Yeah, yeah………we’re barely into 2010 and here we are posting about 2011 stuff already! I know, but don’t blame the messenger. Here is a sneak peek at a couple of bikes Giant is bringing to market in the sub-grand category. This is a category I felt would be fleshed out three years ago, but it hasn’t, with very few players in under a $1000.00 with a complete geared 29″er offering. Sure, there are single speeds, but these Giants are more of what I had in mind here.
(Image sent in by a reader, apparently from a Giant catalog)
Giant is calling this one the “Talon 29er 1″. It features a hydro-formed aluminum “Alux” frame with a special SR “Raidon 29″ suspension fork made for Giant. The fork features a 15QR Giant branded hub and lock out with 100mm travel. Other highlights include SRAM X-5 shifting, Giant “ROOT” hydraulic brakes, and an “average retail price” of $975.00. The bike will come in four sizes, Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. Geometries match those of the XTC 29″er line up with approximately 70.5 head tube angles mated up with 73 degree seat tube angles on the small sizes and slacker as the sizing gets bigger to 72 degrees.
(Image sent in by a reader, apparently from a Giant catalog)
The Talon 29er 2 features the same hydro-formed Alux frame technology as the Talon 29er 1, but drops the 9 speed to 8 speed and SRAM X-4 shifting. The fork is another, special for Giant, SR unit called the “XTC 29″ and features lockout with 100mm travel. Other salient features to note are the Hayes MX-4 mechanical disc brakes, Maxxis CrossMark tires, and the retail price which again is listed as “average retail price” at $750.00.
The Talon 29er 2 comes in the same size range and geometries as its up-spec’ed sister in the line.
You can expect a slew of Giant branded parts on these two bikes, but this shouldn’t be a surprise at the price points these bikes are projected to come in at. It looks as though the “horsepower” Giant weilds in the industry is going to benefit the sub-grand category in a big way for the 2011 season. We also expect Giant to be introducing a full suspension 29″er at Sea Otter next week which is rumored to be something based upon the Maestro platform. So it looks as though Giant will be expanding its line of 29″er offerings in a big way on both ends of the pricing spectrum. Stay tuned for more.
GT did giant ever produced the carbon hybrid frame? Hope they put 29 specific gearing for these entry level bikes . Grind factor wouldn’t be an issue for riders new to the scene. Low pricing right on par with comp.
The XTC Alliance wasn’t made. What I heard – they had issues with the dropouts, and the weight savings in the frame wasn’t enough to justify the extra cost.
The Talon is already out, my local shop has one.
We built 2 yesterday and they both sold right away. Giant had no clue how popular these would be. They are sold out of key sizes already until July. Now maybe the big guys will start to listen about how important 29ers are.
29er’s are getting more popular as far as I can see. Everywhere I go, weather taking part in a race, or simply just training on local trails, I see 29er’s. I bought one of Giant’s 2010 XTC 1 29er’s and absolutely love it! As a rider of larger proportion – 6’4′+/100 kilos or so of bodyweight, I feel that this bike is made just for me. Now, if I could only get some decent UST tires, I would be happy as a pig in slop!
Hint hint MAXXIS !!!!
It is great to see Giant doing this! There is a huge gap between the Redline d440 and then nothing until like $1700. This will go along way to getting more people on 29er’s.
Rich as for the UST thing the benefits of this have been hashed out all over multiple boards. It basically goes like this, a tubeless ready tire will do the same thing that a UST tire does at a lower weight. Nobody is really bringing out any new 26inch offerings in UST and due to the weight penalty of 29 inch tires the tire companies are most likely just not going to do it. I am a similar size to you 6’5′ and 90 kilos and tubeless ready works excellent for me.
PS. I have used UST tires in the past on 26 and I loved the benefit of tubeless but at the time there was no way to seal them once you cut them, so you still pretty much need to run sealeat in them just in case you puncture one, and it will happen.
Hydroformed aluminum is not my cup of tea, but I’m sure this is good for 29er-dom and the industry overall.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/talon.29er.1.2011/6966/43133/
Hey GT and Company. I was pretty excited to read your comment on a 29er FS from Giant. I have heard many good things about their Meastro suspension. I have been thinking very hard about a FS 29er and this just opens another option! The Meastro and Niner’s CVA look a lot alike except for the bend in the lower pivot. Are the similar?
That fork looks wet noodle ridin’ scary.
I think that the bike companies pushed 29ers into their “performance hardtail” when the market went into short travel FS bikes.
Now they see the real demand for the bigger wheels. I think we’re also seeing mountain bikers genuinely “switching” or testing the waters for 29ers.
With low end 29ers, I think we are seeing the beginning of the end for 26 inch adult XC mountain bikes. In 6 years XC for adults will be completely 29er.
The 69ers turned out to be a fad. I wonder if 650B can replace 26er in downhill where we still haven’t seen 29ers make a dent.
Usually the only thing low end is the component spec. the frames are generally the same throughout the line.(1,2 etc.) Giant has always given more bike for your buck.
Steve-O,
I have raced on 26″ Mavic tubeless wheelsets since 2004, running first Hutchinson Pythons, then Maxxis Larsens & most recently the Maxxis crossmarks. I have always used green slime on the inside for flat protection, and have never had a tire issue at any race. One look at my tires though, and you will see plenty of specks of green slime where small puntures have taken place. True, that if there is a major puncture or side-wall gash, nothing will work. But I’ve never had that problem…knock on wood.
Fast forward – I just purchased a set of the Mavic C29ssmax wheels, and the tubeless ready Hutchinson Python tires. Unfortunately I had to send them back since the front Mavic wheel was not compatible with the Fox fork thru axle on the new Giant 29er. I’m told the replacement set will not arrive till mid-May. So now I wait.
Regarding another matter though, I was checking out your MTB Viking blog and question as to why with such a last name as yours, you do not sport the standard customery beard, that vikings are so known for. That’s funny since my favorite quote right now is from the 1958 epic movie The VIKINGS -
“This is Einar my only son in wedlock. He’s so vain of his beauty, he won’t let a man’s beard hide it.”
Ragnar Lodbrok trying to make some sense as to why his son will not grow a beard like all the others.
Rich,
Alas you are correct, I do not sport a Viking like beard. My last name is Hjorleifson however (Icelandic origin) I too am vain of my beauty and a shaggy VIking beard would conceal my boyish charm. My wife would disown me if I had a beard as well.
The Viking name came from a few peeps around here, no one could pronunce my last name so a buddy started calling me “Steve the Viking”. So it stuck. That quote is awesome, I am totally putting it on my blog and I need to see that movie.
Back to tires, I hear you on UST I loved them, but if we have to run a sealant anyway why not save yourself the 100 grams or so of rotating weight? If you are looking for a good fast tire try the Geax Barro Race TNT 2.0. You can run those suckers down to 20 psi because of the sidewalls. They ride more like a 2.2 and roll crazy fast. GT might be able to tell you how they work on them Crossmax 29ers. They work fine on my Mustang TLR rims.
Just finished the first ride with my new Talon 1. I don’t have experience with high end bikes… this was an upgrade from a cheap iron horse. Today I rode trails that I’m familiar with and the oddest thing happened, i wasn’t having balance issues on the rocky/gravel covered ascents that I usually do. I took turns faster and with more confidence. I jumped rocks and logs that I normally ride around. I went farther than I usually do and saw places that I’d never had the energy to go before. Most telling of all at the end of the ride I wasn’t nearly as tired, scratched and bruised up, or sore as I normally am.
The Talon 1 made my first ride of the year more fun and easier on my body. This bike is the real deal, its reasonably priced, and I can’t wait to leave my friend with the Felt Redemption in the dust (except for bombing technical downhill of corse, but I don’t ride that stuff aggressively any more). for the money (especially) I give this bike two thumbs WAY up!
assembled both the other day. the weight on the med. talon 2 was 31.5lb. comfy and nice for the $$ though. but yes the frok is a noodle. didnt weigh the talon 1 but 15mm made huge difference. overall really nice stuff, especially for the $$. more traditional sitting position than the xtc. still dont know why the xtc headtubes are an inch shorter than most other bikes. these will be some of giants best selling bikes for the year…….
Today I bought a the Talon 29er 2. Great looking bike, components are’nt great, but at $750 hard to pass up. Not going to be doing any bone crushing trails, I have enough pains at 43.
I also looked at the Kona Kahuna, better components but could’nt afford the $1000 at the moment. This is my first 29er, wanted one because will be riding dirt roads alot and figured road bikes have 29″ wheels for a reason.
Also looked into the GT peace 9r multi,(steel frame,solid fork $750-$850) but the nearest GT dealer only stocked 26ers and wanted to get a fit for a bike before buying one,same thing with the Haro Ally XC($875)
Although excersise is a factor in getting the Talon, I will be taking it off the beaten path some, might as well have fun with it, and thanks to Guitar Ted for posting this. Just read the article earlier today and headed fer the bike shop to check one out!
Took the Talon out today for the first time in the back acres. Went down a long steep hill to a meadow and ran on sorta level ground for awhile. The weeds hid a lot of old broken limbs but the bike handled it well. Stopped to take a water break, leaning the bike against a tree. Looking above the meadow I was looking at a mountain bikers dream. Creeks, banks, rocks,trees,drop offs, I could’nt resist. So much for running dirt road, huh?
I would ride a while and stop and work on the trail for awhile, one part will need a little saw work. I was surprised at how well the Talon did in the creek, could ride quite a ways, the 29″ tires did well in the stoney water.
The sand on the creek bank was new for me, cornering in sand I found out is’nt easy and running straight in it took a lot of effort but was a good workout. Tried to stay on more solid ground when I could.
I would like for a better range of lower gearing and will be upgrading sometime down the road, as with the shifters.
The lockout lever did come off the fork as I laid the bike over a time of two when hitting roots(I am a little out of practice)
Although 43, I am still stocky and have the strength, but will take some time too get back in the shape that I want too be in. Should’nt be hard, today was a heck of a lot of fun, even drew a little blood. The bike shop owner tried to steer me to the hybrid bikes, but friend’s, I am not ready for that route just yet. I’ll think about it when I am 50. LittleGiant
I bought a 2011 Talon 2, I can’t believe the ride!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s great compared to 26 inch wheels.
I live in North Jersey and Wawayanda State Park is literally my back yard, I’ve been taking the Talon 2 on parts of trails I would’nt dream of riding on before the 29er …riding over trees, roots, and some pretty wild rock gardens..uphill and down, my friend’s bike’s get hung up on alot of stuff that the Talon 2 rolls right over. Great ride for the $$$. I’m very happy with my new bike. Cynergyzed
Well, it’s October 31, 2010 and the last post I wrote was on July 31, 2010.
I have had great summer and fall riding on my Giant Talon 2. I had no mechanical problems with the bike, no problems at all, I put about 600 miles on this bike and had the time of my life. I can’t wait to try some winter riding, I’ve been stoked since I bought the Talon 2. I do have some Ideas of upgrade’s, an adjustable seat post for riding uphill and then decending. I would like to get better front suspension, although my suspension is still fine. I cant say anything negative about this bike, even with all of the Giant components. I am very happy with my Talon 2 still.
Put over 1000 miles on my Talon2 in 2 months. Never has a bike made me feel so invincible. I feel like I can run over anything. I ran myself over once
I was originally going to get a Trek 29er Marlin because my Trek 800 has been so good to me for so long. I went to probably about 5 bike shops testing bikes and nobody had the Trek I wanted. Folsom Bike had the Giant and had me test about 5 different bikes. I really liked the Giant Talon 1 but got the Talon 2 because of the price and i didn’t think it was worth the upgrade for the money when they both rode exactly the same. I bought it and also got a Giant 8 speed for my 9 year old daughter. We went on some dirt trails and… WOW. My old bike really sucks.
Couple of things that need to be addressed are:
1. My burly trailer for the kids doesn’t fit because of the rear disc brake. I think i need an adaptor or something different.
2. I also would use a child seat on the back and it doesn’t have built in screws for my bike rack.
Conclusion:
I highly recommend this bike. I just can’t believe i was beating myself up on my old bike that i thought was ok when it really is garbage. The geometry is so comfortable and easy to ride.
Hope this helps anyone who is trying to make a decision.
Jimmy D
I looked at the Raleigh Talus 29, Diamondback Overdrive, Specialized Hardrock and a few other’s but they just did not feel good to me at all. I was replacing a 26″ modded Walmart Schwinn Aluminum Comp, that was just to small for me to begin with, but I got it cheap and it worked ok for a year since I didn’t know how much riding I would really do. Anyway, I jumped on the Giant Talon 29 2 and it felt good right away, I new it was right.
I got it for $649 and it was there last one in my size available, thank goodness I found it. I have been riding it for a couple of days now and it is just a fantastic ride. It shifts so smooth and it takes stumps/bumps with no problem. I am 47 and it pretty good shape running a few 5k’s here and there and they were trying to sell me a Hybrid. I just can’t do a Hybrid, I need something I can take off road and have some fun, and this bike hit’s the mark, I just love it.
I haven’t got the Giant, but I did look at the Raleigh Talus 29er and also some other brands. I like how the 29er thing has trickled down. I’ve ridden it offroad but not extensively yet; however, I have found it is very capable of going over obstacles that would hang up a smaller diameter wheel, so that hype is true. I also found that since I ride a small (I’ve got 30″ legs) the front end of every 29er is higher for me, but the overall ride position is slightly different so this isn’t as extreme an adjustment as it sounds.
still like my 26″, but this thing is my new fav.