2022 / 2023 Giant Stance 29 2 | Best value Full Suspension bikes and who it suits

One thing that is often overlooked by much of the mountain biking media when they test and review bikes is that they, as hardcore cycling media, don't ride their bikes the same way a less experienced rider does.
Geometry plays a big role in how confident and comfortable a rider will feel and here's the news flash: WHAT WORKS WELL FOR HARDCORE AGGRESSIVE RIDERS DOES NOT WORK FOR LESS AGGRESSIVE, LESS SKILLED RIDERS.
As I present this 2022 Giant Stance 29 2, I show both the component specifications, which show that this bike has a well balanced selection of parts that collectively are good quality and make an excellent bike for a less aggressive rider who just wants comfort and confidence on less than hectic trails.
I then go on to explain why the geometry on this bike, has avoided following the current trends of ultra long reach, slack headtube and steep seat tube to make it a more intuitive experience for the lesser skilled/ less aggressive rider.
The 2022 Giant Stance 29 2 is $2499 in Canada and the highlights of the bike are its light airsprung Giant Fork, The Shimano Deore 1x10 drivetrain, tubeless tires setup and appropriate geometry.
These bikes are still incredibly rare with only a smattering of inventory will hit the Canadian market. Hopefully this video helps and potential buyers to understand the bike so they can decide whether they want to put money down at their local shop to secure one.
thanks for watching!

[@BladeSkate]

This video has just swayed me, my order has gone in for one. I'm upgrading from a 2020 Cube Analog Hardtail. Thanks for the video!

[@danjw1394]

Amazing comprehensive review, I'd been searching all over for an entry level mountain bike and my search kept pointing me towards this bike, but this review confirmed it for me. Thank you! Oh, and just an FYI for anyone also looking to buy, the 29er is $500 off on Giant's website, and the 27.5 is $600 off!

[@antoniosa8567]

Very comprehensive video!! Thank you!!

[@romanticdonkey468]

Awesome video! I really appreciated the education and how thorough you were. You easily earned a like and a sub. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks!

[@dopamine-87]

Excellent review, thank you very much!

[@stapefist]

So much education thrown our way in a clear and well paced manner. Nice

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks for that feedback!

[@vincentvalle9697]

Nice I know all about my bike now! Thanks

[@johanvoss2317]

Great video. Totally agree about sx vs shimano.

[@ryanrommeldominguez8554]

This is one of the more affordable Full Sus MTB available in my area. Really looking forward to getting one.

[@soihavetoplay]

Excellent review!

[@johndaltroff2241]

Dude, excellent review, Im ordering a small blue 29 2 from giant for $1200 US, having it ship to a local shop for set-up. Thanks for helping me make my final decision.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks for watching. glad it was useful.

[@YellowLab1]

Excellent, thoughtful review. Especially made right after a ride and before a shower

[@col.douglasmortimer2721]

I just bought this bike and I love it so far. I would agree the dropper post is a must for the type of riding I'm doing with bike, so im looking into that upgrade. The chain did slip off my first time riding it, so maybe I am pushing it too hard? What other upgrades would you recommend to bring this bike to the next level?

[@timothyadams3431]

Great video thanks. What are your thoughts about the Stance 27.5? I prefer the wider 2.6" tire and 30mm ID rim of the 27.5, and the components are identical other than wheels and tires.

[@synthbent715]

I recently bought the Stance 1 and my friend who I ride with got the Rift Zone 3. We're both loving the bikes. Funny what you said about the SRAM SX stuff and how crappy it is, mine started giving me problems about 3 rides in and it basically became impossible to get dialed in properly. I ended up putting my Box 1 drivetrain on it from my hardtail.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Yup, pretty sad. We had high hopes when we saw Sram announce SX but after the first year of selling SX we had too many return visits from customers who weren't happy with the performance. There are some great SX bikes out there that just need the rear derailleurs upgraded to GX.

[@seedy-TV]

Great review i just bought mine

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks! Enjoy

[@Drocinit247]

I just found mine. Luckily I ride xl which I think helped. I am enjoying it so far. Some of your thoughts will stick with me. Thank you!

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Congrats on tracking one down. Enjoy!

[@squiddah]

Just came across your channel and I have to say it is one of the most realistic and thorough I have seen. I hope you might have a moment to give me your thoughts on a new bike for me. I’m hitting my 50th birthday in a month and looking for a new bike. I lived and biked in Colorado in the 90’s and early 2000’s, then moved back to Ohio. Kids family, and a 10 year stint with road biking has kept me off the trails for quite a while. That, plus weight gain has me confused about the direction I need to go. I have always been more of a cross country rider without the need to go balls to the walls with drops, etc. I gravitate towards single track with tons of roots, gravel and small rocks. Steep technical climbs and medium speed downhills. I have decent technique but not sure how well my older body will use it. I’m also bigger at 275 and 6’3”. Looking at everything between the anthem, stance, and trance - along with Rocky Mountain element, Kona hei hei, canyon lux and neuron. Really, I’m open to just about anything. I know it is difficult when some guy says “what bike?” But I’m really looking more for a direction, rather than a bike at this point. Thanks.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Hi Darren, It is really difficult to suggest anything specific though there are some things I would consider: Try before you buy - in this case you want to make sure that the bike's suspension design/rear shock will be able to work for your weight. Different suspension designs require more or less shock pressure (shock ratio) and different models of shock do the same (dependent on volume). In the 250 to 275 pound range for rider's weight is where I've seen some bikes not able to handle the rider's weight while setting up with appropriate sag and shock pressure below max. Related to this, I'd be thinking a mid travel bike, something ideally with at least a 34mm stanchion diameter to get appropriate strength and stiffness. Lastly, with regards to the frame's geometry. If your local trails aren't steep (up or down) I would generally look for a bike with a bit more conservative geometry (head angle in the 65 to 67 degree range) and seat angle of 76 or less. I'm not sure if that is the sort of help you were looking for... as mentioned, getting to test ride is important and make sure the shop sets up the suspension for proper sag before your ride and ask the pressure and what the shock's max pressure is. Hopefully they let you pedal around for 15 minutes, even if it is on the road so you can get a sense of your comfort on the bike, especially your arms/hands.

[@squiddah]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop thank you so much! After I posed the question, I have been perusing even more of your videos and I am even more impressed. Your clear, concise and realistic explanations are a goldmine to this middle aged guy. Keep up the fantastic work and thank you again.

[@ThuyVu-hp3pk]

Great video dude. You may have persuaded me to take the jump and get one of these. Just a beginner but think I want to upgrade from my cheap hard tale :)

[@donovanlawrence3117]

Awesome video thank you. All I need to know please, is the rear suspension able to be locked out?

[@peterszilas7425]

nope. There is adjuster for the rebound. thats it. I bought this bike last weekend.

[@armandojuan64]

I almost went for this bike but I ended up going for the Trance 27.5 .

[@oysned]

Why?

[@herbb8412]

Hi, due to multiple back surgeries, I’m wanting to build a nice full suspension greenway/street bike. What would you think of this model with big smoother tires! Oh, love your honesty and enjoy your videos!

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

I think it would work quite well for what you are describing.

[@johnr5545]

Thanks god bless

[@wheezin_mtnbkr3576]

In 2021, the Stance 2 was actually a Shimano Deore 12 speed 10x51. The Stance had no dropper post though (in the states at least). Grabbing a 2021 may be a better option, and throw your own dropper post on later. I am guessing they felt an included dropper would be more appealing, and kept the bike price the same by fitting it with a lesser drivetrain?

[@rhysmabee948]

Where would I find a 2021 tho?

[@herbb8412]

@@rhysmabee948 check Bicycle Garage Indy they have various holdover models

[@munstermutch]

Hi. I have 3 questions about this bike. 1st question is, is the rear wheel a thru axel or a quick release. Does the rear shock lock and the last question is, what is that plastic part which seems to be bolted on at the bottom right side if the seat stem near rear shock.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Hi, the rear wheel is a quick release, not a thru-axle. the rear shock doesn't have a lockout, and that plastic part is covering a front derailleur mount.

[@nwarriaza617]

I am interested in buying that model, have you solved the problem with the crest fork?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

We've seen some fork issues: not an issue with all of the forks. Giant has looked after issues that come up

[@VLAD_xX5]

Bicycle Polygon XTRADA 6 29X500 XL BLK/GRN (2022) or Bicycle Marin Bobcat Trail 5 (2022) black which one to choose I don't know tell me which is better please

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

I haven't seen any modern Polygon bikes in real life but from all the reviews and similar philosophy to Marin Bikes I think they're probably a good choice. BUT, you don't get assembly, service, sizing or setup support from a shop if you buy Polygon.

[@tylerlutz5958]

Giant is the better bike. The polygons fork is walmart quality. At this price nothing beats the stance.

[@bubblebobblekd]

Could you review the giant xtc slr many thanks

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

I would love to but that is a bike that is in short supply and we aren't scheduled to see any for the foreseeable future.

[@SwyvCrux]

The stance 1 locally has a dropper but the stance 2 the cheaper one doesn't have a dropper.

[@OwenSinger-yf6jm]

What if I am a more aggressive rider but what to still upgrade to a cheaper full suspension.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

The new Stance is better for more aggressive riders: both in geometry and the use of thru-axles to give a stronger connection between wheels and frame. If it is a case of needing more suspension because you're doing more challenging terrain or needing things like more powerful brakes I think raising the budget is the requirement.

[@vallenatos26]

What's the difference from Stance 1?

[@oysned]

Groupset. Deore vs SX.

[@nolanharris8273]

Its 1750$ in the US but on sale right now for 1200$ due to over supply from the pandemic

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Wow that is a good deal!

[@nolanharris8273]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop yeah im going to get it this weekend 😁 im so excited never had a nice mtb

[@javihernandez7326]

Where are you seeing this prices? Got the link?

[@geraldgolen9157]

Where is this bike $1200?

[@nolanharris8273]

@@javihernandez7326 well it was like that on giants official website but now it is up to 1400$ and thats what i paid at my local cycle store 😃

[@vincentvalle9697]

Is this bike ok for downhill

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

That is hard to answer: some people interpret "downhill" as doing a downhill race track at the local lift accessed park - the bike will go downhill fine but nothing about it is designed for rigorous descending. If you're just talking, "riding down a hill", then it will do fine. The geometry is modern enough that you won't be terrified and the suspension will do a decent job of handling smaller roots and rocks like on a blue trail decent.

[@joehiatt1992]

Anyone know the BB width on this ??

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

This one is a press fit

[@joehiatt1992]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop Mine came in ,thanx

[@andresramirez7660]

Is this bike worth it at 1100 usd ?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Unless it is used and abused I think so

[@davidchantapanya746]

My friend put this bike together for his son and before I knew it he was done kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L When the son came to put it together he was surprised to see it was already done. All he had to do was take the bike to get air and be on his way. My friend did not have any major problems putting this bike together; small issue was putting one of the brakes on straight; however when the son got home he was able to fix it. The bike rides well gears move correctly; good bike for the price. Wrote review after the son took the bike. Sorry.

[@PotholeDodgers]

For 2022, the tail shouldn't be QR.

[@planetkaty7573]

How much did you pay for your bike?? $2500 with reduced gears ( 1x11). I jusr purchased my stance 29 2 and just like everywhere else it’s $1800, mine came with 1x12 52 teeth, upgraded to a crank bros dropper and a crank bros stamp 3 , and I paid $2100 with taxes. You’ve been had for paying $2500 for less .

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

This review is from Canada where the price quoted is Canadian $ msrp.

[@donovanlawrence3117]

Lol if you watched the video he was very specific that it’s Canadian dollars!

[@Erik-rc7iy]

Would you recommend this bike for trail/xc riding? Great video by the way. I watch your videos because they are long winded as you say, that’s the best part in my opinion.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Thanks for the feedback. I would recommend the Stance for Trail/XC. I think the only time we've seen a customer not happy with this bike is when they progressed enough that they wanted to ride steeper/rougher trails... but they would have felt the same on any of the shorter travel trail bikes on the market.

[@jedidiahspencer3437]

What colors this one?

[@leanderd1]

Gloss gunmetal black. It also comes in “knight shield” I think it looks better in.