My maintenance log for the Giant XTC 2 can be found by clicking here
They have arrived! Today I got to pick up Julia, my brand spanking new 2008 Giant XTC 2 and Bob, my 2008 BOB Ibex Plus trailer. I brought them from Kalamunda Cycles and my thanks to Jo and Tim Bennett for their service. Julia’s photo album can be found by clicking here to be taken to the gallery.
Julia’s role will primarily be for bikepacking (off-road touring) with a tour of the Munda Biddi (Mundaring to Collie) and the Kep Track being the first two trips undertaken. Julia will also be used for good old mountain biking fun.
Description and Ride Impressions | Modifications | Specifications |
Description and Ride Impressions
July 13, 2008 – 460 km – At the time of writing this brief note on the bike, I have ridden 460 km on her. The majority of that riding has been a week long ride of the Munda Biddi Trail (April 2008) towing a BOB Ibex trailer. The other rides have been a morning of riding single track and a few short road commutes when my other bikes have been unavailable or I needed to have the XTC 2 elsewhere. So far I am very happy with the purchase given my intended use of her, that is a mountain bike tourer. She handled well with the trailer on and is in my view a good set-up. My only change to still happen is to swap out the saddle for a Brooks B17. I know not a mountain biking saddle but a good one for touring.
Modifications
October, 2012 – 993 km – Fitted a dynamo front wheel setup that was built for me by Starbike.com in Germany. The new front wheel configuration consists of:
- Mavic XM 719 Disc 36H rim in black – $50.40
- Shimano Deore XT DH-T785 dynamo hub Centerlock black 36H – $82.00
- DT Swiss Competition BLACK 2.0/1.8/2.0 mm incl. silver brass nipple 252 mm – $0.78 each
June 24, 2011 – 674 km – Fitted a Brooks Englands B17 Saddle.
June 30, 2008 – 450 km – Installed a Blackburn Mountain Air pump which was purchased from Chain Reaction Cycles for $15.55 landed.
February 2008 – The significant modification is the tyres. Given WA conditions (pea gravel) I have gone with Kenda Blue Groove Stick-E 26 x 2.10 on the front and Kenda Nevegal Stick-E 26 x 2.10 on the rear.
Specifications
| Frame | ALUXX SL alloy: double/triple butted, integrated gusset |
|---|---|
| fork | Rockshox Recon Race Solo Air w/Motion Control & PopLoc, 100mm/4″ |
| rear derailleur | Shimano Deore XT Shadow high normal 9 speed |
| front derailleur | Shimano Deore |
| shifters | Shimano Deore LX rapid fire 27 speed |
| crankset | Shimano Deore class M542 22x32x44 |
| bottom bracket | Shimano Deore Class M542 integrated, outboard |
| chain | Shimano HG73 9 speed |
| cassette | Shimano HG50 9 speed 11-34T |
| brakes | Shimano M485 hydraulic w/6″ centre-lock rotors |
| brake levers | Shimano M485 hydraulic |
| hubs | Shimano Deore XT DH-T785 dynamo hub Centerlock black 36H (front)Shimano Deore disc 32h (rear) |
| rims | Mavic XM 719 Disc 36H rim in black (front)Mavic XM117 disc 26″ x 32H |
| spokes | DT Swiss Competition BLACK 2.0/1.8/2.0 mm incl. silver brass nipple 252 mm (front)DT Swiss 14g Champion stainless (Rear) |
| pedals | Shimano M520 SPD clipless |
| h.bar/stem | Raceface Ride XC low rise/Raceface Ride XC |
| seat post | Raceface Ride XC |
| saddle | |
| grips | Giant lock-on |
