Giant XTC 3

rockmonkeysc

I went to the local bike shop today to check out frame sizes for the wife and she seems to have taken a liking to the 2012 Giant XTC 3 and it seems like good value.
Would the steep 70.5 head angle combined with the short wheelbase of a small frame make it a bit twitchy for a beginner?
Fit is perfect & the shop are doing a good deal with 10% off and free services every 6 months for as long as we own the bike on top of the usual 6 week free service & they will throw in a womens specific saddle.

supersonic

Would the steep 70.5 head angle combined with the short wheelbase of a small frame make it a bit twitchy for a beginner?

Not for what it is designed for.

gmacz

Good bike and will be a good buy.
You could get a bargain on a 2011 bike online, you already know the size.

rockmonkeysc

Not for what it is designed for.

I know that but you haven't really answered the question. Would it be too twitchy for a beginner?
I like Giants so it's between the Talon & the XTC but the Talon has a crap fork & transmission so the XTC could work out better value.

supersonic

No. It would be if you starting piling down 45 degree slopes and jumping, but it is an XC bike. IThe Talon is more relaxed, but is designed to take more hammer too.

rockmonkeysc

If they did a higher spec Talon then it would be an easy choice. Will have to try to get a demo ride I think.

cooldad

What exactly is your wife planning on riding?
What you do, and what she might enjoy, may be different things.

rockmonkeysc

What exactly is your wife planning on riding?

Thats a bit of a personal question :shock:

She probably won't do anything other than XC

Bishbosh10

My wife (very much a beginner) is definitely far more comfortable with its 67 degree head angle compared to my old Kilauea with a 71 degree head.

I would say a more relaxed bike is going to inspire more confidence.

The Spiderman

supersonic wrote:

No. It would be if you starting piling down 45 degree slopes and jumping, but it is an XC bike. IThe Talon is more relaxed, but is designed to take more hammer too.

I can confirm after a visit to Aston Hill and riding the red run that an XTC really isn`t comfortable doing that sort of thing,less so even than its rider!

But for less technical singletrack and fast xc it`s great.

rockmonkeysc

The option of a used (brown) Charge Duster 8 has come up. Standard spec other than SLX cranks & Recon gold air forks. Would this be more suitable, other than the brown paint?

cooldad

Why not let her choose - if she's doing XC, either would work.

386ka

I wouldn't say that it will be bad for a beginner, but it will sure not limit you as you progress. So, I would take it. (regarding the XTC)

supertwisted

Did the Monkey Trail at Cannock Chase on mine recently. Never felt under biked or too twitchy, and aside from the sodding braking bumps it flowed over most of it very nicely.

The proof of the pudding was when I hooked up with a couple of local lads who ride there every weekend - one of them had an identical XTC 3 to mine and he had no issues riding stupidly quick!

Pudseyp

I ride my XTC at the likes of Llandegla where I thrash my Tomac, yes I have to ride it in a different way but it handles the red with ease and also I have used it on the black. It is a XC machine but will handle some abuse, so unless your wife will be hammering down hitting two foot and above drops it would be perfect.