Looking to what most base their bike buying decision on, the drivetrain and brakes are a solid mix of known brands. The wheels are shod in confidently wide Maxxis Ikon 2.20in wire-bead tires. These are laced with 32 stainless steel double-butted spokes to the rims. They carry a fair bit of weight but should prove durable with occasional servicing. The hubs are similarly basic, yet fully functional. These feature aluminium double-wall rims that sit at a fair 25mm external width. Here the large 29er wheels are expectably basic and without premium features. Third in line of what matters most is the rolling stock. Thankfully the fork’s 32mm diameter stanchion construction is otherwise a stiff one, and the lack of a thru-axle is far from a deal breaker on this bike. The system works, but more premium models use large diameter thru-axles in order to improve stiffness, and therefore steering at the front wheel. One sign of the price, however, is the quick release wheel axle at the base of the fork. To give you an idea of how unexpected air suspension is on a bike of this price, it was a noted feature on the recently reviewed, and more expensive, Norco Charger 9.2 too.Įven more impressive is that the fork makes use of the frame’s tapered steerer tube, whereas other bikes of this price often sneakily use a heavier and less-stiff fork with a straight steerer tube in an effort to save cost. The air spring, which allows finite and simple tuning of how firm or soft the suspension is specifically to you, is impressive on a bike with the Fathom’s price and is surely a stand-out feature. The 100mm-travel SR-Suntour Raidon fork is packed to the brim with features, including an adjustable air spring (BYO shock pump), external rebound control and a firm lockout. Here, Giant has gone with a brand that offers less desire, but amazing value. Looking past the frame and it’s the front suspension fork that follows in importance. We tested the new Fathom 29er 2 on some local cross country loops to see if Giant’s previous withdrawal from the big wheels has meant a loss in experience, or just a chance to re-consider things. It’s the type of riding that most of us do, and the Fathom is built to get you on the trails, get your heart rate up, ride some stuff that makes you smile and return you home safely.
The Fathom takes off from what the long-standing XTC alloy platform left, it’s a bike priced for the beginner to intermediate rider and designed for cross country-type mountain biking. Buy If: You’re a newer rider on a tight budget seeking a high-value ride, with a comfortable ride position, to hit the trails with.Lows: Narrow handlebars, no suspension setup information, upright ride.Highs: The return of big hoops, great frame, air-sprung fork, lots of bike for the money.2017 sees a number of cross-country bikes being offered in the larger, 29er wheel, and such an example is the all-new intermediate hardtail, the Fathom 29er. Since then, the world’s largest bike manufacturer has stood firm with its choice of 27.5in wheels for all disciplines of mountain biking – until now. In a time where the big 29er hoops were winning in sales, it was a move that was tough to fathom (intended). It was 2013 when Giant made a big announcement that it believed 27.5in wheels, the middle choice, was the goldilocks of mountain biking. Big hoops and big value, see what we think of this intermediate hardtail. New model for 2017, the Fathom sees Giant return to the 29er wheel.
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