GIANT Talon 1

The "Talon 1" model from GIANT, released in 2023, is a versatile mountain bike priced at 999 EUR. The frame is made from robust AluxX material and features a maximum tyre clearance of 2.4 inches and a maximum chainring size of 32T.

The brakes are Shimano BR-MT200 with 180 mm discs at the front and 160 mm at the rear, ensuring reliable braking performance. The brake levers are also from Shimano, model BL-MT200. The drivetrain utilises the Shimano Deore M4100 system, which offers an 11-speed setup. The shift levers are Shimano Deore M5100 (2-speed), and the front derailleur is the Shimano Deore M5100-M model.

The Talon 1’s fork is a GIANT SXC32-2 RL Air with 100 mm of travel (80 mm for size XS), which provides good suspension. The pedals are included. The bottom bracket is a cartridge type and the crankset is a Praxis Cadet with 36/26T chainrings and a 49 mm chainline. The cassette is a Shimano Deore M5100 with an 11–42T range, and the drivetrain uses a KMC X-11 chain.

The handlebars are GIANT Connect Trail 31.8 with a 20 mm rise and a width of 780 mm, fitted with GIANT Sole-O grips. The stem is a GIANT Sport model with a length of 60 mm. The rims are GIANT GX03V with an internal width of 21 mm, and the tyres are Kenda Booster (27.5" or 29", depending on frame size) x 2.4", which are supplied with inner tubes as standard. The hubs are M50 / M504 models and the spokes are made of stainless steel, type 14G.

The saddle is a GIANT Sport model, mounted on a GIANT Sport seatpost with a diameter of 30.9 mm. The bike is compatible with the GIANT KSA18 kickstand and the GIANT Rack-It Metro (Lite) luggage rack.

The frame geometry is designed for a reach of 424 mm, a stack of 611 mm, a seat tube length of 440 mm and a top tube length of 599 mm. The head tube angle is 69 degrees, the seat tube angle 74 degrees, the head tube length 105 mm and the chainstay length 455 mm. The bottom bracket drop is 55 mm, the fork offset is 51 mm and the standover height is 766 mm. The crank length is 175 mm and the wheelbase measures 1150 mm in total.

Overall, the 2023 GIANT Talon 1 offers solid spec and well-thought-out geometry at an attractive price, making it ideal for both beginners and advanced mountain bikers alike.