£1600 All round full sus bike - Trance X2?

rockmonkeysc

I'm pretty close to buying a Giant trance x2 at the moment, seems to be very good value and gets excellent reviews.
I'm in somerset so my local trails (mendips/quantocks/exmoor/south wales) involve a fair bit of climbing and a lot of rocky descents and I want one bike to make the most of the trails.
Would the bottom end Stumpy be better? Or a Canondale RZ120 or Rize 5?
I did consider the Reign but it would probably be too much hard work. Also had a test ride on a Orange P7 which was nice but I think full sus is the way forward.

Mccraque

my friend rides the entry level stumpy and loves it. Around South Wales he was absolutely flying.....both up and down.

He had to replace the suspension bushings on the back (not expensive) but other than that after a year of ragging it....it's holding up very well 8)

underdog

I have the entry level trance (X5) and it climbs very well, better than my hard tail and is awesome going down, so I can only imagine that the X2 will be even better.

I ride South Wales a lot as that's where I live and it suits the trails perfectly (for me).

Anonymous

May I step in and suggest a Marin Mount Vision? Amazing machine.

kopite1979

you looked at the cube ams 125? or maybe last years trek fuel ex8

rockmonkeysc

Cube looks a bit too much of a light weight XC bike for me, not sure it will take much abuse. The Marin does look at least as good as the Giant and I think my local Giant dealer also sells Marin. I will take a look.

rockmonkeysc

It's the Trance X3 not X2 thats within my budget, not a huge difference though

underdog

RockmonkeySC wrote:

It's the Trance X3 not X2 thats within my budget, not a huge difference though

They really are very good bikes and whatever version it is it's the same frame up to the X1 (I think) so any upgrades are well worth it as things wear out, even on the entry level trance.

Pudseyp

Agree with one comment above..the Marin Mount Vision....a brilliantly balanced bike which is lighter than a Trek EX8...built to take a thrashing and the 4 bar system is amazing....bike of the year in 2008 and 2009 coupled with a lifetime frame and bearing warranty...I have had a few full susser's in the past and this thing blows them all out of the water....inspires confidence and is very forgiving !
Great spec's compared wth the other big brands too !

Ian P

I got a 2009 Trance earlier this year and its an excellent bike, pedals really well and has handled everything I can throw at it downhill.

The 2009 X4 i got is great value here:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s1p2272

With the exception of a Reba SL instead of Fox front fork its pretty similar spec to the 2010 X3 but more than £600 cheaper. Unfortuinately they've sold out of the 2009 X3 but if don't mind spending a bit more the X1 has an awesome spec at £1800.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s1p2269

irishdan13

Love my trance X2 2009. It has handled everything I have thrown at it much better than I have. In fact the main limitation to this bike for my riding is me. Not fit enough at the minute to get the best out of the bike. 2 small children and a 2hr daily commute each way = significantly reduced riding time. Working on ot now though as we have moved closer to the office so commute has dropped to 30mins........result!

I rode both the Mount Vision and the X2 before making my decision and just felt that the reach on the Giant suited me better than the Marin.

Try them both and see what suits you best.

samc_lfc@hotmail.co.uk

may i step in and recommend the Trek Liquid 55 model. Im currently selling one, RRP of 09 is £1600, selling for £500

rockmonkeysc

I am quite large, 6'0" & 15.5 stone. Would I be better off with the longer suspension travel of the Reign 2?

Chivalry

if your spending around 1600 you would be nuts not to go for the 09 trance x1 ..... i know its a little over budget but hell if u can afford 1600 you can stretch to this....
is a monster of a deal,,, near 1000 quid off rrp.......

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p2269

in your size too... i just got there last 09 trance x3 for 1100 quid and that was a bargain... the X1 even more so

Im also 15 stone and the shocks will easily take it... im up to 230 psi in the rear shock ( its safe up to 300psi) and that gets me my desired 20-25% sag..
i cant get the forks to bottom out no matter how hard i try so... fill your boots

rockmonkeysc

I wont be paying full price for a X2, I get 10% discount at a local shop. The wife will be enforcing a strict limit on my spending, I have just told her that my hardtail needs a new crank set so I had better not push it.

Flashy

July's MBR had a group test on £1600 full sussers. The Specialized Pitch Pro came top of the group with 10/10. Head and shoulders above the rest.

Pudseyp

The Pitch may get rave reviews though a double bash set up isn't for everyone...plus 140mm is ideal for near al UK riding...