Randallace

Hi - picked up a basket case giant iguana at a thrift store ,( sub 80 price range ) after 3 hours in my rack it's ready to ride , but I have some questions on this model - from my research I think it's a 2003 , but if so it should have rock shox , not the gilla it's wearing now . Also is the front dérailleur stock ? Everything else is deore , but front isn't - its an alivio shimano - i know they had a "mountain group" , it that why ? ..... Giant experts chime in please .... Is there a catalog online from that year ? I always gather info before adding one to my stable , which might happen here , it's a nice bike

cobba

* Components can be changed on bikes.

Specs: https://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...t&model=Iguana

https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/Searc...83&model=41037

Randallace

Randallace

Randallace

* rear tire just exploded on the initial test ride **

looks like tire and tube shopping is next on todays list

the gila shocks did well off road, till the rear tire incident

where does this bike rate in off road capabilities ?

Randallace

The sound of the silence is deafening

MisterK

There's not much to be said. Decent mild trail bike. Perfect for learning to wrench. It's got disc tabs so you can do whatever you want really until you decide you're ready for fs.
Ride it, upgrade as it breaks and it will. Or you can sell it and find something that suits you better.
So there you have it. It's not the best bike but it's not a bad bike. It's got some age, but fully rideable and fairly upgradable of you choose to do so.

Randallace

I have a set of manitu axel 100 mm travel front shocks - would those be better than the gila ?

ColinL

Post a pic or at least specifications of the Manitou fork. '100mm' is pretty unspecific so it could be a big upgrade, or the same, or possibly even not compatible with this bike.

Randallace

Randallace

FrozenK

If the steerer tube is long enough it will work for that frame, and it is likely better than the RST (I don't know a thing about the RST but it looks to be a low end, no damping fork) The only problem I see is that the Manitou has had the brake studs removed. You will need to reinstall those, if you have them. If you don't have them you will need to source new ones or use a disc brake on the front. To use a disc brake you will need a new wheel, the hub in yours won't take a rotor.

Randallace

wheel i have - parted a mongoose pro rockadile sx that had one on it , also had mozo shocks but they were threaded headset

ColinL

Please stop calling a suspension fork a shock, you're killing me.

A shock is on the back of a bicycle, if it's full suspension. A suspension fork has a damper cartridge like a shock, but the other leg of the fork has the spring. It's not a shock.

Randallace

ok - i can see im not going to get any answers here - will ask somewhere else , thanks

roccobike

Yes, the AXEL fork is better than the RST, much better. The AXEL is a spring fork and has hydraulic dampening. The RST is a spring/elastomer fork. At the age of your bike, I'd be amazed if the elastomers still work. On the other hand, if the AXEL has been cared for, it should work almost as good as when new. I had two Axel forks, they're very reliable. The AXEL is a 100mm fork, not sure if the RST is 80 or 100. My point is, it might raise the front of the bike just a tad. By 2003, most frames were being designed for 100mm so the change should still be OK. As was said, check the length of the steer tube before making any swap to be sure it is long enough. If you go forward with it, I'd re-use the race that's on the RST shock.
As for the quality level of the Iguana, it's a entry level bike. Yours looks to be in remarkable condition. Hey, it's still trail worthy. I'd ride the crap out of it. Your whole situation reminds me of when I got started in MTBs riding an ancient Nishiki rigid fork. Once you get into it, you'll want to upgrade to a newer bike.
Oh, one more thing, it's not uncommon to find a lower level front derailer on a bike, in fact, it's quite common. Manufacturers are always looking for ways to hit a price point and the front DR is just not as important as the rear. Many new bikes have no front derailer only a single chainwheel.
Hope this helps.

roccobike

Be very careful about using a wheel from a Mongoose. I've worked on some of their bikes and the wheels were poorly made. They had some sort of cost/cutting hub on one of their bikes where the bearings were exposed when the rubber cover was removed, absolutely horrible for a mountain bike. Also, the disc brake used a cheap stamped disc. I'd stay with the V's for now.

jimc101

The problem with saying that Mongoose has bad wheels, is which Mongoose? Mongoose, like others have been sold at big box retailers, (Walmart) with a budget range, and also had a higher end range for sale via LBS, this is still done; the same for other brands like Bell (Helmets) which have a budget line (many be just the name is used) for big box retailers, and another range for LBS's which is significantly better, but has the same logo

catonec 

watch out for those giant iguanas, they're mean!