Giant Bicycle Inc. 2002 Cypress

Price Paid:  $320.00 at wheaton cycles

Favorite Ride:
rock creek park

Bike Setup:
cypress 21 in frame

Summary:
giant cypress 2006 hybrid bike 21in frame

Strengths:
fast and smooth ride, gear shifts good too

Weaknesses:
bike breaks after so many miles (150) a week, on month 5 and had to replace back rim 3 times.....also hybrids are bad bikes, went to a mountain bike....was impressed at first but now very dissapointed due to durability

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Bicycle Superstore

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
standard.

Summary:
First bike. Initially purchased to commute to work. it does that. It had been a long time since riding a bike (12 years!), so i had to learn it all over again.

Started riding on bike paths, then the road. I think for the road, i find it needs higher gears. Bike paths are fine.

Suspension post is ok, but doesn't leave much room to attach bike lock holder AND rear light.

Tires are good. 2500km's and no punctures yet.

Large wheels make it ideal for bike paths.

I've taken it camping, and on some easy mountain bike trails. On the downhills it was difficult to ride, and i got whipped by mates with real mountain bikes, even though i whipped them on the road going uphill.

I'd advise going for front suspension. Makes it easier on the wrists.

Since this bike, i bought a real mountain bike for weekends, but i still use the hybrid to commute, or ride on bike paths. And now i'm looking at a road bike. Even though i'm selling this one now, it's been a great 'first bike', it's just that i've outgrown it, and take cycling a lot more serious. It held it's own in 2 triathlons.

Strengths:
Giant's big reputation. Comfortable riding position. Easy to go fast.

Weaknesses:
Gripshifts. took a while to get used too. Anything rougher than bike paths, i tend to shift gears accidently. Gripshift broke after 6 months, but was replaced under warrenty.

Squeaky bottom bracket that took mechanic 2 goes to fix.

Similar Products Used:
Mongoose Sorrento.

Price Paid:  $375.00 at Ata cycle

Favorite Ride:
boston

Bike Setup:
trip computer, bottle cage, rear rack w/ocasional panniers, under seat bag, mini pump on cage.

Summary:
Wonderful bike! i have the LX model and it came with oil/coil front suspension. the bike shop is really great and was very helpful in selecting this bike. also came with a suspension seat post which makes the potholes in boston mere blips. got 100$ off with a trade in which i highly recommend when upgrading from an old bike.

Strengths:
really comfy and perfect for city commuting

Weaknesses:
hard to put a rear rack on, had to put mine on my seats quick release and it's a pain.

Similar Products Used:
i had a trek 720 before this. this bike is much beter!

Price Paid:  $269.00 at Wares Cycles

Summary:
The Cypress has impressed me so far. It seems pretty quick, it's frame doesn't seem that heavy. It changes gears very smoothly, and the colors red, with a black streak on my particular model, makes the bike look very stylish...I'm very happy with the bike overall, it was a great selection!

Strengths:
It's smooth ride and shifting

Weaknesses:
Even though it has a gel seat, I found the seat to be uncomfortable while riding medium to long distances...