My girl's new XC bike - 2008 Giant Talon

[Justin Fox]

OK Suga went on her maiden ride tonight (just around the block lol). I think we've got the seat height right, for now. I'm sure it'll go up higher once she's more confident.

As I suspected, the bars are too wide (they did come off my Reign, but the original bars were also exactly the same width and specs), strange that Giant put such wide bars on an XC bike? I got Christina to hold the handle bars about a hands width further in and she felt better and said the bike felt easier to turn. I'll either cut them down, or get her some narrower bars, theuy might not even need to be risers. Thoughts?

We rode over some un-even lose ground at a decent speed and I noticed that she was riding seated and one pedal down, one up. I got her used to standing off the seat and keeping the pedals flat (not one up one down). We then stepped it up a little and did some rock work down by the cliffs and I helped her out with some simple techniques. She's got her balance right, pedals even/feet parallel to the ground, off the seat and letting the bike "float" over the rough stuff. Initially I got her to choose some easier lines through the rocks (we've got a lot of rocky stuff around Maroubra Beach) but towards the end of doing the same little section again and again she wasn't bothering, and was just plowing over it, off gutters too.

[The Glory Guy]

nice bike the frame and the pedals look awesome together

[Sethius]

OK Suga went on her maiden ride tonight (just around the block lol). I think we've got the seat height right, for now. I'm sure it'll go up higher once she's more confident.

As I suspected, the bars are too wide (they did come off my Reign, but the original bars were also exactly the same width and specs), strange that Giant put such wide bars on an XC bike? I got Christina to hold the handle bars about a hands width further in and she felt better and said the bike felt easier to turn. I'll either cut them down, or get her some narrower bars, theuy might not even need to be risers. Thoughts?

We rode over some un-even lose ground at a decent speed and I noticed that she was riding seated and one pedal down, one up. I got her used to standing off the seat and keeping the pedals flat (not one up one down). We then stepped it up a little and did some rock work down by the cliffs and I helped her out with some simple techniques. She's got her balance right, pedals even/feet parallel to the ground, off the seat and letting the bike "float" over the rough stuff. Initially I got her to choose some easier lines through the rocks (we've got a lot of rocky stuff around Maroubra Beach) but towards the end of doing the same little section again and again she wasn't bothering, and was just plowing over it, off gutters too.

how did you about the whole getting her to stand up and keeping pedals flat, this is something i need to help my girl friend on. Shes gotta killer acceleration and isnt scared to go flat out down hills and i mean top gear and keeping pedalling ( hates going back up though)

how does she go with getting the front end of the bike up as shes tiny like my gal? does she struggle with this, and how can the bike setup help make it easier for her to lift up?

once i can get her to overcome the standing up business and lifting the front, she will be a force

[Viv92]

As I suspected, the bars are too wide (they did come off my Reign, but the original bars were also exactly the same width and specs), strange that Giant put such wide bars on an XC bike? I got Christina to hold the handle bars about a hands width further in and she felt better and said the bike felt easier to turn. I'll either cut them down, or get her some narrower bars, theuy might not even need to be risers. Thoughts?

Just cut them down.

Those bars are hardly wide though. I ditched the ones on my Reign for EA70's because the 640mm on the Race Face bars was WAY too narrow. I suppose they would feel weird if you were really small though.

[Pebble]

Nice, the bike looks good!

My Deus bars and the Ride bars that came on the STP are also both 640mm wide, and I wouldn't consider that to be overly wide for XC. In fact I found myself gripping over the edge and wanting to go wider, I've found 710 to be perfect for me anyway, but this it's not something that I would notice on a ride around the block, more so on longer rides.

I'd get her to have at least a few longer rides before deciding to do the chop, remember it's all new to her and she may either get used to that width or if after a few rides she does have a tendency to want to grip more inwards then at least you can be sure to cut them down. I wouldn't make the change purely on a ride around the block.

[Justin Fox]

Agreed. Will get some more miles in which we did do today. Went to Centennial Park for a few laps, and did notice her grabbing the bars about an inch in on both sides.

We got bored of the path, so went off it for a bit


We found these rocks in the middle.


Down she goes. She did perfect the 1st time, came off the pedals the 2nd time, then came off the bike the 3rd time! All good though, no damage.


Our mate Andy's only got a BMX. He did Lady Carrington on it a few weeks back, he had to have a go too. Here he is laughing at himself whilst he's doing it (lol).


And here's his flatmate Mickey who was pretty confident on her bike.


Bit naughty for not wearing a helmet, kinda got up and forgot it wasn't on my head. The Reign's so ridiculously easy over this stuff so I had to try a slightly gnarlier bit.


Me pulling stupid faces again lol.


We can't get the bikes anywhere in the S2000 so I had to borrow my mums Golf, bit embarassing!

All in all, great fun even though it was a busy Sunday at the park. Suga got some km's in and her bum's very sore (that's also partly because she fell off a skateboard last night and landed on her tail bone!). Her women's saddle is on the way, never know if these things are going to be more comfy or not, but we'll see. Might also leave cutting of the bars for alittle bit longer to be sure.

[Pebble]

See what you mean, 2nd photo clearly shows her hands inwards on the grips. Although she could be doing that to reach the brakes / shifters?

Certainly looks like a nice spot for playing around on the bikes. She's enjoying it so far?

[Justin Fox]

Pebble, she's loving it hey! She's really getting into it, loves the bike sooo much. I think buying it with her, then modifying it with her too has helped a lot. So thanks HEAPS for all the advice you gave me before the purchase.

I've got more shots of her riding and yes, she holds the bars about an inch, or more even, from the very ends but I think I'll wait and see for a bit longer before chopping them.


Noticed that the Talon came with very boring and generic metal Shimano quick releases so I bunged on the DT Swiss ones I had lying around (they came off my Reign) which are smoother to operate and a fair bit lighter to boot.

[Justin Fox]

White Odi Ruffian lock-on grips came in the mail today. They're white, but not as stark white as the frame and pedals. I managed to get them a little dirty just fitting them, so I suspect they won't stay white for long!!! At 110g with end plugs they're just slighty lighter than the OEM giant lock-ons which is cool.

Still waiting on a white Selle Italia ladies saddle and lighter tyres, then she's done!

[oldbean]

Still waiting on a white Selle Italia ladies saddle and lighter tyres, then she's done!

Honestly Justin...since when are any of the bikes you're involved with ever "done"?!