Giant Cypress ST

bclinsure

New Member
I have been looking for an inexpensive road bike and my trails lead me to the Giant Cypress ST. I'm only going to be using it a few times a year for long road / paved trail trips. I will probably ride it 50 miles each time I use it, which is why I'm not going to use my mt. bike.
Does anyone have any stories to tell, either good or bad, about this bike? It seems like a good deal at $289.

Thanks.
 

THATmanMANNY

Well-Known Member
50 miles is a long way. Especially on that upright bike. It might be fine for flat ground all the way like the beach area but if you gonna have some hill and climbs, i dunno. It's definately not gonna have a sport feel or ride. IMO, your mtb with slicks will probably be better than that. I don't know what mtb your ride tho.
 

bclinsure

New Member
Slicks

Is it easy to just change tires / wheels on the mountain bike? It would be cheaper to do it that way anyway but I'm not the most handy person.
 

BiknBen

Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any stories to tell, either good or bad, about this bike? It seems like a good deal at $289.

I found a review here:
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/hybrid-bike/giant-bicycle-inc/PRD_291054_5672crx.aspx

Quote, "Very comfortable, smooth and slooooow. Great bike for someone who wants to ride about 10mph or less through a park looking at the trees. Very heavy although seat and seatpost shock were very comfy. I traded mine in on a Trek 7300FX in five days. I wanted more speed."

I think that is a fair description of what you should expect. This is a Hybrid bike, not a road bike. The wheels are bigger and the tires are narrower than a Mtn Bike. You will see only marginal benefits over a MTB with slick tires.

Changing the tires of your MTB is similar to changing a flat tire.
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=100
 

tonyride

Don't piss off the red guy
Is it easy to just change tires / wheels on the mountain bike? It would be cheaper to do it that way anyway but I'm not the most handy person.

That is exactly what I did. I took one of my mountain bikes and put road tires on it. Now I only use that for when I go to the shore for a week or when I do the NY 5 Boro bike tour which is around 43 miles. I have 3 other mountain bikes I use on the trails.
 

NJ-XC-Justin

KY-DH-Freddy
50 miles on that bike would be painful. It's a comfort bike with a suspension fork. I'd sooner check craigslist for a used road bike for around $3-400 and spend $100 at a local shop having them tweak it.
 

bclinsure

New Member
50 miles on that bike would be painful. It's a comfort bike with a suspension fork. I'd sooner check craigslist for a used road bike for around $3-400 and spend $100 at a local shop having them tweak it.

You mean to tell me that my mountain bike with full suspension but different tires would do better then the Giant Cyrpess ST (no suspension at all but does have a comfort seat)?

So, what is a recommendation for somebody who only will ride on the road / paved trail a few times a year (for any real distance / 50 miles or more - I ride for a few miles on my mountain bike)? I know that I don't want a 'road bike' per say.

Thanks.
 

Space Heater

Shop Owner / Employee
Shop Keep
So, what is a recommendation for somebody who only will ride on the road / paved trail a few times a year (for any real distance / 50 miles or more - I ride for a few miles on my mountain bike)? I know that I don't want a 'road bike' per say.

Thanks.

Get a cyclocross bike! You will not be disappointed. Rides in the rain, snow, road or off-road.
 

NJ-XC-Justin

KY-DH-Freddy
You mean to tell me that my mountain bike with full suspension but different tires would do better then the Giant Cyrpess ST (no suspension at all but does have a comfort seat)?

Honestly the model bike and its geometry matter most. you could have a full-suspension 4-inch bike and if the fork and shock lock out, yes i'd rather ride that on the road than the Cypress. The cypress is GREAT for toodling around town at a leisurely pace. If that's what you want to, nab it. But you said 50 miles of riding which implies performance riding. And for that I can't imagine doing it on the cypress.

So, what is a recommendation for somebody who only will ride on the road / paved trail a few times a year (for any real distance / 50 miles or more - I ride for a few miles on my mountain bike)? I know that I don't want a 'road bike' per say.

Again start checking craiglist regularly. 9bookmark you local region and check twice a day) I think you could find a decent used road or cross bike for three or four hundred and take it to a shop for a good tuneup and maybe new tires and chain.

a cross bike is similar to a road bike (skinny tires, skinny tubing, drop handlebars etc) but made for light trails. most guys race their cross bikes but they're ideal commutes since they're relatively quick on the roads but have slightly knobby tires for rougher pavement and light trails.

or just get your budget up to $500 and get something like this:http://www.fujibikes.com/Road/Sport/Newest40.aspx
 

bclinsure

New Member
I gave up on the Giant Cypress as the seating position was just too uncomfortable.
I'm now looking at the Trek 7.1 which is set up like a mountain bike but has the thinner tires. Is this more like what you were talking about?

Thanks for you help.
 

jdog

Shop: Halter's Cycles
Shop Keep
I would strongly recommend a Cannondale quick:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-9QR4.html

or a Giant Fcr:

http://www.bikeequipmentonline.com/...579F416419221B0FA9B9B8CEE65CD73.app3-delorean


or a Haro Roscoe:

http://www.harobikes.com/mtb/tab2_subNav6.php


All of these bikes will be a better choice than a Hybrid or comfort bike. You will sit in a posture very much like you might on a Mt bike.

None of them are in fact as good on the road as a true road bike but they will be much better than a mtb,

j-
 

bclinsure

New Member
I would strongly recommend a Cannondale quick:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-9QR4.html

or a Giant Fcr:

http://www.bikeequipmentonline.com/...579F416419221B0FA9B9B8CEE65CD73.app3-delorean


or a Haro Roscoe:

http://www.harobikes.com/mtb/tab2_subNav6.php


All of these bikes will be a better choice than a Hybrid or comfort bike. You will sit in a posture very much like you might on a Mt bike.

None of them are in fact as good on the road as a true road bike but they will be much better than a mtb,

j-

Any idea what the cost's of these bikes are? I'm only looking to spend in the $400 - $600 range. I only will be 'road biking' a few times a year so I don't want to spend too much.

Thanks for the help.
 

jdog

Shop: Halter's Cycles
Shop Keep
The Haro is out but the C-dales go:

Quick 6 = $419.99
Quick 5 = $$479.99
Quick 4 = $599.99 The 4 has a carbon fork which makes it well worth the extra $


Giant Fcr:

3 $550.00
2 $850.00 Gains you a carbon fork and better parts
 

bclinsure

New Member
The Haro is out but the C-dales go:

Quick 6 = $419.99
Quick 5 = $$479.99
Quick 4 = $599.99 The 4 has a carbon fork which makes it well worth the extra $


Giant Fcr:

3 $550.00
2 $850.00 Gains you a carbon fork and better parts

Thank you so much for your help. I will keep the Cannondale in mine along with the Trek 7.1 fx.
 
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