2012 Giant Talon 0 Mountain Bike - Test Ride at Pat's 605 in Norwalk

Top of the line in the 2012 Talon 29er Mountain Bike range is the 2012 Talon 0.  Pat's 605 in Norwalk can put you on one of these for less than you would think when you check out the specs.  This bike is made for the trails, whether in the mountains or cross country.  You'll fly over the paths, and hardly notice the rocks and roots.

Frame Technology

At the core of this entry-level off-road mountain bike lies a lightweight ALUXX SL frameset designed to handle the specific geometry demands of 26-inch wheels. A smart mix of weight, comfort and affordability are built into each frame, offering the recreational off-roader the opportunity to own a bona-fide mountain bike.

• ALUXX SL-grade, butted aluminum tubeset
• Replaceable rear dropout
• Tough and light, formed and integrated head tube junction gusset
• Integrated headset

Here are the key upgrades that you get on the 2012 Talon 0 compared to the Talon 1:

• RockShox XC28, 100mm suspension fork
• SRAM X5 componentry
• Complete Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes
• Giant Connect handlebar, stem and seatpost
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Color: Black/Blue

2012 Giant Talon 1 29er Mountain Bike Offers Supurb Performace - Pat's 605 Norwalk

 Come see the incredible 2012 Giant Talon 1 29er Mountain Bike at Pat's 604 Cyclery in Downy.  Notice the top tube positioning that will allow you to have a more comfortable stand over position.  Check out the 27 speed shifting that will provide you with a perfect gear for every situation on the trails.  This bike is built to be rugged, fast, and comfortable.

FEATURES

Key Upgrades (over Talon 29er 2 ):

• SR XCT 29", 100mm suspension fork with lockout
• SRAM X4 trigger shifting and SRAM X5 rear derailleur
• Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes
• Giant S-XC29 2 alloy rims and Giant Tracker Sport hubs
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Color: Charcoal/Red

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At the Trek 1.2's heart is that Alpha Aluminum frame. Neatly finished, it offers a solid, confident ride. Solid might actually sound like we mean harsh, but that isn’t the case here – it’s solid as in reliable, predictable. Some cheaper aluminum bikes can, and often do, err on the side of bone shaking, but the 1.2 is pleasingly smooth – the slim seatstays have enough give to iron out too much harshness at the rear and the Bontrager Approved carbon fork aids cushioning at the front end.

The riding position is reasonably upright – thanks to the high, long-ride-friendly front end. The good news with that is that you’re likely to remain comfortable. The wheels too – from Bontrager, Trek’s own component brand – are good. They roll smoothly, feel strong and should prove reliable.And the same goes for the Bontrager tires – they provide a good level of cushioning and decent amounts of grip. If you’ve never ridden a road bike or you’re coming back after an absence and have ‘just’ £650 to spend, chances are you’ll find a lot to like in the Trek 1.2. But the same can be said if you’ve been riding something a few price points up too.

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2012 Giant Talon 2 Mountain Bike Review - Pat's 605 in Norwalk

 

 Entry level for the Giant Bicycle Line of 29er mountain bikes is the 2012 Talon 2.  Pat's 605 has also created a video about the 2012 Giant Talon 2 Mountain Bike here.

The Talon frame is very close to the same as the Giant XTC which will set you back twice as much.  Giant has crafted the frame using Fluidform, which leaves the main tubes in a near perfect combination of strength and rigidity.  The frame is made out of Giant’s ALUXX aluminum alloy.  The tubesets have been internally butted and hydroformed to optimize strength and weight.

The top tube is a flattened oval with all the cable routing underneath. The down tube is very large.  It  flares and bridges across to the first 90mm of the top tube, then curves away from the reinforced head tube.  The result is a very dependable, comfortable riding frame. 

the Talon 29er uses SRAM and Shimano drivetrain components, offering a total of 27 gears.
The Talon is now running all the cable routing underneath, which provides multiple benefits in appearance and reduced drag.

Features

• SR XCT 29", 100mm suspension fork
• SRAM X4 8-speed trigger shifting and rear derailleur
• Tektro Aquila mechanical disc brakes
• Giant S-XC29 2 alloy rims and Giant Tracker Sport hubs
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Color: White/Black