According to Giant, three points speak in favour of 27.5 inches: weight, efficiency and control. The new size should have advantages over the other wheel sizes in all three areas. This is the reason why Giant focussed all its development work on 27.5 inches in 2014 and converted its entire off-road range to 27.5 inches with the XTC, Anthem, Trance and Talon. Existing concepts were not simply adapted to the new wheel size, but completely new frames were designed in a two-year development process. Only in the downhill sector and with the Anthem are existing bikes in the 26 and 29 inch sizes still in use. The question is how much longer. If the Giant product developers are right, both wheel sizes could be replaced within a few years. But for now, Giant is presenting these four new models for 2014.
Talon 27.5
The Talon entry-level model is primarily aimed at sporty or recreational bikers. The aluminium frame weighs 1550 grams and has been improved, particularly in terms of stiffness. The steering is said to be 18% stiffer and the bottom bracket 11% stiffer than its 26-inch predecessor. Compared to the 29er, the chainstays have been shortened by 9 millimetres. This should make the Talon more agile on winding routes. A total of six models will be available.
The data
- Five sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Frame weight: 1550 grams
- Suspension travel: 100 millimetres
- Steering angle: 69.5 degrees (XS)/ 70.0 degrees
- Seat angle: 73.5 (XS,S)/ 73.0 (M,L)/ 72.5 (XL)
XTC 27.5 and XTC Advanced 27.5
Giants Cross Country pros are already riding the new XTC in the carbon version. If every gram counts and every turn of the pedals needs to be converted into propulsion, then the XTC is probably the right tool for the job. The carbon frame weighs 1030 grams in size M. The top model is said to weigh around 9.7 kilos and has 100 millimetres of suspension travel. The cheaper aluminium counterpart only weighs a good 300 grams more. As with the Talon, the chainstays have been shortened by 9 millimetres for more agility. The cheaper XTC models are equipped with a 135x5 dropout ex works, but can be converted to 142x12 using an adapter.
The data
- Five sizes: XS, S, M, L XL
- Frame material: carbon or aluminium
- Three models each in aluminium and five models in carbon
- Frame weight: 1030 grams (carbon)/1390 grams (aluminium)
- Suspension travel: 100 millimetres
- Steering angle: 69.5 degrees
- Seat angle: 73.5 (XS, S)/ 73.0 (M, L, XL)
Anthem 27.5 and Anthem Advanced 27.5
For the full suspension bikes, Giant continues to rely on the proven Maestro system on the rear triangle. The new Anthem is also equipped with this system and, with its 100 millimetres of front and rear travel, should feel particularly at home on more demanding cross-country and marathon routes. But the Anthem also promises to be a lot of fun on fast home laps. Three aluminium and three carbon models will be available. The frame weight of the carbon model is 2072 grams. At 10.75 kilos, the top-of-the-range Anthem Advanced 0 bike is only just over the 10-kilo mark.
The data
- Five sizes: XS, S, M, L XL
- Frame material: carbon or aluminium
- Three models each in aluminium and three models in carbon
- Frame weight: 2072 grams (Crabon)
- Suspension travel: 100 millimetres
- Steering angle: 69.5 degrees
- Seat angle: 74.0 degrees (XS), 73.0 degrees (S, M, L, XL)
Trance 27.5 and Trance Advanced 27.5
With its 140 millimetres of suspension travel, the new Trance is designed to level out technical trails and feel at home in the all-mountain to enduro range. The head tube has been stiffened for optimum control even at high speeds and the bottom bracket should also be characterised by increased rigidity. The frame of the Alu-Trance weighs 2550 grams. Detailed work has been carried out on the internal cable routing in particular. Depending on the number of cables installed, there are different inserts for the frame. An internal guide for dropper seat posts and an integrated down tube protector are also on board. The Trance is also prepared for the use of chain guides via an ISCG 05 mount. In addition to the two versions Trance and Trance Advanced, there will also be an SX version with downhill-orientated equipment.
The data
- Five sizes: XS, S, M, L XL
- Frame material: carbon or aluminium
- Three models in aluminium and three models in carbon, plus one SX version each
- Frame weight: 2550 grams (aluminium)
- Suspension travel: 140 millimetres
- Steering angle: 67.0 degrees
- Seat angle: 73.5 degrees
Stefan Frey
Editor
