XDS Boss 3.0 - Gloss Grey

XDS BOSS 3.0 - GLOSS GREY

The latest XDS Boss 3.0 is one of our best value recreational mountain bikes in our range. In this preview, we’ll explain who it’s designed for, where it can be used and the main components.

WHO + WHAT IT’S FOR

The Boss 3.0, while an improvement over the Giant Talon 29 2 and Boss 4.0, serves the same terrain: rail trails, bike paths, light off-road trails and 4WD tracks.

It’s designed for family rides, general fitness use and the occasional adventure on easy mountain bike trails (like Lysterfield Park in Mebourne’s south-east).

Readers note that the Boss 3.0 comes in 2 wheel size options - depending on what frame size you need.

The 13” (XS) and 15” (SM) size frames are built with 27.5” wheels.

This makes it so much easier for smaller riders to:

• Steer the bike; 27.5” wheels make the steering more responsive.
• Mount/dismount (smaller wheels lower the frame too).

All this equals better handling and it’ll be especially easy for pre-teens or teens coming from smaller bikes to handle.

The rest of the frame sizes - 17”, 19” and 21” - come with 29” wheels.

Some advantages of larger wheels:

• It lifts the front of the bike, delivering a relaxed riding position.
• Larger wheels cover more ground; per rotation of the wheel you travel further.

THE FRAME

XDS is an engineering company.

Look, they are really bad at marketing, sales and any form of advertising. It’s just not their strength.

But making some of the best bikes in the world definitely is.

And that’s why the Boss mountain-bike range uses the best alloy frames under $1,000 in our range. In fact, it’s better than most aluminium frames north of a grand too.

How?

Firstly, XDS use their premium X6 aluminium for their Boss range that’s been co-developed with Central South University Aluminum Research Institute - a leading research centre in the field of metal science.

They’re able to get the frame weight down and frame stiffness up, improving the Boss’ strength-to-weight ratio.

Why should you care though?

Because it delivers a much better riding bike, with better than average handling.

High-end frame finishes like internal cable routing keep the cables hidden. This means the cables are not exposed to dirt, grit, mud and the elements.

High-polish welds make the frame look almost one-piece. And definitely helps set the Boss apart from the competition who still use exposed welds.

A tapered head tube is another high-end frame feature we rarely, if ever, see under $1,500. This improves the Boss’ handling.

Note how this tube is much bigger at the bottom and smaller at the top. That’s because more force occurs at the bottom, so the frame is designed to suit.

THE COMPONENTS

Starting at the front:

The XDS suspension fork* is smooth and reliable.

It’s got a red lockout lever positioned on top of the fork. This lockout lever allows riders to switch the suspension from being soft to hard.

As an example: For concrete bike paths and rail trails, set the suspension to Firm. This maximises power transfer for easier, more efficient riding.

But, don’t forget to turn the dial back to Plush for rougher paths!

The Boss 3.0 comes built with S-Rides’s new 9 speed mountain-bike gears. These parts are robust, reliable and deliver super-smooth gear changes.

The back 9 gears are paired to 2 front gears. This creates 18 gears in total. Having 2 front gears (compared to 3) makes the gears much simpler.

Gear 1 is used for climbing steep hills and Gear 2 is for everything else.

There’s also less ‘gap’ between each gear (compared to 7 and 8 speed gears) which means the chain doesn’t clunk as it moves from one gear to the next; so it’s smoother than 7 and 8 speed bikes.

The gears are controlled by trigger shifters, not the old-style twist shift. Push the small paddle to shift into a harder gear (to go faster) or the larger bottom paddle to change into an easier gear (for going uphill).

Generally though:

Gear 1, 2, 3 are used for going uphill. Gear 4, 5, 6 for riding on flatter paths. And Gear 7, 8, 9 for going faster - typically downhill.

Next area of interest are Boss 3.0’s hydraulic disc brakes.

Hydraulic disc brakes front and rear generate much more stopping power than mechanical disc brake and V-brakes.

Not only that but they also deliver more control. This means you can slow down without skidding and losing traction - especially in wet conditions.

The Boss 3.0 uses Tektro’s M290 brakes. This has a new short-blade lever that’s a little more ergonomic than the Boss 4.0 and Talon’s M275 design.

Power output also increases marginally over the basic M275 brake.

Important:

Riders on the 13” and 15” frames are most likely going to have smaller than average hands.

The lever on these brakes is adjustable to suit - without dramatically affecting braking power.

SHIPPING AND ASSEMBLY

For a limited time, we’re offering free shipping to metropolitan areas across Australia.

This means that regardless of your location within these designated metro zones, your bike will be delivered to your doorstep at no additional cost.

Some assembly will be required. Assembling the XDS Boss 3.0 is a crucial step in ensuring it performs as intended and your safety.

If you’re unsure about the assembly process or lack confidence in your mechanical skills, we highly recommend seeking assistance from a qualified mobile bike mechanic or bike store. Their expertise guarantees that your bike is assembled correctly, minimizing the risk of any potential issues and ensuring a safe riding experience.

Please review our Terms and Conditions here before ordering.