Giant unveils re-engineered Glory Advanced downhill bike
The brand says the fifth-generation Glory is stiffer, lighter and quicker than previous models
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Giant has released a fully redesigned downhill bike, the Glory Advanced, built on a full-composite frameset with multiple ways to adjust and dial in frame geometry, handling and rear wheel size.
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Designed for and with the best downhill racers, the newest Glory is built around a lightweight Advanced-grade carbon composite structure, making it quite different to the original aluminium-framed Glory that was first released in 2006.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced riding action 2.jpg, by Giant
The new chassis is said to weigh only 3,200g for a size S/M frame and has been made to accommodate various rider requirements in terms of suspension and geometry.
“This is the first full-composite Glory we’ve ever produced for consumers, and it’s a significant advancement over the previous generation. We’ve developed new ways to adjust and dial in performance and handling for different riders and terrain. We also spent a lot of time updating the Maestro suspension system. We’ve improved the leverage ratio so that it has a super-smooth feel on smaller bumps, while also having better mid- and end-stroke support,” summarised Jan Cees Schellenbach, Giant's MTB Category Manager.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced - Suspension
2023 Giant Glory Advanced fork, by Giant
The updated Glory gets a new Maestro rear suspension platform featuring 200mm of travel. It’s built using “strategically positioned pivot points” and two linkages that all work together to create a single floating pivot point.
The upper rocker of the rear suspension is made with Advanced Forged Composite which adds strength and stiffness and lowers overall frame weight, according to Giant. This should result in better handling on rough, technical trails, cornering at speed, and accelerating out of corners.
Frame protection.jpg, by Giant
Damping 200mm of rear suspension is a Trunnion mounted shock, with a 75mm stroke, which should make the rear suspension feel smoother by increasing small-bump sensitivity. The leverage ratio on the shock has been adjusted to provide a smoother end stroke without bottom-outs.
The rear suspension is paired with a Fox 40 Factory fork with 203mm of travel at the front of the bike.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced - Adjustable geometry
2023 Giant Glory Advanced Flip chip - headset.jpg, by Giant
Giant has equipped the 2023 Glory Advanced with three different flip chips, which means that the bike's angles, dimensions and wheel size can be easily adjusted for and by the rider.
The first flip chip is on the upper rocker arm of the Maestro suspension system with three positions (High, Medium and Low) to dial in the handling for different handling characteristics. The different settings change the bottom bracket drop in 5mm increments (13, 8 or 3mm) as well as the head tube angle (61.6-, 62- or 62.3-degrees) and seat tube angle (78.4-, 78.8- or 79.1-degrees).
2023 Giant Glory Advanced Flip chip - dropout DH.jpg, by Giant
The second adjustment point is a two-position flip chip on the rear dropout and changes the wheelbase and rear-centre measurement. The Short position shoulder offer a quicker, more agile ride quality and is a great option for tight and twisty terrain. The tighter wheelbase and rear centre make for responsive steering and flickable handling. The Long position, on the other hand, extends the wheelbase and rear centre for better control at high speeds.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced geo chart, by Giant
The third adjustment is a modular three-position flip chip at the headset area that lets riders adjust the reach in 5mm increments to Short (-5mm), Mid (0mm) or Long (+5mm). The Short position puts the headset closest to the rider for a more upright position that’s good for tight, technical downhill terrain. The Mid position offers a neutral reach for balanced handling on changing terrain. The Long position creates a more stretched-out rider position for a planted feel.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced - Wheel options
2023 Giant Glory Advanced team bike.jpg, by Giant
The new Glory can accommodate both 29-inch or 27.5-inch rear wheels - and all models come from the factory with a mixed wheel “mullet” set-up (a 27.5in, or 650b rear wheel). Opting for the mullet setup should create a snappy, agile feel as well as increased saddle-to-tire clearance in the rear, compared to a 29-inch setup which should be more planted according to Giant.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced - Pricing and availability
2023 Giant Glory Advanced special edition frameset, by Giant
The Giant Glory Advanced is available as either a fully build bike or a special Legends Edition frameset, inspired by iconic mountain bike riders such as Rob Warner, Myles Rockwell and Danny Hart.
The full Glory Advanced build consists of Fox 40 Factory fork, GRIP2 damper, and a Fox DHX2 Factory coil shock.
The shifting is handled by Sram GX Eagle DH 1x7, and the brakes are hydraulic Shimano Saint M-820, with a 220mm rotor at the front and 203mm at the rear.
The bike is rolling on Giant AM30 alloy wheels laced with 28 spokes on the 30mm inner-width rims. These are shod with 29x2.5in Maxxis Assegai WT 3C MaxxGrip DH TR mountain bike tyres at the front, and a smaller 650b 2.4in Maxxis Minion DHR II WT 3C MaxxGrip DH TR at the rear.
The finishing kit is all Giant, with 800mm wide handlebars and a 50mm stem, and an inline seatpost paired with Giant Romero saddle.
There are three size options available: S/M, M/L, L/XL. The full build retails for £7,500 and the Glory Advanced Legends Edition frameset (including fork and shock) for £6,000 and both should be available now.
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