Thread: Giant Trance X2

Anyone riding this bike? Lined up a deal on a new one that I shouldn't pass up. I've been reading all the reviews online that I can find, but curious if anyone here has one and what their thoughts are. I would love to take one out for a demo, but unfortunately they don't have any in stock.....order only. I ride mostly single track with a few fire roads mixed in for connectors. I do a little XC racing, but not enough to warrant a separate bike just for that purpose.

Here's the specs on the bike. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...x2/7321/44096/

I've been looking for a similar bike this year. after demo'ing a few (5-spot, Blur LT and XC, Reign, mojo hd), I liked the blur lt the best. between the dw-link/maestro link, i liked the 5-spot more than Reign/Trance for both uphill and downhill. i demo'ed the Trance X and the LT/LTc on the same days on the same trails (2 days in a row), and LT is superior to me.

the LT is the bike i like the most. the feedback from the suspension is just right, whereas the other bikes tend to just be smooth or feels soft. that being said, i am an intermedia who likes uphill and downhill. between the LT and LTc, i think the LTc flexes less on uphill pedaling.

try a blur XC for you? sounds like LT's travel is more than what you want.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...e-Seattle-area

I bought one new in 2008 and still ride it a bunch and really like it. It does what a 5in bike should; climbs really well and descends decently. A 150mm fork increases the fun factor by a lot. There's probably better bikes around but it's super fun. Buy the one you have lined up, ride it for a while and sell it if you don't like it

my .02

Giant is known and loved for making good bikes with good suspension at a good price. So you have that going for you.
Otherwise you have to get on and see how it (and others in the XC leaning Trail class) feels to you to actually decide if you like it best.

I have the previous generation, and love it. I've changed most all of the components at this point (I think the FD, seatpost clamp, and headset is all that's still stock). A 140mm fork made it just about perfect.

New one is supposed to be stiffer. Haven't ridden it though.

I just picked one up last week and have 4 days on it, including two full days in Fruita this past weekend. So far I'm very, very happy. Sure, Santa Cruz and Yeti make great bikes (I demoed the Blur LT and ASR5) that perform better in certain situations, but the Trance fits me and for the price I paid I could get 2 of Trances for the price of an SC or Yeti.

The one issue I have had is that the stock seat is some sort of medieval torture device. Replace it before you ride it, your butt will thank you.

I'm really enjoying my new X3 I got a month ago. Was on sale for $1,825 at my LBS so the price was right. X2 has a few upgrades from mine. Weighs just less than my '05 Fisher Cake; climbs like a goat and descends well. I think Giant hit the mark with the Trance as a pretty capable do-all 5" trail bike.

I've been on a Trance X2 since 2008 (I think it would be equivalent to the X3 now, spec-wise, but the frame's the same). Upgraded the wheels, pedals and seat. Love that bike. For me, I liked it better than the Blur LT and the Yeti 575 (which I was comparing it against); bonus that it was also much cheaper. It's a great climber, and also a solid descender. I hit the limits when I did some lift-served freeride a few weeks ago - that was the first time I was consistently bottoming out and wished it was a little more slack/stable. But otherwise, I wouldn't trade that bike for a Blur or 575 even at the same price.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Pulled the trigger on the X2 today. Can't wait to climb aboard and hit the single tracks.