Giant XTC Composite 29er

[CAAD4]

I ride that bike. It's a race frame with race geometry. Relatively steep head angles and short chainstays make for a short wheelbase. This gives it very 'sharp'/responsive handling which offset some of the supposed negatives of the big wheels but it may initially feel a little twitchy if you're used to something with a more relaxed setup. It's around 1.1kg for the frame so not as light as frames like the Scott Scale at about 900g, but it offers superior tyre clearance to the Scott and is a lot cheaper (assuming of course you could buy a Scott frame only).

 

I built my XL framed bike up with no fancy components at 11.1kg. It is a relatively hard ride compared to some of the other carbon hardtails. It doesn't have niceties like enclosed cables but that shouldn't detract too much. I've done about 2500km on it in the past 6 months or so with not one problem.

 

Lastly if you buy from a dealer you get a lifetime warranty on the frame. To me there isn't a better bang for buck 29er HT carbon frame on the market.

 

For the record I'm not a Giant rep. I also own a Scott Spark 29er, Scott road bike, Raleigh tandem and Trek SS.

 

He's a roadie, you might as well be talking in code...

 

Go for it LOOK.

[build2race]

 

 

This is my XTC. I can honestly tell you that this bike is brilliant. by far the best money I have ever spend. You will NOT regret buying that Giant frame.

[Iron]

Pimping SS Iron

 

Fanks

[bikekid]

Hi robinh. I am in Paulpietersburg. Our town is situated at the foot of a mountain with a service road going to the top. We also have a railway line circling our town and those service roads are great for easier rides and nice for int. training as well. Some district roads around as well and then all those plantation roads. Couple of years back the guys laid-out some nice trails with bridges across streams etc and some really tough technical sections. They even had some races, but I don't know the condition of the trails as there is not much cycling going on aroung here at the moment

 

Sounds like a kiff place to ride. I have Giant XTC and very happy. My future build up 29er will be either an Anthem or XTC. But i would go for it if you can get it at a bargain price.

[LOOK695]

I should be getting some components today that I bought on the hub :clap:

[jcmeyerSS]

Nice. Post pics

[BlinkFan]

Any idea of where to buy these frames and approx. price? Frame only.

[LOOK695]

Here are pics of my goodies, the 2 derailers and the shifters. Hopefully next month it will be either brakes or the crank

[LOOK695]

Decision time: I have decided that I would like to go with Hope hubs for costume build wheels, though I am undecided on what rims to us and the correct rim width. I have had a look at DT Swiss, Stans, Mavic, or should I stick with a factory build wheelset? I want a strong robust wheelset that won't give me grieve, but is also easy on the pocket. The other item I am not sure on is the handlebar. I like the Easton EC90 bar but it comes in flat and riser versions and the width is 635mm whereas the trend seems to be to go wider for 29er's? The seatpost and stem will be from the same manufacturer as the handlebar. Any advice will be most welcome :thumbup:

Edited October 9, 2012 by LOOK695

[splat]

I have ZTR Arch EX rims on Hope Pro II Evo hubs with Pillar DB spokes and brass nipples. I got them for all the reasons you stated, but retrospectively should have got the Arch EX wheelset as it would have been 170g lighter. (if that's of any concern to you...). Easy on the pocket is also relative...

 

I also got Easton EC70 wide flat carbon bars (680mm) from Wiggle.co.uk. Seeing as I already had a Thomson seatpost, I got a Thomson stem to match. And then carried on with a Thomson topcap and seatpost clamp.

 

When the Thomson carbon bars come out, I will probably drool over them until I break and order a pair.

Edited October 9, 2012 by splat

[LOOK695]

I have ZTR Arch EX rims on Hope Pro II Evo hubs with Pillar DB spokes and brass nipples. I got them for all the reasons you stated, but retrospectively should have got the Arch EX wheelset as it would have been 170g lighter. (if that's of any concern to you...). Easy on the pocket is also relative...

 

I also got Easton EC70 wide flat carbon bars (680mm) from Wiggle.co.uk. Seeing as I already had a Thomson seatpost, I got a Thomson stem to match. And then carried on with a Thomson topcap and seatpost clamp.

 

When the Thomson carbon bars come out, I will probably drool over them until I break and order a pair.

Was thinking of going with Arch rims. I way nearly 100kg's at the moment and need something that will last. Hear what you say about the pocket, but I am prepared to spend slightly more and have better service from the wheelset than having spokes break and cracked rims.

[jannosmit]

I have ZTR Arch EX rims on Hope Pro II Evo hubs with Pillar DB spokes and brass nipples. I got them for all the reasons you stated, but retrospectively should have got the Arch EX wheelset as it would have been 170g lighter. (if that's of any concern to you...). Easy on the pocket is also relative...

 

I also got Easton EC70 wide flat carbon bars (680mm) from Wiggle.co.uk. Seeing as I already had a Thomson seatpost, I got a Thomson stem to match. And then carried on with a Thomson topcap and seatpost clamp.

 

When the Thomson carbon bars come out, I will probably drool over them until I break and order a pair.

 

Ag ja Hope is heavier, but its centre/not rotational, looks PIMPING sounds great and is strong as hell.

[BergForce]

American Classic MTB wheelset - lightweight as a Crest wheelset but so much stronger.

[LOOK695]

American Classic MTB wheelset - lightweight as a Crest wheelset but so much stronger.

Have read that the rims are on the soft side?

[Hairy]

At 100kg's the Arches on Hope Hubs should be the bees knees .... if you want more "bombproofability" then go with a flow rim instead.

 

Yes "bombproofability" is a very real and technical term

 

Also heard from a few LBS's and riders they have found the AM wheelset rims to be a little on the soft side.

 

What does get my interest though is what costume you are getting to wear with the wheels and what would the event / party theme be?

Decision time: I have decided that I would like to go with Hope hubs for costume build wheels, though I am undecided on what rims to us and the correct rim width. I have had a look at DT Swiss, Stans, Mavic, or should I stick with a factory build wheelset? I want a strong robust wheelset that won't give me grieve, but is also easy on the pocket. The other item I am not sure on is the handlebar. I like the Easton EC90 bar but it comes in flat and riser versions and the width is 635mm whereas the trend seems to be to go wider for 29er's? The seatpost and stem will be from the same manufacturer as the handlebar. Any advice will be most welcome :thumbup:

[splat]

costume build = pimping