Giant Bicycle Inc. 2001 Cypress DX

Price Paid:  $329.00 at Broadway Bikes Balti

Favorite Ride:
Colonial Parkway, Williamsburg, Va

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
I have thoroughly enjoyed the bike, and find the large wheels allow me to cover a tremendous amount of ground with very little effort. More than a couple of times, I've found myself travelling over 35 without realizing it. It is comfortable, and, despite feeling very substantial on the road, light and manoeuverable.

Strengths:
Comfortable, smooth, very fast

Weaknesses:
Occasional shift slips; occasional grinding in crank when climbing hard

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Fisher,Trek, Raleigh all road tested

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Bridgetown Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
won't tell where the offroad ones are

Bike Setup:
Basically stock except for a Cateye Tomo computer and Jannd mini-wedge saddle bag

Summary:
I'm writing this review about my girlfriend's bike because I love tooling around on it after some hard riding on my mtb. Her bike is actually a DS and not a DX. The bike shop said it was virtually the same thing except that DS stood for "dual-suspension." I love this bike so much. The full-suspension has made my oh-so sensitive g-friend willing to ride off curbs and not slow down for holes and other obstacles!!

The bike shop staff is excellent but the bike gets a 4 out of 5 for value because there is no place convenient for a bottle cage without spending big bucks on a hydration pack or a $40 dual bottle cage that bolts to your seatpost.

Strengths:
-good looking
-SRAM 5.0 drivetrain (easily upgradeable)
-cushy suspension and plush saddle w/ reflective fabric sewn onto it
-big tires with low rolling resistance
-no-slip pedals

Weaknesses:
-no good place for water bottles!!!

Similar Products Used:
-Schwinn Mirada, Schwinn Mesa Runner, and some others