Maestro in motion
Maestro is much more than a sound application of innovative engineering—in its purest form, it’s a feeling of confi dence that every off-road rider feels when they throw a leg over a Giant full suspension bike. The same confi dence that allows Giant’s world-class athletes to perform at stratospheric levels of competence. We sat down with three Giant athletes and asked them to give us
their take on how Maestro serves their unique and highly demanding needs. Here are their own unique viewpoints of Maestro…
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Oliver Beckingsale Date of Birth: 7th June, 1976 Place of Birth: Bristol, England Home Now: Bristol, England Height: 6' Weight: 139 lbs. Marital Status: Married with 1 child Year Turned Pro: 1998 Former Team(s): Scott UK With Giant Since: 2006 Championships: National XC Series Champion 2007, 5 x National Senior XC Champion, 4 x National XC Series Champion, 2nd Commonwealth Games 06 |
OLI BECKINGSALEWeapons of ChoiceAnthem Advanced, 3.5 inches of travel fox RP23 Air shock (for XC) The Inside Line on BECKINGSALEGiant's premier cross country racer Beckingsale is all about the riding. When he first started out with a group of friends back in the late 80’s, he soon realised what began as a bit of fun, he actually had quite a talent for. Since then he has firmly proven his ability on the global race circuit. He has been known to get on a road bike but a self confessed trail junky just loves the thrill of getting out and getting gritty on his bike. Beckingsale provides a significant insight into many of the Maestro models Giant builds Top Three Reasons beckingsale Believes in Maestro1. The best thing about Maestro is how active it is. It lets me preload, drive, pump and generally make the bike do exactly what I want to get every bit of speed. This allows me to not just ride faster but remain in control. 2. Momentum conservation. Because of the (near vertical) wheelpath, pedalling harder is always met with instant acceleration, regardless of how rough the terrain becomes 3. For me the best thing is the efficiency of the system. I can hammer up hill with no loss of power and no suspension bob, yet I can sweep straight into a technical section and use all my travel with out messing around with lock outs and the like. |
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Jared Rando Date of Birth: 22nd June, 1981 Place of Birth: Canberra, Australia Home Now: Canberra, Australia Height: 5'11" Weight: 165 lbs. Marital Status: Single Year Turned Pro: 2000 Former Team(s): Team Foes/Azonic, Pro Jr-X Team With Giant MTB Team Since: 2003 Championships: 4-time Australian National DH Series Champion, 2000 Australian Dual Champion, 2nd 2006 NORBA Mountain X Series, 4th 2002 NORBA DH Series, 3rd 1999 World Championships DH (Junior) |
JARED RANDOWeapons of ChoiceGlory DH, 8.8 inches of travel, Fox DHX 5.0 coil shock (DH). The Inside Line on RandoTeam Giant’s fastest gravity athlete, this Australian racer has forged a special relationship with the laws of physics - and consequently, with Maestro. With the unique ability to slash precious seconds off the clock by accelerating through sections that make most mortal mountain bikers cower in fear, Rando knows exactly what it takes to ride at an elite level - and win. He credits much of his success to his unique understanding of suspension setup. A knowledge that both helps him ride faster over the sketchiest terrain and aids Giant in improving Maestro. Because the greatest achievements are realised only through the most brutal conditions - like a 40mph left-hander into a rock-strewn downhill chute. Top Thre Reasons rando Believes in Maestro1. Bottomless travel. I swear I've slammed into blind ruts going twice as fast as I should have and thought, "that’s it...I’m gonna tear the swingarm off my Glory DH." Even under huge hits like that I’ve never felt the suspension actually bottom out. It’s the most progressive-feeling ride I’ve ever ridden. Some days I feel my Glory puts out about 10 inches of travel. 2. Centre of gravity. Low, low, low is the way to go. For cornering and flickability, I love that all of Maestro's "business parts" are down low - right where they belong. 3. Efficient. Don't think a downhiller needs to care about pedalling efficiency? "Try losing a race by a hundredth of second - that'll make you want to ride efficient suspension next time down the hill." |
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Kurtis James Sorge Date of Birth: 28th November, 1988 Place of Birth: Kamloops, BC, Canada Home Now: Nelson, BC, Canada Height: 5'10" Weight: 135 lbs. Marital Status: Single Year Turned Pro: 2005 Former Team(s): Evilution Bikes With Giant MTB Team Since: 2005 Championships: 1st Ultimate Freeride Challenge 4 |
KURT SORGEWeapons of ChoiceGlory 0, 8 inches of travel, Fox DHX 4.0 coil (for slopestyle comps and freeride). Reign X0, 6.7 inches of travel, Fox DHX 4.0 air (for slopestyle and freeride). The Inside Line on RandoGiant's freeride phenom, Sorge is at his best when Mother Nature dishes outher worst. "Growing up and riding in Nelson [British Columbia, Canada], I've spent a lot of time riding in the rain and snow on some pretty sketchy trails and jumps," explains the wide-eyed 19-year-old. "That’s why I don’t mind riding a lot of the stuff other riders won’t." And thanks to Sorge’s ability to safely negotiate (with plenty of style, of course) monumental obstacles, his feedback helps Giant freeride product managers dial in Maestro's future. Kids these days... Top Thre Reasons Sorge Believes in Maestro1. "Haven't busted a frame yet." words from a kid who routinely 20-foot landings and occasionally 50/50’s 30-foot doubles. 2. Weight. Most of my riding bikes weigh a ton. My Glory only weighs 15.4 kilos (34 pounds) makes it a lot easier for me to and jump. 3. Plush. Soaks up the little hits as well as the big ones…even big ones that I wasn’t planning hitting. I depend on it to work time and [Maestro] hasn’t let yet. I'm super-stoked on it. |
