For most riders in Nairobi, the best first mountain bike is the Giant Talon 29 (from KES 95,000), the best first road bike is the Giant Contend (from KES 75,000), and the Giant Revolt (from KES 215,000) is the bike for rides that mix tarmac and murram. The rest depends on where you ride and how fast you want to go. This guide compares the Giant families we sell, in plain words.
Prices below are the lowest price on our site for each family. Prices update automatically from our shop. The full list is in our bicycle prices in Kenya guide.
Mountain bikes: Talon vs XTC vs Stance vs Trance
| Family | Suspension | Frame on our listings | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talon 29 | Front only (100mm fork) | Aluminium | KES 95,000 | First mountain bike, fitness, forest trails |
| XTC Advanced | Front only (100mm fork) | Carbon | KES 325,000 | Fast cross-country and racing |
| Stance 29 | Front and rear | Aluminium | KES 250,000 | Comfort and grip on rough, rocky trails |
| Trance 29 | Front and rear | Aluminium | KES 295,000 | Steeper, technical trails and descents |
Giant Talon 29: the first mountain bike for most riders
The Talon has an ALUXX aluminium frame, a 100mm SR Suntour XCE fork and 29-inch wheels. It is simple, tough and easy to look after. It suits weekend rides in Karura Forest, fitness riding and the commute on rough roads. See the Giant Talon 29 4 and the Giant Talon 29 3.
Giant XTC: lighter and faster
The XTC is also a hardtail, so the suspension is at the front only, but the frames on our XTC Advanced listings are carbon. The Giant XTC Advanced 29 3 has a 100mm RockShox fork and Shimano Deore 1×11 gears. The Giant XTC Advanced SL 29 1 has an Advanced SL carbon frame and a 100mm RockShox SID SL fork. Pick an XTC if you race cross-country or want the lightest bike for climbing.
Talon vs XTC: which one?
Both are 29-inch hardtails. The Talon costs much less and is the safer buy if you are new to mountain biking. The XTC is lighter and faster, and worth it once you know you will ride hard and often.
Giant Stance 29: full suspension for comfort
The Stance adds a rear shock. The Giant Stance 29 1 has an aluminium frame with 120mm of rear travel and a 130mm fork. The Giant Stance 29 2 pairs a 130mm fork with 120mm at the rear. Full suspension keeps the rear wheel on the ground over rocks and roots, so you get more grip and less fatigue. It suits the Ngong Hills and Ngong Road Forest.
Giant Trance 29: for steeper, technical trails
The Giant Trance 29 3 has an ALUXX SL aluminium frame, 115mm Maestro rear suspension and a 130mm Marzocchi Z2 fork. The Giant Trance X 29 3 also uses Maestro suspension. Pick a Trance if you want to ride down steep, loose descents with control and still pedal back up.
Racing cross-country on full suspension? Look at the carbon Anthem range on the mountain bikes page.
Road bikes: Contend vs Defy vs Propel
| Family | Frame on our listings | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contend | Aluminium | KES 75,000 | First road bike, fitness, mixed roads |
| Defy | Carbon | KES 297,500 | Long, comfortable rides and climbs |
| Propel | Carbon, aero | KES 350,000 | Speed on flat and rolling roads |
| TCR | Carbon | KES 266,000 | Racing and fast group rides |
Giant Contend: the first road bike
The Giant Contend 3 has an ALUXX aluminium frame, a D-Fuse seatpost to soak up road buzz and room for tyres up to 32mm. The Giant Contend AR 1 is the all-road version, with disc brakes and room for tyres up to 38mm, which helps on broken tarmac.
Giant Defy: endurance and comfort
The Giant Defy Advanced 2 is a carbon endurance road bike with Shimano 105 gears, 32mm tyres and fender mounts. Pick a Defy if you ride long distances, climb towards Limuru or ride in a group on weekends and want to finish fresh.
Giant Propel: the aero bike
The Propel is the aero road bike, built to hold speed on flat and rolling roads. The Giant Propel Advanced 1 Disc rolls on 700c wheels with 25mm tyres. Pick a Propel for fast group rides and racing on the Southern Bypass or Magadi Road.
Contend vs Defy vs Propel: which one?
Start with the Contend if you are new to road riding or on a budget. Choose the Defy if comfort on long rides matters most. Choose the Propel if speed matters most. The TCR sits between Defy and Propel as the light all-round race bike.
Gravel: Giant Revolt for tarmac and murram
Many Kenyan rides start on tarmac and end on murram. A gravel bike handles both. The Giant Revolt 1 has an ALUXX SL aluminium frame, a composite fork and 700x38c tyres. The Giant Revolt Advanced 2 has a carbon frame and a flip chip that lengthens the wheelbase for tyres up to 53mm. It also has storage inside the top tube for tools and snacks. The Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1 is the higher-spec carbon version. Prices from KES 215,000. See the gravel bikes page.
Match the bike to where you ride
| Where you ride | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Karura Forest and forest loops | Talon or XTC | Light, fast hardtails for smooth trails |
| Ngong Hills and rocky trails | Stance or Trance | Full suspension for grip and comfort |
| Nairobi tarmac and highways | Contend, Defy or Propel | Fast, efficient road bikes |
| Murram roads and mixed surfaces | Revolt or Contend AR | Wider tyres for loose, bumpy ground |
Still deciding? Check your frame size in our size guide. Women riders, see our Liv women’s bikes guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bike for Nairobi?
For mixed city roads and weekend trails, a Giant Talon 29 (from KES 95,000) is the best all-round start. For tarmac only, a Giant Contend (from KES 75,000). For tarmac and murram, a Giant Revolt.
Giant Talon vs XTC: what is the difference?
Both are 29-inch hardtails with a 100mm fork. The Talon has an aluminium frame and costs less. Our XTC Advanced listings have carbon frames, which are lighter and faster for racing.
Stance vs Trance: which full-suspension bike should I buy?
The Stance is the comfort-first trail bike. The Trance is built for steeper, more technical trails and descents. The Stance and Trance 29 3 listings both have aluminium frames.
Contend vs Defy: which road bike is better for a beginner?
The Contend is the better first road bike: aluminium, comfortable and from KES 75,000. The Defy is the carbon upgrade for long rides.
Which Giant bike is best for murram roads?
A gravel bike such as the Giant Revolt. Its wide tyres handle murram, and it is still quick on tarmac.
Can I see these bikes before I buy?
Yes. Visit our showroom at 03 Dar es Salaam Road, Industrial Area, Nairobi. If a bike is not on the floor: Available on order. WhatsApp or call 0725 511 513 to confirm timing.
Visit the showroom or message us
Come to our showroom at 03 Dar es Salaam Road, Industrial Area, Nairobi, open Monday to Saturday 8 AM to 7 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM. Or WhatsApp us on 0725 511 513 and send your height and the riding you plan. We will reply with the bike, the size and today’s price. You can also call 0725 511 513, email [email protected] or use our contact page. We are East Africa’s leading Giant bicycles dealer, and every new bike we sell carries a 6-month warranty.