A question of travel

pothole seeker

Hi all,

It's a new year, days are geting bit longer and more importantly my annual work bonus is coming up so I'm in the market for a new bike!

I've currently got a basic Kelly's beast bike.

I was reading some of the reviews and I was thinking of getting a giant trance 2, 4.2 inch travel, 29lbs ish maybe. I've found a shop that can get me very good price.

I'm looking for a bike to do a bit of everything, would I be better off getting a Trance X2, 5 inch travel(whiich I can also get a good price). Cause I was looking a trek EX8, travelwise they are both similar, giant a bit lighter maybe?

Is a 4 to 5 inch travel significant from the type of riding it can do. Do you think a true all mountain is 6 inches? I've ready that extra inch goes to waste unless you have beefy bike.

Thanks for the help.

dave_hill

It's all getting very, very blurry!

If you're looking for a marathon or enduro bike I'd say the Trance; if you're more in the market for an all-day trail bike, then the Trance X; All-mountain wise I'd forget the Trances and look at the Reigns. And if you're a bit tempted by anything a bit more hairy, Reign X.

From a personal point of view, I think 6" is too much for all-mountain in the UK - if you're going to spend time doing more down than up, then fine but I think that 5 to 5,5" is ample

pothole seeker

Hi Dave,

Ha, ya sorry, a lot of information in the post.

I'm not that experienced so I'll stay away from the "hairy stuff" section I reckon.

I'm based in Ireland and our bike market is not as big, it's more difficult to walk into a shop and try a load of models.

It might make more sense for me to get something good for going up the hills but still good on the way down, maybe the trance x fits the bill there.

Any other good sugestions for bikes? Commecial meta and the likes?

zero303

Apparently the Meta is wicked, I've gone for an Orange 5 myself, both are quite similar in the riding they suit and would serve you very well... both good up and very very good going down

ride_whenever

marin fs bikes are well specced, light and tough.

pothole seeker

I don't want to go too mad on the money front either. 1400-1500 is my upper limit really

ride_whenever

Specialised Pitch Pro, or marin rift zone/rock springs, the rift zone is fantastic value for rrp, if a little over budget.

Or alternatively, if you are not an upgrader i'd look at getting a steel hardtail with long-ish forks.

easyg

Surely with £1400-1500 to go at it would be well worth looking for 07 bikes in the sale - I am sure I saw a Marin Mount Vision in MBUK (Royles I think the shop was called) for like £1395 which is nearly a grand off the RRP!! Might have been a demo at that price but the point is obvious.

I bet you could get a Kona Stinky or Dawg Deluxe for that kind of cash, or a Trek Ex9,

Personally its Marin every time for me (but that is totally personal) and the rift zone is a goooood bike bt a mount vision would be a step up again if you can find a hot deal.

Good look (no pun intended) and let us know what you go for mate (can you sense the jealousy!)

Easy, G

pothole seeker

I can get the 08 trance x2 for €1880 (£1409) which I think is great value for the spec.

I think the Pitch Pro has a bit too much travel and is a bit heavy for what I want I think.

I like the look of the Marins, I've never seen one around though. There seems to be a good few models, I'm a little confused as what is what.

The Stinky is probably too much bike for what I want too. The dawg Deluxe is not bad, doesn't jump out at me through.

I haven't seen a trek ex9 around for that kind of money. I do some searching around and look for deals on marins and a trek.

might wind the lotto and I'll get a Whyte E120 carbon with XTR everything! (fat chance)