Giant Glory returns with first Advanced composite frame
From Rob Warner to Luke Meier-Smith, the tradition continues
Photo by:
Victor Lucas
Giant is revitalizing and upgrading its stalwart Glory downhill rig for a new era. The Glory name first graced a DH rig way back in 2006. The new version, with the Giant’s first consumer-ready Advanced composite downhill frame, mixed 27.5/29″ wheels, and a rat of frame adjustments, looks a whole lot different than the original alloy frame on 26″ wheels.
Rob Warner helped start Giant's history in the downhill world, way back in 1998
Luke Meier-Smith seen here earning the Australian national champ's sleeve back in February, carries that tradition forward. Photo: Victor Lucas
A young Rob Warner in 1996 would likely be stoked to see Giant's investing in DH again
Giant tapped Remi Thirion to help design the new bike. It will carry Giant Factory Off-Road Team’s next generation of racers through the upcoming World Cup season, starting this weekend in Lenzerheide. In fact, Luke Meier-Smith already rode the Glory to glory at Australian downhill nationals earlier this year.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced: what’s new
The fifth generation Glory brings more than just Giant’s first consumer-ready Advanced composite frame to the table. It uses an updated Maestro suspension design for its 200-mm rear wheel travel, offers the choice of 27.5″ or 29″ rear wheels and has a full gamut of geometry adjustment options built into the frame.
A composite frame and new, 225mm-long shock
A composite rocker arm keeps weight down while keeping the frame stiff
The Fox 40 Factory is no stranger to World Cup start lines
Advanced-grade composite frame
The core of the Glory Advanced is its lightweight Advanced-grade composite frame. The S/M frameset has a claimed weight of just 3,200 grams. Giant also says the composite frame helps them build a stiffer and more responsive frame than the previous four generations of Glory.
The 200mm of Maestro rear suspension continues Giant’s commitment to that floating pivot point design. But a long, 75-mm stroke trunnion mount shock and an updated leverage curve work together to provide smooth small-bump sensitivity and more middle and end-stroke support.
“This is the first full-composite Glory we’ve ever produced for consumers, and it’s a significant advancement over the previous generation,” said Jan Cees Schellenbach, Giant Category Manager – Mountain. “We’ve developed new ways to adjust and dial in performance and handling for different riders and terrain. We also spent a lot of time updating the Maestro suspension system. We’ve improved the leverage ratio so that it has a super-smooth feel on smaller bumps, while also having better mid- and end-stroke support.”
Giant's Maestro flip chip features three settings on the Glory . Photo: Victor Lucas
Another three settings at the headset. Photo: Victor Lucas
And a long and short chainstay setting
Glory looks a little different for every rider
Since one size rarely fits all riders and no two trails are alike, Giant builds in all kinds of adjustments to the Glory Advanced frame.
Starting with wheel size, the Glory Advanced ships with mixed 27.5″ rear and 29″ front wheels. The frame also allows for matching 29″ rear wheels for riders looking for a more stable ride feel.
The Maestro suspension has a three-position flip chip to dial in geometry. High, medium and low setting vary bottom bracket height (by 5mm increments), seat tube angle and heat tube angle (from 61.6 degrees to 62.3 degrees). This changes the Glory Advanced to suit different rear wheel sizes and different terrian, from slow and technical in “high” to the steepest World Cup tracks around in “low.”
Another flip chip in the rear dropout changes wheelbase and rear-center on the Glory by 10-mm. The short setting makes the handling quicker and more agile. The long setting lends the DH rig stability and control at high speeds.
Finally, a new modular three-position flip chip in the head tube adjusts reach in 5mm increments. Short, for a more upright position in tight terrain. Medium for neutral and balanced handling. Long for a stretched-out and planted feel.
2023 Giant Glory Advanced complete build
Giant Glory Legends Editions Frameset
2023 Giant Glory Advanced: models and pricing
Giant is offering the new Glory Advanced in one complete build and, for nostalgic World Cup fans, one “Legends Edition” frameset. The new DH rig is available in three sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL.
Both feature Fox 40 Factory 203mm fork and 200mm rear wheel travel via Fox DHX2 Factory Coil shock. The Advanced completes that build with SRAM GX Eagle DH (1×7), Shimano Saint brakes (220mm front, 203mm rear rotor), TruVativ Descendant DH crankset, Giant AM30 rims with Maxxis Assagai front and Minion DHR II tires and Giant’s own composite bars.
Glory Advanced: $9,300
Glory Advanced Legends Edition frameset (including fork and shock) $7,300
