Giant Stance (2022)

GIANT STANCE 2022

In this preview I’ll answer both those questions and you’ll know everything you need to know before spending your hard-earned.

To start with:

WHO IS THE STANCE FOR?

Giant has designed the Stance for:

Riders who are getting into the sport of mountain biking. And they want to start on an adequate first dual suspension mountain bike.

Or for those who are upgrading from an old hardtail mountain bike and are starting to feel it in their joints. You’ve come to the conclusion that riding a hardtail is very hard work!

THE FRAME AND GEOMETRY

On geometry:

First-time mountain bikers will value the stability that the Stance 2 geometry delivers. And stability is the keyword here.

Because:

Stability is what keeps the bike planted and hugging the trail at high speed. Stability also minimises you going over the handlebars. And stability, therefore, keeps you safe. So it’s important.

This is how:

A key update is an increase in the front suspension travel to 130mm (from 120mm). More suspension equals more stable.

That extra 10mm of suspension helps keep your weight slightly further back on steep descents and allows you to make errors inline choice over tree roots, rocks and jumps.

And much like the 2019 model, it retains its stealth internal cable routing gear and brake cables. Unlike the 2019 model, it doesn’t come with a dropper post as standard. The Giant Contact Switch dropper post can be purchased separately and retails for $209.95. It’s also designed to be routed internally.

NEW SHIMANO DEORE 10 SPEED

The Deore family of group sets has always been labelled as Affordable Performance. It’s 4th from the top (which is XTR).

It profits from the latest tech employed at the top-end, but used with more affordable materials and production methods.

Essentially there are 10 gears paired to a single chain ring on the front. The cassette has a massive range too; from a tiny 11-tooth sprocket to a 46-tooth.

The benefits:

First, the wider gear range allows the drive train can accommodate a substantial difference in terrain; you’ll be able to find the correct gear on flat, flowy singletrack and steep, technical climbs.

Second, this erases the need for a front derailleur. Making maintenance and adjustments much simpler.

WHEELS, TYRES AND TUBELESS

Much like every other performance mountain bike, the 2020 Stance 2 also uses a tubeless tyre setup as standard.

For those that haven’t heard of tubeless:

The setup doesn’t use a rubber inner tube. Instead, a liquid sealant sloshes around the inside of the tyre. It leaves a coating on the inside of the tyre as it does this. Punctures up to 2-3mm will (in most cases) are plugged by the sealant.

And the benefits are:

First, it’s lighter. No tube means less rotational weight.

Second, there’s also more traction. Tubeless tyres are very supple and therefore can deform and ‘mould’ to the trail, rather than ‘bouncing’ over the surface.

Another key update for 2020:

Is that the Stance 2 tyre width has increased from 2.4-inches (in 2019) to 2.6-inches.

Why:

The change makes sense. Wider tyres deliver better traction.

And remember, if you’re just starting out mountain biking this is a huge advantage and confidence booster. Because it will absorb in errors you make in judgement and line choice.

Imagine riding over slippery tree roots. On a ‘normal’ width tyre if you don’t hit the tree roots just so, you will easily slide and potentially crash - especially if it’s wet. With the plus-sized tyre, there’s more surface area and grip, so if you approach the tree root incorrectly you’re still going to make it over.

This is just one example.

The same can be said for landing drop-offs, jumps, riding through rock gardens and cornering on loose surfaces.

The tyres minimise the potential for damage for any errors in judgement made on the trail.

STANCE FRAME SIZING

There are five frame sizes to choose from XS to XL.

Remember one thing:

Get the largest frame size you can comfortably fit on. Comfortably being the keyword here.

Why?

Because as the frame gets larger, three things happen:

It increases the front length of the bike.

And this delivers a ‘centred’ or neutral descending position.

Which reduces the chances of you going over the handlebars because you’re not resting most of your weight toward the front of the bike.

Obviously, there will be an element of personal preference, a smaller frame is more agile and some riders like this character in a mountain bike.

Overall though, it’s always a good idea to come instore where we can place you on the bike and determine which frame is best.