Carbon Fiber 29er For Anyone’s Budget
Market analysts tell us time and time again that the most favourite cycle segment feat is the 26″ wheeled, metal framed, flooded suspended dawdle cycle making the Giant XTC 0 a taste of an abnormalcy correct from the get-go. A 29-inch wheeled carbon-fiber hornlike tail, the XTC 0 leans toward the cross-country lateral of the spectrum with a toll tag that modify surpass beginners module appreciate.
Specs
For $3,600, you crapper pick up a 2011 Giant XTC 0 exactly same ours, which consists of 3.9 inches of support movement via a Fox F29 FIT RLC (15QR) fork, a SRAM 20-speed drivetrain (X.9 & X.0 blend), and Giant’s possess in-house Contact handlebar. Giant P-XC29 2 wheels brute to Giant’s Tracker hubs and become enwrapped in Maxxis Crossmark 2.1 rubber. Braking comes in the modify of Avid Elixir Rs and a Fizik Tundra 2 saddle (mounted to a Giant branded seatpost) ammo discover the cockpit. All told our job fourpenny effort sleigh weighed in a shade under 25-pounds (24.8) streaming Xpedo M-Force 4 pedals (not included).
Mounting Up
Climbing onto the XTC 0 is an unmediated reminder that this is XC region as the firm-as-a-board saddle, daylong stride to the pedals and stretched discover accomplish to grab the insipid bar verify away the more upright, relaxed see of the modern trailbike. However, since the Giant is fair the large 29-inch hoops, the cycle brings a slightly “inside of” (opposed to “on crowning of”) see usually absent from wispy XC bikes. Don’t nonachievement this as existence bulky or heavy though as the copy material provides a lightweight inelasticity deceptive of the large frame tubes.
Setup in a snap; in this case conniving the recommended sag in the subfigure and fine-tuning the rebound and densification levers (start midway in apiece if in doubt and then tweak from there). This is definitely a set-it & forget-it elevation bike!
Blasting Off
Pumping the cranks on the Giant XTC 0 is a surprisingly snappy undergo with bursts of flourishing snap acquirable with apiece handicap rotation. The unadaptable and lightweight opinion hornlike cut wastes dead no forcefulness in the impact of motion revolutions into nervy motion; a trait directly perceptible that tends to yield greater dividends as the ride wears on. In fact we institute ourselves opinion sprightly and firm on well-known loops where we’re accustomed to streaming discover of steam. Unlike most change 25-pounders, the XTC 0 doesn’t see overstrung or wheelie-happy upon acceleration; a trait surely produced by the heavier, more-planted 29-inch wheels.
That nervy mounted sport position and light, snappy speed work wonders on the climbs as well. The 2×10 drivetrain is surprisingly substantially suited for popping soured shifts on approach to the steeper grades and carrying strength to crest some pretty nasty apexes is certainly digit of this bike’s large strengths.
Unfortunately in ownership with the “what goes up, staleness become down” artefact of reasoning; the Giant XTC 0 isn’t near as overconfident a descender as it is a climber. Like most compromises some elevation cycle makes to excel in destined areas over others, the short-travel fork, unadaptable rear and nervy mounted traveller positioning every work against the XTC on the artefact back down. However, and this is by no effectuation a back-handed compliment, the large hoops rattling attain manageable what would hit been dead disastrous downhill direction on accepted 26-inch wheels.
Because of their knowledge to listing over dawdle muddle and ruts kinda than near finished them, the 29-inch wheels garner the degressive undergo to the saucer where a grasp traveller who flows with the contours of the terrain and uses strength wisely crapper ready it up on two wheels downbound some pretty theoretical slopes. Nevertheless, by no effectuation module this cycle ready up with or control to replace a flourishing 5-inch + movement all-mountain rig. Think of some degressive prowess you are healthy to extract from the Giant as a incentive on this, a solidified venturer and unconditional obligate discover on the flats. Handling Traits
Cornering efficiency, same on every 29ers, is rattling interdependent upon the rider’s call of directional changing. Tight “jackknife” turns are never pleasant on 29-inch wheels and the XTC 0 is no exception. Flowing around corners and carrying as such strength as doable attain prizewinning results here. What 29ers demand in “slam and jam” cornering prowess they attain up for with the knowledge to angle the cycle over farther than imaginable on a 26er. Again the study of the mettlesome is flow.
Braking is more than adequate, modify on those high-speed descents. Slowing large wheels downbound typically demands a aggregation from a brushwood set and the Avid Elixir Rs are plentitude capable. Burn in took a lowercase longer than customary but erst the pads are properly seated, wait strong, fade-free performance.
Conclusion
For a material over $3,500 complete, Giant rattling manages to arrange in a full aggregation of bike. In the demesne of cross-country vie equipment, especially of the copy material variety, this toll saucer comes in at less than many frames alone. Whether or not it’s the cycle for you depends heavily upon your definition of a beatific time. If your ideal elevation biking undergo involves a aggregation of daylong distance exploration over moderate terrain, lots of climbing and the irregular weekend XC race, you’ve institute your diversion partner. Bike park riding, hornlike set degressive and actuation on the other hand, are meliorate suited to a wide difference of metal framed options in the toll range.
The 29-inch rotate spec rattling adds a honor of versatility to a class of cycle that is generally regarded as fastidious and limited in scope. We came away quite impressed with the XTC 0 and with a nagging distrustfulness that a flooded support alteration of this collection could substantially hit the rest of the business playing catch-up.
This analyse has been brought to you by Mountain Bike Tales digital magazine.
Shaver Price
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