MTB Dirt Mountain Bike Forums forum - Topic - Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

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Knob Scrubber
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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 03, 2012 03:52pm Updated 03-02-2012 03:54 pm by SpeedBump

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Time to buy my son a new bike. These are the 2 on my shortlist. The 29er usually costs $300 more than the 1, but I can get it at the same price. So - which one do ya reckon?

Giant Talon 0 29er:

Frame
Sizes	S:16, M:18, L:20, XL:22
Colors	Black/Blue
Frame	ALUXX SL Sport, formed alloy w/integrated gusset
Fork	Suntour SR Raidon RL Lockout 15QR
Shock	N/A

Components
Handlebar	Giant Connect oversize alloy 670mm x 25mm rise
Stem	Giant Connect oversize alloy, 4 bolt, 8 degree
Seatpost	Giant Connect oversize alloy micro-adjust 30.9
Saddle	Giant Cross trail saddle
Pedals	Steel flat

Drivetrain
Shifters	Sram X-5 trigger 27 sp.
Front Derailleur	Shimano Deore 34.9
Rear Derailleur	Sram X-5 9 sp.
Brakes	Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic w/6” rotors, 6 bolt
Brake Levers	Avid Elixir 1 hydraylic
Cassette	Sram PG950 9sp. 11-34T
Chain	Sram PC-951 9 sp.
Crankset	Sram X-5 9 sp. 22x32x44T
Bottom Bracket	Truvativ GXP external bottom bracket

Wheels
Rims	Giant S-XC 29er double wall disc 26” x 32H
Hubs	Giant alloy sealed 9sp casette
Spokes	14G stainless black
Tires	Kenda small block Eight 29 x 2.1”

Giant Talon 1:

Frame
Sizes	XS:14, S:16, M:18, L:20, XL:21.
Colors	Black/White
Frame	ALUXX SL Sport, formed alloy w/integrated gusset
Fork	Rock Shox XC 30 TK 100mm
Shock	N/A

Components
Handlebar	Giant sport alloy oversize riser bar
Stem	Giant sport alloy oversize Ahead 7 degree, 4 bolt
Seatpost	Giant sport alloy 30.9 micro-adjust
Saddle	Giant cross trail saddle
Pedals	Flat steel cage

Drivetrain
Shifters	Shimano Alivio Rapid Fire 27 sp.
Front Derailleur	Shimano Acera 34.9
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Deore Shadow 9 sp.
Brakes	Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic w/6” rotors, 6 bolt
Brake Levers	Avid Elixir 1 hydraylic
Cassette	Shimano HG30 9 sp. 11-34T
Chain	Shimano HG53 9 sp.
Crankset	Shimano Acera 9 sp. 22x32x42T
Bottom Bracket	Shimano ES25 Octalink sealed cartridge

Wheels
Rims	Giant alloy double wall disc 26” x 32H
Hubs	Shimano M475 9sp cassette disc rear, Giant alloy front, QR
Spokes	14G stainless black
Tires	Maxxis Crossmark 26 x 2.1”

Kenzo

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Crankmeister
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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 03, 2012 04:12pm

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Which does your son prefer?

On 'paper' the 29er looks better.

How it feels and looks to a young man... different story.

JimR: I am unstoppable, don't even try to stop me.

coaster

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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 03, 2012 06:25pm Updated 03-02-2012 06:26 pm by coaster

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http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicycles/avanti/mountain/aggressor-1/brisbane/qld/100344557 check this out also, its showning a air fork too but not sure if thats true - excellent spec for price. Think a 26er is more fun for a teen to throw around.

ozynigma

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Grim Ripper
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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 03, 2012 08:17pm

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What size frame are you looking at in each case?

I am a big fan of 29'ers for full size cross country riders. But for smaller riders and other mtb disciplines 26'ers can be a superior bike.

My sons rode a 24" mtb before they moved up to 26". None of them are yet on 29'ers although my oldest has borrowed mine once for an 80km ride. One of the 26'ers was an XS frame and it really looked a bit silly a small frame with disproportionate 26" wheels. Niner have just released an XS frame EMD 29'er and I suspect it will look the same to my eyes.

SpeedBump

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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 03, 2012 11:40pm

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Well - here's a crop of long-lost riding buddies! How are you all??

The bike I'm looking for is for my younger son, Jackson. He turns 14 next month, and is currently the same height as me - 173cm - hopefully he won't grow out of whatever bike I get him too quick.

So - time to replace the very small (13") Trek 4300 he currently has. He's away on a 5 week school camp ATM, so the plan is to get it while he's away and surprise him with it when he gets back. Thinking a 17-18" frame, and can be very easily talked into sticking with a 26er for him.

I was only looking at Giant because both my older son and I have them and are very happy with them. Certainly not locked into that brand.

That Avanti looks awesome, Coaster! Anything selling for $650 less than RRP has already got a head start! It's also time Jackson graduated to clipless pedals, and the fact this already has 'em is another bonus. Thinkin' that might have progressed to the top of the short list now.

EXCEPT - now that I've done a bit of research, a few things look a bit suss!!! - Looks to me like that photo and specs actually belong to a 2012 model - not the 2011 model. The 2012 model costs $1199 elsewhere.

Another site has the 2011 specs as follows, Price: WAS $1199, NOW $849.95!!!

2011 Avanti Aggressor 1

Frame: ADT 7005 UL Ultralite Alloy
Fork: RockShox Tora 100mm Travel with Preload & Rebound Adjust & Lockout
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX Shadow
Brake Levers: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc
Shifters: Shimano Alivio 27-Speed with Shimano Outer Casing
Crankset: Shimano M430 Octalink 44/32/22T
Brakes: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc
Hubs: Shimano RM65
Cassette: Shimano HG30 11-32T 9-Speed
Handlebar: Zero Strike Pro Alloy Riser 31.8mm
Grips: Zero X-Grip Dual Compound Lock-on Grips
Handlebar Stem: Zero Strike Pro Alloy Ahead 31.8mm
Pedals: Shimano M505 Clipless
Rims/Wheel Set: Alex SD-24 Double-wall Alloy 32H
Spokes: DT Swiss Stainless Steel
Tyres: Kenda Karma 26 x 2.0" with Superlite Tubes
Saddle: Zero Zealth
Seat Post: Zero Strike Pro 31.6mm
Bottom Bracket: Shimano ES25 Octalink
Headset: FSA Integrated Aheadset 1-1/8"
Chain: Shimano HG53

So, I'm thinking the one at Lifecycle, despite the photo and specs, is actually a 2011 model with the above specs, and was never $1499 to start with.

If that's the case, is it still a good buy?

coaster

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Mad Skillz
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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 04, 2012 05:43am

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Yea, I thought that looked a bit suss. The 11 Aggressor still looks to have better spec than the Talon 1, probably change out the tires, otherwise looks good. The cannondale also not bad (I like sram).

All worth a look if you have the time.

Aggressor 1 (2011)

New - Bike Shop

Type: Mountain

Brand: Avanti

Size: Medium

ON SALE $849 (Was $1,199 )

Latest

ID: 100166319

Description / Specification:

FREE 1ST SERVICE AND BIKE FIT WITH THIS BIKE. PACKAGE DEALS ON ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE TOO. ALL SIZES AVAILABLE

Get out and tackle any trail with pace aboard Aggressor 1. With lightweight, strong butted frame, Rockshox front fork and Shimano gearing this is the place to start getting serious.

Frame: ADT 7005 UL Ultralite Alloy
Fork: RockShox Tora 100mm Travel with Preload & Rebound Adjust & Lockout
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX Shadow
Brake Levers: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc
Shifters: Shimano Alivio 27-Speed with Shimano Outer Casing
Crankset: Shimano M430 Octalink 44/32/22T
Brakes: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc
Hubs: Shimano RM65
Cassette: Shimano HG30 11-32T 9-Speed
Handlebar: Zero Strike Pro Alloy Riser 31.8mm
Grips: Zero X-Grip Dual Compound Lock-on Grips
Handlebar Stem: Zero Strike Pro Alloy Ahead 31.8mm
Pedals: Shimano M505 Clipless
Rims/Wheel Set: Alex SD-24 Double-wall Alloy 32H
Spokes: DT Swiss Stainless Steel
Tyres: Kenda Karma 26 x 2.0" with Superlite Tubes
Saddle: Zero Zealth
Seat Post: Zero Strike Pro 31.6mm
Bottom Bracket: Shimano ES25 Octalink
Headset: FSA Integrated Aheadset 1-1/8"
Chain: Shimano HG53

Talon 1 (2012)

New - Bike Shop

Type: Mountain

Brand: Giant

Sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large, and XL

$899

ID: 102009775

Description / Specification:

GET THE UPPER HAND ON YOUR FRIEND’S ON FAST, FLOWING TRAILS. TALON’S 26-INCH WHEELS GUIDE YOU DOWN THE TRAIL WITH SUPREME AGILITY

Colours Black/White
Frame ALUXX SL Sport, formed alloy w/integrated gusset
Fork Rock Shox XC 30 TK 100mm
Handlebar Giant sport alloy oversize riser bar
Grips Giant Sole-O grip lock-on
Stem Giant sport alloy oversize Ahead 7 degree, 4 bolt
Seat Post Giant sport alloy 30.9 micro-adjust
Saddle Giant cross trail saddle
Pedals Flat steel cage
Shifters Shimano Alivio Rapid Fire 27 sp.
Front Derailleur Shimano Acera 34.9
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore Shadow 9 sp.
Brakes Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic w/6” rotors, 6 bolt
Brake Levers Avid Elixir 1 hydraylic
Cassette Shimano HG30 9 sp. 11-34T
Chain Shimano HG53 9 sp.
Crankset Shimano Acera 9 sp. 22x32x42T
Bottom Bracket Shimano ES25 Octalink sealed cartridge
Rims Giant alloy double wall disc 26” x 32H
Hubs Shimano M475 9sp cassette disc rear, Giant alloy front, QR
Spokes 14G stainless black
Tyres Maxxis Crossmark 26 x 2.1”

Trail SL 3 (2011)

New - Bike Shop

Type: Mountain

Brand: Cannondale

Sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large, XL, and XXL

ON SALE $799 (Was $1,300 )

ID: 100269866

Description / Specification:

Frame Trail SL, Optimized 6061 alloy, SAVE, 1.5" headtube
Fork RST Deuce Coil, 100mm, coil/elastomer, lockout, rebound, 1.5"
Rims Maddux DC3.0, double wall w/eyelet, 28 hole front, 32 hole rear
Hubs Formula DC20 front, DC22 rear
Spokes Stainless Black
Tires Kenda Small Block 8, 26x2.1"
Pedals V Platform w/steel cage
Crank Shimano M430, 44/32/22
BottomBracket Shimano ES-25 Octalink
Chain Shimano HG53, 9 speed
Rear Cogs SRAM PG-950 11-34 9-speed
Front Derailleur SRAM X5
Rear Derailleur SRAM X5
Shifters SRAM X5
Handlebars Cannondale C3 riser 20mm, 6061, 680mm
Stem Cannondale C4 1.5", 31.8
Headset Tange Custom 1.5"
Brakes Tektro Draco SL, 160/160 mm
Brakelevers Tektro Draco SL
Saddle Cannondale Stage 2
Seat Post Cannondale C3, 31.6x400mm
Grips S, M, L, X, J
Extras Cannondale alloy locking grips w/closed end

SpeedBump

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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 04, 2012 09:12am Updated 04-02-2012 09:54 am by SpeedBump

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Thanks for all that info, Coaster.

Just rang the bike shop to confirm the specs on the 2011 Aggressor 1. It's a 2011 model, but just to confuse things further, the specs are different to what's mentioned on the Bike Exchange website.

It has a RockShox Air Supply fork (hmmm - how come when I google RockShox Air Supply, nothing comes up...?), and the groupset has been upgraded to SLX.

So - which way would you go now? Keep the Talon 29er in for consideration, as well, though it seems the popular consensus is to stick with 26er. The Trail SL 3 above is also on the shortlist.

ozynigma

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Grim Ripper
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Giant Talon 0 29er vs Giant Talon 1

February 04, 2012 12:02pm

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I am great thanks mate.

If the whole groupset (brakes, shifters, derailleurs, cranks) is SLX then that would be a good thing.

The fork is entry level, maybe not quite as good as the Tora was, but it was pretty basic and heavy too. In fact all these models have entry level forks which is what you expect at this price point.

The problem with the 29'er is the surprise might be too much when he sees that his new wheels are bigger than dad's.