After 8 years with my Giant Talon 0 2016 it was finally time to upgrade my mountain bike. My budget was under €3,000 which is probably the lower end of a good full suspension trail bike.

Value wise the Canyon Neuron 6 came out best. In the end though I went for a better frame with the Orbea Occam SL H30.


So how does my new bike match up against the old one?

	Giant Talon 0 2016	Orbea Occam SL H30 2024
Cost	€1,550 (€1,840 adjusted to inflation)	€2,460
Wheels	27.5"	29"
Tyres Front	Maxxis Icon 27.5x2.2"	Maxxis Dissector 2.40" 60 TPI 3CMaxxTerra Exo TLR
Tyres Back	Maxxis Icon 27.5x2.2"	Maxxis Rekon 2.40" FB 60 TPI Dual Exo TR
Fork	Fox 32 Float Performance 100mm Fit4	Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm
Shock	-	Fox Float Performance
Groupset	Deore and XT	Deore and OEM
Shifters	Shimano Deore	Shimano Deore M6100
Brakes	Shimano 447 160mm	Shimano MT201
Cassette	Shimano HG50 (11-36t) 10 ring	Shimano CS-M6100 (10-51t) 12-Speed
Rear Derailleur	Shimano XT Shadow	Shimano Deore M6100 SGS Shadow Plus
Cranks	Shimano Double (24t and 38t)	Orbea Single (32t)
Handlebars	690mm	800mm
Dropper	-	Orbea OEM 31.6mm
Saddle	Giant OEM	Selle Royal 2058 DRN
Weight	12.9KG	14.8KG (16.33KG with pedals, etc)
Clearance	21cm	23cm

The bike retails for €2,800 but with a promo I managed to get it delivered for €2,460. Although I couldn't customise the bike via the Orbea website it does give me the budget to upgrade the brakes to Shimano XT BR-M8120.

The main upgrades over the previous bike for me are:
- Full suspension makes for a much smoother ride, times on Strava segments are about 15-20% faster.
- Larger fork travel, 100mm to 140mm.
- Dropper post with remote lock.
- Upgrade from wheel skewer to thru axle. This might not sound like a big upgrade but if you transport your bike by taking off the front wheel it is.