Giant Talon 2 / Black Diamond at Haw Ridge Bike Park / Dirt Lab Mountain Bike Skills Park / Skydio 2

[@TrailSage]

Nice job on those roots and rocks, that was a challenging start! The trail system looks like so much fun, especially that black diamond. And I am glad you didn't get hurt on that spill. The Dirt Lab looks like an awesome place to work on progression. Thanks for the shoutout brotha, but I am so impressed with your bike handling, I wish I was that good when I first started. Side note, I see clipless petals and a dropper in your future ;)

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks, Sage! There are just too many roots and rocks at this place! The black diamond would be alot of fun with some more confidence under my belt. haha I bruised my arm and scraped it up a bit, but I got pretty lucky. The Dirt Lab is great! Clipless pedals for sure!

[@MTBTexasBikeRider]

Awesome video I really enjoyed it!! I have the older version of the 2018 Giant Talon 2 but I still enjoy riding it! Thank you 🙏

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@davidcoomber4050]

I have had a Talon 1 for three years and I love it , good video shows a little of what this bike is capable off 👍

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks!

[@woodsrunnerts]

Awesome vid! I have the same bike and its great! keep shredding!!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks, you too!

[@feastfriday]

This pov is actually kind of therapeutic and loved the mix with the drone shots. The trail looked amazing to ride man.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks a ton! I appreciate it bro!

[@CelineFerocious]

Haha whereas I definitely had some anxiety at some parts 🚴

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@CelineFerocious me too riding it lol

[@_josh_cyr_]

Officially the first trail I've recognized on YT... Had a blast here a couple of years ago and learned how to ride a pump track there. Thanks for posting

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesome!

[@HardTravelin464]

“Look at me, I’m TrailSage!” Haha I love how running and biking and just generally being out in the woods can make anyone feel like a kid again.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Ha ha ha that is so true! I love it

[@Obfjunior1]

i did just buy the new talon 2 2023 and thanks to your video i don't regret it at all

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesomesauce!

[@davelinstead4052]

Great job. Thanks for the video. Gives us new riders great inspiration.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks! I’m a new rider too!

[@montellanojavelosa6249]

fantastic footage. helped me in my decision to go with a cheap hardtail vs a full suspension. I'm not quite ready to spend a few thousand bucks. thank you so much for this.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks! I’m so glad it was helpful!

[@tomswartout9337]

That bike is really quiet! This might have just helped me find my first mountain bike in 20 years!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesome, Tom! It is a great bike! Thanks!

[@soggybread2511]

nice, about to get mine on monday, also starting mountain biking lessons the same day so i guess il see how it goes :)

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Good luck and have fun!

[@soggybread2511]

@@UltraTrailSteven thanks!

[@CelineFerocious]

This looks challenging but also fun at the same time! Beautiful footage as always :)

[@CelineFerocious]

Maybe it’s the camera angle but that little bridge part looked so narrow and you went so fast I got nervous for a second lol

[@CelineFerocious]

Haha, if you don’t have an “oh shnyke” moment while mountain biking you’re doing it wrong 😉

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Hahaha yeah it was a bit narrow, but not too skinny. Yeah I had a few of those moments! Thanks for watching, Celine!

[@johnnyk6906]

finally found someone my level 😃 i got rid of a hardly used 10 year old full suspension Epic for Talon 2 few months ago. I was going to try bike packing and needed a hard tail and Talon 2 price was in my range. 1x9 Advent has plenty of range and decent shifting performance on dirt/hills and had perfect frame geometry with mount points for both mud guards and rack. I am liking my Talon and hope to get some good usage after storing up my roadie for the winter.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

That is awesome! I would love to do some bike packing as well.

[@Underfighter73]

Very nice drone shots.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@martinangelomooney1010]

Just got home riding my 2022 Talon 3. Converted into a 1x12 shimano deore gs, maxxis ardent 27.5 2.25 tubeless and upgraded my fork to a Suntour Epixon. I really love the bike and I'm 100 sure I'm not going to buy another hardtail. If given a chance l'd go full suspension of course still a Giant and give my hardtail to my kid.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Sounds like a nice setup! I sold my Talon 2 and got a Poseidon X Ambition gravel bike instead

[@mlmperez1114]

Awesome you realize your riding limitations. Great job 👏🏼, newbie over here as well. Sweet video 👍🏼

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks! Yeah I am definitely a noob. I don't ride enough to really practice the technical stuff.

[@TonightWeGrill]

A dropper post would make your uphills more enjoyable. That way you can raise it on the fly when pedaling up.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

For sure!

[@dougmoore7424]

Woke up this morning and realized I had missed an episode! It’s starting to feel like Netflix where you almost want to keep an extra episode in the bank because you really look forward to them! Not a biker but I enjoy getting tranced by the bike video.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Ha thanks, Doug! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dillonhayes3402]

This is perfect I just lashed out a little more and got the new talon 1 gets delivered next week hopefully sooner than later but to see someone else (minus the fact I'm stupid unfit) beginning on one of these bikes and looking like it's still capable without a pro in the saddle makes me happier about the purchase

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Oh yeah it is definitely a more than capable bike! Have fun!

[@mlmperez1114]

Your channel gets more play than Netflix 👍🏼

[@UltraTrailSteven]

HAHA I wish!

[@ast4roth666]

Es una chulada . La adquirí apenas ayer, ya la saque de ruta y es una delicia manejarla. Liviana y comoda

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesome

[@kikeilavemaqueira8293]

Yo estoy por comprar la Talón 1. Es muy bonita y se ve versátil. Lo que no estoy seguro es si comprar la 29" o la 27.5".

[@AntonioOrtiz-jr8je]

I have same Talon 2 2021, unfortunately sittig for about a year, but now I'm planning to ride again, replacing the BB to a DUB 73mm and to a GX drive train 1x11 and sram 746 rear hub, and next to replace will be the rear brake to a 4 pistons lol

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Nice

[@MrBudho]

awesome videos!, watched your whole MTB riding videos, still your skill is better than mine!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Ha thanks! I’m such a noob though

[@chazzthaspazz4475]

does this bike have sag or rebound

[@UltraTrailSteven]

It has great rebound from the front fork.

[@awesomeommm9991]

Bro I am planning to take giant talon 2 what's your sussestion I am confused between trek marlin 6 or giant talon 2 please help me out

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Those are the same two I was looking at. Both great choices and will do great for easy to moderate rides. Ultimately for me it came down to what I could find I stock. Whatever you find, buy it and you’ll be happy!

[@awesomeommm9991]

@@UltraTrailSteven thankyou so much bro god bless

[@danchoifps4379]

What kind of camera did u use?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

I used the GoPro Hero 8 and Skydio 2 drone

[@shawnfj6183]

Which drone u use ???

[@UltraTrailSteven]

This is the Skydio 2.

[@mikeymo2929]

Is this bike a Large?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

It is an extra large

[@mikeymo2929]

@@UltraTrailSteven how tall are you?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@mikeymo2929 6’3”

[@ChazMichaelMike]

I’m 6’1” and on a large talon. Sometimes I feel like I having to lean far forward and put a lot of weight on my shoulders when cruising on paved/gravel trails. But the extra reach seems to avoid the feeling like I’m going over the handle bars on hard brakes.

[@nguyenkien7637]

Nice videos and music. How do you feel abt the bike?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks! I like the bike a lot! I think it is far more capable than I am lol. The limitation is me; I need more practice and confidence on the bike.

[@mabor1999]

Bro,, which one performance better between giant talon 2 vs marin bobcat trail 4

[@UltraTrailSteven]

I don’t have any experience with the Marin bike. Sorry

[@mabor1999]

@@UltraTrailSteven Thanks Anyway ✨ then what about talon 2 is it performing well, I am planning to get budget bike soon for competition, so can you suggest any brand or something. ❣️ From Northeast India ✨

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@mabor1999 yes the Talon 2 has held up well! Don’t think it’s competition material, but it’s a start

[@mabor1999]

@@UltraTrailSteven thanks 👍

[@williamd6334]

I want to come and play.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

You know where we live

[@karmaforgotme]

Was that Upper Washing Machine you went down? If so you are a braver man than me. I have only ran down it, never biked due to how steep it is. Love Haw Ridge (I pass by it daily going back and forth to work in Oak Ridge), and it has become my main trail system for running and biking.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Yes that was upper washing machine; it gets steep quick! That one berm was too steep and I walked down it lol. Haw is a great park! I’ve run quite a bit there, but this was my first ride there.

[@karmaforgotme]

@@UltraTrailSteven I also lol at your getting lost comment. I have ran over a thousand miles there and I still get turned around every once and awhile (especially on back part in summer). You are never truly lost, you really just added an unexpected climb to your run. Edit: also any thoughts on visiting Baker Creek or Ijams in Knox for more biking adventures?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@karmaforgotme yeah it is a small park so eventually you’ll find your way back. Maybe one day I’ll get out to baker or ijams. However, I just started my training block for the No Business 100, so I’ll be back to running. I was on a 2 week running break, which is why I had time to mountain bike.

[@cjlowry]

Great video, but what's with the music? The natural sounds of the trail and the bike would have been so much better.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Noted thanks

[@Nachsosa]

What size bro? Nice video!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

XL frame. I’m 6’3”. Thanks!

[@Nachsosa]

@@UltraTrailSteven Great, im 1.90 just like you. Do you think that a L size fit well?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Probably so. Go to the bike shop and try it out.

[@Nachsosa]

@@UltraTrailSteven Thanks again!

[@scottm5167]

@@UltraTrailSteven Do you find the reach to the handle bars a bit long? I have an XL and same height as well, but was thinking a L might be a better frame size.

[@mlmperez1114]

I’m definitely not diamond 💎 material 😂

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Well I went slow and there wasn't any real crazy stuff. I did get off the bike and walk one of the elements though ahaha