REVIEW: 2012 Giant XTC 0 Composite 29er XC MTB
Oct
3
Written by:
Ky Lane
Monday, October 03, 2011 11:34 AM
So, Saturday afternoon had me worn out from a long month of drama - when Jaaron, the owner of Cyc'd for Bikes in Brisbane bestowed upon me one of Giant's new 29er rides - the XTC 0 Composite. My day brightened up a whole lot.
Jaaron patiently built the medium sized steed to his OCD-like standards (don't worry - its a good thing!) and dropped it onto the Park Tools scales. 10.67kg was the reading, and we all sort of looked at each other and giggled. How could Giant build a bike with X0/X9 spec gear, Fox 15QR RLCFIT forks and carbon goodness for this price, AND be sub 11kg with all stock parts? Wow. This bike is SERIOUSLY something else.
The matchmaker clamps for the shifters and Avid Elixir brakes was downright awesome. Took all of 30 seconds to dump the stem as low as it would go, and set the controls up ready to go. With 1 torque bolt, the clamp comes completely undone - meaning no more scratching up the bars to get the controls off for an upgrade.
Im new to 2x10, but the X9 cranks paired with the X0 rear mech in the matching giant blue color looks the balls. The cassette looks like a spider and a buzzsaw laid eggs and they all just hatched on the freehub. Alot of weight looks to be shed from the PG1070 cluster, and it looks like it means business.
Was also amazingly surprised to see the 1071 hollowpin chain, and a set of 29er Schwalbe Racing Ron tyres on it as standard! Sweet!
So... on the Sunday, I got up an hour earlier than wanted (thanks to the iPhone daylight savings screwup) and took the new ride out to the local trails at Gap Creek.
A few tweaks of the saddle height, and drop the controls out of fingernail-smashing position, and off I went for a 65km jaunt.
First impressions were that it felt just like the 2010 XTC geometry. It felt tight like a XC racing bike, but with all the comfort of a 29er - and then the added compliance of the carbon made for a dream ride. The bike did exactly as it was told, when told. It cornered like a dream (mind you, its been a while since I've been out playing on brand spanking new tyres) and stopped on a dime. I did find a little rear slide, but it was also a very dusty dry day on the trails, so it didn't seem to be completely the bikes fault.
Climbing, the bike is amazing. The absolutely MASSIVE downtube on the bike pretty much eliminates any torsional flex. I couldn't feel any at all, and I'm a big powerful rider. It honestly looks odd to look at, but - now I get it. The stiffness when planting the power is truly not like anything I've ridden before. You feel the vertical compliance on the bumpy trails - the carbon stays doing their job soaking up the rough stuff - but when it comes to stomp time, all I feel is the bike moving forward. I'd liken it to getting on a brand spanking new super fast carbon roadbike - you feel the bike moving forward under you.
On the rough stuff, the 100mm Fox F29 RLC FiT forks with the 15mm front axle and tapered steerer do an amazing job. This isn't my first experience with this fork, as I upgraded my 2010 XTC to the same fork (but added the 20mm spacer to drop the front end a little more - 80mm is more than enough for any of the trails around Brisbane). For those who haven't experienced 15QR yet - do it. I'm not familiar with the technology or marketing side of it, but purely from a feel point of view, it feels like the fork is taking all of its hits directly up the centre of the bike, despite landing on cambered rocks or dirt. It keeps your balance and weight centred, and lets the bike to all the work. In comparison to an old standard quick release, they feel like the bike is going to fling you whichever way the landing patch is cambered. So, in terms of the long 12/24hr racing I like to do, this means just more energy saved controlling the bike on uneven surfaces - and a MUCH more comfortable ride.
The bog standard wheelset (made by DT Swiss but re-branded for Giant themselves) is fine. And by that Im not saying its crap, and Im also not saying its a race ready wheelset. However, its mid-weighted and strong as hell. For a guy like me, they're perfect. Good bearings, 15mm QR and strong rims to soak up all the hits. Also, Giant offer a "tubeless kit" for those wheels, so make sure you ask Jaaron at Cyc'd to fit that with some Cafe Latex to get you puncture free.
The Fizik saddle im very aquainted with. We've done alot of riding over the past 18months together, so was glad to see it was spec'd the same as my old 2010 XTC1. The broad, long nose on the saddle is awesome for those steep pinch climbs. I did the 24hr last year on this setup on the old alum XTC1 and wasn't sore nor uncomfortable for the entire ride. Great saddle.
The Elixir brakes were impressive. Im pretty much a shimano guy when it comes to brakes; because after owning a set of Magura's, theyre a pain in the arse to find parts for - or anyone who knows how to look after them. Shimano are reliable, cheap, work well and parts are everywhere for them. So, Ill reserve judgement on the Elixers for now. But, after 1 ride Im impressed. They have an onboard reach/pad adjuster which is great. I cant see me fiddling with it much once its set, but as the pads wear, I guess I will. They stopped beautifully - and unlike my old XTC, I had no shudder under heavy braking on steep tech downhills. So, +1 for Avid.
The 2x10 setup is going to take some getting used to. Having been a 3x9 guy for years, and seeing the problems inherant with 29ers with longer wheelbases and chain slap/overstretch to the point of ripping off my rear mech - I invited the chance to get onto 2x10. For the most part, I stayed in the big ring. The only time I dropped to the smaller ring was to get up a super steep pinch climb (sister number 1 for those in the know) and then back into the big ring. I never found myself searching for the right gear - they seemed to be nicely setup for trail riding. I have to admit I do miss my grip shift though. Going back to the SRAM triggers feels like a little de-evolution. I found myself accidentally tapping down a few cogs due to the very find and precise downshifting you get from the trigger pods - but, that could just be me.. again, Ill reserve judgement for a while.
So, overall - Im in love. This is the best bike Ive ridder. It fitted me perfectly, straight out of the box. It feels comfortable and compliant - yet on those climbs all I feel is forward momentum. The fork combination soaked up everything without throwing me off-line - and this time, Im going to leave them set to 100mm, as it seems to be the standard these days; despite the fact I feel its overkill for Brisbane trails. The componantry and controls are perfectly spec'd for a ride of this caliber, and it all comes together so well... and for the price! A very-sub 3 grand race bike, ready to go out of the box. Unbeleivable. For what I was racing with last year, I could have had 5 of these racked up ready to go during my last 24hr race.
I dont know how Giant do it to be honest. Im no pro rider, but this bike is downright awesome, and for what you pay, you get ALOT of bike with all the latest technology moulded around a very well designed and build carbon frame.
Im sitting here behind a screen wishing I was out there again right now.... it makes me WANT to go riding.
Bravo Giant - and Bravo Cyc'd for Bikes - and thank you very much.
Check out the specs etc here.