Watching the video above, you get the idea that for Giant 27.5 isn’t just another wheel size. In fact, at least according to Adam Craig, 27.5 might be the wheelsize going forward. That would be a pretty tall order considering the number of 29er fans around the world, but it does show that Giant moving forward is very committed to 27.5. In total, Giant is offering 7 new 27.5″ bikes in the men’s series with 28 global models, and 5 new bikes in the Liv/Giant women’s series with 13 global models. While a 650b wheel isn’t exactly 27.5″, Giant is also firmly in the camp of calling the new bikes 27.5″ for simplicity. After a bit of teasing, the new line is here.
Get the rundown of the new bikes after the break.
In addition to the men’s aluminum Talon 27.5 that was spotted a few months ago, Giant is also offering carbon XTC Advanced models along with an alloy XTC 2. Focused on racing and going fast, the 27.5″ versions of the XTC hard tails feature similar specs to their 29″ cousins.
The carbon XTC 27.5″ features a 142/135mm convertible thru axle, internal seatpost clamp, internal cable routing, and the typical Giant Overdrive 2 1.5-1.125 headset and Powercore BB. XTC Advanced will be sold in 4 different models – the $2,700 27.5 3, $3,925 2, $5,000 1, and $7,200 0 Team. The 0 Team and 1 will be fitted with XX1 and X01 drivetrains respectively, and Shimano XT and SLX found on the lower models.
The aluminum XTC 27.5 is currently only offered in the 2, which offers a Deore/SLX 2×10 drivetrain at $1,700. The frame also uses an Overdrive 2 headset along with internal shift cabling, and what’s listed as a 135x5mm integrated QR rear end.
Sticking with the racy side of things, but adding more suspension the Anthem line morphs to 27.5″ in both carbon Advanced and alloy. Both carbon and alloy frames use the convertible 142/135mm rear thru axles to keep the back end of the Maestro suspension system as stiff as possible. Giant seems to be firmly set on using the Overdrive 2 headset and fork, and you’ll find them here too along with internal cable routing and Powercore BB. The Anthem frame continues around a 100mm rear suspension design with matching 100mm travel forks.
The Anthem advanced 27.5 will be sold in the $3,500 2 above, $4,750 1, and $8,250 0 Team. This time you’ll only find a 1×11 drivetrain on the top end 0 Team with XX1 and Giant’s P-XCR0 composite tubeless compatible wheels.
The alloy Anthem will again be offered in one model with the $2,250 Anthem 27.5 3 which includes a Shimano Deore 2×10 drivetrain and Shimano M395 hydraulic brakes.
In 27.5 guise, the Trance and Trance Advanced are basically 140mm travel version of the Anthem with slacker geometry and accommodations for dropper seat posts. Again you’ll find Overdrive 2, Powercore, Covertible 142/135mm rear end, internal cable routing, and Maestro suspension.
The middle Trance Advanced SX gets a bit of special treatment with a longer 140-160mm Fox 34 Talas CTD Factory Kashima, and the Fox Float-X CTD Factory Kashima rear shock which still provides 140mm travel in the rear. A SRAM X01 drivetrain provides the go along with Giant P-TRX1 tubeless compatible wheels, and a Giant Contact Swtich-R dropper post, all for $6,400.
Otherwise the high end Trance Advanced 0 retails for $7,725 with a Rockshox Revelation 120-140mm fork, and XX1, and the Advanced 2 will sell for $5,350 with a Fox 32 Talas 120-140 CTD Performance fork and Fox CTD performance rear shock and Deore XT 2×10 drivetrain. All Trance Advanced 27.5 bikes will include the Contact Switch-R Dropper post.
The alloy Trances will actually be offered in 3 different models – the $2,125 3, $3,500 1, and $4,050 SX. The SX model follows suit of the Trance Advanced SX, though the suspension drops down to Fox Evolution models and uses a Shimano 1×10 drivetrain with a chainguide instead of pricey X01. You’re still getting tubeless compatible wheels and a Switch-R dropper post for the price though.
Make sure to check out Giant’s site for more detailed spec and geometry info on each bike.
There has been a lot of talk about bike/wheel sizing for smaller riders including women, and while many companies believe in 29ers for women, it looks like Giant is firmly in the 27.5″ camp. Under the women’s performance off-road category on their site, you will only find 27.5. Fortunately though, they have an impressive line up of women’s mountain bikes from race ready carbon hard tails to the 140mm travel Intrigue.
Starting with the Obsess Advanced, the ladies get an XTC Advanced of their own with all of the same frame features but with Liv/Giant’s 3F geometry. The 3 Fs stand for Fit, Form, and Function and offer shorter top tubes and slightly taller head tubes for better fit. The Obsess Advanced will be sold as the $4,125 1 which is equipped with a mix of SRAM X9/X0 2×10 with a RockShox SID RL, and the $2,775 Advanced 2 which rolls with a Fox 32 Float CTD Evolution and Shimano XT/SLX 2×10 drivetrain.
Both bikes will be sold in XS, S, and M sizes only.
Sitting next to the Anthem, the women’s Lust will be offered in both Advanced and alloy models, each with 100mm of suspension front and rear. Again, the women’s model carries all the same frame highlights as the men’s – convertible 142/135mm rear thru axle, Powercore BB, Overdrive 2 headset, internal cable routing, and Maestro suspension optimized for 27.5″ wheels.
The Lust Advanced will be sold as the $8,050 0, and $3,500 2.
The alloy version of the Lust will come in two flavors, the $3,200 1 and $2,450 2. The only difference in the frame other than material seems to be the use of the 135x5mm integrated QR system instead of the 142/135mm convertible thru axle. Both of the versions of the Lust are also sold only as XS, S, and M sized frames.
Finally, Giant offers up a longer travel 27.5″ bike for women in the Intrigue. The Intrigue offers all of the features of the men’s Trance, but with 140mm of 3F Liv/Giant tweaked travel. It’s pretty rad that both the high end Lust and Intrigues are speced with dropper posts – something we haven’t seen on many women’s models yet.
The alloy Intrigue will be sold as the $4,250 1 and the $2,775 2. Each bike is fitted with a 2×10 drivetrain, 120-140mm travel adjust fork, and dropper seat post for maximum trail worthiness.
Check out the Liv/Giant page for more on spec and geometries.
