Mountain Bike Buying Guide: Giant Models Explained 

Giant has been at the forefront of mountain biking for decades, earning a reputation for consistent engineering, great value, and a bike for almost every trail imaginable. That massive range, however, is often where the confusion starts for riders. With similar-sounding names, different wheel sizes, and a whole dictionary of new terms, trying to choose the right Giant MTB can feel overwhelming. 

We’re here to demystify the Giant mountain bike lineup, explaining why different models exist and, most importantly, helping you find the one that matches how and where you want to ride. We’ll cut through the jargon so you can focus on what matters: finding the perfect machine for your adventures. 

Quick Answer: Which Giant Mountain Bike Should You Buy? 

The best Giant mountain bike for you is the one that suits your local trails and riding style. For beginners, fitness riding, and smoother trails, a Giant hardtail model offers fantastic value and simplicity. If you’re tackling technical terrain with rocks and roots, or riding faster on descents, a full-suspension trail or enduro bike from the Giant MTB range will provide superior comfort, traction, and control. 

How Giant Structures Its Mountain Bike Range 

The first thing to understand is that Giant designs its bikes around a riding style, not necessarily a skill level. An advanced cross-country racer and a first-time trail rider might be equally skilled, but they need completely different bikes for their chosen disciplines. 

Giant’s lineup is primarily broken down into two key distinctions:

  • Hardtail vs. Full Suspension: Does the bike have rear suspension?
  • Riding Category: Is the bike designed for Cross-Country (XC), Trail, or Enduro riding? 

Getting your head around these categories is the key to understanding the entire Giant MTB range and finding your perfect fit. 

Hardtail vs. Full Suspension – Which Is Right for You? 

This is the first major decision you'll make. It comes down to your budget, the terrain you ride, and your maintenance tolerance. 

Giant Hardtail Mountain Bikes  

A hardtail has suspension in the front fork but a rigid rear frame. This simple design makes them lighter, easier to maintain, and more affordable. The direct connection to the rear wheel also makes them more efficient and quick when pedalling on smooth ground, making them a great choice for climbing and covering distance or if your mountain bike is also going to be your commuter and see some mixed terrain use. 

Best for: Beginners, fitness riders, bike-packing, and smoother, flowy trails. A beginner mountain bike from Giant's hardtail lineup is a perfect entry into the sport. 

Giant Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes 

A full-suspension or "dually" has both a suspension fork and a rear shock. This system allows both wheels to absorb impacts independently, delivering a massive increase in comfort, traction, and control on rough terrain. The rear wheel stays glued to the ground, giving you more grip on technical climbs and more confidence on fast, bumpy descents. 

Best for: Riders on rocky or root-filled trails, those wanting to go faster downhill, or anyone who values comfort on long days. 

Giant Cross-Country (XC) Mountain Bikes Explained 

Cross-country is all about efficiency and speed. These are the lightest bikes in the Giant MTB range, designed to go uphill as fast as they go down. They have the least amount of suspension travel (typically 100-120mm) to maximise pedalling performance. The rider position is more aggressive and stretched out to keep weight over the front wheel for climbing. 

  • Riding Style: Fast-paced, long-distance, climbing-focused.
  • Terrain: Smoother singletrack, fire roads, and racecourses.
  • Rider Profile: Fitness-oriented riders, and XC racers. 

Giant Trail Mountain Bikes Explained 

This is the sweet spot for the vast majority of mountain bikers. Trail bikes are the versatile, do-it-all machines of the mountain bike world. They strike a perfect balance between the climbing efficiency of an XC bike and the descending confidence of an Enduro bike. With moderate suspension travel (120-150mm) and balanced geometry, they are playful, capable, and fun. 

If you want one bike that can handle a weekend trip to a trail centre, a quick lap of your local singletrack, and even the occasional epic adventure, a Giant trail bike is almost certainly the answer.

  • Riding Style: All-around trail riding, weekend fun, skill progression.
  • Terrain: From flowing singletrack to moderately technical climbs and descents.
  • Rider Profile: The everyday mountain biker. 

Giant Enduro & Aggressive Trail Bikes Explained 

Enduro bikes are built for gravity. They are designed primarily to be pedalled (or shuttled) to the top of a mountain so you can have the most fun possible on the way back down. They feature long suspension travel (150-180mm), slack, stable geometry, and beefy components built to handle high speeds and big impacts. 

While incredibly capable, they are heavier and less efficient to pedal uphill. They only come alive at speed, which can make them feel sluggish on flatter, mellower trails.

  • Riding Style: Descending-focused, aggressive riding, bike park laps, enduro racing.
  • Terrain: Steep, technical, fast, and rough trails.
  • Who should not buy this? Beginners or riders on mostly flat trails will find an enduro bike to be "too much bike," making it less fun and harder to manage. 

Giant Downhill & Gravity Bikes (Who They’re For) 

These are highly specialised bikes with one purpose: going downhill as fast as humanly possible. With massive suspension travel (200mm+), they are not designed to be pedalled uphill. You’ll only see these at lift-serviced bike parks or on shuttle-access gravity trails. They are not suitable for general trail riding. 

Wheel Sizes Explained – 27.5 vs 29er vs Mixed 

Giant offers bikes with different wheel sizes to suit rider height and intended use.

  • 29er (29-inch): These larger wheels roll over obstacles more easily and maintain momentum better, making them fast and stable. They are the standard for XC and most trail bikes.
  • 27.5-inch: This smaller wheel size is more agile and playful. It accelerates faster and is easier to flick around in tight corners. It's often preferred by shorter riders or those who prioritise agility.
  • Mixed ("Mullet"): Some enduro bikes use a 29er wheel in the front for rollover and a 27.5 wheel in the back for quick cornering, the best of both worlds for aggressive riding. 

Giant Suspension Technology Explained 

Many of Giant’s full-suspension bikes feature their proprietary Maestro suspension platform. In simple terms, this is a multi-link system designed to do three things at once:

  • Remain active under braking: The suspension doesn't stiffen when you hit the brakes, helping maintain traction and control.
  • Pedal efficiently: It resists bobbing up and down from your pedal strokes, so more of your energy goes into moving forward.
  • Absorb bumps smoothly: It soaks up everything from small chatter to big hits. 

It's a key reason why Giant full-suspension bikes feel so balanced, providing a great mix of traction and pedalling efficiency. 

Choosing the Right Giant MTB for Your Skill Level 

It’s tempting to buy the most expensive bike you can afford, but that’s often a mistake. Being "over-biked" can hold back your skill progression.

  • Beginner: A hardtail is the best classroom. It teaches you how to choose smooth lines and use your body to absorb terrain, skills that will serve you for life. A Giant Talon is a perfect example.
  • Intermediate: You’ve mastered the basics and are riding more technical terrain. This is the perfect time to move to a full-suspension trail bike. You'll gain confidence and be able to ride faster and longer.
  • Advanced: While you might assume that an advanced rider would always choose the most expensive and technology dense option, for many skilled riders, there skill allows them to ride confidently on all kinds of bikes. While obviously racers may choose an XC weapon like the Giant Anthem, or an Enduro bike such as a Reign, many skilled riders (especially in Melbourne) can be found shredding on reliable and upgraded hardtail models. 

How Much Should You Spend on a Giant Mountain Bike? 

Remember to budget for essentials like a quality helmet, gloves, and shorts.

  • Entry-Level ($800 - $2,000): This gets you a very capable hardtail with reliable components, perfect for getting into the sport.
  • Mid-Range ($2,500 - $5,000): This is the sweet spot for most serious riders. You'll find high-quality hardtails and excellent entry-to-mid-level full-suspension trail bikes with durable parts and features like dropper posts.
  • Performance ($5,500+): Welcome to lightweight carbon frames, high-end suspension, and electronic shifting. These bikes offer ultimate performance but with diminishing returns for the average rider. 

Common Mistakes When Buying a Giant Mountain Bike

  • Buying Too Much Travel: Choosing an enduro bike for gentle trails. It’s like using a monster truck to get groceries, inefficient and less fun. You’ll find yourself exhausted and wrestling with the bike when you just want to ride.
  • Choosing the Wrong Size: A bike that doesn't fit you properly will be uncomfortable and hard to control. Always get sized by a professional.
  • Ignoring the Fit: Don’t buy a bike just because it’s a good deal if it’s the wrong size or model for your needs.
  • Letting Specs Override Riding Style: A bike is more than its components. The frame geometry and suspension design determine how it rides. Match the bike's purpose to your own. 

The best way to understand the difference between models is to talk to someone who rides them every day. Drop into Giant Lygon St, and let's chat about where you ride. We'll help you navigate the Giant MTB range and get you on a bike that you'll love.