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2020 marks the rebirth of Giants XtC 29 range. The new XtC is now the lightest mountain bike the brand has ever created with both frames in the line weighing less than 1,000g while claiming ti maintaining stiffness. To keep up with the ever increasing demands of cross-country courses, the new bike sees in a host of geometry updates too.
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Giant has shaped the new XtC 29 around 29" wheels for maximum efficiency and a perfectly centred riding position. The 100mm RockShox SID (or Fox 32) fork sits in a 70 degree head angle on a large frame. The frame features a 435mm reach for a medium, 425mm chainstays and 58mm bottom bracket drop.
New for 2020, each size of frame has it's own customized composite layup to keep compliance and ride characteristics the same across the range. Smaller frames will be more flexy for lighter riders while larger frames being stiffer. The top tube and down tube use Giant's Megadrive oversized and rectangular tubing to provide torsional and lateral stiffness for precise steering. Also found on the front end is an oversized head tube to aid stiffness.
With the new composite layups come even lighter bikes with the XtC Advanced SL 29 weighing 920g and the slightly cheaper model weighing just 995g. This adds to the brand's best-ever stiffness to weight ratio resulting in a serious advantage for climbing, accelerating and sprinting.
The XtC Advanced SL 29 0 is driven by Srams XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain and rolls on Giants XCR-0 composite wheels with Maxxis Recon Race tyres. Slowing you down is a set of Sram Level Ultimates.
The slightly cheaper SL 29 1 gets a heavier frame but the same tyres, a Shimano XT 12 speed drivetrain and XT brakes.
Both bikes come in four sizes - S to XL - and only one model-specific colour.
The range-topping XtC Advanced SL 29 0 will set you back £8,000 while the XtC Advanced SL 29 1 costs £4,000
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