Giant takes a Stance on offering affordable mountain bikes in SA

Giant has introduced a new trail bike to its local product line-up, called the Stance, and it represents excellent value at a time when many beginner riders are wondering if they can even afford a new mountain bike.

The Taiwanese powerhouse cycling brand is marketing its 2019 Stance as a competent trail bike for value-orientated riders.

Available in four sizes (S, M, L and XL), the latest Stance features an all-aluminium frame, with house-brand wheels and components.

Rolling 29er wheels and configured for 120mm of rear-suspension travel, balanced by a 130mm fork up front, this new Stance is confidently specced to conquer most trails.

Although the original Stance was launched in 2015, this new version is a significant redesign.

The most noticeable change is that Giant’s engineers have inched the bike’s wheel size up from 27.5- to 29-inches, allowing for significantly more stable rolling behaviour over rocky terrain.

These larger 29er wheels and tyres also have an advantage in maintaining speed and momentum on flat gravel roads, of which South Africa has many.

A very competitive deal

Positioned at R27 000, the Stance offers generous specification for its price.

It rolls onto the trail with tubeless wheels and tyres, which are crucial in South African conditions, which feature a much higher preponderance of thorns than most other global mountain bike locations.

Providing ample grip and terrain absorption are Maxxis Forekaster tyres, sizes 29×2.35, which are larger than the 2.2 width rubber than most entry-level bikes are equipped with.

The Stance also has a wide 780mm Giant handlebar, which enables a rider to optimise steering leverage and enhances the bike’s high-speed stability.

A blend of Shimano and Sram components tally the remainder of this new Giant’s specification. There is a 12-speed Sram drivetrain, with a broad spread of gear ratios to conquer steep climbs and Shimano hydraulic brakes.

With the move to bigger wheels, Giant’s engineers have also redrawn the Stance’s geometry to allow for superior bike control on technical trails.

For those novice or newbie mountain bikers who want a new bike, but could not imagine a viable option below R30 000, the Stance is a great alternative.