Complete internal cable routing, which helps prevent cables being snagged or getting tangled when riding.Significant features of the frame design include If you plan to do some downhill riding, then you will love the remote dropper seat option. However, I usually only ride medium intensity trails with little to no steep downhills. I must admit though, that as yet I have not actually used my dropper seat. The 2018 model also boasts these features. These are features you would ordinarily see on bikes costing USD 400+ more than the Giant Fathom 2. Two of the standout features for the price that deserves a mention are, the dropper seatpost with remote lever (30.9mm) and, the adjustable air fork (Suntour Raidon XC LO-R, 100mm travel, tapered steerer, QR 9×100), with external rebound control and a firm lockout. The 2018 model sported Shimano M315 brakes mated with the same rotors as the 2019 model. Brakesīraking is taken care of by the ever reliable Tektro HDM 275 brakes applying its stopping force to 180mm rotors at the front and 160mm rotors at the back.
However, the 2018 wheels come shod with the slightly lighter folding bead Maxis Ikon 2.20in tires, instead of the wire-beaded versions found on the 2019 model. The 2018 model also comes with Giant Factory wheels, although not in the Boost spec at the rear. The rims are shod with Maxis Ikon 2.20in tubeless wire-bead tires. Wheels are an in-house affair, with Giant XCT 29, tubeless ready rims and Giant Tracker Sport quick release hubs (“Boost Standard” at the rear, which means a wider hub for greater stiffness in the wheel). The 2018 model is specked with a combination of Shimano Deore and Alivio, in a 2 x 9 setup with Deore rear derailleur, Alivio Shifters and FSA Comet 26/36 crankset. The crank is from Praxis, the Cadet Boost ( ) with a 30 teeth chain-ring (if you don’t know what all this means check out our article “decoding the gears” ). In the 2019 model, shifting is taken care of by Shimano’s trusted Deore setup (in 1 x 10 guise) which obviously includes the Deore rear derailleur, Deore 10 speed cassette (11 teeth on the smallest cog up to 42 teeth on the largest cog), and the Deore 10 speed shifter. The specs:Ĭommencing with the “features”, one of the first items people tend to look at are the gears. The differences between in the 2018 v/s 2019 models are specified in the specs discussed below. You may also consider the 2018 model with retails for USD 30 less (and you might well be able to pick one up for less, with the clearing out of older stock). How much money exactly? The bike currently retails for USD 1,100 (you can double check the latest MSRP for the bike on the official product page here).
Moving on to the bike itself, on first impressions you get A LOT of bike for your money. How does the 2019 Giant Fathom 29er 2 stacks up in the competitive entry level performance XC market?įirstly, you get the peace of mind that you will be buying a bike with the backing of arguably the largest bike manufacturer in the world, with all the product guarantees (Giant offers a lifelong guarantee on all their frames), scientific research, distribution support etc. If you are in the market for a mountain bike in the region of USD 1,000 and are looking for a bike that’s a more racy and less recreational, the Giant Fathom 29er 2 would most likely have come up in your searches. And I have not regretted it for one second! I got the 2018 edition, but the 2019 edition is now available. In fact, when I was recently in the market for an entry-level XC bike and looking at a bunch of bikes, I decided to get the Giant Fathom 29er 2. Ever since I have been a big fan of Giant bikes. I grew up riding a Giant mountain bike….and I still have it! The bike is almost indestructible!! It is an old Giant Yukon that is probably close to 20 years old…but it still rides like the day I got it. I must admit this first…I am a Giant fan-boy! The reason is simple.
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