Stance 29 gets you in sync with the terrain, so you can ride with more confidence and have more fun. The lightweight and durable ALUXX aluminum frame features Giant’s FlexPoint rear suspension system for a smooth, balanced ride that keeps you in control. It gives you 120mm of smooth suspension travel in the rear and 130mm up front.
With a 68-degree head angle, you’d expect the steering to be a little less racy than the Anthem but not as ponderous as the Trance. Offering 120mm of travel at both ends, the suspension also splits the difference between the 100mm Anthem and the 140mm Trance. On paper it looks to be ideal for the sort of riding that the vast majority of MTB enthusiasts do—a good all-round trail bike. The giant ROAD BIKES has an integrated FlexPoint rear suspension system that provides sustentative support throughout virtually all different types of terrains and climates. The suspension system comes with 120mm of travel, which will allow you to take on virtually anything that the trail may throw your way.
Matt grew up riding BMX in the UK and has ridden across Europe and the US, and now he’s putting those miles to use testing road, mountain, and city bikes for Bicycling. The first thing you notice when riding the Stance 2 is how stable it feels. The wide 2.6-inch tubeless glide over small rocks and roots and you can easily hold your line through corners. The Stance 2 is forgiving of less-than-ideal line choices and allows you to enjoy the ride without having to think too much about what’s in front of you. It may not be expensive, but the Stance 29 2 is a solid full-suspension mountain bike.
The Stance 29 floats 120 millimeters of rear travel and 130 up front. Both models come with tubeless-ready rims and tires, and though the lower-priced Stance 2 comes with a solid seatpost, the Stance 1 specs Giant’s not-great-but-not-terrible Contact Switch dropper. In years passed the dilemma with entry level dually was that the parts, especially the brakes and shocks, were likely to clap out quickly and find themselves in the bin. That’s not the case with the Stance; everything is serviceable and relatively well made. The frame itself is a standout; the build quality is such that it wouldn’t be out of place on a far more expensive bike.
Giant is one of the “Big Three” bicycle brands that serve North America. Their network of dealers is extensive, providing opportunities for fitting, test rides, and post purchase service and repairs. Giant produces a variety of electric bicycle products, and most models come in multiple sizes. Get the crisp shifting and excellent chain retention of XTR and XT at a mind-boggling price. The slight weight penalty of Deore barely registers, when presented with its performance and longevity, too. The rear triangle is designed to flex to get them out of using another suspension linkage and who knows what you’re going to get out of that fork and shock.
The price for your bike includes professional assembly by an Authorized Giant Retailer. Your purchase price also includes a basic fitting (seat height, shifter/brake lever positioning) to make sure you’re on the right size bike. Bring your order, with proof of purchase, to the local Authorized Giant retailer who assembled your bike. You may be eligible for a full refund of the purchase price, not including initial shipping and handling charges (S&H) plus any applicable tax, so long as any such bicycle is like-new and undamaged. This handy chart should show you the right size of road bike you need based on your height.
The motor controller measures pedal cadence, torque, and rear wheel speed. The motor performance felt dynamic and responsive, I was even able to do a wheelie! Great drivetrain, the 10-speed Shimano Deore setup is reliable and shifts easily. It offers a great range of 11 to 46 tooth for easy starts, climbs, and maintained speed. I love the two-way high shift lever from Shimano, and the one-way clutch on the derailleur itself, which reduces chain bounce off-road.
In fact, this bike was faster and more comfortable on the climbs than any of the budget hardtails we tested for this review. The 29-inch wheels, fast-rolling tires, and supportive suspension platform combine for an efficient approach to uphill travel. This $1,550 mountain bike is the kind of bike that I would be happy to recommend, without reservation as to quality or ride—a pretty rare and wonderful find.
Now for you who don’t know me, I would like to point out that I hate going uphills. And I mean, hate to the point that people that ride with me would start rolling their eyes once they see a grade in the trail and would soon have to bear my constant moaning and complaining. In that note, for me to be able to climb this bike and still talk at the end says something. I can’t really point out the gearing since giant ROAD BIKES it was the standard 3×9 drivetrain setup, and the fork and rear shock is pretty much the same as what I usually use, so it must be the bike geometry. The front end felt light, unconnected to the ground and felt wobbly every time I hit a bump or root on the way down. After a few minutes, I was able to adjust to the bike and find it very maneuverable and was zipping through the trees while going downhill.
Aesthetically, the Stance 2 features internal cable routing, which adds a beautiful polished look to the product overall. Another element of the Stance 2 that I really enjoyed was its fascinating geometry that delivers longer reach. The bike comes with many high-quality components that make it a solid choice compared to other bikes in its class. Tons giant KIDS BIKES of other amazing features come with the Stance 2, continue reading to find out more. Alex started racing downhill at the tender age of 11, later going on to compete internationally representing the UK. At 19, he moved to the Alps to pursue a career as a bike bum clocking up moon-mileage riding the famous tracks in and around Morzine, France.