 3-year warranty.  The shock also features a multi-position compression control that goes from supple to full lock-out with the flip of a lever.  It also has external rebound, air pre-load, and the aforementioned QR-20 axle system.  The match-up of the rear shock to front fork was a very dynamic and predictable one.  Whether descending or climbing…the combo is able to handle either with ease.  The rear end of the Reign features the “maestro” rear linkage, and it is spot-on.  Its ability to handle shelf drops, log hops, and rocky sections, square edge hits while ascending, and fast rolling sections will make you smile and grin from ear-to-ear while enjoying the ride…up or down!

The rear swing arm and front Marzocchi 55 had plenty of clearance for the large Kenda 2.5’s, enough to allow a little mud build up while riding in the crud.  The long cockpit allows for riders from 5′8″ to 6′ with a great fit with little modification.  A stem change and a saddle adjustment will handle it.  If you want to slam the  post all the way down to the seatclamp, you may have to go with a telescopic post.  I chose to leave the seatpost un-cut, and could only lower it to about a six inch height.  I may cut it later on, and I may not.  It’s not that big of a deal currently.  So, how much does all of the alterations cost the prospective customer of such a fine ride?  Clark’s is offering the Reign 2 S.A. for $2399.99*  While that’s not “chump” change it’s a lot of BANG for the buck, especially compared to what else is out there for the same price.  The only thing not included in that price* is the rear shock upgrade t o the Fox RP23…you’ll have to look on ebay for that one!

I’ve ridden the bike over the course four rides on various terrain with no hiccups thus far.  The stem was changed out to a 70mm, and I needed to tweak the rear shock pressure several times for varying terrain and trail conditions.  But that’s the amazing thing about this ride…you can do it EASILY!!!  I went from a predominently dh trail run to a 2.5 mile climb easily with little more than a pro-pedal adjustment and a lock-out of the front suspension.  Keeping the front end down was NOT a chore with the standard headtube angle of the Reign 2…even with adding the 55 TST-R.  The bike handles excellent on fast sweeping turns and berms.  If you bobble on the entry of a berm, no worries, the bike is predictable and is easily corrected.  Feels really great in the air as well.  Off four foot drops it sucks up the hit and you pedal with no episodes!  I’m going to keep the bike a triple set up for now…no reason for going to a chain guide yet.  The bike’s overall weight is 36.2 lbs.  With Kenda Small Block 2.35’s and clipless pedals(?) you can lower the weight to a more all-mountain friendly 34.2 lbs., for all-day pedalling.  I presently have the bike with the Small Blocks and platforms…it weighs out an even 35lbs.  Not a lightweight for a trail burner, but for an all-around trail/freeride machine it’s right on target for the hills….and dales!!!  So if you want a dependable “lighter” weight for shreddin’ on Wilson’s while not killing the wallet or using all of your energy pushing it up the hill only to be tired on the downhill…come by Clark’s and check out the Reign 2 S.A. and SMILE!

Clark’s Bicycle Center
220 South Center Street
Hickory, N.C. 28602
(828)-624-0159

• Post Rating: 2.7

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