Giant Expedition Bicycle 2002 Model
Created | Updated Aug 20, 2002
Giant Expedition
A type of Mountain Bike, made by a company called Giant in 2002 for £975.Picture
Aimed at Cross Country Touring where you want to take the kitchen sink with you, but still go and do some serious off-road trails. The frame has been re-designed since the 2001 model and extra welds added to the rear pannier attachment to prevent excessive load damage to the frame. It has an aluminium alloy 6061 rigid frame with full suspension. It also has "fully suspended" pannier racks, for taking all your worldly belongings where ever you want to go. These can of course be removed (which considerably improves the weight of the bicycle) if not required. A 27-speed shimano gear set-up with rapid-fire shifters, gives you a wide degree of gear choice and ease of use. Whilst the hydraulic brakes give it incredible deceleration, especially in the wet...
The suspension set-up is such, that unlike most full suspension bicycles which have a tendency of bobbing or "resonating", this bike doesn't. This "resonance" is due to both mass of the rider and forces exerted on the pedals while pedalling. This causes energy loss through the absorption of the energy into the suspension shock and thus makes accelerating that much harder... With many bicycles simply "bobbing" as they travel along... The problem occurs quite dramatically when the cyclist pedals at 90 revolutions per minute (the average rate), which is 1.5 revs per second. Since each revolution involves a left and a right, the suspension is pushed 3 times per second. Most suspension systems resonate at 3 per second, so the cyclist ends up bobbing like a kangaroo...
Giant's solution to this problem was a joint effort with Renault Sport; NRS1
No Resonance System
Currently the only 4-bar link rear suspension set-up to give "Zero Sag".2
Designed by Pascal Tribotte, a Formula 1 engine designer for Renault Sport. Pascal, a vibration specialist, learned that the natural resonance frequency of mountain bike suspension is very close to the frequency of a pedalling rider, around 3Hz, so he set out to build a full suspension mountain bike that didn't bob by using what he calls 'a near perfect virtual pivot position'.3
Incorporating a vertically mounted Rockshox XC air suspension unit with three inches of travel. The mechanics of this system means that if you either sit-on, or pedal this bike, the suspension has "no-sag". But instead, actually puts pressure downwards onto the tyre giving you grip for acceleration. However if you hit something like a rock, a log or a ditch, the suspension compresses and soaks up the impact.
Using it for Touring...
It's a fantastic bike... the only downside is it can be TOO complex. If you were taking it round the world, then you'd run into some problems with regard to the hydraulic brakes and spare parts. Also another factor would be that the frame is Aluminium rather than steel. Which when your in outer Mongolia, is a little harder to find welding equipment for....
The Load capacity on this thing is staggering. It's quoted as capable of 15kg front and 15kg rear... However tests have proven that it can handle more than that. Carrying shopping back from Tesco's!!!
If it's equipped with decent Pannier Bags then you'll have no hassle carrying everything on the bike without loading your back. Which is the important thing when touring.Cross Country...Ride Quality
The bike is also capable of tackling hard cross-country routes, and it handles superbly (with the racks and extras removed). Being based on the Giant XtC model. It handles like a Hard Tail bike on hills and the flat, but when you start haring down steep long bumpy tracks it just soaks up everything you hit! Which gives you a lot more control because your not fighting with the bike, just to stay on...
Manufacturer's Specifications...
- Derailleur - 27 speed Shimano Deore LX front/XT rear
- Shifters - Shimano LX Rapid-fire
- Frame - New oversized compact dual suspension AluxX SL (=6061) frame
- Head set - Integrated head set
- Cable routing - Internal cable routing
- Brakes - MPH II hydraulic disc brakes
- Rims - Rigida ZAC 2000 double wall rims
- Spokes - DT Swiss stainless steel spokes
- Tyres - Vredestein Spider tyres with reflective walls
- Cassette - Shimano Deore LX 9 speed cassette 11-30
- Fork - RST Macro AET suspension front fork with Tornado Air Technology. 3.0" travel.
Specially made for Giant - Rear Shock - Rockshox XC
- Crank - Shimano Deore crank set
- Dropout - Replaceable
- Carrier - Unique suspended luggage carrier system, front & rear
- Colour - Oriental brown metallic / Walnut grey
Advised Modifications...
As with a lot of bicycles, the Manufacturers try and cut costs as far as possible to maximise profit, and this bike is no exception.
- Pedals - The originals have a resin core with reasonable bearings and a metal footplate. A good replacement would be clipless pedals (like the Shimano PD-M515 or PD-M646). Or metal pedals, which would last longer.
- Saddle - Gel, with sprung rear section. Idea for long use, but doesn't have a cut away at the back. This being essential to stop excess pressure being applied to a nerve between the legs, which can lead to impotence!
VRT do a very nice Titanium railed kevlar saddle that would work well. - Lights - The supplied lights include a front 2 C-Cell unit and a rear 4 AA-Cell unit attached to the rear rack. The rear unit is motion sensitive, and works very well. However the front light is hopeless. A good replacement would either be a single Halogen unit from CatEye. Or a Dual rechargable unit.
- Compass/Bell - Why!??? Give it to an unsuspecting friend, and install a decent Nav system, like a Garmin E-Trek. That way, you're guaranteed to get lost!
Verdict...
A very lightweight off-road touring bike at a reasonably price for it's specification. With a high level of adaptability for multiple uses. Although it's complexity (aluminium frame and hydraulic brakes) makes it more suited to bouncing down a mountain with a tent, than world travel.
A689033A686784A694596A593291A491663A6671No Resonance System2Other manufacturers that are using a 4-bar link system for rear suspension include; Specialized, GT, AMP, Trek, Canondale, Ellsworth, Kona, Santa Cruz and Tracer.3The same system is used in Giants XtC Team mountain bike, which has won the World Cross-Country Championships several times. Notably Trek's Fuel 100 does not use an NRS system, but has recently won these Cahmpionships.
