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.
Measure your height accurately and always check the manufacturer’s measurements too. You can also visit us in store to speak to an experienced member of staff. To find the correct giant ROAD BIKES sized bike you will need to measure your height and your inside leg. For your height, stand against a wall and mark the wall with a pencil so it’s level with the top of your head.
The battery charger is heavier than average at roughly 2.5lbs, and it’s physically very large. The fact that it also uses a dongle adapter to charge the pack directly vs. the frame plug is frustrating and inconvenient, it means you have more weight and more things to keep track of. The battery charger is fast at 6 amps, so I hope that their cells have a high C Rating and don’t get degraded by the speed and heat. This has been a concern for automobiles and other fast-charging devices. It would be a bummer to have the battery experience fewer cycles or have to be replaced early, especially with the custom cover situation.
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, but this model comes with 2.4in Maxxis rubber. Browse other Mountain Bikes Free standard shipping on all bikes (continental U.S. only).
The Maxxis Ardent 27.5 x 2.2 tires are not enough to match the bike’s capabilities. I love it, I’m just starting back in MTB and this has me hitting the trails again. I easily did my initial setup, added a couple things that I prefer giant mountain to ride with, and hit the trails. Rear derailleur is slow to shift causing about a one second lapse in putting the power down between each shift. Still happy with the bike, but a good clutch style derailleur will be my first upgrade.
For your inside leg measurement, stand against a wall and using a book hold it in between your legs into your groin and make sure it’s flat against the wall. If your height is on the cusp of the size range, your reach is often the deciding factor in which size to go for. To find out if you have short or long reach you will need to measure your ape index. If you have a positive ape index then go for the larger size, or if you have a negative ape index go for a smaller size.
The brake levers have adjustable reach so you can dial things in on the trail as you need more control or switch from bare hands to gloves. This probably also benefits smaller and larger riders who select the different sized frames, so the brakes are reachable and feel comfortable. The calipers have been upgraded to quad piston for a larger braking surface, which adds power and cooling. The rotors giant KIDS BIKES are large 203mm vs. 180mm, improving the mechanical advantage and offering better control over the large 29er wheels. Vast network of dealers means that you get in-person advice, fitting, post-purchase tuneups and warranty support. This should not be overlooked if you ride frequently or have limited experience with bike tools, even though it does add to the price of the initial purchase.