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1st Bike and Ride! - Giant Talon 2!

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TTA89

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
The last time I had a bike was 1994 and the day I got my drivers license I threw the bike in the lake and never looked back, haha. Flash forward and I'm looking for something fun to do that won't necessarily feel like getting on a treadmill for an hour. I watched a ton of videos and there are lots of trails around me.

Went to the local bike shop and tested a couple bikes and walked out with the Giant Talon 2, a cage and water bottle, upgraded pedals, padded shorts, and a helmet. I ordered a pump/repair kit and multi tool online.

I had an appointment to drop my truck off for service so I took the opportunity to ride my bike home for the 1st time. It was only 4 miles and mostly on a paved rail trail but it was great. I'm sooo out of shape... It's going to be a rough couple weeks but I'm going to keep at it.
 

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#5 ·
Congrats on the bike! My buddy has been mountain biking for years and he still rocks a really old Giant Talon. He has beaten the bike to death on some of the craziest trails here in WA. He also rode some enduro lines with it and the bike is still kicking! He has yet to find a way to destroy it. He also jumps the bike off everything to include tabletops. It still rides perfect.

I'm almost scared to see what he can do on his next bike he plans to purchase: a Diamondback Release!
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
Did a 4 mile ride around my neighborhood this afternoon. Man, I am really out of shape but at least I did it. I did a track with my garmin watch so I'll do this little loop for a week and see if I can start to improve.

On another note, any recommendations for some kind of little bag to keep my phone and license in?
 
#10 ·
You can get seat bags just big enough or bigger, frame bags and bar bags, stuff sacks etc... Search bags and bikes with them pictured and think ahead to other or future needs to get the best for your needs. Congrats! I rode Sunday with a buddies on a 15 or 16 Talon 2. Each ride will feel just a bit easier.
 
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#11 ·
bachman1961 said:
You can get seat bags just big enough or bigger, frame bags and bar bags, stuff sacks etc... Search bags and bikes with them pictured and think ahead to other or future needs to get the best for your needs. Congrats! I rode Sunday with a buddies on a 15 or 16 Talon 2. Each ride will feel just a bit easier.
Click to expand...
He might not have room for a frame bag in the triangle? here are a couple of ideas, Amazon has some too for cheaper, I have used the Amazon ones.

https://www.jensonusa.com/TIMBUK2-Goody-Box-Stem-Bag-12

https://www.amazon.com/Roswheel-Bic...QQIA/ref=sr_1_44?keywords=top+tube+cycling+bag&qid=1553637539&s=gateway&sr=8-44
 
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#12 ·
TTA89 said:
Did a 4 mile ride around my neighborhood this afternoon. Man, I am really out of shape but at least I did it. I did a track with my garmin watch so I'll do this little loop for a week and see if I can start to improve.

On another note, any recommendations for some kind of little bag to keep my phone and license in?
Click to expand...
Great to hear you got out there. I remember when I could barely ride 5 miles. Years later, it's my warmup! Give it time and your body will catch up to your activities! Just don't let it discourage you from getting out there and riding.

As for bags, I use 2 different ones. I use a Dakine Hot Laps 2L bag for park rides and local trails. I also have an Osprey Raptor 14 bag that I use for longer adventures. It carries a lot of stuff and holds 3L of water. It was designed for mountain biking which is great! It's a bit more expensive but worth it if you go on longer excursions. The Raptor bag is on sale for $84 (MSRP $140) through Osprey's website.

Dakine bag: https://www.rei.com/product/126494/dakine-hot-laps-2l-waistpack
Osprey bag: https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/raptor-14-RAPTOR14.html
 
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#13 ·
Wait'll you hit an actual mtb trail, that's when the fun really begins!

Also the pain: learn to embrace the pain, it's part of the fun.
 
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#14 ·
If it Must be a frame bag, they are a bit persnickety on size and shapes per bike application.
Just suggesting looking at the tons of options and images that give some good basics. These other minimal size goodie bags are perfect for lesser carry needs and other placement.
* Ideally, you cut out a cardboard template as per measurements to line up the frame to a particular bag candidate.

With a frame bag, consideration for losing or moving cage mount water bottle options is a common thing. I moved to cages on the forks and one underside downtube but in reality, my frame bag can hold a 100 oz bladder plus stuff I want to carry. I maximized things for overnight camp / multi-day carry plans.

For frames- Blackburn makes two or 3 sizes (outpost) and the lower triangle part can stay closed to keep it more rectangle or zipped open to utilize the entire tri section.
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/blackburn-outpost-frame-bag?v=sm00000&adl=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvuzkBRAhEiwA9E3FUiZPz0ZNDQeGLmpuABZjARpYAiSHVlxNB49gLdai5ZbLcNlaxMuBGBoCnYoQAvD_BwE

" carry on !! " :cool:
 
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Discussion starter · #16 ·
I did another 4 miles around my neighborhood after lunch and then I did another 4 miles to pickup my truck at the dealer this afternoon. I didn't have to stop and rest on either ride. Woo Hoo!

I also jumped off my 1st curb ha ha.
 
#17 ·
Vaude Hyper 14+3 liter is a good deal in a backpack. Very breathable suspension back panel. $64 at Chainreactioncycles but I don't suggest black if ever riding on a street.
 
#18 ·
Great bike choice! I picked up a Giant Talon 3 a few weeks ago (the silver one). My last bike was a 2001-era Giant NRS 1, but I sold it about four years ago since the fork and shock were both leaking and I couldn't find reasonably-priced rebuild parts.

Now I'm saving for a Trance 3...
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·


I ended up just buying a small cheap bag off of amazon. It just needs to hold my multitool, license, and phone. I rode with it today and it's fine, doesn't hit my knees and seems to stay where it't supposed to.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
I rode my 1st "Mountain Bike Trail" today about 10 min from house. It looped around a small pond with some good scenery. It was labeled as easy online but man, if this is easy then I'm going to be in trouble. It was loaded with roots and rocks, not a lot of smooth sections that I could actually just pedal and ride. Still, it was challenging and fun and highlights how I really need to just keep doing it. I had to stop and rest like 100 times.
 
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