An aluminium frame that uses built-in flex to account for suspension travel would typically raise some concerns about the potential fatigue life, but Giant knows a thing or two about aluminium. Unlike most brands they actually do their own manufacturing; right down to the smelting and extrusion of the raw tubes. With this in mind, you can rest assured that giant mountain the swing-arm will be engineered from the ground up to last for a very, very long time. Just get yourself a helmet and something for hydration if you haven’t already. The seat post should be able to be adjusted pretty low but if its hitting something and can’t go any lower, you can buy a shorter one or cut your current one down by a couple inches.
I highly recommend this bike for beginners or anyone who has a tight budget and would like to take up the sport. The recently redesigned Stance has modern geometry touches, a solid component specification, clean looks, and the all-around performance of bikes that cost twice as much. This bike climbs impressively well and the FlexPoint suspension design provides a stable pedaling platform and ground-hugging traction. The 120 mm of rear and 130mm of front wheel travel feels smooth and balanced while the updated geometry provides stability and the confidence to get after it on the descents.
As a result we always aim to include some more affordable test bikes, and they’re typically alloy hardtails. While it’s great to see a Monarch shock on a bike in this price bracket, the Stance would really benefit from a firmer platform mode to spruce up the pedalling efficiency. Look Ma, no pivot – Giant saves weight and complexity by relying on built-in flex through the seat and chainstays. Triple chainrings may be out of vogue but they extract a wide gear range from the nin-speed rear cassette. Cranksets are not the best and really heavy, upgrade your stem and wheels. The Outroad Mountain Bike 26 inch is outfitted with a high-carbon steel double suspension system that utilizes a 21-speed gear that provides fluid motion and actioning under a wide array of conditions.
Coming in at a budget-friendly price point, you’ll be getting a capable and fun alloy full sus frame with 120mm travel, thanks to the FlexPoint suspension design. The Suntour fork also gets 120mm travel to balance the bike perfectly. In this regard it’s pretty close to the Anthem SX—a bike that Giant pitches as a trail riding XC bike. Like the Anthem SX, it can do most things that you’d want with relative confidence.
Dave swapped them out for some nice big green RaceFace pedals with metal pins shown in the photos and video above. While the battery interface and cover do appear to have some rubber for sealing out water, it does not extend all the way around but can pinch your giant mountain skin when mounting the pack , so be careful. These bottom mount batteries take more arm strength and finesse to mount properly regardless of the interface. I appreciate that you don’t need to turn the key to re-mount it, just when taking it off the bike.
In Store Pick Up If you would like to pick up your order at one of our stores just select the “Free Store Pickup” shipping option when ordering. Please note that our online store and our retail stores maintain giant ROAD BIKES separate inventories. Purchases made online with an in-store pickup option will be shipped to the store from our online warehouse. One of our team members will contact you when your order is ready for pick up.
Alex then moved back to the UK when he landed a job working for Mountain Biking UK as their Features Editor — BikeRadar’s sister title — as their features editor. Since working for MBUK, Alex’s focus has moved to towards bike tech and he now wants to find out what bikes and components represent the best value for money regardless of discipline. In the longer term, a new fork and shock would unlock the potential of a capable, upgradable chassis that’s already got a dropper and tubeless wheels. Whatever the parts you choose, the Stance models use a single-pivot suspension design called Flexpoint. Flexpoint is a more straightforward design that removes some of the linkages found on the Maestro design found on Giant’s higher-end—$2,000 and up—suspension bikes.
To some, a longer stem might help to keep the front end straight or maybe it is just me and my lack of biking skills. This bike has modern features, so upgrading or finding parts when you progress shouldn’t be an issue. It has a tapered fork tube and even cable hangers for if you want to have a seat dropper which by the way is my next upgrade. Again, as an entry level full suspension, this bike would very difficult to beat for the price.