Giant XTC Advanced + 1 Review
For several years my bike stable has included the super-fast Giant XTC, both 27.5 and 29ers, which have built a reputation for being the privateer racer's favourite with its capable steady handling, incredible responsiveness and pedalling efficiency. So, when Giant launched a version of the XTC in the new 27.5+ I snapped one up, planning to use it as my spare and/or night time bike for solo 24hr racing.
The bike is built around exactly the same advanced grade Carbon fibre frame as the 29er, and incidentally the same high-quality material used for the road bike range too, which isn't always the case.
The frame features internal cable routing which keeps shifting sweet even in the worst muddy trails, a clever hidden seatpost clamp and super stiff technology where it really counts (not just for immediate response to the pedals but at the headset for sharp steering too).
Equipment wise the bike comes with a (mainly) XT groupset and brakes, and the super plush 120mm Fox 34 fork is a massive highlight. With many XC race courses getting to be really technical, the extra cushioning of this fork is a real godsend for endurance events.
Shimano XT offers value for money that is hard to argue with, and many pro racers rate the brakes to be better even than the XTR in terms of lasting performance and reliability.
With just a couple of tweaks to the stock spec - namely an elliptical chainring, setting up tubeless Rocket Ron 27.5 X 2.8 tyres and swapping out the dropper for a lightweight Carbon seatpost - I've run this bike for the last 6 months.
The 27.5+ wheels offer incredible traction and are a lot of fun for trail riding, but they do give away a lot of extra weight and rolling resistance to the 29er version of the XTC. The real beauty of this bike however is that the BOOST spacing frame and fork will run either the 27.5+ wheels for days playing on technical trails or 29 wheels for race days, making this one bike to rule them all.
And if I had to have only one bike (shock horror) then this bike really would be it. For race days, the bike has become my number 1 ride, with its extra suspension over my other XTC, but running a set of Giant's Carbon 29er wheels.
Then on days like today, where training peaks reminded me early in the morning that there's 6 hours of riding in the pouring rain ahead, I just pop in the 27.5+ wheels and enjoy incredible confidence on slippery and treacherous trails. What a ride!
Dave Bowkett - Team Tredz
