Giant Trance X3
Discussion
After riding a hardtail MTB for the last two years, mainly doing the trails at Llandegla, CYB, Betws-y-coed etc, I have decided to upgrade to a full-suss bike.
My LBS have been very helpful and have pointed me in the direction of a Giant Trance X3, which they say will be ideal for what I generally ride and won't leave me 'over-biked'
From my research on the internet the bike, and the Trance X Frame-set, seem to get good reviews, the LBS are not pushing me towards a more expensive bike ( X2 or Trek / Cannondale / Orange ) as the Trance with its Frame is good for further improvement and upgrade as parts wear out (1st rule of mountain biking - all bike parts are made of cheese)
Does anyone on here own one of these, or have any experience they might like to impart before I make the purchase?
The price is quite keen too, the advantage of a good relationship with your LBS.
My LBS have been very helpful and have pointed me in the direction of a Giant Trance X3, which they say will be ideal for what I generally ride and won't leave me 'over-biked'
From my research on the internet the bike, and the Trance X Frame-set, seem to get good reviews, the LBS are not pushing me towards a more expensive bike ( X2 or Trek / Cannondale / Orange ) as the Trance with its Frame is good for further improvement and upgrade as parts wear out (1st rule of mountain biking - all bike parts are made of cheese)
Does anyone on here own one of these, or have any experience they might like to impart before I make the purchase?
The price is quite keen too, the advantage of a good relationship with your LBS.
the Anthem is worth a look, when its well set up its arguably better suited to UK trails but the Trance isnt going to disappoint you and if you like it then go for it. It seems a shame they have spec'd the X3 with a top end saddle and botttom end rims but then manufacturer specs never cease to surprise me.
The only thing I would say is that you will need to alter your riding style when going from hardtail to full sus, it took me ages to get use to staying in the saddle and letting the rear suspension do its job when on the trails, the natural urge to stand up on the pedals was hard to avoid.
There is a belief that the primary advantage of having a full sus xc bike is to descend faster but in reality, the biggest gains are to be had on the singletrack and the climbs where you benefit from greater traction.
Make sure the suspension is set up for your weight, the shop will have a shock pump to do this when you buy it, and then experiment with the level of adjustment available whilst you are riding, there is lots of info on the rockshox and fox websites about setting it up.
The only thing I would say is that you will need to alter your riding style when going from hardtail to full sus, it took me ages to get use to staying in the saddle and letting the rear suspension do its job when on the trails, the natural urge to stand up on the pedals was hard to avoid.
There is a belief that the primary advantage of having a full sus xc bike is to descend faster but in reality, the biggest gains are to be had on the singletrack and the climbs where you benefit from greater traction.
Make sure the suspension is set up for your weight, the shop will have a shock pump to do this when you buy it, and then experiment with the level of adjustment available whilst you are riding, there is lots of info on the rockshox and fox websites about setting it up.
Samcat said:
After riding a hardtail MTB for the last two years, mainly doing the trails at Llandegla, CYB, Betws-y-coed etc, I have decided to upgrade to a full-suss bike.
My LBS have been very helpful and have pointed me in the direction of a Giant Trance X3, which they say will be ideal for what I generally ride and won't leave me 'over-biked'
From my research on the internet the bike, and the Trance X Frame-set, seem to get good reviews, the LBS are not pushing me towards a more expensive bike ( X2 or Trek / Cannondale / Orange ) as the Trance with its Frame is good for further improvement and upgrade as parts wear out (1st rule of mountain biking - all bike parts are made of cheese)
Does anyone on here own one of these, or have any experience they might like to impart before I make the purchase?
The price is quite keen too, the advantage of a good relationship with your LBS.
The Trance is a great bike, first built in 2005 and going strong. I just bought a 2011 Trance X frame as I love my old one so much and I'm building it up to my own spec. The Trance X3 is a great bike and infinitely upgradeable over time. The Trance X has a load capacity of 160kg+ - even more than the Reign - so it should be virtually unburstable! Also, 5" travel is waaay enough for almost everything UK riding can throw at it.My LBS have been very helpful and have pointed me in the direction of a Giant Trance X3, which they say will be ideal for what I generally ride and won't leave me 'over-biked'
From my research on the internet the bike, and the Trance X Frame-set, seem to get good reviews, the LBS are not pushing me towards a more expensive bike ( X2 or Trek / Cannondale / Orange ) as the Trance with its Frame is good for further improvement and upgrade as parts wear out (1st rule of mountain biking - all bike parts are made of cheese)
Does anyone on here own one of these, or have any experience they might like to impart before I make the purchase?
The price is quite keen too, the advantage of a good relationship with your LBS.
Buy it and enjoy it
I have a Trance X4 and cannot praise it highly enough, it is capable, adaptable and will take anything that you throw at it in its stride without fuss or drama.
It climbs well, the maestro suspension does a fantastic job of all but eliminating bob when you are ascending but does an even better job of sucking up the ruts, jumps, drops, roots and rough stuff on a descent!
Mine was a stock X4 when I bought it but pretty much the only original components left are the frame, shock, forks. Cranks are 2 x 9 Raceface Atlas, rear mech is now XT, wheels are Sunringle Charger Experts, brakes are Forumla K18's, Hussefelt stem and bars, Raceface seat post and WTB V saddle and a set of DMR V8 pedals. Changed the components as they wore out, or as I 'made the bike my own'.
I can happily head out for a day in the saddle riding xc, but am equally happy to chuck it at black runs in a trail centre, or mess about in a bike park with it.
I turn 40 this year and my wife has been hinting at getting me a new MTB for my birthday, there are quite a few that I would like but I am struggling to see how any of them would be a significant upgrade from the Trance for the sort of riding I do!
It climbs well, the maestro suspension does a fantastic job of all but eliminating bob when you are ascending but does an even better job of sucking up the ruts, jumps, drops, roots and rough stuff on a descent!
Mine was a stock X4 when I bought it but pretty much the only original components left are the frame, shock, forks. Cranks are 2 x 9 Raceface Atlas, rear mech is now XT, wheels are Sunringle Charger Experts, brakes are Forumla K18's, Hussefelt stem and bars, Raceface seat post and WTB V saddle and a set of DMR V8 pedals. Changed the components as they wore out, or as I 'made the bike my own'.
I can happily head out for a day in the saddle riding xc, but am equally happy to chuck it at black runs in a trail centre, or mess about in a bike park with it.
I turn 40 this year and my wife has been hinting at getting me a new MTB for my birthday, there are quite a few that I would like but I am struggling to see how any of them would be a significant upgrade from the Trance for the sort of riding I do!
Thanks to you all for your input, sounds like it could be what I need.
I know that some of the components on the bike are not top spec. but with a good Frame-set all things can be upgraded over time. My current steed is a £450 Cannondale hardtail, which now only has the Seatpost, Stem and Bars that it came with.
I know that some of the components on the bike are not top spec. but with a good Frame-set all things can be upgraded over time. My current steed is a £450 Cannondale hardtail, which now only has the Seatpost, Stem and Bars that it came with.
go for the trance for sure...
my lodger has an anthem x2 and is going to sell in favour of moving to a trance... for trail centre work, it will be bang-on. as had already been said on here, other than the silly-expensive carbon versions, the frames are all the same, so you have a great basis for upgrading as you go along.
my lodger has an anthem x2 and is going to sell in favour of moving to a trance... for trail centre work, it will be bang-on. as had already been said on here, other than the silly-expensive carbon versions, the frames are all the same, so you have a great basis for upgrading as you go along.
Nothing more to add other than to make sure the Trance's geometry fits you! I had an '09 Trance X4 (which was a different frame to yours anyway) and it just felt too short and tall for me as the '08-'10 Trance X frame had a very long headtube which affected how I sat as I'm weirdly proportioned!
That said, it was a perfect trail bike apart from that!
That said, it was a perfect trail bike apart from that!
Well I did the deed and purchased the Trance X3, and so far after just two rides all I can say is 'where have you been all my life!'
Compared to my hardtail it just feels so smooth; it seems to climb effortlessly and feels planted on downhill sections.
I'll try and post-up a couple of photos
Thanks to you all for your advice.
Compared to my hardtail it just feels so smooth; it seems to climb effortlessly and feels planted on downhill sections.
I'll try and post-up a couple of photos
Thanks to you all for your advice.
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