Bike Comparison: Giant Talon 3 2018 vs. Rocky Mountain Soul 20!

Our honest & brutal comparison of two mountain bike legends - the Giant Talon 3 2018 and the Rocky Mountain Soul 20.
If you'd like to see more, we have heaps more videos available, or you can visit our website to find out more about the Talon 3 or the Soul 20. www.ivanhoecycles.com.au

[@taefer7437]

I own a Talon 3. If you can get the Soul 20 for the same price you should probably chose that one. But on most places the Talon 3 is cheaper and I'd say it's not worth to bump it up for the Soul 20. The crankset is pretty terrible, mine actually broke out of nowhere (the pedal threading is ruined), and it's probably better on the Soul 20 but I see no point in spending more money for another lower-end 3x system. You want to upgrade to a NX or SLX crankset pretty fast anyways. Also the forks are both equally heavy and shitty (but they do their work don't misunderstand me). I got my Talon with Shimano brakes for some reason, and they work very well. It all comes down to frame and misc which the Talon does really well. If you really want to shred trail without upgrading you still want a funnier fork and probably a 1x crankset. so it could be worth to kick up the budget a bit. Or you could do as me and wait for the 3x shit to bust so you can get a sram NX or shimano SLX groupset. Or the best thing just get something higher end used. I would if I could but wasn't anything up when I needed a new bike for getting to-from work.

[@bafoondaddy]

I love my Talon 3.its a decent trail bike.they only thing I had to change out was the pedals.they were too small so I bought some aftermarket ones that were wider and its amazing

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Sweeeeet!

[@michaelmcclure3383]

@@IvanhoeCycles are you guys gonna get more entry level rocky mountain bikes in? The soul and growler?

[@isisdaddy1]

You Rock dude! By far the most comprehensive explaination of beginner existence. Thanks.

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Glad to help!

[@mellowfellow6816]

I agree with your assessment of the Talon. I bought a Talon 2, my first mountain bike in nearly 30 years, from my local bike shop only about 1 month ago and I'm already thinking about what parts I can upgrade.

[@mrvwbug4423]

your review of the Talon 3 is mostly spot on. For 2020 it went to 2x8 on the drivetrain, and even if you have an older one, 1x conversion kits for the Talon are easy to come by. I bought one in August and do feel like I will outgrow it soon. I am putting a dropper on it soon, which should help a bit. If you are riding at a easy to moderate pace, you can do blue trails on it all day as long as they aren't too steep and even some easier black trails. Decent bike if you aren't looking to do anything gnarly, or are a new/returning rider who is probably looking to upgrade in a season or so.

[@Benjamin.Shepherd]

Thank you very much i have picked the soul 20 and thinking of upgrading to the specialized pitch expert do you think I’m making the right choice?

[@capybarajj7151]

I tested out mountain bikes from about 5 different MTB shops and the only one that stood out in the price bracket I was searching for was the Soul 20

[@IvanhoeCycles]

It's certainly a great deal. Did you end up getting it? Would love your feedback

[@Barefeet200]

Good timing on this, just heading out to fit a Talon 3 for my daughter. I see a Rocky Mountain dealer 20 miles away, think we will go there first. Edit: Hmmm, almost 300 dollars difference in price.

[@darcylogan442]

Hey, this shop does both bikes at $750 Australian Dollars.

[@manilamartin1001]

I got the rocky mountain but it was because I got $200 off. I think it was last years model. I love giant too but ended up with the rocky mountain.

[@mrvwbug4423]

The Soul 20 is more comparable to the Talon 2, which is still almost $100 cheaper.

[@0xbotyoyo]

Great comparison. Thanks. The only thing I don't agree about is the maintenance of hydraulic vs mechanical disk brake. Hydraulic brake needs special bleed kit with dot/mineral oil, complex steps and easy to mess up (like dripping oil on the brake). Also it will be very challenge to service without a bike repair stand. Mechanical brake don't need special tool, less time consuming, can be serviced in any angle and even can make adjustment during riding.

[@haunguyen3053]

Talon 3 2018, I love it

[@alexandrerico1395]

What’s the weigth of the Soul 20 Rocky Mountain ?

[@toddmarten1364]

I ride a 2017 talon 3. Changed out pedals to crank Brothers stamp 7 will keep the bike until I am a little more experienced as a rider, it does everything I need it too!

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Yeah awesome man! The Talon's are a great choice.

[@theoutdoorsman5727]

can you do the talon 2 vs the talon 3

[@joelewis3634]

Great video

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Thanks!

[@bherttv7179]

my talon 3...27.5.. I replaced it with 29er fork and pedals ... super nice guys...

[@IvanhoeCycles]

It's a beautiful bike, hey?

[@jonitobaltar1354]

Giant talon 3 2018 vs Cannondale Trail 7 2018 please

[@demolitionman5782]

Is it a cassette type or a thread type cogs?

[@kthisa4686]

The RM soul has the same headtube angle as the giant fathom 1, and been on sale here in our country for almost a year now, halft the price of fathom. ❣️

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Nice :-)

[@legniak1]

So the Talon 3 is bad in mud/ wet weather? Can't you Just change the tires?

[@tsiyyon5601]

legniak1 yes yes you can

[@bobbyhempel1513]

Yup

[@mrvwbug4423]

On loose and dusty trails in the rocky mountains, the Ikons are a tad lacking as well. You probably want to upgrade tires to go tubeless anyway.

[@matthewbrocke4298]

I disagree. My Talon 3 does everything from commuting to work to rough, technical singletrack. I did change out the fork to a RockShox TK Silver 30 as I did find the SR Suntour fork a bit clunky and not as smooth. I also swapped the derailleurs out for Deore XT. So that did make a difference. Mountain bikes are able to be upgraded. It's all about the type of rider and what type of riding you will be doing. I'm not into steep downhills or doing crazy jumps, I'm more XC and so the Giant Talon suits me just fine. It takes the abuse I throw at it.

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Fair enough! To be clear, this is one staff member's opinion & review. We love both of these bikes and would recommend either. The Talons have been popular for years because they're just quality bikes. And you're right - easy to upgrade and make them even more awesome!

[@tsiyyon5601]

Hey dude could you link me to that fork thanks!

[@jabird212]

How would the Talon 2 compare with the Soul 20?

[@mrvwbug4423]

The Talon 2 has a better groupset (Shimano Alvio vs Acera), but is otherwise almost identical to the Soul 20 (Same fork, same gearing)

[@billtait6457]

Maybe the Soul is better by a very slight margin because it has a slightly better forks??? Or are you saying it's way better , I think people are confused . Me also . I bet the Giant is the better Commuter bike . Nether is a true mountain bike . Both just decent entry bikes . Correct ?

[@theoutdoorsman5727]

do the talon 2 vs the talon 3

[@Benjamin.Shepherd]

The Outdoorsman i agree

[@rickynorris91]

This or cube aim race 2018

[@krishanattri9305]

Put a RockShox silver tk on my talon and it became a completely different bike it is awesome

[@armeniouz3D]

Rockshox 30 silver tk?

[@jorgenmunson9724]

Does Ivanhoe Cycles ship to the US?

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Hi Jorgen, unfortunately not :-( Our Bike Dealership agreements prevent shipping of most of the major brand name bikes. Surely there'd be a store in the US that could supply you with the bike you're after though, no?

[@kevincarr5287]

Are you seriously comparing a $500 bike to a $1000 bike?!?

[@slab_bulkhead_]

They sell for the same price (~$750) here in Australia

[@darcylogan442]

Hey, this shop does both bikes at $750 Australian Dollars.

[@jwc865]

i got the Giant Talon 3 for $430 Lol... brand new

[@rjahn3000]

Looked at the entire east coast U.S. stores for a Soul 20 there are none, nice bike but apparently not available.

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Bummer! Yep and we're all the way over in Australia so probably can't help you there sorry mate :-(

[@jwhardin89]

Cyclesmith 59 Main St, Henniker, NH 03242

[@lowlytarnis]

I have the giant talon 3 and i love the bike.

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Absolutely... they're just awesome bikes the Talons.

[@darrenwoloshyn]

I have the giant talon 2 2018

[@thomasfields2082]

Talon 3 I ride upgrade the fork 120 dollars. Upgrade the pedals. 39 dollars. Gloves. 20 dollars. Keep up with my friends davinci. Priceless.

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Nice!!

[@tyrides6566]

Lol any of these would be amazing. I ride crazy trails on my ccm aspen and well let’s just say I’m surprised it makes it out in one piece😂

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Right on! Haha

[@passerby3186]

The talon’s handlebar is very short though

[@mrvwbug4423]

The Soul 20 is also $250 more expensive than the Talon 3, and $70 more expensive than the Talon 2.

[@neilwhite4440]

Rocky Mountain soul is the way to go. Solid bike great deal for cost. 2019 version is awesome for 800 bones way to go. Video is bias. Both bikes are great but soul is class up for sure

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Sure, thanks for the feedback :-)

[@jrexx7739]

Imo the Talon 3 is better . Tested both & prefer the Talon 3 it just feels better all around .

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Yep fair call! The Giant Talon is a superb bike

[@thehughesbros3613]

I have a rocky mountian soul 20 but it has 140 mill of travel

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Nice

[@joen3992]

I own a Rocky Mountain Soul 2016 and hands down, its a sleeper of a bike. The Giant is too entry level to be riding a trail. The new Soul 20 is a 1x9 with a 11t-40t Cassette and its a bad ass bike for under $1000 Canadian....

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Noice! Where are you from? Haven't heard the term "sleeper" before haha what does it mean?

[@jrexx7739]

@big carp catcher agreed

[@michaelmcclure3383]

@@IvanhoeCycles my understanding is the soul has the same frame as the growler. Is that correct? So one could eventually add plus sized wheels.. 1× and so on.. Tossing up between the Growler 40 and the Soul.. it I'm honest the 2018 soul probably suites my fitness level and all round useage. Yet its capable of being upgraded to something like the growler. Seems like a great deal! I might ring soon to discuss a little more. Plan on picking one up asap.

[@dconstruction7099]

Curry nice bike friend

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Thanks for liking

[@bobbyhempel1513]

I got the 2019 Giant talon 2 29'er I rode the 27.5 first and it did great on hard trails even in the mud. This guy is just not a very good rider and obviously a rocky mountain fan boy.

[@IvanhoeCycles]

The guy narrating is definitely a Rocky Mountain supporter that's true. I personally am a Giant fan like you. The Talon is one of my personal faves. Just a great bike that one!

[@cjohnson3836]

Giant isn't going to throw you a paycheck for coming to their defense in KZbin comments, Bobby. The presenter made an argument based on tech spec and performance. His riding capability, whether good or bad, is irrelevant. Your argument is non-sequitur and ad hominem. Second, the argument was that a rider will outgrow a Talon more quickly. If anything, given the premise of tech ceiling holding true, then your match with the Talon is more indicative of YOUR lack of riding ability. Logic is fun. I have neither of these bikes. I just hate stupid logic. And, more than that, stupid logic from people that are smug enough to sling insults as though it were sound logic.

[@jacobww1]

lol that price jump doe giant 500$ soul 20 800$ ummm okay

[@ostnco]

Your at lysty

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Dang straight we are!

[@jwc865]

i got the Giant Talon 3 for $430... brand new LOL

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Awesome

[@darrenwoloshyn]

I bought the talon 2 2018 for $890CAD

[@saurabh2248]

i"m planning to buy, it is costing me 625, any suggested place anywhere in VIC ?

[@matthewdemello]

Hhhhhooooooow. Teach me! Lol

[@0oDUBLINo0]

dang, its $699 at my nearest shop

[@YellowBoltTC]

Soul 20 costs several hundred dollars more than the talon 3

[@darcylogan442]

Hey, this shop does both bikes at $750 Australian Dollars.

[@nathanc6611]

Welcome to the Australia tax...

[@Pudnite]

This is os incredible bias LOL

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Forum's open to different opinions! This is just our MTB guy's opinion on the two, but feel free to jump in if you want to.

[@gabef3842]

How, the Soul is just a better bike, look at the specs. Slacker HTA and everything.

[@BrandonLittle]

Poor video mate

[@thomasfields2082]

MTB. Pay to play at it's purest. Hey kids learn to ride. Don't just pay 2 grrrr and hold on.

[@jorgenmunson3878]

Does Ivanhoe Cycles ship to the US?

[@IvanhoeCycles]

Hi Jorgen, Unfortunately our dealership agreements prevents us from shipping bikes directly from store-customer for most brands. But if you have any friends in Melbourne, they could pick one up for you & ship it?