2016 Giant Talon 27.5 4 vs 2016 GT Avalanche Comp

ZRX

Hey guys, im new to this forums and looking for a good piece of advice from pros. Ive decided to buy a begginer mtb for riding in a city parks and trails. My budget is $700 (canadian ) max. After doing some reserch i made a decision to buy 2016 Giant Talon 27.5 4 http://shop.gearsbikeshop.com/m/product ... 8105-1.htm . But just before i went to to pick up a bike i found out that one of the stores around have a 2016 GT Avalanche Comp  http://shop.gearsbikeshop.com/m/product ... 7500-1.htm on discount ($250 less than regular price ) for $600 canadian, only till the end of the week. Wich bike is better considering specs and current price, and wich should i get? I only have a 2 days to decide. Will appciate any advice, and thanks in advance for your time.

The Rookie

The GT, its a bit better on just about every part.

ZRX

Thanks! And what size should i get? My height is 178cm (5'10") and right in between the medium and a large frame sizes, im really confused and have no idea wich size would be better. My inseam is 82 cm (32").

The Rookie

Its hard to advise on size, but personally I'd say a large would be too big.

If you find the medium is too small you can lengthen it by swapping out the seatpost to a setback one, you can't shorten a large!

Briggo

ZRX wrote:

Hey guys, im new to this forums and looking for a good piece of advice from pros.

You're not asking the right people.

ZRX

The Rookie wrote:

The GT, its a bit better on just about every part.

Thanks, i was leaning more towards GT too

cdb

I'm 5'10" with an inside leg of 32" just like you. I've been riding a 'large' GT for the last year and am finding it a bit too big. I'm looking at upgrading soon and will definitely be going for something a little smaller. I was last riding in the late 80s when we all rode larger frames. Now in my aged years I feel the pain! After being in the saddle for more than an hour and a half I start to get a mild back ache. I'm told this is common on bikes that are to big for you. I also hear smaller bikes are more manoeuvrable. That seems entirely reasonable.

I've read a lot of advice that says always go smaller. It's easier to make a small bike bigger than trying to make a bike bike smaller. Go for the medium.

supersonic

What does large mean though? If it is where your arse sits in relation to the cranks, then a 25" frame with the saddle slammed to the minimum will put you in exactly the same position as a 13" frame with 12 inch of post showing. (if measred the same way).

The difference is mostly in the top tube length and reach when we compare sizes for a given model. This also increases wheelbase/front centre which is why smaller frames can feel more manoeuvrerable. The headtube length usually increases too, putting the bars higher.