Giant XTC 1 (2008) or a Giant XTC 2 (2009)?

dannytiesto

Hiya guys/girls..

First post, so go easy on me 'pretty' please!! :oops:

Ok, i'll start by asking which of the above do you think? -

Spec list for 2009 XTC 2:

FRAME AluxX SL aluminium, Fluid Formed
FORK Rock Shox Recon SL Air 100mm travel, Turn Key lock out with Poploc
SHOCK N/A
HANDLEBAR Giant A5 aluminium O.S.
STEM Giant A5 aluminium O.S.
SEAT POST Giant A5 aluminium
SADDLE WTB Silverado Race
PEDALS Steel with resin body and toe clips
SHIFTERS Shimano SLX 27 speed RapidFire Plus
FRONT MECH Shimano SLX
REAR MECH Shimano XT Shadow
BRAKES Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors
BRAKE LEVER Avid Juicy 3
CASSETTE Shimano HG50 11-34
CHAIN Shimano HG73
CRANKS Shimano Deore Hollowtech II 44/32/22
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano Deore Hollowtech II
RIMS Mavic XM117 Disc 26"
HUBS Shimano M475 Disc
SPOKES Stainless steel
TYRES Kenda Small Block Eight 26x2.1'' DTC

Spec list for XTC 2008:

Frame ALUXX aluminium, Fluid Formed
Fork RockShox Recon SL air 100mm travel, remote TurnKey lock out
Shock N/A
Handlebar GIANT A5 aluminium
stem GIANT A3 aluminium ahead
Seatpost GIANT A5 aluminium
Saddle WTB Silverado Race
Pedals Shimano SPD M505
Shifters Shimano LX 27 speed RapidFire Plus
Front Mech Shimano Deore
Rear Mech Shimano XT Shadow
Brakes Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors
Brake Lever Avid
Chainset SRAM PG950 11-34
Cassette Shimano HG73
Chain RaceFace Ride XC X-Type 22/32/44
BB RaceFace X-Type
Wheels Mavic XM117 rims Deore hubs
Rims Mavic XM117
Hubs Shimano Deore
Tyres Kenda Small Block Eight 26x2.1'' DTC

-- A bit about me, (which could help) i'm 27, and haven't had a mtb since the mid 90s. It was a Muddy Fox, Alu Laser (loved it!). I've 2 sponsored bike rides coming up, one 30miles and one 60miles. Before you jump down my throat and scream at me, after that, thats it, no more roads (i hope) So i'll be looking at doing some cross country, maybe some down hill and just general cycling in the lakes - so i dont want a hybrid or a road bike.

I've been recommended Giant bikes by a friend who swears by them. But then i've also been recommended Oranges, as my other friends just bought an Evo8 and loves it.

I've looked and looked at the XTC 1 2008 model thinking 'wow, now that looks THE bike'. But then i've just compared it to the 2009 XTC 2 and i'm thinking maybe that is the better choice..?

I'm open to suggestions if you feel that both the giants are unsuitable/over priced/over hyped etc.

I've done a weekend worth of scrutinising almost every post on here, and there's been some good eye openers to different bikes i've never even heard of, but i'm still searching for the holy grail that is an £800 or there abouts MTB (Hard Tail) which knocks the socks off everything in its class.

Anyways, my budget is circa £800, give or take...

Pleeeeeeeeease help!! 8)

(Thanks in advance)

Danny

Whytepeak

What are the prices of the bikes :?:

dannytiesto

hiya, knew i'd missed something..

the 2008 XTC 1 is £714.46
the 2009 XTC 2 is £830.00

cheers.

dannytiesto

just to throw another one into the equation (i'm not always this indecisive!).. - i've noticed a lot of people on here rating these - Cube LTD Team 2009.

Brakes: Formula Oro K18 hydr
Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-32
Chain: Shimano HG53
Forks: Rock Shox Reba SL 100mm, Motion Control, PopLoc
Frame: Alu Superlite 7005 Double Butted, RFR-Geometry
Front Derailleur: Shimano SLX
Gear Levers: Shimano Deore Rapidfire-Plus
Handlebar: Easton EA30 Lowriser
Headset: FSA No.10 semi-integriert
Hubs: Shimano Disc M525
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT Shadow
Rims: RFR ZX24
Saddle: RFR Natural Shape 0.1 M
Stem: Easton EA30
Tyres: Schwalbe VR: Nobby Nic Triple Compound 2.25/HR: Racing Ralph TC 2.25

cheapest i've found is £839.00

thanks

Whytepeak

2009 gets 'better' shifting and poploc, which shouldn't be seen as justifying the £115 increase in price alone. Both hav good frames and are good value, but just to complicate things:
specialized rockhopper expert - £880

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016015

genesis core 30 - £750

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rid ... e-ec017151


charge duster mid - £782 - a steel feel

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cha ... e-ec000231


My fav in the price range - cube LTD team - £849 - there is a version for £100 less.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=30535

Enjoy

The Spiderman

Can`t really go wrong with an XTC,which are always good vfm,even before they are discounted.And you get an air fork,which is easier to adjust for rider weight and lighter than the coil version found on the Rockhopper and others.Of course I might be a bit biased,see my sig below........

Of the 2 you list the 2009 has slightly better shifters,and only other difference is Raceface v Shimano chainset.

I think on this occasion the differences are so small,I`d buy the cheaper version and save some money,to put aside for upgrades ,spares. or riding kit.

Of the others listed the Cube is extremeley well specced for the money,and if you can live with the paint job,the Gensesis has a reasonable spec too,and always do well in reviews.

thefartingcockeral

Hey
how about this XTC 2.5 from 2008. decent spec and more money saved.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s2p1684

bells0

Mate has an 08 Xtc1 - nice bike, but very racey [good uphill, hard work down]

Bleedproof

I own an 08 XTC1 and although it now only sports the original frame, recons and crank it is a very good bike.

It's fast and a very good climber, with a XC bias but I've thrown it (and myself) at all sorts of terrain and enjoyed every minute.

It's best feature IMHO is the frame. Well built, good weight and every time I'm strip the bike to give it a good clean it still makes me smile. It's ideal to upgrade as I've done.

This bike gets me to and from work, cross country, roads, and trail centers and I couldn't be happier. For days when I want a different ride I use an 09 Orange P7 Pro, but that's rare

Stu

bike husband

Hi I dont think you can go wrong with the XTC frame[if you want a xc bike] If youare just going to buy and ride I would go for the 2009 model [slx and xt are great kit]but if you think that you will be upgrading go 2008model and save some money.
I ride an XTC frame with;rock shox SID Team 2009 forks
ShimanoXT front mech
ShimanoXT shadow rear mech
Shimano XT Hollowtech II crankset
Magura Louise bat brakes 180/160
DT Swiss rims
Shimano XT hubs F/R
Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo tyres
Ilove it

The Spiderman

Sounds nice Bike husband.Need some pics,I reckon......

bike husband

hi
one small point,if you do go for the 2009 model change the pedals as soon as you can,for clipless,the differance they make is night and day.I ride Shimano Deore XT,although the Shimano M520 is good for less money.
Have Fun

smartbiker

Hi, was there any reason you left out the 2008 XTC 2 model? I have one of those and it's a very nice model, looks great too.

dannytiesto

Firstly thanks for all the responses..

Just thought i'd follow this thread up by letting you know which i ended up getting..

After lots and lots of researching and testing out the different bikes, the Cube LTD Team 2009 ended up being the one for me. Had to pay that little bit more than the cheapest i'd found (£849) but i've had the added bonus of being able to take it for a free service and the distance from me is only 20mins drive.

Took it for a first ride at Gisburn forest at the weekend, and i'm mega MEGA impressed!!!

I'll add some pics and keep you updated with how i get along

accrington guy

danny tiesto - you have a pm.