Giants Big and Small

Yes those are some nice new 12" wheels. The new 29" wheels aren't so bad either.

My daughter and I each got a new bike not so long ago and I've got some great things to say about both. Firstly the little run bike, the Giant pre. Run bikes are really amazing and seem like the completely natural way for kids to develop confidence and balance on a bike. This is the 3rd run bike in the family and so we have had experience with some other brands. A couple details stand our about the Giant. The overall quality, especially the wheels, is really high. This is often not the case with kids bikes where heavy steel and poor tolerances are the norm. Despite having bigger wheels than some run bikes, the stand over clearance is great due to the frame design. Another nice piece is the grips that come on the bike. They have a big soft rubber ball on the end. Considering that kids run into parked cars, each other and even themselves, this is a well thought out detail.

And as for the big bike, the Anthem X29, I have to say that after a couple of months I'm completely sold.

Here we are getting ready for a wicked ride in Squamish. Interesting that 3 of the 4 bikes had big wheels.

I could go on and on about the benefits that I think the big wheels give you. However, I can sum it up by saying that the Anthem X29 descends like my Trance and climbs like my Anthem (only with even better traction). Which is exactly what I was looking for. A bike that I can do a few races on and ride as a trail bike on some more technical terrain.

I'm only going fast because of the big wheels.

When you can keep your speed high, the momentum of the big wheels is amazing and there have been times where I've found myself going faster than expected. Really the only adjustment I've found is if you slow down and lose that momentum you can be reminded that you are actually on an XC bike.

If you haven't tried a 29er, you should. It is an interesting change and a lot of fun at the very least.

Scott McG