Giant ATX Review
- Lightweight alloy frames
- Clean internal cable routing
- 100mm SR Suntour forks
- Limited model range
- No hydraulic disc brakes
- No 29er wheel version
Discipline:
Hardtail MTBUsage:
Trails and forest pathsWeight:
14.3Kg (31.5lbs)*The Giant ATX is that perfect all-round bike for comfortable city commuting, light trail riding and everything in between.
2020 Update
With the addition of a new entry level ATX 3 there are now three bikes in the range. The ATX 3 has a 3x7 speed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes while the other models have hydraulics. All bikes bikes have a new colour scheme and the same great frame.
Updated: 09 December 2020
Overview
The Giant ATX is the perfect entry into the world of mountain biking, providing a fantastic build that’ll allow you to enjoy getting into off-road riding. It has a hardtail frame, built from Giant’s proprietary alloy, making sure it balances weight and strength for longevity and easy handling.
The ATX comes in two different wheel sizes, with the 26” model catering to smaller riders and the 27.5” (650b) models suiting all other rider heights. Every ATX features disc brakes for all weather stopping power, a quality Shimano drivetrain and an SR Suntour suspension fork to soften the bump and add control when heading off-road. For forest paths, light trails and even your daily commute, the Giant ATX is an ideal bike for comfortable, versatile riding.
*ATX 1 - Size L tested, no pedals
Unique at this price-point, the Giant ATX has features that set it apart from the competition, like the internal cable routing. This keeps the cables nestled inside the frame, free from grit and dirt that can cause premature wear, prolonging the life of the cables and performance of the braking and shifting.
The hardtail frame is made with Giant’s proprietary ALUXX alloy. The frame's tubes are thicker in some areas than others, which balances strength and weight, offering a strong platform that is also easy handling. The frame also comes with rack mounts, so if you’re using your ATX for commuting or city riding, you can store your essentials. Giant offers the ATX 2 with 26” wheels in XX Small and X Small sizing for shorter riders, as well as with 27.5” wheels in sizes Small to X Large.
Internal cable routing, ALUXX alloy and a light weight all give the Giant ATX a step above the competition.
The SR Suntour forks have 100mm travel and lockout for bump absorption and climbing efficiency.
To take on light trails and forest paths, a suspension fork will make a big difference, so that’s why you see an SR Suntour fork on every Giant ATX. Suspension not only provides extra comfort when the trails and surfaces get rough, but their greatest use is extra control, helping you ride to your potential and handle more challenging terrain.
The Giant ATX 2 in 26” and 27.5” wheels both get an SR Suntour XCT fork with 100mm travel. The ATX 1 comes with an upgraded SR Suntour XCT HLO fork, also with 100mm travel. This fork gets a hydraulic lockout feature that stiffens the forks at the turn of a knob. The lockout helps climbing when you’re standing up, making sure none of your energy goes into the fork while you’re pedalling.
With a wide range drivetrain, the Giant ATX can ride quickly around town or take on steep climbs with ease.
To make sure that the Giant ATX is ready to take on everything from city streets to trail riding, a wide range drivetrain is specced on both the ATX 2 and ATX 1. Shimano is the most well known drivetrain manufacturer in cycling, so it was an obvious choice for the ATX. The ATX 2 gets a 3x7 speed drivetrain, with three gears in front and seven in the back, giving you the capabilities to climb steep inclines and go fast in town.
The ATX 1 gets a 3x8 speed Shimano Acera drivetrain, which offers an extra gear ratio for riding where you need. This smooth shifting drivetrain works just as well off-road as in town. For slowing down, there’s no beating disc brakes, and both models feature Tektro mechanical disc brakes. They are as powerful in the wet or dry, so you won’t have to worry about rainy riding.
Giant understands that smaller riders need to be catered to also, so have made released the ATX 2 with both 26” and 27.5” wheels. Each Giant ATX model gets Giant’s own brand wheels, matching Giant GX28 rims to Joytech disc hubs to provide quick and stable rolling.
Tyre selection can make a big difference to how the bike rides, and the Giant ATX knows what it’s meant to do as a versatile bike. The Giant Quickcross tyres come in a mid-range 2.1” size, and combined with the shallow tread, gives them quick rolling, while delivering solid grip on forest paths and light trails. They are great tyres for both road and off-road use.
Giant in-house wheels provide solid rolling, while the tyres allow for comfortable riding.
The Giant ATX is that perfect all-round bike for comfortable city commuting, light trail riding and everything in between. It’s priced to be affordable, not breaking the bank for either model, while delivering a whole lot of bike.
With two wheel sizes to choose from, depending your height, the ATX really caters to any size rider. And the new frame gives features than bike at a much higher price point would have, and matching this to a fantastic quality parts specification that is reliable and durable.
