The Reign in retirement

[Jim Junkie]

I've been wanting to get this up for a while now, but just haven't got around to it. I got the old 2005 Reign (dirt brown) stripped & powder-coated late last year to give it a bit of an update before turning it into a commuter.

The colour is the original one I chose, then I changed my mind and decided to go John Deere green (like the Bronson), so bought all the yellow gear to match that. Only hitch was I forgot to double check with the powder coaters the colour they were using, so got the original one requested in email. Turned out pretty well despite that.

The trick was, I still wanted it to be mountain-capable, kind of a back-up bike that still sees regular use. It was going to be a junker, but I just can't help myself and it got almost the full treatment instead. Worth it.



So there it is, loaded down with all the nonsense it uses as a commuter. Weight was not a concern here.

A quick rundown:
Frame - Giant Reign 1, 2005 (large)
Rear shock - Manitou ISX-1 Evolver
Front shock/fork - Rockshox Revelation 421 Dual Air
Handlebars - Nukeproof Warhead, 800mm cut to 750mm
Stem - Nukeproof Warhead 50mm
Grips - Lizard Skins lock-on
Saddle - Nukeproof Plasma Logo
Seatpost - Ritchey WCS One-bolt
Front brake - Shimano Deore M615, RT76 185mm
Rear brake - Shimano Deore M615, RT-76 185mm
Cranks - SLX w/ Raceface NW 38T (Green)
Chain - Shimano HG95
Pedals - Nukeproof Electron
Rear derailleur - Shimano Zee M640 shadow+
Rear shifter - Shimano Zee
Cassette - Shimano SLX 10sp
Front Wheel - Some sort of china special with Aero spokes. Free from a mate.
Rear Wheel - Still the same old 2001 Sunringle Rhine lite I've always used. XT Hub.
Tyres - Schwable Big Apple Liteskin, 2"

It's not as slow as you might think, only adding average of 4min to my 35min trip each way. It's great in the wet and around nutcase drivers/pedestrians where stopping power is critical. Plus it's a bit more fun on the whole.

Still considering getting some decals made up for it, got a design put together too. I'll get around to it, eventually.

 

[Boom King]

Nice. I had one of those. Was my first dually about two years back.

She was a good ride...

 

[Jim Junkie]

Nice. I had one of those. Was my first dually about two years back.

She was a good ride...

My first dually too, got it off the RB trading forum way back when I joined. Definitely a good ride off-road and had me sorted for a good long time. Big of a pig on the climbs though, which is what spurred me on to replace it eventually.

It'll get offroad again, that's for sure. Once I need to use it as a loaner I'm sure I'm not going to be able to resist giving it a good go myself, just for old times sake.

 

[Boom King]

My first dually too, got it off the RB trading forum way back when I joined. Definitely a good ride off-road and had me sorted for a good long time. Big of a pig on the climbs though, which is what spurred me on to replace it eventually.

It'll get offroad again, that's for sure. Once I need to use it as a loaner I'm sure I'm not going to be able to resist giving it a good go myself, just for old times sake.

Jinx. Got mine off here too. I'm a pig going uphill so never bothered me.

 

[specci82]

What colour is that exactly and who did the powder coating for you? It reminds me of the old 05 Ironhorse Sunday WC frame colour

 

[Jim Junkie]

What colour is that exactly and who did the powder coating for you? It reminds me of the old 05 Ironhorse Sunday WC frame colour

It was done by Unicoatings on Brisbane Northside (Virginia). Not a bike specialist, more of an industrial powder-coater. The colour was 'Shocker Yellow', I saw it in the gallery they have on their website and it was part of a special range which cost a little more ($180 to strip & coat, rather than the standard $120). Other than that, I think they said they have about 50 colours to choose from.

It's a good tough finish too, doesn't scratch easily. They were careful enough to plug all the bearing areas, headtube, bottom bracket, etc. so re-assembly wasn't a problem. There are 1 or 2 bits that aren't perfect, but you'd have to go looking for them. Taking into account the fact that the frame had plenty of imperfections to start with, I'm perfectly happy with the finish and it was good value for money IMO.