"I am a 7 mile a day commuter cyclist, who buys an approx $300- $400 bike every 3 years, and rides it 'til it drops. I have bought hybrid bikes from several companies (most recently Trek), always in this entry level price range.

This bike has several major issues:

1) very heavy, and very rigid frame, leading to a very bumpy ride.

2) very low quality components. For example:

a) The brake tubes (where wire meets brake) started to rust after 6 weeks (kept indoors - although ridden in rain). By contrast my old Trek (kept in same conditions) had no rust after 3 years.....

b) Other bolts etc also with rust after 3 months normal use.

c) front rims have a shudder, which bike shop confirmed was because of poor weld on rim weld (rather than warped rim).



All of this adds up to a very inferior quality build and components. I buy from a bike shop rather than a sub-$100 bike from a chain store or "toys are us", because I expect a higher level of quality. This is a 'bike-shop' sold bike, with toys-r-us components, ride quality, and life expectancy.



My advice would be to try other brands in this price range and you can still get a reliable and comfortable work horse for same price....."

"ME: I am a relatively experienced rider since I have done cross-country cycling trips as well as one and two-day trips. I am not a racer, but I have nonetheless travelled thousands of kilometres by bike (carrying up to four panier bags and a tent), and so I do have some decent experience with bikes and cycling. I recently purchased the 2009 Giant Cypress DX.



STRENGTHS: The DX has a relatively light and well-designed frame despite having fork shocks and seat suspension. A folding stand is included with the frame. Although some Giant bikes in the past have had disk brakes, the 2009 Cypress DX has pull brakes. The bike seat height, angle and positioning are easy to adjust with a 6mm Allen key. Both wheels have quick-release hubs. The seat is also quick-release. The 2009 model has 24 speed Shimano Alvio shifters with separate braking levers. Shifting is easy with the Shimano Alvio shifters as it only takes a light touch to change gears. No adjustment of the deraillers was required on the new bike. The Cypress DX offers great braking as the metal brake levers are now separate from shifters. It is also easy to adjust the handlebar height and angle with Giant`s new adjusting mechanism; again, only an Allen key is required. The wheels also have strengthened alloy rims with better protection from potential intrusion by the spokes into the inner tubes. On the Large-sized frame (my bike), there are sufficient braze-ons for two water bottle racks, as well as braze-ons to securely fasten fenders and a rear rack to the frame. I added other accessories, such as a mirror, odometer/speedometer, lights, bell, better handlebar grips and better pedals.



WEAKNESSES: The stock pedals are cheap plastic, and so I changed them for pedals with cages and toe straps (but this is often the case for new bikes). The stock seat is too large and cushy, and so I replaced it with a narrower anatomical seat. The new self-sealing inner-tubes with 'Slime' may not self-seal if the puncture hole is too large, so bring extra inner tubes or a patch kit when you ride. Finally, this bike may not satisfy riders who are used to racing road bikes since the DX riding position is somewhat 'upright' as is the case for many mountain, hybrid, and other commuter-style bikes.



SUMMARY: The Giant Cypress DX offers overall good value for the money as a great touring and commuting hybrid bike, and offers a lot of great new features and accessories for a relatively modest price. The Cypress DX is not, however, for the rider focused on speed and agility."

"I bought this bike for utility cycling (grocery shopping, errands, etc) and for commuting. I just got the tune up on the bike and have had it for nearly 3 months now and have ridden almost 300 miles on it. The bike rides smooth and solid. And after the tune up to tighten up those things that flex and stretch after buying the bike, the bike is running better than when first purchased.



I have mostly stayed on roads, and rarely venture onto dirt, so have no info on its off-road handling other than the time I have done so it has worked fine. The front shock and the seat post shock work well to smooth the ride.



I am going to replace the seat with a harder seat. The seat that comes with the bike is luxuriously cushy, but I need something a bit harder, a lighter rider may have no problem. And don't let the seat get wet, they soak up water and you will be wet for a day or two ;-)



The bike has slime innertubes, and the rear wheel hit a huge screw and it punctured in multiple spots that the slime could not seal. I had to replace the tube. The front wheel hit glass and the slime was able to seal it, I just had to add a little air. I give the slime tubes a good rating.



There is not much room on the handle bars for attaching lights, computer, etc. I am thinking of getting a bar extender/headlight holder so I could mount more stuff.



I have a child trailer that I take to the grocery store to haul food back home. I have a rear rack and a grocery bag pannier for trips that don't need the trailer. I have moved a chest of drawers 1.2 miles on the bike, I have moved boxes of junk to a storage shed, and toured around town with it. There are mounting points all over the bike and you can attach nearly anything you want. I am going to go for full fenders next to let me ride in rainy weather.



I am very satisfied with the bike."

"I visited several other stores and looked at a dozen models before I decided that the Cypress DX was a great value for the money. The bike was on sale for [$] instead of the [$] listed price on the Giant web site. Since I'm primarily a Springwater Trail rider I prefer the comfort style bikes. There are several things I like about this bike. I didn't know if I'd like the shifting on the handle bars but they are as smooth as silk and unlike a lot of other shifters, there are spots between each gear so that if you are 1/2 between a gear, you don't and have to listen to the chain hitting the sprockets all day, you can get in each gear perfectly. I love this! The bike is solid too! Took it for my 1st ride yesterday after I put all my accessories off from my older bike, fenders, water bottle, speedometer, light and transfered them to this new bike. Best 1st ride I ever had. Most 1st rides are debugging rides but there wasn't much to adjust since everything worked so well without much adjustment. The seat was the only thing that needed to be adjusted. [...]"

"The Giant Cypress DX is a fabulous bike. Everyone who rides it falls in love with it. My husband and I ride 15-20 miles several times a week on a paved railroad bed. On alternating days,we lower the tire pressure and ride a graveled, rolling 4 mile path along a mountain lake. The bike functions well doing either! It's easy to transport, has needed only minor adjustments (all new bikes do), and is the most comfortable bike I've ridden. Truly a great bike for casual, recreational riding and for easy off-road trail riding. I love the 700cx38c tires that came with the bike."

"This is a very easy and comfortable bike to ride. Better for casual riding than commuting. It's heavy and difficult to put on a bus rack if you combine bus/riding. I was a little surprised at how fast the components started to rust - I cover it or keep it inside when not riding it. But I bought it for casual riding in the 'burbs then got hooked on more serious riding in the city. Overall, a very nice bike!"

"After a 4 year break from road racing and triathlons using a traditional road racing bike, I wanted something comfortable yet functional enough to handle quick errand rides as well as touring rides up to 30 miles. I bought this bike [...] because they suggested that this bike would fit my needs. It sure has and I'm very happy that this bike has brought back my cycling interest as well as my over all fitness level. [...]"

"For those that dont need to join the Tour de France, Giant has made the bike for us. We ride to enjoy ourselves with our companions. The seat is comfy, the steering postion can be adjusted based on what you intend to do. It is very light considering it has a front shock. The shock absorber is also adjustable. It looks awesome too. Buy it, you wont regret it."

"Very decent bike - I have had it for a few weeks. I am generally on bike paths and pavement, and it rides very well. Surprisingly light for a bike as sturdy as this one. It is built for comfort and not for speed, but it will not slow you down. Excellent shifters, and very good brakes. Comfortable, more upright riding position than most bikes.

You will want to upgrade the pedals at time of purchase - I did to cage and straps at no extra cost. The seat I find too wide and soft - I will change it for something more narrow and firm, but some riders might find it amenable.All other components are top notch.

In brief, this is an excellent bike, at a very good price - a good ride."

"I completed a 20 mile ride with folks on a tandem and road bikes. Needless to say I was at the end of the line but still had a great ride. I was able to keep pace when they slowed down a bit for me. The ride was comfortable and the bike shifted smoothly. Great performance on level roads and downhills. A little more work on the uphills. Overall a great bike for the buck."