Giant Rincon Disc 27.5 (2018): ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

Built using Giant’s ALUXX- grade butted alloy frame, the Giant Rincon Disc (2018) is a lightweight yet strong MTB capable of handling beaten paths and trails with ease. The ergonomically designed frame geometry ensures an upright and stable riding position.The upright position ensures supreme control of the bicycle.

The SR Suntour XCT fork on the bicycle comes with a hydraulic lock out system and 100mm travel. When tested on a bumpy road, the suspension did work well to absorb shocks from impact, transferring very little to the handlebar and saddle.

When it comes to making good looking bicycles that stand out, Giant has got it all figured out. The Giant Rincon Disc (2018) is a case in point. The bicycle we rode had a black frame with vibrant orange and blue details. The brand name on the bicycle stands out in bold white lettering. This bicycle also comes in black/red, and black/green colour variants. The high quality, glossy paint job is a definite pointer of the attention to detail by Giant’s designers. Additionally, the internal cabling adds to the aesthetics of this bicycle.

The Giant Rincon Disc (2018) comes equipped with a mix of Shimano gears, Tourney in the front and Acera at the rear. While the question of the combination arises in terms of shifting precision, I found no evidence of a lag in the shifting when test riding this bicycle. The shifting is controlled by Shimano SL-M310 shifters. The placement of the shifters takes some getting used to, as it requires a bit of a stretch to reach while gripping the handlebars. There has been no significant upgrade in this department from last year’s model.

The Giant Rincon Disc comes equipped with Tektro HD M285 hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes come with 160mm disc rotors at the front and back. Tektro is a name synonymous with precise braking, and that was evident when on the test ride. It is safe to say that these brakes performed exceedingly well when tested on both dry and wet surfaces.

This bicycle comes equipped with a low rise 31.8mm alloy handlebar. The handlebar is on the longer side, to allow balance and control of the bicycle when on trails.

The major upgrade on this year’s Rincon Disc from Giant is that the wheels have been upgraded from 26” to 27.5”tires. This does affect the overall performance of this bicycle, making it more efficient on roads and on trails. This bicycle comes equipped with Kenda 27.5 x 1.95 tires. The treading on the tires offer good grip when on trails as well as wet slippery surfaces. This is a big plus for the Rincon Disc (2018).

The Giant Sport saddle that comes on this bicycle was on the harder side, especially when on it for a long period of time. But that’s nothing a good pair of cycling shorts can’t fix!