The geometry is reserved – my large size had 435mm chainstays, a 455mm reach and a 1,174mm wheelbase. There’s room for a 650b+ rear tyre, giant ROAD BIKES but this model comes with 2.4in Maxxis rubber. Browse other Mountain Bikes Free standard shipping on all bikes (continental U.S. only).
While it offers a healthy amount of travel, the suspension system differs substantially from the other members of the Giant family. The Stance is the only model that doesn’t employ Giant’s dual-link Maestro suspension platform. Maestro uses two short links to control the path of the swing-arm; it’s a setup that requires tight tolerances, quite a few moving parts and more elaborate manufacturing processes to get it right. To reign in the price, the Stance uses a very simple single pivot design. The utilizes a highly durable yet lightweight aluminum frame made from ALUXX aluminum that can withstand a variety of obstacles. The framework also provides a stable platform for achieving your desired level of agility and momentum with ease.
This shock pairs well with the FlexPoint rear suspension platform to provide a plush yet supportive rear end. Our expectations for the performance of this shock were low and were easily exceeded. The shock has a rebound adjustment, but it does not have a compression damping/climb switch.
When the leaves start falling and the weather becomes more unpredictable, the Forekaster is the late-season tire of choice. I applaud giant for being able to hit that price point for full suspension but there are a lot of things you’re just not going to find on most modern full squish bikes. Maintain a steady spin in the granny ring and you’ll crest the climbs with minimal fuss—slow and steady is the best way up on the Stance. In regards to tire pressures- need to know your weight with riding gear, are you set up tubeless, and what size tires are you running to get you into a ballpark range.
They’re a hefty set of hoops and tubeless compatibility isn’t really on the radar at this price-point but we can’t see them presenting any durability issues. Visually it closely echoes its longer travel big brother; the Trance. In fact the Stance looks a lot like the Trance Advanced 0—a bike that costs four times as much. Giant has certainly done well to retain the appearance of a premium bike on this entry-level dually. The Stance is Giant’s latest entry-level dually and it’s priced well enough to lure would-be hardtail buyers over to the land of squish.
There’s currently only one version of the Stance offered in Australia and it sells for $1,699. At this price it neatly bridges the gap between their Talon hardtails giant KIDS BIKES and the more performance oriented Anthem, Trance and XTC models. 3×9 drivetrain and QR front and rear dropouts instead of thru axles are a bit antiquated.
Thanks to a combination of the efficient Maestro dual-link suspension design, versatile geometry and a value-oriented build kit, the Trance has earned favour with many riders for many years. Indeed the latest model is one of our favourite short-travel trail rippers. It’s a great bike for riders who want a capable yet affordable trail bike.