Intro
When considering a new mountain bike, there are so many similar-looking bikes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.
In our “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand and highlight how each product stands out from the rest to help you find the best women’s mountain bike or men’s best mountain bike for you.
In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products.
And if you’re looking for more general advice on how to go about searching for a bike and what really sets different bikes apart (regardless of brand), we highly recommend checking out our Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide.
Our mountain bike Brand Guides are presented by CBGTrails. Learn more and start planning your trip today at cbgtrails.com, then download the CBG Trails app for info on the 750+ miles of singletrack and 150+ trails in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley, Colorado.
About Giant
Giant was started way back in 1972, making them one of the oldest mountain bike companies. They are also the largest bike manufacturer in the world, making road bikes, off-road bikes, and everything in between. They produce bikes at almost all price points as well, so there’s a Giant bike for almost any budget. Giant makes carbon and aluminum frames, and bikes and builds with “advanced” in the title refer to bikes and builds with Giant’s carbon frames.
About Liv
In 2008, Liv/Giant was launched as a sub-brand of Giant that is dedicated solely to female riders. Then, for model year 2015, they rebranded themselves just as Liv. Liv designs bikes specifically for women from the ground up, with frames and components that differ from Giant bikes (i.e., they’re not just Giant bikes with different colors and sizes).
Giant & Liv are currently headquartered in Taichung City, Taiwan.
Current Warranty (for the original owner)
- Lifetime on all frames (except for “models intended for downhill purposes”)
- Three years on frames on “models intended for downhill purposes”
- One year on paint finish and decals, and all other original Giant parts
- For more information, visit: this website for Giant and this website for Liv.
Suspension design: Maestro
(For more on different suspension designs, see our Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide)
Before we get into their specific models and build options, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on which build level to go with, and why.
First, when looking at complete bikes, suspension and wheels are going to make the biggest difference in how a bike really rides. Spend money on those before other things like higher-end drivetrain parts, cockpit parts (e.g., stem, handlebars, etc.), cranks, etc.
Tires make an enormous difference in performance, but are cheaper and easier to upgrade, especially since they tend to wear down quicker than other components. Upgrading a lower-end front tire to something better — and saving the original for rear-tire use — can be a good way to improve a bike while still making use of the originals, since front tires are generally a lot more important than rear tires when it comes to traction.
Drivetrain parts can be upgraded piecemeal as they wear out, or if you just want to upgrade down the line. Higher-end cassettes are mostly just lighter, while higher-end shifters and derailleurs get lighter, smoother, and sometimes last a bit longer as you go up in price.
- Best Budget Build: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people trying to spend the least amount without ending up with a build that’s going to immediately break or need to be upgraded.
- Most Performance for the Price: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people seeking the best balance of performance and cost. I.e., if you don’t need to get the cheapest bike, but you also don’t need the absolute lightest bike or all the newest bling, this is the build we think makes sense for you.
- Suspension travel (e.g., 100 mm of travel, 130 mm of travel, etc.)
- Wheel size (e.g., 27.5”, 27.5+, 29”)
- Frame material options (e.g., alloy vs. carbon)
- A brief description of what the bike was designed for and any notable design details.
- Some of the bike’s most direct competitors from other brands
- Which Giant / Liv bike it’s most similar to
- Reasons why you should buy it
- Reasons why you should not buy it
Giant Mountain Bikes
(Most Cross-Country-Oriented to Most Downhill-Oriented)
- Front: 80 mm (27.5” options) or 100 mm (29” options)
- Rear: Hardtail
- 27.5” (sizes XS-M) or 29” (sizes M-XL)
- Aluminum
Giant’s most budget friendly hardtail.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking to get into the sport
- You are looking for a mountain bike that could double as a commuter
- You are on a budget
- You plan on riding relatively smooth and mellow trails
Don’t Bother If:
- You plan on riding trails that are rocky, rooty, technical, and/or steep
- You want a bike that is forgiving on descents
- You are willing to spend some more money for more overall performance
- 4: $550
- 2: $685
- 1: $920 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- Specialized Rockhopper
- Trek Marlin
- Kona Hardtails
- Cannondale Trail / Tango
- Scott Aspect
- Rocky Mountain Fusion & Soul
- Norco Storm & Fluid HT
- Front: 100 mm
- Rear: Hardtail
- 29"
- Carbon
Giant’s hardtail XC race 29er. More like the Fathom 29 than the Talon.
Consider If:
- You race or ride cross-country style on more smooth trails
- You appreciate a lightweight hardtail that climbs well
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride or race steep, technical, and bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is forgiving on descents
- SLR 2: $1,420
- Advanced 3: $2,250 – Best Budget Build
- Advanced SL 1: $5,150 – Most Performance for the Price
- Specialized Chisel & Epic Hardtail
- Trek X-Caliber & Procaliber
- Scott Aspect & Scale
- Kona Kahuna
- Pivot Les
- Santa Cruz Highball
- Canyon Exceed
- Cannondale F-Si
- Ibis DV9
- Norco Revolver HT
- Mondraker Chrono & Podium
- Front: 130 mm
- Rear: Hardtail
- 29"
- Aluminum
Giant’s entry-level 29er hardtail with affordable builds but without high-end specs. Every model features a dropper post. More like the Fathom than the XTC 29.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking to get into the sport
- You are looking for a high-value entry-level bike
- You are on a budget
Don’t Bother If:
- You want to ride steep, technical, and/or bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is forgiving on descents
- You are willing to spend some more money for more overall performance
- You are looking for a lightweight, cross-country race-style hardtail
- 2: $1,420
- 1: $1,770 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- Specialized Fuse 29”
- Kona Honzo
- Santa Cruz Chameleon
- Nukeproof Scout 290
- Norco Fluid HT
- Front: 130 mm
- Rear: Hardtail
- 27.5"+
- Aluminum
A great confidence-inspiring option for beginners thanks to budget-friendly builds and grippy, high-volume tires. More like the Fathom 29 than the Anthem 29.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking for a confidence-inspiring bike
- You want to ride trails that have loose surfaces
- You are on a budget
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride very steep, fast, technical, and/or bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is more forgiving on descents than it is a good climber
- You are looking for a lightweight, cross-country race-style hardtail
- You are willing to spend more money for some more overall performance
- 2: $1,420
- 1: $1,770 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- Specialized Fuze 27.5
- Trek Roscoe
- Santa Cruz Chameleon 27.5”+
- Kona Big Honzo
- Rocky Mountain Growler
- Devinci Kobain HT
- Front: 100 mm
- Rear: 90 mm
- 29"
- Aluminum or Carbon
Giant’s full-suspension 29” XC race bike. More like the Trance 29 than the Fathom.
Consider If:
- You race or ride cross-country style on bumpy, steep, and/or technical trails
- You appreciate a full-suspension bike that climbs well
- You ride or race cross-country-style for very long distances
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride very steep, fast, technical, bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is more forgiving on descents than it is a good climber
- 2: $2,450 – Best Budget Build
- Advanced Pro 1: $6,100 – Most Performance for the Price
- Specialized Epic
- Santa Cruz Blur
- Scott Spark RC
- Cannondale Scalpel
- Pivot Mach 4 SL World Cup
- Intense Sniper XC
- Norco Revolver FS 100
- Canyon Lux
- Rocky Mountain Element XCO
- Mondraker F-Podium
- Front: 130 mm
- Rear: 115 mm
- 29"
- Carbon or Aluminum
The Trance 29 is less of a XC race bike, and more of a “fun” or casual XC bike. Features progressive head tube and seat tube angles, shorter chainstays, and a longer reach. More like the Anthem 29 than the Stance 29.
Consider If:
- You want some more downhill capability than a pure cross-country bike
- You want a lightweight full-suspension bike that climbs well
Don’t Bother If:
- The trails you ride are mostly smooth and flat
- You’re looking for a bike that is very capable and forgiving in steep, technical, fast, bumpy descents
- You’re looking for a cross-country race style bike
- 3: $2,400 – Best Budget Build
- Advanced Pro 3: $3,800
- Advanced Pro 1: $5,850 – Most Performance for the Price
- Specialized Epic EVO
- Trek Top Fuel
- Santa Cruz Tallboy
- Pivot Trail 429
- Yeti SB115
- Kona Hei Hei
- Transition Spur
- Banshee Phantom
- Intense Sniper Trail
- Norco Revolver FS 120
- Cannondale Scalpel SE
- Ibis Ripley
- Devinci Django 29
- Scott Spark
- Mondraker F-Podium DC
- Banshee Phantom
- Evil The Following
- Canyon Neuron
- Front: 130 mm
- Rear: 120 mm
- 29"
- Aluminum
Entry-level option for riders looking to get on a versatile bike with fast-rolling 29” wheels. More like the Stance than the Trance 29.
Consider If:
- You ride trails that are somewhat steep, fast, bumpy, and technical
- You are on a tight budget
- You are looking for an entry-level full suspension bike
Don’t Bother If:
- You are willing to spend a little more to get more performance
- You ride mostly flat and smooth trails
- You are looking for a very capable, forgiving bike
- 2: $1,685
- 1: $2,150 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- Trek Top Fuel & Fuel EX
- Santa Cruz Tallboy
- Norco Fluid FS
- Cannondale Habit
- Canyon Neuron
- Front: 130 mm
- Rear: 120 mm
- 27.5"+
- Aluminum
Entry-level Trail option for riders looking for the good traction provided by plus-sized tires. More like the Stance 29 than the Trance X 29.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking for a confidence-inspiring bike
- You are on a fairly tight budget
- You often ride trails that are somewhat steep, fast, bumpy, and technical
- You often ride trails with loose surfaces
Don’t Bother If:
- You are willing to spend a little more for more performance
- You often ride flat, smooth, hardpack trails
- You are looking for a very capable, forgiving bike
- Stance: $1,685
- Norco Fluid FS 27.5”
- Salsa Spearfish 27.5”+
- Front: 150 mm
- Rear: 135 mm
- 29"
- Aluminum or Carbon
New for the 2021 lineup, the Trance X is Giant’s best Quiver Killer. This bike has the progressive geometry you’d expect from a modern Trail bike: a long reach, low bottom bracket, slack head tube angle, and steep seat tube angle. This bike has adjustable geometry with a low and high setting that are notably further apart than other bikes. “Advanced Pro 0” build kit features Fox’s Live Valve suspension. More like the Trance than the Stance.
Consider If:
- You’re looking for a do-it-all trail bike
- You ride a mix of terrain and styles
- You appreciate a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
- You occasionally enjoy riding lift-served bike parks or shuttling to the top of descents
- You want the advantage of fast-rolling 29” wheels
Don’t Bother If:
- You value climbing efficiency over downhill forgiveness
- The trails you ride are mostly smooth and flat
- You want the advantage of nimble, agile 27.5” wheels
- You want a very capable and forgiving bike that crushes descents and are willing to sacrifice some climbing efficiency
- 3: $2,550 – Best Budget Build
- 2: $3,500
- Advanced Pro 2: $5,000
- Advanced Pro 1: $6,000 – Most Performance for the Price
- Advanced Pro 0: $9,350
- Specialized Stumpjumper
- Trek Fuel Ex
- Kona Process 134 29
- Yeti SB130
- Santa Cruz Hightower
- Commencal Meta TR
- Rocky Mountain Instinct
- Intense Primer 29
- YT Jeffsy 29
- Norco Sight 29
- Devinci Troy 29
- Evil The Offering
- Scott Genius
- Cannondale Habit
- Revel Rascal
- Canyon Strive
- Front: 150 mm
- Rear: 140 mm
- 27.5"
- Aluminum or Carbon
Designed for a bit of everything, this is a versatile 27.5”-wheeled Trail option. Notably less modern, less aggressive geometry than the Trance X 29. More like the Trance X 29 than the Reign 29.
Consider If:
- You’re looking for a do-it-all trail bike
- You appreciate a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
- You occasionally enjoy riding lift-served bike parks or shuttling to the top of descents
- You want the advantage of nimble, agile 27.5” wheels
Don’t Bother If:
- You want a bike that is a quick, lightweight climber
- The trails you ride are mostly smooth and flat
- You want a very capable and forgiving bike that crushes descents and are willing to sacrifice some climbing efficiency
- You want the advantage of fast-rolling 29” wheels
- Trance: $2,400 – Best Budget Build
- Advanced: $3,600 – Most Performance for the Price
- Trek Remedy
- Santa Cruz Bronson
- Pivot Mach 5.5
- Yeti SB140
- Kona Process 153 27.5
- Norco Sight 27.5”
- Transition Scout
- Intense Primer 27.5
- YT Jeffsy 27
- Canyon Spectral
- Front: 170 mm
- Rear: 146 mm
- 29"
- Aluminum or Carbon
The Reign 29 is an aggressive Trail / Enduro bike with long, low, & slack geometry and a more downhill-oriented design than the Trance and Trance X.
Consider If:
- You want a bike that is capable and forgiving on the descents
- You race enduro and / or like to shuttle to the top of descents and / or ride lift-served terrain
- You want the benefits of fast-rolling 29” wheels
- You enjoy pushing your limits on fast, steep, chunky, and technical terrain
Don’t Bother If:
- You ride mostly smooth and flat trails
- You are looking for an cross-country-style bike that climbs very well
- You want a more playful, freeride-style long-travel bike, rather than an enduro racer
- 2: $3,500 – Best Budget Build
- SX: $4,450
- Advanced Pro 2: $4,900
- Advanced Pro 1: $6,100 – Most Performance for the Price
- Santa Cruz Megatower
- Trek Slash
- Specialized Enduro
- Rocky Mountain Altitude 29”
- Intense Carbine
- Transition Sentinel
- Nukeproof Mega 290
- Evil The Wreckoning LB
- YT Capra 29
- Norco Sight 29”
- Devinci Spartan 29
- Scott Ransom
- Canyon Strive
- Ibis Ripmo & Ripmo AF
- Mondraker SuperFoxy
Liv Mountain Bikes
(Most Cross-Country-Oriented to Most Downhill-Oriented)
- Front: 80 mm (27.5” options) or 100 mm (29” options)
- Rear: None / Hardtail
- 27.5” (XS and S sizes) or 29” (S-L sizes)
- Aluminum
Liv’s entry-level hardtail.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking to get into the sport
- You are on a tight budget
- You want to ride mostly smooth and mellow trails
Don’t Bother If:
- You plan on riding trails that are rocky, rooty, technical, and/or steep
- You like a bike that is forgiving on descents
- You are willing to spend more money for more overall performance
- 4: $550
- 2: $685
- 1: $920
- 0: $1,310 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- Scott Contessa Active
- Cannondale Tango
- Diamondback Lux
- Front: 100 mm
- Rear: 100 mm
- 29"
- Aluminum or Carbon
Liv’s XC-race-style, full-suspension 29er. Features a dropper post on every model. More like the Embolden than the Tempt
Consider If:
- You race or ride cross-country style on slightly bumpy, steep, and technical trails
- You appreciate a full-suspension bike that climbs well
- You ride or race cross-country-style for long distances on trails that are more bumpy and / or technical
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride steep, fast, technical, bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is more forgiving on descents than it is a good climber
- 2: $2,450 – Best Budget Build
- Advanced Pro 2: $4,380
- Advanced Pro 1: $6,200 – Most Performance for the Price
- Scott Contessa Spark RC
- Cannondale Scalpel Women’s
- Front: 130 mm
- Rear: 120 mm
- 27.5"
- Aluminum
A great entry-level, shorter-travel Trail bike. Features wide 2.6” tires for confidence-inspiring traction. More like the Intrigue 29 than the Pique 29.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking for a confidence-inspiring bike
- You are on a budget
- You want to ride trails that are somewhat steep, fast, bumpy, and technical
- You want to ride trails with loose surfaces
Don’t Bother If:
- You are willing to spend a little more to get more overall performance
- You often ride flat, smooth, hardpack trails
- You are looking for a very capable, forgiving bike
- 2: $1,685
- 1: $2,150 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- Juliana Furtado
- Front: 140 mm
- Rear: 125 mm
- 29"
- Aluminum or Carbon
New for 2021, the Intrigue 29 is a versatile option designed to handle a mix of terrain. This bike has adjustable geometry with a low and high setting that are notably further apart (i.e., offer more significant adjustment) than other bikes. Although this bike is new, it does not have the very long and slack geometry you’d expect (e.g., like the Giant Trance X).More like the Intrigue than the Embolden.
Consider If:
- You ride a mix of terrain
- You appreciate a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
Don’t Bother If:
- You are looking for a lightweight full-suspension XC-style 29er that climbs very well
- The trails you ride are mostly smooth and flat
- You want a very capable and forgiving bike that crushes descents and are willing to sacrifice some climbing efficiency
- Intrigue 29: $3,500 – Best Budget Build
- Advanced Pro 2: $5,000
- Advanced Pro 1: $6,000 – Most Performance for the Price
- Juliana Joplin
- Cannondale Habit Women’s
- Front: 150 mm
- Rear: 140 mm
- 27.5"
- Aluminum or Carbon
Consider If:
- You’re looking for a do-it-all trail bike
- You like a playful bike
- You appreciate a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
- You enjoy riding lift-served bike parks or shuttling to the top of descents occasionally
Don’t Bother If:
- You want a bike that is a quick, lightweight climber
- The trails you ride are mostly smooth and flat
- You want a very capable and forgiving bike that crushes descents and are willing to sacrifice some climbing efficiency
- Intrigue: $2,400 – Best Budget Build
- Advanced: $3,600 – Most Performance for the Price
- Juliana Roubion