Online Exclusive: Giant's New Glory

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By Ryan LaBar
Photos: Jake Orness/Giant

First Look: Jared Rando’s 2010 Giant Glory downhill bike

Last weekend Giant Bicycles introduced its 2009 factory riders at Woodward West in Tehachapi, California. Over the course of two days an assembled group of bike media folks met and mingled with the team riders and took turns trying to hurt ourselves on Woodward West’s giant foam pit. Giant put the weekend event together to introduce team riders Oli Beckingsale, Adam Craig, Carl Decker, Kelli Emmett, Jeff Lenosky, Jared Rando and Kurt Sorge.

After watching Adam Craig send if off 10-foot hucks on his Trance X, the Bike magazine covet ops team was able to infiltrate the deepest levels of Giant Bicycles security, and, under the cover of darkness, we wrangled these spy shots of Giant gravity rider Jared Rando's new 2010 downhill race sled.

Giant's Maestro linkage manages the Glory’s 8 inches of travel, nearly an inch less than the current model. Titanium fasteners rack up extra weight savings.

Giant wasn’t able to give us exact specs but says the bike is a fair bit lighter than the current Glory DH model and equally stiff. This new model will be named numerically, as most of Giant's other bikes, instead of using the current "DH" nomenclature.

Stay tuned to bikemag.com for more coverage on this bike when it’s officially launched later this year.

The Glory’s tubes have been radically hydroformed for that magical decreased-weight/increased-stiffness effect. The downtube and toptube flare out to meet the tapered (1.125-to-1.5-inch) headtube with loads of surface area for welds.

Giant DH Team rider Jared Rando puts a 2010 Giant Glory through its paces in the craggy mountains outside Tehachapi, California.

Reader Comments

Posted Sat Mar14, 2009, 5:16 PM — By dan

where are the pics of AC huckin'? show us the goods!

Posted Wed Mar18, 2009, 12:09 PM — By mahedere

it is wow!! i wish i have is bike it rock....... beatiful...!

Posted Sat Mar21, 2009, 11:34 AM — By this is a nice bike

How much does this bike cost?.

Posted Sun Mar22, 2009, 3:07 PM — By tyler

i have a cannondale im 13teeen but im looking for a new downhill bike but i ike this one how much is it.?

Posted Mon Mar30, 2009, 7:56 AM — By Jonathan

Cute. How much does it cost? A lot. 1) Get a job at a shop. 2) Save A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY! 3) Buy it 4) ALWAYS LOCK IT! 5) Ride it like you stole it, cause life's too short to ride like s*** 6) Smile. Real big like.

Posted Fri May 1, 2009, 10:05 AM — By Alex

"Smile. Real big like." That's what I'm like every time I'm on my Glory. And NRS too.

Posted Mon May18, 2009, 3:33 PM — By seadog

anyone wanna buy an 09 glory frame and shock.....

Posted Mon Jun15, 2009, 4:24 AM — By Dave

This is my next DH bike for sure!Looks fast just standing still.Putting in my order as soon as it is released,which is usually after the Interbike show.Man,Im excited!

Posted Fri Jun19, 2009, 7:15 AM — By Sam Sal

haha thats my cuzin ;P

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Posted Mon Jun29, 2009, 8:34 PM — By BOOST BIG DO BIG!

BRING THE THUNDER!!!

Posted Tue Jun30, 2009, 4:11 PM — By justin

How much is the bike I like it.

Posted Mon Jul 6, 2009, 8:35 PM — By marcio

eu gostaria de saber se vocês teria a a balança da giant atx full e que eu tenho uma e gosto muito dela não queria me desfazer dela mas a balança ta quebrando sempre da minha pergunta sei que ela e muito antiga mas vale apena perguntar muito obrigado

Posted Fri Jul10, 2009, 9:43 PM — By huckster

how will it handle me sending it off a 45 footer to flat? Not very well I suspect...

Posted Thu Jul23, 2009, 6:58 PM — By Shidan

I can't wait to get my hands on the new Glory!

Posted Tue Jul28, 2009, 8:57 PM — By johnno

i don't really like the look of it. i think the 09 was the way to go. but ill have to wheat and see how it rides lol

Posted Wed Jul29, 2009, 8:31 AM — By G23

the problem is, that it looks like a kona, this whole swoopy downtube trend going on with specialized etc at the moment is UGLY... i've got the current glory and its great, if a bit heavy so i'm sure this bike will be good and hopefully lighter.... But if i'm going to spend my own hard earned cash on it i'd prefer to go for something a bit better looking.... ...having said that i may just have to crack my current glory and take part in Giant's "bike upgrade scheme" - ahem i mean warranty

Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009, 5:14 PM — By andy

jonathan couldnt agree more :)

Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009, 8:31 PM — By uygg

You're a bunch of retards. " how much is this bike...", can't you read! (obviously not going by your text message typing). It's not released yet Dipshit!

Posted Sun Sep13, 2009, 8:59 PM — By harpo-rider

seadog - If your '09 Glory frame is small I want it!!!! Let me know and I'll give you a contact.

Posted Mon Oct12, 2009, 1:49 PM — By Jezza

I think it looks heaps better than the 09 model. More refined and a shock that isn't hidden. Nice work Giant. Hope to see some good results at the world cup next year.

Posted Fri Jan 8, 2010, 12:25 AM — By chase

Can anyone say sexy...!

Posted Fri Mar 5, 2010, 8:55 AM — By Dave

torn between new glory and the new monster green demo8,love them both.any sugestions?

Posted Tue Mar16, 2010, 3:53 AM — By Seth wilson

nice bike i wish i had 1