Make no mistake about it, this bike is a legit trail weapon purpose built from the ground up specifically for young shredders of all heights and sizes. If you’re raising a future ripper, you’ve probably noticed that most ‘youth MTB’s’ are either glorified toys or mini versions of adult rigs that just don’t quite fit or function right for smaller humans. Enter the Giant Faith—a properly dialled, youth-specific trail bike built to handle serious terrain while being perfectly suited for smaller, lighter riders.
Review // JT Photos // Matt Staggs
And given that several of us ‘grown ups’ here at the mag happen to have kids who are also really into MTB (chip off the ‘ol block, eh!) when Giant and Liv introduce the Faith into their range mid way through last year it was a model that we were really excited to check this new bike out and let our Jr’s put it through it’s paces out on the trails. And I tell you what, it was really interesting to observe their riding ability and confidence instantly improve as soon as they hopped on this bike. (I only wish I could say the same thing happened to me when I get on a new bike, absolutely not!)
To cover the full spectrum of young riders, Giant offers two Faith models:
- Faith: A mullet setup with a 27.5″ front wheel and a 26″ rear—ideal for taller or more aggressive riders.
- Faith 24: A dedicated 24″ platform designed for smaller shredders.
Both bikes share the same DNA: progressive geo, a solid suspension platform, and a component spec that actually makes sense for lighter riders. No more over-sprung shocks or sluggish handling—just a bike that lets kids ride harder and have more fun.
Frame and geo carved to breed confidence: At the heart of the Faith is an ALUXX SL aluminium frame with dialled geometry to keep things stable and confidence-inspiring. The low standover height, modern reach numbers, and slack-but-not-too-slack head angle make for a ride that’s composed on steep descents yet still nimble enough for tight switchbacks. And, of course, Giant kept things dropper-post ready—because every rider, no matter their age, deserves to send it with full confidence.
Suspension ‘that actually works’: One of the biggest wins here is the FlexPoint rear suspension, paired with a Crest FloTrac Lite shock—a setup specifically tuned for lighter riders. No more pogo-stick action or rock-solid shocks that barely move! The linkage-driven design delivers real trail feel, with 135mm of rear travel on the Faith 26 and 130mm on the Faith 24, perfectly balanced with their respective forks.
Custom-Tuned Forks for Smaller Riders: Up front, Giant spec’d lightweight forks built to respond to lower rider weights:
- Faith: 140mm Crest SL FloTune Lite fork, tuned for riders under 62kg.
- Faith 24: 140mm Crest TR Elite Lite fork, tuned for riders under 46kg.
The takeaway? No unnecessary arm pump. No dead-feeling front end. Just a smooth, responsive ride.
Set-up is a piece of cake: Giant made sure setup was as foolproof as possible for parents. Pre-calculated air pressure and rebound settings are printed right on the fork, so you can get things dialled without endless trial and error. With 14 clicks of front rebound and 7 in the rear, fine-tuning is a breeze—whether you’re adjusting for different trails or dialling in for progression sessions at the bike park.
Spec’d to unlock the entire trial loop: The Faith doesn’t just look the part – it’s built to ride the whole mountain. That means a Microshift Advent X G-Series 10-speed drivetrain, paired with an 11-48T cassette and a 30T front chainring. Short 155mm cranks on the Faith 26 and 140mm on the Faith 24 help prevent pedal strikes while keeping cadence and power in check. And forget chain drops – Giant’s burly chain guide keeps everything locked in place.
Plenty of stopping power: A legit trail bike needs legit brakes. The Faith goes spec’d with a decent set of hydro’s matched with proper-sized rotors, so kids can actually modulate their speed instead of just hanging on for dear life. Bigger riders will appreciate the 200mm front rotor for extra stopping power, while the 24″ model gets a balanced setup for smaller hands and lighter weights.
Final Verdict: For sure the youth MTB market has exploded in recent years, but let’s be real—most “kids’ bikes” still miss the mark. Not the Giant Faith. With its legit suspension, smart geometry, and trail-ready build, this thing is the real deal. It’s a bike that doesn’t just let young riders keep up—it lets them push their limits and progress faster than ever.
Our little test riders? Absolutely stoked. And when we had to send the bike back? Yeah… there were some tears. (But judging by the completely bald rear tyre that it had by that point it’s safe to say they made the most of their time out riding this little beast!) If you’re looking for the ultimate youth MTB, the Giant Faith is as good as it gets. Get one, set it up right, and watch your kid absolutely send it.
Spec:
Spec:- ALUXX SL-Grade Alloy
- Crest SL FloTune Lite fork
- Crest FloTrac Lite rear shock
- Giant Contact bars,stem and grips
- Contact Switch 100mm dropper post
- MicroSHIFT Advent 1×10 drivetrain
- Tektro brakes, 180mm/160mm rotors
- ProWheel Charm 155mm cranks
- Giant TRA alloy WheelSystem
- Maxxis Minion DHR II tyres – which are awesome!
Price: $3599
Browse: www.giant-bicycles.com/au