Giant Factory Off-Road Team unveils 2018 race bikes

Dressed in DVO Suspension parts, these race bikes will tackle everything from DH to XC

Terry McKall March 15, 2018

Giant Factory Off-Road Team is all decked out with new bikes and ready for racing to start. Following team camp in southern California, several of Giant’s enduro crew headed straight to South America for the opening round of World Enduro Series racing in Lo Barnechea, Chile. Here’s a closer look at what the team edition bikes Giant Factory Off-Road Team will be racing at events around the globe this year.

Josh Carlson’s Reign Advanced

Carlson recently relocated back to his hometown of Wollongong, Australia from North Vancouver, B.C., but the change in location hasn’t meant a shift in race goals. Carlson will still be racing the full EWS calendar on the bike he helped develop: Giant’s Reign Advanced. With new sponsor DVO jumping on board this year, Carlson will ride on a Jade rear shock and Diamond fork, along with Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain, while Shimano’s burlier Saint line takes over for braking. Internal wire routing via Pro components keeps the cockpit looking tidy, and Giant provides it’s own Contact Switch dropper post, saddle and NeosTrack computer. The whole Giant Factory Off-Road Team will be rolling on Maxxis tires all year.

Reign in blue: Josh Carlson's Reign Advanced with DVO's Diamond fork

DVO's Diamond fork keeps hints of green, while Shimano XTR Di2 keeps the Reign's cockpit looking tidy

DVO Suspension's coil sprung Jade rear shock, some matchy blue HT pedals

Shimano Saint stoppers, some beefy Maxxis rubber, and a MRP chainguide to keep the chain on and errant rocks out when racing gets a little wild in Chile

Rae Morrison’s Liv Hail

Re Morrison will be racing EWS series, and other enduro events around the world on her Liv Hail Advanced. Morrison opts for DVO’s Topaz2 rear shock to pair with the Diamond fork, and a full Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain and brake system. Like Carlson, Morrison run’s Pro cockpit components with Giant’s Contact, and NeosTrack parts rounding out the build.

Rae Morrison's Liv Hail Advanced

Unlike Carlson, Morrison opts for DVO's Topaz2 rear shock on her Hail. Shimano XTR Di2 always looks good with gold, this time from HT pedals

Pro components internally routed Di2 wiring handlebars keep everything tucked out of the way

Morrison's view of Shimano's Di2 controls

Marcelo Gutierrez’s Glory Advanced

Colombia’s seven-time national downhill champion has already notched a win in 2018, at the opening round of IXS Downhill Cup in Argentina. His Glory Advanced runs a DVO Jade rear shock and 200mm Onyx fork up front. Gutierrez opts for full Shimano Saint parts, along with Pro cockpit components, an array of Maxxis tires, and Giant’s Contact saddle.

Gutierrez's Giant Glory Advanced with DVO's Onyx fork in blue

Pro components hold up a full compliment of Shimano Saint parts

DVO's Jade rear shock delivers 203mm of rear travel via Gian'ts Maestro Suspension system

"Vamos Señor" - Last minute encouragement for Gutierrez on the startline

Carl Decker’s Anthem Advanced Pro 29

Giant updated their Anthem 29 line late last year with new geometry and 90mm of Maestro suspension and a trunnion mount for the DVO Topaz T3Air rear shock. Decker pairs the Anthem with a 100mm DVO Sapphire fork up front, full Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain and brakes, Pro components, and Giants Contact and NeosTrack extras. All this rolls on Giant XCR 0 29 Composite DBL WheelSystem hoops and Maxxis rubber.