So, what's she got? A Composite grade Carbon frame weighing in at approximately 1500g isn't the lightest on the market but in my opinion is super stiff and accelerates like a rocket. Just look at that down tube! It's all up to date with the latest frame technologies like tapered steerer and press fit bottom bracket, making for a solid investment for future upgrades. Cable guides are moulded into the carbon, although no internalised routing can be seen, nor full length cable housing. A metal chain suck guard protects the Carbon Fibre frame from the rare event of a dropped chain, although the blue plastic finish on it scratches off quite quickly. The chain stay protector can only be described in expletives as it is just a thin sheet of clear plastic that does absolutely nothing. Buy a neoprene one before the THWACK THWACK THWACK drives you crazy!
SRAM X-9 is on display throughout, with cranks, shifters and front dérailleur making the best of the 2x10 magic. The rear dérailleur is upgraded to X-0 in blue to match the rest of the bike, and shifting in general is pretty smooth and sharp. The brakes are Elixir 7; some love them and some hate them, but I haven't had the trapped air problems the higher spec models seem to be plagued with, so they get the thumbs up from me.
The fork is a Fox F-29 with FIT dampers, and is my favourite fork to date. Smooth, sexy suspension that works great and has plenty of features to fiddle with and keep the inner bike nerd happy, although it misses out on the gold Kashima coat. Some day Robin, some day... A 15QR keeps things stiff and gives point and shoot precision, as well as making front wheel removal faster and easier than a traditional quick release. Wheels are Giant branded PX-C2 rims on Giant tracker hubs; they weigh in at around 1800-1900g so aren't the lightest, but don't flex and make a solid base wheelset. They are shod with fast rolling Schwalbe Racing Ralph tyres in the top line PaceStar Triple Compound, which are tubeless ready.
The bars, seat post and stem are all the Giant branded Contact range, and are in general quite good. I have inverted the stem to get the front end as low as I would like, with all the spacers removed to drop it down further. The bars are worth noting; they are a love 'em or hate 'em affair. At 690mm wide they offer plenty of leverage and are flat to get you over that front end for optimum grip. However are quite straight; they lack sweep. Personally, I don't find them a problem and they serve their purpose adequately, however others hate them to the degree that they believe their only use is to keep in your car to bludgeon a would be thief.
The saddle is a Fizik tundra 2 which is also a love/hate affair. I believe it is one of the more comfortable saddles I have ridden, preferring it infinitely over a long ride than the old prologo on my Merida, but each to his own I guess...
The closer you look at the Giant the more you notice. The QR, the centre of the disc rotors, the wheel nipples, Headset, seat post and bolts for a bottle cage all are anodised to match the graphics package on the Giant. This attention to detail is often absent on bikes and makes this bike feel that much more special...
THE RIDE!!!
The XTC is fast. Period. Whoever said 29'rs can't accelerate can eat their hat because this bike flies. The short chainstays help keep the rear wheel nice and compact aiding the quick acceleration and making the bike feel a bit less long like other 29'rs. Fire roads disappear beneath the big wheels as foliage blurs by and your competitors eat your dust. The 2x10 drivetrain is a great match for this bike, with the small gear just small enough to get you up those steep climbs, and the big gear on the money to stay in and shift through your cassette in most situations. For my local trails (Woodhill, Riverhead, Rotorua) it is perfect. The Fox fork soaks up the bumps with ease, and with proper maintenance shouldn't meet the same fate as the set on the Merida.
Cornering is a pleasurable experience with grip aplenty even when using my fast rolling Racing Ralph tyres. The XTC doesn't feel like a bus when whipping through tight switchbacks, although could be considered slightly slower than a 26'r in the tightest turns. But hit the berms and it comes alive. Corners trail in Whakarewarewa forest in Rotorua is a personal favourite on this bike, flying passed older, more experienced riders on a combination of full suspension bikes, 29'rs and full suspension 29'rs. This bike seems to trump them all. However, do take note that the steering is quite sharp. Treat it right and you will fly through the corners with a grin on your face. Treat it wrong and that grin will become a dentists' retirement plan. This is definitely a race bike and is to be treated as such.
Photo courtesy of the Manchester family
Photo Courtesy of Helen Brumby
Downhill is a similarly pleasant affair. The big wheels are quite capable of taking the chatter out of a bumpy trail, and instil confidence as it gets steeper, faster and rougher. I have ridden trails that would make me nervous on my full sus using this bike with no trouble, although that said treat it wrong and it will give you a jack hammer shot up the arse to remind you you are on a hard tail. People complain that riding a 29'r is like sensory deprivation; you cant feel the trail beneath you. On the Giant you can feel what's going on but it isn't uncomfortable, that's the difference.
Conclusion
So, the Giant XTC Composite 29'r 0 is a race bike, make no allusions. The quick acceleration, sharp handling and choice of components confirm this. However I believe Giant have done a very good job with this bike. Spec wise it is comparable to many bikes costing over $1000 more; with a wheel upgrade it would be as good if not better, and you would have a spare wheelset to thrash around on for the same total cost, with the race wheelset possibly better than many wheel sets found on bikes around the $5500 mark. Top notch suspension rounds off this versatile package; the Giant is great value for money. So, good potential for upgrades but brilliant as it is, great componentry for the price range, and very, very fast. What's not to love?
I´ve just bought the same bike and can confirm your conclusions.
ReplyDeleteThe blue plastic finish you mention, is not a finish but merely a stainless steel protection you find on any stainless steel sheet you can buy (f.e. on domestic appliances). The first thing I did was tearing it off.