I have just bought my son this bike (2022 model) and he is really excited. The bike looks great. Its similar to this one but have different cranks, I hope they will also work fine. Thank you for the video
just come across this review and like you say not too many out there. i have a fathom 1 with the sram spec drive train etc. heres my thoughts.... ive ridden a lot of bikes and wanted a hardtail with slightly slacker geo... (opposed to race xc wiyth steeper head angle etc) ...eg 75 seat tube and 68 steerer.. and reach akin to what i know.. this bike is great in these aspects. ive done some 7-8 hr days riding baclkcountry as well as single track and groomed tracks. great pedal position for climbing/flats and super confident on descents.the crest fork is pretty good. like it locks out bang on. is compliant on rough ground/bumpy ground/gravel considering price/spec...essentially just not as refined as say a fox34 step cast...but pretty bloody good. brakes are fine, 180rotors helps... lacks refinement...to be expected. wheels run nice, hub sounds good. mine have had a bashing on some long rough descents. the burly tyres help out here...i found the set up to climb well(not fast) with low pressure on,long rough rocky/tech climbs and added a bit for rough descents. you notice the heavyness on the slab esp....significant rotational mass...some rekons/ikons or similar would sort that depending. dropper is good so far. the nx rr mech is a bit tetchy..moves great sometimes/others not so...but ok, hasnt let me down. its great fun to ride, feels planted. wants to go fast...but makes you work hard if you trying to smooth out the track!!...well it is a hardtail this is not a light twitchy bike like an epic hardtail for example, quite different...due it its less race more down and country feel. options to upgrade bits and bobs if you want. i reckon its a lot of bike for the money...and does a whole range of riding well. im 167cm riding a medium which feels nicely roomy, can get out the saddle to climb with out feeling cramped by the cockpit, but not too big at all.
FWIW. I've had a 21 Fathom 1 29er 1 since March 2021 and have put a lot of miles on it. Still running day 1 wheels and other than a single service, not a single thing has gone wrong with the bike. Everything still works as it did day 1. I love this bike, lucky to never have any issues with the crest fork either.
You mentioned you would upgrade components, what would they be to drop weight? I just grabbed a 2022 for $640 🎉 It’s the nicest bike I’ve ever owned so upgrading a bit to drop weight is enticing. Thanks!
I love this Giant Fathom bike I own one 2022 and looking at this one you have I would buy one again I like the way it ride here in Phoenix trails it rip it climb great the only thing I would upgrade on this bike are hand grip and front suspension
I got a 2022 one as well... I upgraded brakes to Shimano MT520 four piston system and the grips. Fork wise I'm looking at 150mm Fox or Marzocchi... Looks like the new verion has a threaded BB istead of pressfit. Must be nice :)
I Have a Giant Fathom of 2017 vintage - All the so-called experts and experienced riders praise and bitch about various bikes - The difference between a 1 and 2 model and different years etc. - Chaps it's the components that make the difference. My Fathom frame is no different from a fathom 2 to a fathom 1 - All manufacturers knock out bikes cheaper with cheaper components, wake up chaps! - I love the frame geometry etc. - I upgraded to Shimano XT and a narrow wide tooth chain ring, never a chain drop! now I have an awesome bike! you get what you pay for! - I'm a Brit expat living in the Philippines, my Fathom is perfect for the condition of the roads here in the sticks, BTW I'm 71 and don't ride competitively; it’s my only transport, exercise and fun! - This bike is a much better set of components than last year.
I used to ride an XL Yeti 575 (2008) with some sweet kit in Bend Oregon and it was awesome. The HT's are nice to keep the rides shorter like sub 20 miles picking your lines better and carving those corners. The Yeti was a different story I could plow through stuff the HT could not and the frame was the same price as this complete build. My concern with this build is the Fork how is it for heavier riders like 200-250lbs? I have gained smoe weight, more than I wish to state here hahahaha and the Yeti was maxed out with the RP23 in the rear and the Fox 34 up front. How is this fork for rigidity? Is it pretty stifff, non flexy, does the compression work well along with the lockout? The Dropper post, is there a weight limit to that too?
I own this bike in as an electric '23 +1. Upgrades include Fox 36 fork, riser handlebar, 2.4 tire, and 200 mm disc front and back. It does pretty much anything I ask it to, and does it well. Unfortunately, I paid pandemic pricing, and the ebike market is flooded, and I way overpaid. But man, it's worth it
I bought one, it’s great, I put XC tyres on it, I am putting a longer stem on it cause my use case is really more XC riding and I have been riding my fathoms now for like 9 years always in an XC trim
What are your thoughts on the Roscoe 8 compared to this? They are also on sale on line but with a 250 upwards difference. I want to get into mountain biking but stuck between deciding between the this Fathom 29 2 or the Roscoe 8.
I’m trying to choose between these two as well. Getting back into trail riding after years off but want a simpler bike to ride like a hardtail. Worried about the negative words about the Creat fork on the Giant. I have a Trek store 20mins away.
I was in the same boat as well, on Wednesday I ended up going to Trek and 99bikes here in Aus and tested both. Although I thought initially that the Fathom was a better option, the Roscoe 8 was something else. Go test them and see for yourself, I got the 2023 Roscoe 8 in the Matte black olive. Trek had a sale on for $2k aud and got my local bike shop to price match. Always support local Trek and the bike shop both profit.
Yeah I got a question for you coming from the US of a. I currently own a giant XTC advanced 29 3 with a carbon frame. That bike you are showing has a Crest 34 fork on it and I have a Crest 34 fork on it. Does that bike you have make a clinking sound when it comes to the front suspension fork? Many people in the US complain about that Crest fork. With the clicking sound. I was wondering this new one that's only available for Canada would have the same problem
Only thing I don't like about it is the cable routing that comes out near the underside of the bottom bracket. Why do manufacturers do that? It defeats the object of internal cable routing to keep things neat & easy to clean.
Looks like a lot of bike for the money. I’m tempted to get one even though I need to get a hybrid. Might be slower and more effort to ride but man it would be a lot more fun.
I'm a fan of the, "if it makes you excited to ride, then that is the right bike for you" mindset. I've been commuting on my Full suspension Trance X and loving it because I can go off and hunt down a few turns on dirt whenever I get the chance.
I just ordered the 24 Fathom 1 in Australia. Paid a bit more than what was available from various online dealers but couldn’t get shipping. Giant has it locked down in Australia, you either pay full price online unless you are able to get to a specific dealer who has one in stock which is a bit hard when they are 4000kms away. I would have preferred the cheaper 29 2 but it wasn’t available. Can’t wait and have ordered some Maxxis Hookworms to go on it when it arrives.
I own a Bobcat trail 4, and ive been thinking about upgrading. I already replaced tires, grips, bars, brakes, and put a dropper. But the fathom is boost and is tappered so you can run and angle set and have even more costumitation. I think the farhom is definitely the way to go.
The standard answer would be, "you need to test ride both because you're on the margin between each size", so if you have a chance, I'd suggest giving them both a try. If you didn't have a chance to try both, were forced to choose at gunpoint (that would be a strange hold-up ;) I'd go with the large, mostly because you'd be able to swap the stem to something shorter if the bike felt too stretched out. If you said you had really short arms, I'd suggest the medium, and switching to bars with more rise... there are a number of factors if you're willing to tweak stem/bars for customizing.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop appreciate the info and i got a chuckle out of the being held at gunpoint decision 🤣. i was leaning more toward the large size since of course im 5' 10" barefoot so realistically i'd be 5' 11"
The tires are too close to the frame front and back look at the front fork at the top tire one finger could not pass their for a slight bigger tire or psi
I don't see any issue with the tire clearance. The tires on the bike in the video are at relatively high pressure due to the bike just being assembled and us overpressuring the tires (30+ psi) to help seat the tires - so they won't be expanding from tire pressure.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop obut I just meant that the tires themselves are manufactured so close to the frame as if the Mettle bar over the front wheel is so close like mud cleaners not anything to do with the tire pressure. Not all bikes if you look at them has the bar so close to the tire and look at the back rim let say you got a slightly bigger tire, your hand or fingers will not fit between the bar in which the seat poles in and the wheels so you can't really use a bigger rim if you wanted to some bikes got more space there that your hand can pass at the top of the front fork and the tire.
Bought one for my kid and ended up enjoying the ride with stock parts. Ended up using it most of the time. Dumped the stock components on mine to focus on the frame, which is very solid. The frame is actually very light. Swapped the fork to a Fox F34 and moved another wheelset over. Dropped the weight to 26lbs. The fork upgrade was huge. Still using the NX and stock brakes. Great value.
I have just bought my son this bike (2022 model) and he is really excited. The bike looks great. Its similar to this one but have different cranks, I hope they will also work fine. Thank you for the video
Hard tails are so versatile and not everyone wants or needs heavy dual suspension. These Fathom 29 2 rocks ! 👍
There doesn't seem to be many videos on youtube of the fathom so thanks for this. Im looking at getting the fathom 1 soon. Hot looking bike
just come across this review and like you say not too many out there. i have a fathom 1 with the sram spec drive train etc. heres my thoughts.... ive ridden a lot of bikes and wanted a hardtail with slightly slacker geo... (opposed to race xc wiyth steeper head angle etc) ...eg 75 seat tube and 68 steerer.. and reach akin to what i know.. this bike is great in these aspects. ive done some 7-8 hr days riding baclkcountry as well as single track and groomed tracks. great pedal position for climbing/flats and super confident on descents.the crest fork is pretty good. like it locks out bang on. is compliant on rough ground/bumpy ground/gravel considering price/spec...essentially just not as refined as say a fox34 step cast...but pretty bloody good.
brakes are fine, 180rotors helps... lacks refinement...to be expected. wheels run nice, hub sounds good.
mine have had a bashing on some long rough descents. the burly tyres help out here...i found the set up to climb well(not fast) with low pressure on,long rough rocky/tech climbs and added a bit for rough descents.
you notice the heavyness on the slab esp....significant rotational mass...some rekons/ikons or similar would sort that depending.
dropper is good so far. the nx rr mech is a bit tetchy..moves great sometimes/others not so...but ok, hasnt let me down. its great fun to ride, feels planted. wants to go fast...but makes you work hard if you trying to smooth out the track!!...well it is a hardtail
this is not a light twitchy bike like an epic hardtail for example, quite different...due it its less race more down and country feel. options to upgrade bits and bobs if you want.
i reckon its a lot of bike for the money...and does a whole range of riding well. im 167cm riding a medium which feels nicely roomy, can get out the saddle to climb with out feeling cramped by the cockpit, but not too big at all.
FWIW. I've had a 21 Fathom 1 29er 1 since March 2021 and have put a lot of miles on it. Still running day 1 wheels and other than a single service, not a single thing has gone wrong with the bike. Everything still works as it did day 1. I love this bike, lucky to never have any issues with the crest fork either.
@@jasonwelsford Thank you so much for sharing your long term experience of riding a fathom
You mentioned you would upgrade components, what would they be to drop weight?
I just grabbed a 2022 for $640 🎉 It’s the nicest bike I’ve ever owned so upgrading a bit to drop weight is enticing. Thanks!
I love this Giant Fathom bike I own one 2022 and looking at this one you have I would buy one again I like the way it ride here in Phoenix trails it rip it climb great the only thing I would upgrade on this bike are hand grip and front suspension
Did collors bleached out from your bike?
I got a 2022 one as well... I upgraded brakes to Shimano MT520 four piston system and the grips. Fork wise I'm looking at 150mm Fox or Marzocchi...
Looks like the new verion has a threaded BB istead of pressfit. Must be nice :)
I Have a Giant Fathom of 2017 vintage - All the so-called experts and experienced riders praise and bitch about various bikes - The difference between a 1 and 2 model and different years etc. - Chaps it's the components that make the difference. My Fathom frame is no different from a fathom 2 to a fathom 1 - All manufacturers knock out bikes cheaper with cheaper components, wake up chaps! - I love the frame geometry etc. - I upgraded to Shimano XT and a narrow wide tooth chain ring, never a chain drop! now I have an awesome bike! you get what you pay for! - I'm a Brit expat living in the Philippines, my Fathom is perfect for the condition of the roads here in the sticks, BTW I'm 71 and don't ride competitively; it’s my only transport, exercise and fun! - This bike is a much better set of components than last year.
quick release for a dropper seatpost. nice.
I used to ride an XL Yeti 575 (2008) with some sweet kit in Bend Oregon and it was awesome. The HT's are nice to keep the rides shorter like sub 20 miles picking your lines better and carving those corners. The Yeti was a different story I could plow through stuff the HT could not and the frame was the same price as this complete build.
My concern with this build is the Fork how is it for heavier riders like 200-250lbs? I have gained smoe weight, more than I wish to state here hahahaha and the Yeti was maxed out with the RP23 in the rear and the Fox 34 up front.
How is this fork for rigidity? Is it pretty stifff, non flexy, does the compression work well along with the lockout?
The Dropper post, is there a weight limit to that too?
I own this bike in as an electric '23 +1. Upgrades include Fox 36 fork, riser handlebar, 2.4 tire, and 200 mm disc front and back. It does pretty much anything I ask it to, and does it well. Unfortunately, I paid pandemic pricing, and the ebike market is flooded, and I way overpaid. But man, it's worth it
I bought one, it’s great, I put XC tyres on it, I am putting a longer stem on it cause my use case is really more XC riding and I have been riding my fathoms now for like 9 years always in an XC trim
What is the name of that color? Is it available in USA?
Great review. Love the honesty and ‘garbage up front’ approach 😂👌🏼
What are your thoughts on the Roscoe 8 compared to this? They are also on sale on line but with a 250 upwards difference. I want to get into mountain biking but stuck between deciding between the this Fathom 29 2 or the Roscoe 8.
I’m trying to choose between these two as well. Getting back into trail riding after years off but want a simpler bike to ride like a hardtail. Worried about the negative words about the Creat fork on the Giant. I have a Trek store 20mins away.
I was in the same boat as well, on Wednesday I ended up going to Trek and 99bikes here in Aus and tested both. Although I thought initially that the Fathom was a better option, the Roscoe 8 was something else. Go test them and see for yourself, I got the 2023 Roscoe 8 in the Matte black olive. Trek had a sale on for $2k aud and got my local bike shop to price match. Always support local Trek and the bike shop both profit.
Yeah I got a question for you coming from the US of a. I currently own a giant XTC advanced 29 3 with a carbon frame. That bike you are showing has a Crest 34 fork on it and I have a Crest 34 fork on it. Does that bike you have make a clinking sound when it comes to the front suspension fork? Many people in the US complain about that Crest fork. With the clicking sound. I was wondering this new one that's only available for Canada would have the same problem
We have had a few of the Crest Forks making noise - maybe 5 to 10% of them. We worked with Giant to get those issues sorted.
just bought this bike new in store (they had to build it bc they didn’t have any medium’s on the floor) + it came with praxis cadet, not shimano cues?
Great review. Thanks👍🇦🇺
Nice bike. Would be nice to hear actual geometry numbers.
I own the 2018 27.5 wheels model that lacks some nice bits like thrue axle on the frame.
Sorry, I briefly touched on the 66 heat tube angle and 75 seat tube angle but you had to sit through a lot of boring chatter before I got there.
is the frame boost spacing?
Only thing I don't like about it is the cable routing that comes out near the underside of the bottom bracket. Why do manufacturers do that? It defeats the object of internal cable routing to keep things neat & easy to clean.
Looks like a lot of bike for the money. I’m tempted to get one even though I need to get a hybrid. Might be slower and more effort to ride but man it would be a lot more fun.
I'm a fan of the, "if it makes you excited to ride, then that is the right bike for you" mindset. I've been commuting on my Full suspension Trance X and loving it because I can go off and hunt down a few turns on dirt whenever I get the chance.
I just ordered the 24 Fathom 1 in Australia. Paid a bit more than what was available from various online dealers but couldn’t get shipping. Giant has it locked down in Australia, you either pay full price online unless you are able to get to a specific dealer who has one in stock which is a bit hard when they are 4000kms away. I would have preferred the cheaper 29 2 but it wasn’t available. Can’t wait and have ordered some Maxxis Hookworms to go on it when it arrives.
I’d love to get this with 27.5 wheels. I’ve read it’s a bike you should size down
Going hard tail in 27.5 is a big call!
I own a Bobcat trail 4, and ive been thinking about upgrading. I already replaced tires, grips, bars, brakes, and put a dropper.
But the fathom is boost and is tappered so you can run and angle set and have even more costumitation. I think the farhom is definitely the way to go.
Fathom and San Quentin 29 would both be good options. Pink Bike sure liked the SQ29!
buen Montañesa para manejar en pistas o terrenos complicados tengo un me responde bien 👍 ❤
for being 5ft 10in and weighing approx 200 lbs would a med or lg frame fit me best? if it helps i have a 31-32 in inseam.
The standard answer would be, "you need to test ride both because you're on the margin between each size", so if you have a chance, I'd suggest giving them both a try. If you didn't have a chance to try both, were forced to choose at gunpoint (that would be a strange hold-up ;) I'd go with the large, mostly because you'd be able to swap the stem to something shorter if the bike felt too stretched out. If you said you had really short arms, I'd suggest the medium, and switching to bars with more rise... there are a number of factors if you're willing to tweak stem/bars for customizing.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop appreciate the info and i got a chuckle out of the being held at gunpoint decision 🤣. i was leaning more toward the large size since of course im 5' 10" barefoot so realistically i'd be 5' 11"
The tires are too close to the frame front and back look at the front fork at the top tire one finger could not pass their for a slight bigger tire or psi
I don't see any issue with the tire clearance. The tires on the bike in the video are at relatively high pressure due to the bike just being assembled and us overpressuring the tires (30+ psi) to help seat the tires - so they won't be expanding from tire pressure.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop obut I just meant that the tires themselves are manufactured so close to the frame as if the Mettle bar over the front wheel is so close like mud cleaners not anything to do with the tire pressure. Not all bikes if you look at them has the bar so close to the tire and look at the back rim let say you got a slightly bigger tire, your hand or fingers will not fit between the bar in which the seat poles in and the wheels so you can't really use a bigger rim if you wanted to some bikes got more space there that your hand can pass at the top of the front fork and the tire.
Looks same as other MTBs to me 🤷🏻♂️
Bought one for my kid and ended up enjoying the ride with stock parts. Ended up using it most of the time. Dumped the stock components on mine to focus on the frame, which is very solid. The frame is actually very light. Swapped the fork to a Fox F34 and moved another wheelset over. Dropped the weight to 26lbs. The fork upgrade was huge. Still using the NX and stock brakes. Great value.
@@OrlandoGordon-e8r Their 29 inch rims! How much bigger do you want in rim size??
This is a direct competitor to the Roscoe 7