2022 Giant

XTC Advanced 29 1

A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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MSRP$3,900
Reported Weight24.3 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionHardtail, 100mm
ForkFox Performance Float 32
Wheels29″ Carbon
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetXT
BrakesHydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
XTC Advanced 29 1
Other Crosscountry bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

28 mph

XTC Advanced 29 1

27 mph

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Highest gear

(descending)

Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Compare the full XTC model range

View Comparison
Sizing
SM

5'4" – 5'9"

MD

5'6" – 6'0"

LG

5'10" – 6'3"

XL

6'1" – 6'6"

Rider Fit Notes
  • 5'8", size MD, Just right
  • 5'8", size MD, Just right
Reviews
MBR
Giant XTC SLR 29 1 hardtail review - MBR

Feb 2023 · Seanwhite

Few bikes impress us as much as the Giant XTC SLR 29 1 has. It’s one of the best hardtail mountain bikes out there when it comes to XC racing or long-haul marathon munching. So good, in fact, it scored a rare 10/10 and is our pick for the best cross-country hard tail we’ve tested. Need to know: Giant Crest fork uses a stout 34mm chassis to deliver 100mm of controlled travel Wet weather performance of SLX/XT transmission could be improved with a Shimano chain Wider Giant in-house rims are ideal for higher volume tyres Available in four frame sizes, with very generous reach measurements With a noticeable move to the lightweight, short-travel full suspension Anthem platform for XC racing, Giant’s carbon XC hardtails have slipped quietly out of the range. So if you want a Giant XC race hardtail, you have only one option in the UK: the aluminium XTC SLR 29 1 at £1,599. Fully overhauled and relaunched in 2021, the Giant XTC sports the most up-to-date frame in this test. And according to Giant, it’s the lightest aluminium hardtail frame that it has produced to date, the 12.29kg (27.09lb) bike weight the lightest in test and reflecting the weight savings achieved by Giant’s sophisticated ‘microscopic grain manipulation’ and top drawer ALLUX SLR aluminium tubing. The aim was for a class-leading stiffness-to-weight ratio. And Giant has delivered. As such, the underlying quality of the latest evolution of the XTC is not just a relevant bike in its stock form, but the frame is of such high quality that it is a realistic platform for future upgrades, and one that could confidently go elbow-to-elbow with riders on carbon race-orientated hardtails. One model, one colour, four sizes, all running 29in wheels. It’s a simple formula but first impressions were very promising; the sleek frame design with every tube varying in shape and profile make it more than fit for purpose. And with none of the rack and kickstand mounts that are present on the Trek X-Caliber 8 and Cube Reaction Pro, the focus of the Giant XTC SLR is crystal clear. Only the shallow slope of the top tube raises an eyebrow and adds a more traditional aesthetic to the XTC. However, if you’re lining up for a 12 hour marathon or ultra-endurance event you will appreciate all that space in the front triangle to fit two large bottles and a frame bag. As expected, this latest evolution is designed to be single-ring-specific and you can run up to a 36t chainring on this frame if you have the horsepower to turn a big gear. The stock bike has a more sensible 32t chainring and married to the 10-51t Shimano 12 speed cassette, the gear ratios felt bang on and reflect the bike’s faster-paced intentions. Like all of the hardtails in this shootout, we tested the Giant in a size XL – the largest size available, whereas the three other bands in the test all offer a XXL. That’s not …Continue reading »

Highs
  • Giant Crest forks adds accuracy

Lows
  • Needs lock-on grips

Read Review

Bikerumor
Giant go long with updated alloy XC hardtail mountain bike - 2021 Giant XTC SLR 29

Jul 2020

2021 Giant XTC SLR 29 hardtail mountain bike goes long in the chainstay for improved stability, two models offered with wide range gearing.

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BIKE Magazine
Giant Introduces XTC SLR Budget XC Bikes

Jul 2020

These are polarizing times. Seems like everybody’s either on one end of the spectrum or the other. I speak, of course, of hardtails. There are more and more aggressive, boundary-pushing rigs out there, and the ever-present XC hardtail holdouts. But the latter are usually aimed at the gram-counting racers that clearly are a bit too…

Read Review

VeloNews
Giant XTC SLR 29 is heavy on tech, light on wallet

Jul 2020 · VeloNews.com

The XTC SLR's aluminum frame is Giant's lightest and is fabricated using a proprietary hydroforming process to create a race-worthy and affordable bike.

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Cycling Tips
2020 Giant XTC Advanced SL 29 1 hardtail review: fast as - CyclingTips

Feb 2020 · Dave Rome

When it comes to riding bikes, there are few things I love more than finding the flow of a snaking singletrack trail, smashing the pedals out of turns and feeling my wheels leave terra firma, even if it’s only for a microsecond. The latest trend of gravel bikes certainly lets you experience this thrill, but […]

Highs
  • Impressively light and efficient, well-rounded racing geometry, durable and race-ready component specification.

Lows
  • Could use a straight (and dropper) seatpost, ride quality still on the stiff side, resin-only brake rotors, gear cable rattles in frame, contact points.

Read Review

Rider Notes
XTC Advanced 29 1 rider review

Aug 2023 · Comparable Cat

Awesome little rocket! Fast acceleration and agile. Tracks very well. Stable over rocky terrain for a HT. Very smooth and quiet. Shimano shifter and d

Highs
  • Fast, light, agile, playful, smooth, Rocket

  • Tracks well

  • XT components (except Cassette is SLX)

  • Dropper post

  • Thumb remote lockout for fork.

  • Compared to other similar bikes, better components and price.

Lows
  • Handlebars components can swing back and hit headtube in a crash. Hacked some foam and 3M electric tape on head tune for padding.

  • Cranks too long, manufacturers need to go shorter. Switched from 175mm to 165mm is perfect.

  • Aluminum instead of Carbon handlebar

  • Hubs are kinda unknown...can I upgrade the 3-Pawl to 54T Ratchet?

  • 70mm stem too long, switched to Enve 50mm carbon stem.

  • Dropped post switch, needs to be in better location, have to stretch my hand/thumbs. A switch similar to fork lockout but above the handlebar would be better.

  • Came with SLX Cassette instead of XT

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x148mm thru-axle

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Tire Clearance2.25"

ColorBlack / Black Diamond

Fork

Fox 32 Float SC Performance, 100mm, GRIP damper, 44mm offset, two-position remote lockout, Boost 15x110 KaBolt

Travel100mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

N/A

Spring TypeAir

Bottom Bracket

Shimano, press fit

Stem

Giant Contact SL XC 35 S:60mm, M:70mm, L:80mm, XL:90mm

Handlebar

Giant Contact XC Flat, 760x35mm

Saddle

Fi'zi:k Antares R7 with S-Alloy rails

Seatpost

Giant Contact Switch dropper, remote S: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm L: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm XL: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm

TypeDropper

Pedals

N/A

Grips

Giant XC Pro S:32mm, M:32mm, L:34mm, XL:34mm

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Deore XT M8100

Front Derailleur

N/A

Crank

Shimano Deore XT M8120, 32t S:170mm, M:175mm, L:175mm, XL:175mm

Shifters

Shimano Deore XT M8100, 1x12

Cassette

Shimano SLX M7100, 10x51

Chain

KMC X-12

Brakes

Shimano Deore XT BR-M8100, hydraulic, Shimano RT-66 rotors [F]180mm, [R]160mm

TypeHydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano Deore XT BL-M8100

Wheels
Rims

Giant XCR 2 Carbon 29 WheelSystem

Spokes

Giant XCR 2 Carbon 29 WheelSystem

Front Hub

Giant XCR 2 Carbon 29 WheelSystem

Rear Hub

Giant XCR 2 Carbon 29 WheelSystem

Tires

Maxxis Recon Race 29x2.25, foldable, TLR, EXO, tubeless

Rider Notes
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Last updated March 23