Combined with 120mm of smooth suspension travel front and rear, it’s a confident ride that will have you nailing new lines. Its 27.5+ wheel and tire compatibility gives it a plush ride quality that soaks up bumps and adds more traction and stability. So after riding this bike for more than two weeks now, I am still impressed and still surprised with the quality of this bike. My girlfriend rode this bike on a couple of intermediate local trails and in Copper Harbor, MI. First of, in my vid review, I have mentioned how easy it is to pedal the bike uphill.
Interestingly, the rear hub is not Boost and uses 141mm hub spacing with a traditional 9mm axle and skewer. Quick release for both wheels and seat clamp offer easy transport prep and trail maintenance. Large 203mm hydraulic disc brakes and quad piston calipers offer quick stops and fast cooling. The $1,750 Stance 29 1 upgrades you to Giant’s Contact giant ROAD BIKES Switch dropper post and RockShox Recon fork and Monarch rear shock. This performance level frame material features 6061 alloy with single-butted tubes to produce strong, lightweight framesets for a variety of different bikes and riding styles. Plus if you destroy and have to replace the rear wheel you’ll find a lot more options than with a QR axel.
Built around a hydroformed alloy frameset and 29in wheels, the Stance 29 gets a 130mm travel fork along with 120mm of rear-wheel travel. But as the quality of the Trance’s geometry, suspension and frame has improved over the years, the prices have begun to notch upwards. The current alloy Trance range kicks off at well over three grand, with the top-end carbon model selling for north of $10K. That’s a lot of coin for those of us on a tighter budget, and it presents a much bigger commitment to newer riders to the sport who are weighing up the ‘hardtail vs full suspension’ equation. With its combination of grippy, rock-eating, plus-sized tires and smooth-riding suspension, the all-new Stance gives you more traction, more control and more fun. On the surface, Giant’s signature fluid formed aluminium frame looks exactly the same as the 2016 Stance we tested.
Smaller rocks seemed to disappear, and when racing through corners, the tires held traction even when the trail got loose. If you’re not planning on getting super gnarly then the Stance 2’s Suntour suspension will be adequate. But if you’re likely to ride bigger and more technical trails, the RockShox suspension on the Stance 1 will provide a smoother ride and give you more confidence, benefits that are well worth $200. The Suntour fork and shock handle choppy sections with small rocks with ease but when I rode in an area with larger obstacles the ride was noticeably rougher than with RockShox or Fox suspension parts .
All our bikes are designed for best-in-class weight and ride quality. The lightweight, stiff and durable ALUXX SL aluminum is hand-built and engineered in-house by the world leader in alloy bicycle technology. This measurement is normally from the centre of the bottom bracket or the centre of the bolt that attached the crank arms. This differs by brand, some measure to the top of where the top tube meets the seat tube, or even the centre of the top tube. Road bikes are in centimetres or descriptive sizes where as Hybrid bikes can be any one of the three. Bikes also get longer as they go up in size but different brands can be inherently longer or shorter than others.
Combine that with the added stability of 29-inch wheels and you can get a confident ride to help you crush challenging descents and climb with greater traction and speed. The lightweight and durable ALUXX aluminum frame features our FlexPoint rear suspension system for a smooth, balanced ride that keeps you in control. Combine that with the added stability of 29-inch wheels and you get a confident ride to help you giant ROAD BIKES crush challenging descents and climb with greater traction and speed. It gives you 120-millimeters of smooth suspension travel in the rear and 130-millimeters up front. The new Stance 29 gets you in sync with the terrain, so you can ride with confidence and have more fun. With its proven ALUXX aluminum frame and our FlexPoint rear suspension system, it offers a smooth, balanced ride that keeps you in control.
The Stance 2 also comes equipped with SRAM SX Eagle DUB cranks that deliver unrestricted travel and sustained ride control regardless of the terrain you’re traveling on. The giant KIDS BIKES is a well-designed mountain bike that performs exceptionally in a multitude of terrains and conditions thanks to its intuitive build and full suspension system. When looking at Stance 2, several unique elements combine to create the fluid action and movement delivered in this mountain bike. I noticed when taking this bike out for a spin that it feels very stable and grounded even when going over gnarly features. The own-brand finishing kit, wheels and dropper post could all pass for branded parts. It’s also supplied set up tubeless, with 2.4in Maxxis Ardent tyres seated on 25mm rims – a good trail-riding combo.
The frame is purpose built with internal cable and wire routing, weight is well positioned low and center on the frame to maximize stability. Uncomplicated and lightweight, the Raidon R is a great shock for XC and trail riding. If you can swing it, I’d spend the extra money and get a Trance over the Stance.
This handy chart should show you the right size of MTB you need based on your height. Measure your height accurately and check the manufacturer’s measurements too. To get started, think about your style of riding, measure your height and use the links above for sizing on relevant bike types.
We don’t think you’ll find a better full-suspension mountain bike in this price range. Its moderate modern geometry makes it impressively versatile, and this bike climbs as well as it descends. Whether cruising mellow trails or tackling more aggressive terrain, the Stance feels balanced and composed. Whether you’re just getting into the sport or looking for your full-suspension rig, the Stance 29 2 is a quality affordable option to consider.