New bikes for 2013...

Last week I headed to Melbourne for the official new season release of both Giant and Focus’s 2013 bikes. Giant’s release was for their Performance range, bikes upwards of $1500. Heading into the shows, I knew of the majority of the new models and tech updates, through various media reports over the past 3 months. What I wasn’t expecting was the complete dominance or takeover of the 29er wheel. The only 26” wheeled bikes now offered by Giant are the Reign and Glory models. That means 77% of Giant MTB’s are now 29er, of the remaining 23% over half of these are DH rigs. There are groups of people opposed to the 29er revolution, but it seems for every 1 of them there are 20+ people looking for the bigger wheel. Adding more fuel to fire is the 650B wheel (27.5”) which makes claim to being the perfect wheel size, offering the speed of a bigger wheel and the manoeuvrability similar to the 26” wheel.
What stood out most was graphics - it seems both Giant and Focus have really stepped up their games.
The highlights were the new Giant Trance X 29er, XTC Advanced SL 29er, TCX Advanced SL, and a new entry level time trial bike - the Trinity Composite. Meanwhile Focus has added a Raven 650B to their line up, their new Izalco Team SL range, and the Super Bud 29er trail bike.
I haven’t seen any delivery schedules yet, but understand Giant has already landed some models from their line up - meaning most should be due in the next few weeks. Focus is expected from September onwards.
If you have any more questions about the various models, please feel free to send us an email, tweet, FB message or similar, and we can fill you in. Below is a full run down of the models and features, have a read through the discipline that interests you, read it all, or take the overview you have just read.

X-Road – Performance Cyclocross

Cyclocross has been steadily growing in NZ and Australia over the past few years. Last year was the first season NZ ran a National Championships and series which proved popular. Logan and Dave from the Rangiora store have both competed throughout the series, Logan picking up 2^nd in the Nation Championships.
For 2013 Giant is offering the TCX Advanced SL to their NZ line up, this features Giant’s top of the line T-800 Advanced SL frame, with Integrated Seat Post, OverDrive headtube, Powercore BB, MegaDrive downtube and Fusion construction. Equipped with the all new SRAM Red drivechain and a set of Giant P-SL1 wheels, one of these will set you back $5699. The TCX 1 carries over with updated spec and graphics for $2249 - $250 easier on your wallet compared to last season.
Focus continues its wide offering in Cyclocross for 2013, offering 5 models ranging from $2299 through to $7499. The Mares CX 1.0 is the top offering and the bike of Jeremy Powers – US Cyclocross Champion, and this was clearly the best looking CX bike I saw at the releases. Like Giant’s TCX Advanced SL the CX 1.0 runs a near identical all new SRAM Red drivechain, but is finished with a pair Easton EC90SL Tubulars which beefs the priced up $1800 over the Giant to $7499. The Mares CX 2.0 was the standout model running Ultegra Di2 drivechain - I’m not sure why more don’t run electronic shifting. Equipped with the same carbon frame of the CX 1.0, and a pair of Fulcrum 6.5CX’s for $5499. As a cheaper option the Mares AX 1.0 will be a great rival to the Giant TCX 1, running a triple butted frame, carbon fork, Ultegra drivechain and Fulcrum 6.5CX’s, this is very competitively priced at $2599.

On-Road - Performance

Focus has released a new Izalco Team SL frame for 2013, which is an impressive 200g lighter at 970g. Using Internal Cable Tunnel Technology, carbon headset cups, and a Pressfit BB, the thickness of the carbon is able to be reduced giving the weight saving. An impressive line up of models is offered; Team SL 1.0 comes blacked out with new SRAM Red and Zipp Firecrest 404 wheels at $11999 - and just 6.1kg! The Team SL 2.0 gets 11 speed Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with the new DT Swiss RR21 DiCut wheels for $10999, and the Team SL 3.0 is spec’ed with Campagnolo Record EPS and Fulcrum Racing Zero wheels also at $10999. One important note for Focus (not just on the new Team SL frame) is that cable routing is specific to the model and gruppo, meaning no more having mechanical cable lugs when running Di2 or plastic bungs when vice versa.
Focus carries over the Izalco Pro frame for 2013 running 3 models including the Pro 3.0 which gained top honours for ‘Bike of the Year 2012’.
The semi compact Cayo Evo frame released in 2012 carries over in 2013 with some impressive price points that rival Giant. Cayo Evo 2 runs Ultegra Di2 and Fulcrum 6.5’s at $5299, with a mechanical Ultegra version the Cayo Evo 4 at $3499. The most impressively priced model is the Cayo Evo 6.0 which is equipped with Shimano 105 and Fulcrum 6.5’s wheels at just $2699! This is certainly great value, running the same full carbon Cayo Evo frame as ridden by Danilo Di Luca’s Acqua & Sapone Team.
Focus also continues the Ergoride and Donna (women’s) models which run a compact geometry.
Giant rolls over the newly added frame features from 2012 - OverDrive 2 headset, MegaDrive downtube, PowerCore BB and the integrated RideSense ANT+ wireless sensor. There are two TCR Advanced SL Integrated Seat Post models, both running new 11 speed Shimano Dura-Ace - with a Di2 option, and a mechanical option priced from $7199.
Giant TCR Advanced models continue ranging in spec of TCR Advanced 0 Ultegra Di2 $5399, TCR Advanced 1 Ultegra mechanical $3849 and TCR Advanced 2 105 $3349. There are no TCR models in the Liv women’s line up this year.
Giant continues with the successful endurance geometry Defy and Avail models for 2013, offering either Advanced or Composite carbon, and aluminium models at a range of price points.  Additions to the line up this season are a new Shimano Ultegra Di2 version the Defy Advanced 0 & Avail Advanced 0 selling for $5399.

On-Road - Performance Triathlon/TT

New colours and models have been added to the Trinity line up for 2013. The Advanced SL 0 gets the addition of new 11 speed Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, while the Advanced SL 1 gets bold new Lime/White/Black graphics and Shimano Ultegra Di2 at $9499. Giant have added a new Composite 1 model in both men’s and Liv women’s which runs a Composite frame as opposed to the T-800 Advanced SL frame. Equipped with Shimano Ultegra and R501 wheelset this is a sure winner at just $3799.

Off-Road – Performance Downhill

Giant continues with the success of their World Championship winning Glory. For most people the models will look near identical from 2012, but don’t be fooled. Giant has changed the geometry to ‘Long & Low’ for outright speed, and added new internal cable routing to the swingarm, making this a very different DH rig.
The Glory 0 is equipped with SRAM X0 including new carbon DH cranks, trail brakes and RockShox Boxxer World Cup’s at $6999. The Glory 1 gets an upgraded RockShox RC2C fork and Vivid R2 shock at $5499, while the Glory 2 also gets a similar upgrade to a RockShox Boxxer RC and Kage R shock at $3799.

Off-Road – Performance All Mountain

The Reign X is the only model in Giant’s line up (Performance Range) running a 26” wheel, apart from the Glory DH range. Both models continue with an ALUXX SL 6” Maestro suspension frame, updated graphics and new OverDrive 2 headtube (1 ¼” – 1 ½”).
The Reign X 1 runs full Shimano SLX, new Fox 32 Talas CTD fork and shock for $3999. While the Reign X 2 is equipped with SRAM X7, RockShox Revelation RL and Monarch R shock for $2999.
There was no mention of an Advanced (carbon) Reign X which had been rumoured for 2013, something we hope to see for 2014.

Off Road – Performance Trail

The most talked about bike of this season is the all new Trance X 29er, which lived up to all my expectations upon viewing. The most interesting decision was the exclusion of a 26” version, which is still offered in the US, and is still called for here from time to time.
The all new Trance X 29er is offered in 4 models, all running an ALUXX SL 5” Maestro suspension frame using OverDrive 2 headtube (1 ¼” – 1 ½”) and a new single spar swingarm allowing the shortest possible wheelbase. The stand out models where the Trance X 29er 0 equipped with Shimano XT, Fox 32 Float CTD RT fork and shock for $5199. The first model in the line up is the Trance X 29er 2 with SRAM X7/X5, RockShox Recon fork and Monarch R shock for just $2499.
Focus also joins the Trail market this season with their new Super Bud 29er, running slightly less travel at 4”/100mm. Using an identical geometry to the Trance X 29er, triple butted alloy frame, 1.5” headtube, front and rear thru axle and a dropper seat post.
There are 4 models on offer, the 29er 1.0, 29er 2.0, 29er 3.0 and 29er 4.0. The 1.0 will be equipped with Shimano XT, Fox 32 Float CTD Evo fork and shock, Crankbrothers Kronolog post, FSA SLK kit and DT Swiss X1600 wheelset for $5399. A very well spec’ed bike at a similar price to the Giant Trance X 29er 0. The 4.0 is also well equipped running Shimano SLX, RockShox Reba RL fork and Monarch RL shock at $2899.

Off-Road – Performance XC

Like the Trance X line up the Anthem X has also seen the 29er revolution wash out all 26” models this season. The Anthem is a XC bike through and through, and with this in mind it is well suited to the larger wheel.
New in the 2013 line up from Giant is the new Anthem Advanced, featuring an Advanced grade carbon front triangle, incorporating an OverDrive 2 headtube (1 ¼” – 1 ½”) and MegaDrive down tube, which is married to an ALUXX SL grade aluminium swingarm. The Advanced is offered in 2 models, the Advanced 29er 0 is the top shelf model, with SRAM XX, RockShox SID RCT3 fork and Monarch RT3 shock, and the new Giant P-XCR 0 composite wheelsystem for $8999. The Advanced 29er 1 is equipped with Shimano XT, RockShox SID RL fork, Monarch R shock, and Giant P-XCR 1 wheelsystem at $5399.
There are a total of 5 ALUXX aluminium models on offer, all getting the new OverDrive 2 headtube (1 ¼” – 1 ½”). There are two models in the Liv women’s line up, the Anthem X 29er 4W and Anthem X 29er 0W. The 4W is kitted out with Shimano Deore, RockShox Recon fork and Monarch R shock for $2699, while the 0W gets an upgraded SRAM X9 drivechain, RockShox Reba RL fork and Monarch RL shock for $3399.
In the men’s range there are 3 models, the Anthem X 29er 3, Anthem X 29er 1 and Anthem X 29er 0. The 1 carries over from last year, equipped with a full Shimano XT/SLX drivechain, Fox 32 Float RL Evo CTD fork and shock at just $3499. The 3 will retail for $2899 running a Shimano Deore/SLX, with the same fork and shock setup as the 29er 1.

Off-Road – Performance Hardtail

I’m always surprised by the amount of hardtails we sell in 29er! Before the 29er wheel revolution anything without rear suspension upwards of $1500.00 was a hard sell to customers ahead of the benefits offered by rear suspension.
Giant has released a new XTC Advanced SL model, using T-800 Advanced SL Carbon frame with an OverDrive 2 headtube (1 ¼” – 1 ½”) and a very nice integrated seat clamp and rear disc tab. Unfortunately there is no published weight on these, we will advise once they hit the shop floors and we can weight them. There are 2 models of the new Advanced SL, the Advanced SL 29er 0 equipped with SRAM XX, RockShox SID XX and the new Giant P-XCR 0 composite wheelsystem at $8999. The slightly cheaper Advanced SL 29er 1 gets a SRAM X0/X9 kit, RockShox SID RL, and a P-XCR 1 wheelsystem for $5399.
In the XTC Composite models Giant has released a new lower spec’ed model. The Composite 29er 2 will run a SRAM X9/X7 drivechain and RockShox Reba fork for $2999. The XTC Composite 29er 1 carries over, but with Shimano XT/SLX, Fox 32 Float RL Evo CTD, and drops down to $3599.
The ALUXX SL version, the XTC 29er 2 is now the only non-carbon XTC model Giant offers, using a Shimano XT/Deore drivechain and RockShox Recon TK for $1899.
Focus again continues with their Eurobike award winning Raven 29er, with 3 models featuring Internal Cable Tunnel Technology, tapered headtube and a new clip on chain stay protector. The Raven 29er 1.0 now runs SRAM XX, RockShox SID XX and Crankbrothers Cobalt 11 wheels and finishing kit for $10999. The Raven 29er 5.0 is the stand out model running Shimano SLX and RockShox Reba RL at just $3799. This is $200 more than the Giant XTC Composite 29er 0; however the Focus frame is of similar quality to the Advanced SL offered by Giant.
There are 3 Black Forest 29er aluminium models on offer, the 29er 1.0 running SRAM X0, RockShox Reba RL for $2799, 29er 2.0 with Shimano XT, RockShox Recon $2399 and the 29er 3.0 with Shimano XT/Deore and RockShox XC32 TK RL for $1699.
The debate continues...for those of you who don’t know, 650B (or 27.5”) is an option between the original 26” wheel and the ever popular 29er. Proponents of the 650B wheel claim that this is the perfect solution to the downsides of the 29er wheel, while still maintaining many of the 29er’s advantages over a 26” wheel, and it is certainly getting success on the world race circuit. Only time will tell on this however, and the big brand manufacturers will not jump on board unless there is sufficient demand.
Focus is the only brand on offer here with their Raven 650B. This uses a near identical frame to the Eurobike award winning Raven 29er. Featuring a ‘made in Germany’ full carbon frame (including dropout), with a tapered headtube, Pressfit  BB, and internal cable routing, the Raven 650B comes equipped with Shimano XT 30 speed throughout, with a RockShox Revelation 100mm fork up front for $4799.