Giant Talon 2 Mountain Bike 2011.

When looking at the GIant Talon 2 compared to the next one up - the Talon 1 - there aren't too many differences! The model is the equivalent of the Yukon, but the features have been upgraded. On the Talon 2, we've got an ALUXX SL Sport formed alloy frame with integrated headset (same as Talon 1)

The forks are Rockshox Dart 2 100mm travel with PopLoc. These hydraulic forks come with rebound adjustment so you can alter the rebound to give good control over a wider variety of surfaces.This is the cheapest bike you'll find in this range that has PopLoc. The benefit of PopLoc is that you can access the hydraulic lockout on the suspension from the handlebars. As you can imagine, reaching down near the wheels to lock out the suspension while you're riding is not particularly practical or safe, so PopLoc was developed to enable you to lock it out from the handlebars. Another benefit of this is that with PopLoc, the lock out is used far more regularly, so it tends to make the feature far more valuable for most people.

With the Shimano Deore/Alivio/Altus Drivetrain it gives good reliable gear changing, while the Shimano hydraulic brakes ensure that there are no anxious moments where you dont think you can stop the beast. The SDG saddle is well designed and actually helps keep the bike controlled as your body is firmly positioned on the bike, while the saddle design provides a high degree of comfort. The Hutchinson Scorpion tyres provide good grip and long wear. So if you want a mountain bike with all the features, for under $1000, this is definitely one to look at! Come and test ride one today!