Pro bike: Carl Decker’s Giant Factory Off-Road Team Giant XtC Composite 29er

By published

New carbon fiber race machine for Giant’s resident big-wheel aficionado

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Carl Decker shows off the prototype Giant carbon XtC 29er at the team’s training camp in Santa Barbara, CA.

Carl Decker shows off the prototype Giant carbon XtC 29er at the team’s training camp in Santa Barbara, CA. (Image credit: Zach White)
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A bottom view of the asymmetrical chainstays.

A bottom view of the asymmetrical chainstays. (Image credit: Zach White)
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A side view of Decker’s bottom bracket area shows the intricacy of the frame’s carbon layers.

A side view of Decker’s bottom bracket area shows the intricacy of the frame’s carbon layers. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Decker runs his new Schwalbe tires tubeless.

Decker runs his new Schwalbe tires tubeless. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Giant’s PR guy, Andrew Juskaitis, states that both Decker’s prototype and the production version of the carbon XtC 29er will provide plenty of mud clearance, as seen here with a Schwalbe 2.25 Rocket Ron.

Giant’s PR guy, Andrew Juskaitis, states that both Decker’s prototype and the production version of the carbon XtC 29er will provide plenty of mud clearance, as seen here with a Schwalbe 2.25 Rocket Ron. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Though the bent seat tube appears as if it'd be tough to mount a cage to, Decker states that it works fine.

Though the bent seat tube appears as if it'd be tough to mount a cage to, Decker states that it works fine. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Decker prefers to run a saddle designed for triathlons, which allows him more comfort on the nose when shifting forward on steep climbs.

Decker prefers to run a saddle designed for triathlons, which allows him more comfort on the nose when shifting forward on steep climbs. (Image credit: Zach White)
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One noticeable change from the prototype to the production sample is a slight reduction in chain stay asymmetry.

One noticeable change from the prototype to the production sample is a slight reduction in chain stay asymmetry. (Image credit: Zach White)
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A non-drive side overview of Decker’s Giant carbon XtC 29er prototype.

A non-drive side overview of Decker’s Giant carbon XtC 29er prototype. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Shaping on the tapered head tube is similar to Giant's TCR road range.

Shaping on the tapered head tube is similar to Giant's TCR road range. (Image credit: Zach White)
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The down tube is so wide that it’s asymmetrically shaped around the drivetrain, which causes an otherwise centered water bottle cage to appear offset.

The down tube is so wide that it’s asymmetrically shaped around the drivetrain, which causes an otherwise centered water bottle cage to appear offset. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Opting for a little less weight than a lock-on style grip, Decker runs ODI Ruffian grips with the flanges removed and moto-style wires to keep them tight.

Opting for a little less weight than a lock-on style grip, Decker runs ODI Ruffian grips with the flanges removed and moto-style wires to keep them tight. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Decker's bike was fitted with a RockShox Reba XX 29" when we caught up with him at the team training camp but he's likely on a new SID 29 by now.

Decker's bike was fitted with a RockShox Reba XX 29" when we caught up with him at the team training camp but he's likely on a new SID 29 by now. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Giant prefers to use aluminum dropouts even on its top-end race bikes.

Giant prefers to use aluminum dropouts even on its top-end race bikes. (Image credit: Zach White)
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The enormous, rectangular-profile, asymmetrical down tube suggests excellent front triangle and bottom bracket stiffness. And as a bonus, it looks like it'll make for a great built-in front mudguard, too.

The enormous, rectangular-profile, asymmetrical down tube suggests excellent front triangle and bottom bracket stiffness. And as a bonus, it looks like it'll make for a great built-in front mudguard, too. (Image credit: Zach White)
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A production sample of the new Giant XtC Composite (left) as compared to Decker’s prototype.

A production sample of the new Giant XtC Composite (left) as compared to Decker’s prototype. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Decker will add the new Giant XtC Composite 29er to his current Anthem X 29 and Reign X for this season's races.

Decker will add the new Giant XtC Composite 29er to his current Anthem X 29 and Reign X for this season's races. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Giant's new XtC Composite 29 will feature a press-fit bottom bracket shell.

Giant's new XtC Composite 29 will feature a press-fit bottom bracket shell. (Image credit: Zach White)
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Decker prefers a 685mm-wide riser bar on his XC race rig.

Decker prefers a 685mm-wide riser bar on his XC race rig. (Image credit: Zach White)

Giant Factory Off-Road Team racer Carl Decker raced last year's Sea Otter Classic on a prototype 29in version of the company’s Anthem X and he has followed suit this year on another big-wheeled prototype: the XtC Composite 29er.