Bike Comparison
The Trek Marlin 6, Giant Talon 2, and CUBE AIM, EX are all 27.5″ / 29″ aluminum frame hardtail crosscountry bikes. The AIM, EX has a 2 × 10 drivetrain providing a wider range of gears. Explore the differences below.
 |  |  |
| MSRP | $849 | $730 | ($811) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spec Level | |||
| Where to Buy | — $1 At | — $1 At | — $1 At |
| Category | Crosscountry | Crosscountry | Crosscountry |
| Weight | 31.1 lbs | 31.5 lbs | |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Fork | Suntour XCT | Suntour XCM | Suntour XCM |
| Wheels | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Wheel Size | 27.5″ / 29″ | 27.5″ / 29″ | 27.5″ / 29″ |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Groupset | Deore | microSHIFT Advent | Deore |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 10 | 1 × 9 | 2 × 10 |
| Suspension | Hardtail | Hardtail | Hardtail |
| Front Travel | 100mm | 80mm | 100mm |
| Seatpost | Rigid | Rigid | Rigid |
| Brand Site | trekbikes.com | giant-bicycles.com | cube.eu |
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| Frame | aluminum frame | ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, disc | Aluminium Lite, AMF, Double Butted, Internal Cable Routing, Tapered Head Tube, Flat Mount Brake, SIC Mount, FM Kickstand Mount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fork | Size: XS, SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 42mm offset for 27.5'' wheel, 100mm QR, 80mm travel; Size: S, SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 42mm offset for 27.5'' wheel, 100mm QR, 100mm travel; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, SR Suntour XCT 30, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 46mm offset for 29'' wheel, 100mm QR, 100mm travel | SR Suntour XCM30, QR, steel steerer XS: 80mm travel (27.5) S: 80mm travel (27.5) / 100mm travel (29) | SR Suntour XCM Disc, 100mm, Remote Lockout |
| Rear Shock | N/A | ||
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed cartridge, 73mm | cartridge | Samox BB-EB2401, 73mm BSA |
| Headset | Semi-integrated, 1-1/8'' | CUBE FPH868, Semi-Integrated | |
| Stem | Size: XS, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 50mm length; Size: S, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 60mm length; Size: M, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 70mm length; Size: ML, L, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length; Size: XL, XXL, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length | Giant Sport, 7-degree XS: 40mm (27.5) S: 50mm (27.5) / 50mm (29) M: 60mm (27.5) / 60mm (29) L: 70mm (27.5) / 70mm (29) XL: 80mm (29) | CUBE Performance Stem Race, 31.8mm |
| Handlebar | Size: XS, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 690mm width; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 720mm width | Giant Connect Trail, 31.8mm XS: 730mm (27.5) S: 780mm (27.5) / 780mm (29) M: 780mm (27.5) / 780mm (29) L: 780mm (27.5) / 780mm (29) XL: 780mm (29) | CUBE Rise Trail Bar, 680mm |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width | Giant custom | Natural Fit Venec Lite |
| Seatpost | Size: XS, S, M, Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset, 330mm length; Size: ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset, 400mm length | Giant Sport, 30.9 XS: 300mm (27.5) S: 300mm (27.5) / 375mm (29) M: 375mm (27.5) / 375mm (29) L: 375mm (27.5) / 375mm (29) XL: 375mm (29) | CUBE Performance Post, 27.2mm |
| Pedals | Platform Pedals | ACID PP MTB | |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Endurance Comp, lock-on | Giant Sole-O | ACID React |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore M5120, long cage | microSHIFT Advent M6195M | Shimano Deore RD-M5120-SGS, 10-Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | N/A | Shimano Deore FD-M6025-H, Downswing, 31.8mm Clamp | |
| Crank | Prowheel C10Y-NW, 30T steel narrow-wide ring, 170mm length | ProWheel Charm, 30t (27.5) or 32t (29) XS: 165mm (27.5) S: 170mm (27.5) / 170mm (29) M: 170mm (27.5) / 175mm (29) L: 175mm (27.5) / 175mm (29) XL: 175mm (29) | Shimano Deore FC-M4100, 36X26T |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore M4100, 10 speed | microSHIFT SL-M9295, 1x9 | Shimano Deore SL-M5100, Rapidfire-Plus |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M4100, 11-46, 10 speed | microSHIFT CS-H093, 11x46 | Sunrace CSM52, 11-42T |
| Chain | KMC X10, 10 speed | KMC X9 | KMC X10 |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc | Tektro HDC M275, hydraulic, Tektro rotors [F]180mm, [R]160mm | Shimano BR-MT200/UR300, Hydr, Disc Brake, PM/FM (160/160) |
| Brake Levers | Tektro HDC M275 |
| Rims | Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 32-hole, 20mm width, schrader valve | Giant GX03V 29 or 27.5, alloy, double wall, 21mm inner width | CUBE ZX20, 32H, Disc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokes | 14g stainless steel | stainless, 14g | |
| Front Hub | Formula DC-20, alloy, 6-bolt, 5x100mm QR | alloy, ball bearing | Shimano HB-TX505, QR, Centerlock |
| Rear Hub | Formula DC-22, alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub, 135x5mm QR | alloy, ball bearing | Shimano FH-TX505, QR, Centerlock |
| Tires | Size: XS, S, Bontrager XR2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 27.5x2.20''; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager XR2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 29x2.20'' | Kenda Booster 27.5 or 29x2.2", wire bead | Schwalbe Smart Sam, Active, 2.25 |