It equips you with 10 gears on one ring up front and 10 of them in the back, which is more than enough to tackle any demanding terrain. Plus, it sports Tektro hydraulic brakes and super-wide tires, so you can push your limits in the corners and when descending. 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. During the test ride the Suntour XC30 front suspension fork with its 100mm travel worked well both on harsh urban roads and rough trails. The Suspension lockout was a useful feature for efficient riding on smooth and flat surfaces.
First thing I upgraded were the pedals as the stocks ones are plastic. These are actually lighter than the stock pedals even though they are metal. I also dumped the Suntour xcm forks even though they took the abuse I dished out. Bike feels much different now and definitely better on the trails with better response that inspires more confidence.
As a long-term upgrade prospect, though, the Talon has a lot of things going for it. With a shorter stem and a slightly longer, air-sprung fork it would giant mountain make a great fun trail all-rounder. A frame this responsive demands to be ridden hard – and it’s here that the cracks start to show a little.
Throughout the range of sizes, reach and stack are on the short and high side of the spectrum. Compared to the Marlin 7, which skews toward the aggressive side with a longer and lower fit, the Talon 29 2 gives riders a more upright riding position. If this is a little more bike giant mountain than you need, the Talon 29 3 has the same aluminum frame hung with cheaper components to bring the price down to $550. If you prefer 27.5-inch wheels, the Talon 2 and the Talon 3 have identical builds and prices to the Talon 29 2 and Talon 29 3, but with 27.5-inch wheels.
This is a great value, and my bike isn’t holding me back from anything. I ride a lot of intermediate trails in Georgia, lots of rocks and roots, and this bike hasn’t let me down. Before this bike my only experience with mountain bikes were worn down yard sale finds and a crap mongoose I once bought so take my words with a grain of salt. I like the frame and just plan on upgrading parts as they break. The Talon 2 comes with a Giant’s exclusive ALUXX grade Aluminium frame. The Hardtail frame has a slanting top tube, which provided an aggressive position yet supreme control on trails.
There is a $30 shipping and handling fee on all bicycles. Orders may be available for pick up the same day as order submission or may take up to 10 business days to arrive; bikes shipped to your local retailer will need extra time to be assembled. Bring your order, with proof of purchase, to the local Authorized giant ROAD BIKES 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. I ride intermediate trails and some technical stuff with it.
Their ALUXX-grade aluminum hardtail frames are kept light and simple by using uniquely-shaped frame tubes, which eliminate unneeded gussets and welds. The 27.5-inch wheels and Maxxis tires will get you through the XC business with aplomb. These bikes are also available with 29″ wheels if you want even more unstoppable power on the trails.