Newbie help!!! Bike choice

Jonnyjb

Hi all I'm getting back on my bike and managed to get my brother involved.

I'm looking at these two which would you recommend?

Giant talon 2 2015

Model Year 2015
Options Small - - No Longer Available,
Medium - - No Longer Available,
Large - - No Longer Available,
X Large - In Stock
Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum
Forks RockShox XC30 TK, coil, 100mm travel
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore, Shadow
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Shifters Shimano Deore 30 speed
Chainset Shimano M522, 24/32/42 w/ chainguard
Bottom Bracket Shimano, threaded external
Chain KMC X10 w/ Missing Link
Freewheel Shimano HG50 11-36
Stem Giant Sport, ¡6 degree rise
Handlebars Giant Connect XC, Low Rise, 690mm
Front Brake Tektro HDC-M290 hydraulic disc 160mm
Rear Brake Tektro HDC-M290 hydraulic disc 160mm
Brake Levers Tektro HDC-M290
Rims Giant CR70 Double Wall
Front Hub Giant Tracker Sport
Rear Hub Giant Tracker Sport
Spokes Stainless Steel
Tyres Giant Sport, Custom Kenda K1135, 27.5x2.1"
Saddle Giant Connect Upright
Seatpost Giant Sport, 30.9mm
Pedals MTB Caged


Or trek x caliber 7 2016

Frame: Alpha Gold Aluminium w/semi-integrated head tube, mechanically formed & butted tubing, race geometry, internal front derailleur routing, G2 Geometry on 29ers
Fork: RockShox 30 Silver, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset on 29ers, 100mm travel (13.5": 80mm travel)
Front Derailleur: Shimano Acera
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Acera M3000, Shadow
Number of Gears: 27
Shifters: Shimano Acera M3000, 9-speed
Chain set: Shimano M3000, 40/30/22
Bottom Bracket: Sealed cartridge
Cassette: Shimano HG20, 11-34, 9-speed
Chain: KMC X9
Brakeset: Shimano M355 hydraulic disc
Handlebars: Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
Stem: Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7-degree, Blendr compatible
Headset: 1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings
Grips: Bontrager Race
Rims: Bontrager AT-650 32-hole double-walled
Front Hub: Formula DC20 alloy
Rear Hub: Formula DC22 alloy
Front Tyre: Bontrager XR2, 29x2.20" (Bontrager XR2, 27.5x2.20")
Rear Tyre: Bontrager XR2, 29x2.00" (Bontrager XR2, 27.5x2.20")
Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 1.5
Weight: 17.5" - 14.01 kg, EV242018,17.5" - 13.13 kg
Notes: 13.5 & 15.5 inch frames come with 27.5 Wheels. 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5 & 23in frames come with 29er wheels

Jonnyjb

May I add the giant is around 70 £ cheaper

The Rookie

The Treks area a bit marmite, the rear suspension o me feels mushy and imprecise and I wouldn't have one on that basis, others think it's great for the same 'soft riding' reason.

The Trance has one of the best rear suspensions in the business for getting the job done really well, for me the Trance of those two.

robertpb

Rookie they are both hardtails.

So from this I think your budget is around £500, you'd be better of asking 'I have a budget of £500 what should I buy' then there would be a better response.

Jonnyjb

Thanks.
The ones I'm looking at are hardtail.

I was just looking at these two, the giant seems to have better components?

The Rookie

Oops.....

Yes of the two the Giant is better specced,

Jonnyjb

Cheers

I thought that but on the deore group sets.

It's crazy the 2015 talon 2 is better spec'd than the 2017 model ....

Between the last couple years bike firms haven't changed much..

Any votes for the trek?

The Rookie

Its common for newer bikes to be worse specced, it's how they hold price point, additionally the tech filters down the components so currently Alivio is pretty much the same as two years ago Deore.

Jonnyjb

Giant than it is, cheaper too!!

cooldad

As long as he's quite big.

Jonnyjb

Cooldad

Nice play on words....clearly waiting for that moment.

robertpb

So how tall is your brother as the only bike on that list is an XL, that usually is for someone over 6' 2".

Jonnyjb

Hi

We're around 6ft1

I thought it says 5ft 11" upwards?

cooldad

XL? I doubt it. Where did you read that?