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Giant Launches Extensive Line of 27.5″ Mountain Bikes for both Men and Women

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Watching the video above, you get the idea that for Giant 27.5 isn’t just another wheel size. In fact, at least according to Adam Craig, 27.5 might be the wheelsize going forward. That would be a pretty tall order considering the number of 29er fans around the world, but it does show that Giant moving forward is very committed to 27.5. In total, Giant is offering 7 new 27.5″ bikes in the men’s series with 28 global models, and 5 new bikes in the Liv/Giant women’s series with 13 global models. While a 650b wheel isn’t exactly 27.5″, Giant is also firmly in the camp of calling the new bikes 27.5″ for simplicity. After a bit of teasing, the new line is here.

Get the rundown of the new bikes after the break.

Giant XTC Advanced 27 5 XtC_27.5_2

In addition to the men’s aluminum Talon 27.5 that was spotted a few months ago, Giant is also offering carbon XTC Advanced models along with an alloy XTC 2. Focused on racing and going fast, the 27.5″ versions of the XTC hard tails feature similar specs to their 29″ cousins.

The carbon XTC 27.5″ features a 142/135mm convertible thru axle, internal seatpost clamp, internal cable routing, and the typical Giant Overdrive 2 1.5-1.125 headset and Powercore BB. XTC Advanced will be sold in 4 different models – the $2,700 27.5 3, $3,925 2, $5,000 1, and $7,200 0 Team. The 0 Team and 1 will be fitted with XX1 and X01 drivetrains respectively, and Shimano XT and SLX found on the lower models.

The aluminum XTC 27.5 is currently only offered in the 2, which offers a Deore/SLX 2×10 drivetrain at $1,700. The frame also uses an Overdrive 2 headset along with internal shift cabling, and what’s listed as a 135x5mm integrated QR rear end.

Anthem_Advanced_27.5_0 Giant Anthem 27 5

Sticking with the racy side of things, but adding more suspension the Anthem line morphs to 27.5″ in both carbon Advanced and alloy. Both carbon and alloy frames use the convertible 142/135mm rear thru axles to keep the back end of the Maestro suspension system as stiff as possible. Giant seems to be firmly set on using the Overdrive 2 headset and fork, and you’ll find them here too along with internal cable routing and Powercore BB. The Anthem frame continues around a 100mm rear suspension design with matching 100mm travel forks.

Anthem_Advanced_27.5_2The Anthem advanced 27.5 will be sold in the $3,500 2 above, $4,750 1, and $8,250 0 Team. This time you’ll only find a 1×11 drivetrain on the top end 0 Team with XX1 and Giant’s P-XCR0 composite tubeless compatible wheels.

The alloy Anthem will again be offered in one model with the $2,250 Anthem 27.5 3 which includes a Shimano Deore 2×10 drivetrain and Shimano M395 hydraulic brakes.

Trance_Advanced_27.5_2Giant Trance 27 5

In 27.5 guise, the Trance and Trance Advanced are basically 140mm travel version of the Anthem with slacker geometry and accommodations for dropper seat posts. Again you’ll find Overdrive 2, Powercore, Covertible 142/135mm rear end, internal cable routing, and Maestro suspension.

Trance_Advanced_SX_27.5_RT

The middle Trance Advanced SX gets a bit of special treatment with a longer 140-160mm Fox 34 Talas CTD Factory Kashima, and the Fox Float-X CTD Factory Kashima rear shock which still provides 140mm travel in the rear. A SRAM X01 drivetrain provides the go along with Giant P-TRX1 tubeless compatible wheels, and a Giant Contact Swtich-R dropper post, all for $6,400.

Otherwise the high end Trance Advanced 0 retails for $7,725 with a Rockshox Revelation 120-140mm fork, and XX1, and the Advanced 2 will sell for $5,350 with a Fox 32 Talas 120-140 CTD Performance fork and Fox CTD performance rear shock and Deore XT 2×10 drivetrain. All Trance Advanced 27.5 bikes will include the Contact Switch-R Dropper post.

The alloy Trances will actually be offered in 3 different models – the $2,125 3, $3,500 1, and $4,050 SX. The SX model follows suit of the Trance Advanced SX, though the suspension drops down to Fox Evolution models and uses a Shimano 1×10 drivetrain with a chainguide instead of pricey X01. You’re still getting tubeless compatible wheels and a Switch-R dropper post for the price though.

Make sure to check out Giant’s site for more detailed spec and geometry info on each bike.

There has been a lot of talk about bike/wheel sizing for smaller riders including women, and while many companies believe in 29ers for women, it looks like Giant is firmly in the 27.5″ camp. Under the women’s performance off-road category on their site, you will only find 27.5. Fortunately though, they have an impressive line up of women’s mountain bikes from race ready carbon hard tails to the 140mm travel Intrigue.

Obsess_Advanced_27_5_1_RT

Starting with the Obsess Advanced, the ladies get an XTC Advanced of their own with all of the same frame features but with Liv/Giant’s 3F geometry. The 3 Fs stand for Fit, Form, and Function and offer shorter top tubes and slightly taller head tubes for better fit. The Obsess Advanced will be sold as the $4,125 1 which is equipped with a mix of SRAM X9/X0 2×10 with a RockShox SID RL, and the $2,775 Advanced 2 which rolls with a Fox 32 Float CTD Evolution and Shimano XT/SLX 2×10 drivetrain.

Both bikes will be sold in XS, S, and M sizes only.

Lust_Advanced_27_5_0_RT

Sitting next to the Anthem, the women’s Lust will be offered in both Advanced and alloy models, each with 100mm of suspension front and rear. Again, the women’s model carries all the same frame highlights as the men’s – convertible 142/135mm rear thru axle, Powercore BB, Overdrive 2 headset, internal cable routing, and Maestro suspension optimized for 27.5″ wheels.

The Lust Advanced will be sold as the $8,050 0, and $3,500 2.

Lust_27.5_1

The alloy version of the Lust will come in two flavors, the $3,200 1 and $2,450 2. The only difference in the frame other than material seems to be the use of the 135x5mm integrated QR system instead of the 142/135mm convertible thru axle. Both of the versions of the Lust are also sold only as XS, S, and M sized frames.

Intrigue_27.5_1_RT

Finally, Giant offers up a longer travel 27.5″ bike for women in the Intrigue. The Intrigue offers all of the features of the men’s Trance, but with 140mm of 3F Liv/Giant tweaked travel. It’s pretty rad that both the high end Lust and Intrigues are speced with dropper posts – something we haven’t seen on many women’s models yet.

The alloy Intrigue will be sold as the $4,250 1 and the $2,775 2. Each bike is fitted with a 2×10 drivetrain, 120-140mm travel adjust fork, and dropper seat post for maximum trail worthiness.

Check out the Liv/Giant page for more on spec and geometries.

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JTrain
JTrain
10 years ago

I don’t like their tone. Bigger, bolder, more hyped, and more foolish claims than from any of the other brands so far. They can’t sell 29″ with a straight face if they’re pumping up 650b so far beyond it. Also, calling it 27.5″ doesn’t keep things more “simple,” but instead makes it easier to pull one over on the next customer who doesn’t realize how close it really is to 26″.

Yetiman
Yetiman
10 years ago

Down with Overdrive 2!

Aaron Maughan
Aaron Maughan
10 years ago

Adam Craig and I have the same opinion. 27.5 is going to be the end all wheel size. 26 has disadvantages when compared to larger wheels, and 29 proved that point. 29 has also proved to have it’s own challenges to overcome in terms of agility, acceleration, and bike design for smaller riders. 27.5 is tackling the issues relating to both the other wheel sizes. In my opinion, the arguments about which wheel is best are over. We meet in the middle. Thanks, Kent Eriksen!

the_contrarian
the_contrarian
10 years ago

I don’t care much for all the hype either but I don’t really expect much else from any manufacturer releasing a new model. I am rather interested in the new Trance though, I really like my current 26″ 2012 X0 but do sometimes wish for a better ‘roll-over’ – and after riding a friends 29″ 2013 I think 27.5″ (or whatever you want to call it) might be about right. The big decider will be the geometry as the gap between medium and large has been way too wide on the 26″ Trance for sometime now. I guess I’ll just have to wait for a demo day to find out!

Steve
Steve
10 years ago

Is anybody else sick of these stupid marketing names? 3F geometry? Fit, Form, and Function? How is that anything new?

Mindless
Mindless
10 years ago

Overdrive 2 is fine. Less taper – better carbon steerers. Same headtube with smaller upper bearing. FSA makes nice stems.

1.5 straight was bit too much. This is just right.

Brett
Brett
10 years ago

Its 650b not 27.5 Giant. Technically its 27.19 if your gonna go that route. I really don’t understand why everyone rounds up that far. If you rounded properly it would be just 27. I don’t get it. I could see a play on words with the size being the in between size, so the point five gives a sense of middle. Idk just thinking out loud.

RoDe
RoDe
10 years ago

No reign 650B? To bad.

Jdog
Jdog
10 years ago

Rode the new Anthem X 27.5 and 29er back to back a few times. Again and again my preference was the 29er. That being said, the 27.5 is nice and I would choose it over 26″ in a second. (this bike need a 120/100mm variable type fork btw)

If you are 5-4″ I think you will love a 650b bike. If you are 6’+ I just don’t see it.

They made some very good updates to the maestro bikes in the 650b bikes, unfortunately they didn’t make these same revisions on the 29er bikes.

I have 4 29ers and my next bike will be a 29er, unless it is a DH bike. That is where 650b makes sense to me.

I just don’t see many 29er lovers going to a smaller wheel. I do however see the 26″ crowd going this route. Call it a 26ers 29er if you like.

The good news is that we all get a vote with every dollar we spend. Or don’t spend.

mateo
mateo
10 years ago

@Brett – The industry has spoken, and its overwhelmingly gone 27.5. Get used to it.

27″ wheels/tires already exists. Its a road size. If you really want to blow your own mind, ponder why they call 700c, 28″ in Germany.

26″ and 29″ aren’t accurate dead on size descriptions anyway, so why are people trying to hold 27.5″ to that standard? Its close enough, and depends on tire selection anyway.

Stamps
Stamps
10 years ago

Sorry Giant but I just cant see 29ers disappearing. 26…sure (excluding DH) but not 29. And I agree w/ JTrain…650b wheels are not exactly between 29 and 26…its much closer to 26. Calling it 27.5 is very misleading to the general public.

Fytze
Fytze
10 years ago

The point about 27″ not being possible because there already is a 27″ road size doesn’t make sense. 26″ also exists in two version with either 559mm and 590mm rims, the latter is for city bikes, using thinner tires so total wheel diameter is about the same.

The inch wheel diameter is supposed to be the outer diameter of the wheel + tire. But, if it were up to me to decide, I would go with rim diameters to specify a wheel size. I mean, that is really the only fixed measurement there is. 29″ is never really 29″ because it depends on the tire you put on it, with the trend going towards bigger volume tires, shouldn’t the wheel inch sizes being upped aswell? It is stupid, right? But 29″ will always have a 622mm diameter rim. That way you are also sure your tire will fit. Right now it is hard to explain that a 28″ tire will fit on a 29″ wheelset. But just call it all 622mm and it is simple.

Also this will help you guys in the UK and US to adapt the metric system a bit quicker 😉
*running out the door*

Jeff
Jeff
10 years ago

@ Aaron Maughan – thanks to Kent Eriksen?
Do you mean Kirk Pacenti? How are you crediting Kent ahead of Kirk in bringing 650b from obscure wheel size, to potentially, the new standard?
Kent would have never built a 650b bike with out a Neo Moto.

Gah
Gah
10 years ago

Hey Zach,

On Giant’s preview site they show the alloy Trance 27.5 offered in a “2” level model: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/showcase/trance-27-5/#gallery

You say above that’s it’s offered in a 1, 3, and SX. Can you speak to this change? Sure happened quickly… I was thinking that full SLX and Fox kit might be too good to be true!

Thanks!

Ck
Ck
10 years ago

I’m happy to see a short-travel FS 650b show up with the Anthem. I ride good terrain for FS 29ers and I definitely have the height, but i’m just not sold on the handling. Of course, outside of a few bikes like the Solo, 120mm or shorter travel FS bikes are almost always 29ers so my new bike choices were limited. The Anthem and Solo are both compelling options for me so i’m happy to see them.

As far as Giant’s opinion of 650b, I doubt it will kill the 29er. Say goodbye to 26 inch though.

Miguel Crisis
Miguel Crisis
10 years ago

Any idea whether they will be continuing making the XTC Composite and XTC Alloy in the 29″ size?

M Savage
M Savage
10 years ago

Never mind what we said last year… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwe6tNc9TMs
27.5 is so much better than 29. Buying a mountain bike is all about trade-offs. Depending the rider, skill and local riding terrain, each frame set and wheel size will bring some different to the riding experience.

It’s clear that from a business prospective, having an entire bike line in 3 different wheels sizes, is nightmare for the manufacturer as well as the retailer. Giant is clearly trying move the wheel standard to one size in order to maximize profits.

Jimbroski
Jimbroski
10 years ago

650B was originally used by schwinn…it is nothing new and falls under the 27.5 when measured correctly. The ugly truth is that 650B is too close in size to 26” to determine an advantage or disadvantage. Jamis had 650B mountain bikes 5 years ago but, try convincing anyone Jamis is a real bike company. WHat this looks like to me is a attempt from Giant to capitalize on a up and coming trend. Remember when Trek introduced 29ers under the Gary Fisher name? Everyone said it wouldn’t fly and many years later Trek/GF dominate the 29er market. I give credit to Giant for going with the 650B stuff because if it does put the 26” wheel to rest(yea right) they will have a great shot at cornering the market from entry level to high end. The real question is…Can you wheelie longer on a 26”? 650B? or 29er? Riddle me that!

Dominic
Dominic
10 years ago

This foray into extra large wheels continues apace, seemingly unabated. For the life of me i can’t understand why it should be happening, not only that, but headtubes are getting slacker. This scene is bonkers. What happened to maneuverability? Does anyone need it anymore?

Guy
Guy
10 years ago

In keeping to the context of the actual article, I had a chance to most of the line in Utah over the course of a few days and was really impressed. I’m currently on an ’08 Trance X that I have really loved and am really having a tough time creating a reason to change. That said, the Anthem walked a nice balance of playful/race bike that felt like it could be comfortably fast on XC trails anywhere here in the states. The Trance and Trance SX…..Deelish. The SX left no reason to keep the Reign in the line. And kudos on the cartidge bearings at the top of the shock, could have been placebo but rear suspension movement did feel buttery smooth. Yes, there is marketing to it , but Giant has historically done a pretty good job of crunching the physics before jumping into a market. So the bikes feel good, the market will dictate acceptance or rejection of the wheel size (I’m in the first camp) and let the shoot-outs begin!!!

reubenmc
reubenmc
10 years ago

Any word on whether they are still using the oddball 7.25 x 1.75″ i2i shocks on the new Trance? or have they gone to standard size?

cadence120
cadence120
10 years ago

Really, who gives a stuff about the technically correct wheel size. I rode a trance x 26er, then bought a trance x 29er. Could i tell the difference? hell yeh. On the 26 i could get around the tight twisty stuff without having to get off the bike, on the 29er no such joy. However, i can do things on the 29er i cant on the 26. Each bike has its pluses and minuses. The idea of an “in between” wheel size interests me greatly, so much so i have ordered the trance 1 27.5 and i cant wait to see how it goes. At the end of the day, its all about what makes you feel better depending on the terrain you ride. I know i have rides that willsuit both bikes accordingly and intend on keeping both 29er and 27.5. Marketing hype? maybe. But at least giant are active about giving choice and options to the masses. I get the impression that the haters/knockers seem to be the ones least likely to pull their walletts out and spend some money on a bike that makes us feel good when riding it. After all, isnt that part of what its all about? Getting out there and having a great time. Unless youre racing pro to earn a living, who cares if the bike is 200grams lighter or 2.45% stiffer or whatever, are you really going to notice it. Want to save 200 grams on your bike? Take a pee before you ride.

Sean
Sean
10 years ago

I rode 27.5 Anthem yesterday. We have a bunch of 26″, 29″ and 700c bikes in the stable but the 27.5 is different again. You can feel the difference between it and the 26er/29er. Reviews are going to be polar and we will here a lot of opinions from people who decided they didn’t like the idea without ever trying one. I would encourage anyone with an open enough mind to try one and develop their own opinion. 27.5″ may or may not work for your riding style. Myself, after a good test ride on a piece of singletrack, I left a deposit on the counter. I will be racing it later this month.

Steven
Steven
10 years ago

The 650b or 27.5 has been around for a few years and if you don’t try it then it will be your loss.
I’ve been on a 29er since 05′ and I thought the 27.5 was great. I’ve tested both Giant and Jamis’ 27.5 bikes and it’s a nice change. It all depends on the trail you’re riding, but it has it’s pros over the 29er. Another thing to consider is your height. Always ride what works/feels best for you and don’t let the industry’s changes make your decision, test it for yourself.

DarrylJD
DarrylJD
10 years ago

my XTC 0 27.5 is on order, while i appreciate the advantages of a 29er, at 5 foot 8, I don’t feel comfortable on them, and not nimble enough for me. I am voting with my wallet and haven’t been this excited for a new bike in years!!

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