Trance or Stinky ?

Troutbum

Hi folks, been reading for a while but only recently registered and first post. I actually put off posting this 'noob' question but its doing my head in so im gonna ask it anyway

Here goes.....i currently have a Specialized Rockhopper and i like the bike ok for riding on the road but i decided i wanted something else for xc/trails etc, theres some nice trails near me with jumps, drop offs etc so i searched and read a lot and narrowed it right down to a Giant Trance, thats the bike for me!.........except theres a lovely 05 Kona Stinky for sale locally, cheap, and i keep going back and looking at it and i'm so tempted to buy it.

(I haven't ridden either, in typical bloke style i like to walk in, pay for something and walk out with it rather than feel i'm messing folk about asking for rides on it,lol, although i realise i'l have to at some point)

So like i say, as a 'noob' to the forum can anyone advise me, is the stinky as bad to pedal as people say? I don't mind that its going to be heavy compared to my rockhopper but i'd like to be able to use it for xc type stuff as well.

Cheers

Bishbosh10

Two totally different bikes.

For XC the Trance would get my vote - lighter and more accomplished suspension.

rockmonkeysc

They are very different bikes. Like comparing a Lotus Exige to a battered old Landrover defender.
If your doing cross country riding then the Trance is excellent.
The Stinky is a freeride bike designed for much more hardcore riding, it weighs a ton and you won't want to ride it up hill. Even as a freeride bike it's pretty poor.

Huckfinn

Just throwing it out there but you could just change the fork on the Rockhopper to an air fork such as a Reba or SID which would improve its off roading capabilities.

I might be wrong, but looking at the two bikes the Trance is a trail bike and the Stinky is a Down Hill bike, so they will be different to ride, the Stinky will be harder to cycle up hill due to its frame geometry but will be great on downhill runs. The Trance would be a better all rounder up and down the hills

From the sounds of riding that you want to do the Trance might be the better option. have a look at pedal on they have a sale on of Giant bikes at the moment.

Also if you buy a new bike keep the old one, it would make a good hack bike for the winter, Ive done it with my Specialised P1 Am (which has a few upgrades) saves you having to worry about mud getting into the suspension bearings.

Hope this helps

Troutbum

Guys, thanks for taking the time to reply Il hold out a little longer for the Trance or at least til i get a go on one, think i knew the stinky wasn't the right bike it just looks good and seemed a bargain, lol.

@Huckfinn , funny you should say about the fork. I was riding an old rigid rockhopper comp and in 04 bought a brand new rockhopper which came with a manitou axel elite fork :? I've just never got on with the bike and i always put it down to that fork being pure dung, infact i came off the bike, hurt myself and i blame the fork for that and i sort of went off riding it for a long while. The bike is still like brand new and i've started riding it on the roads again and its a great bike to pedal but i just don't have the confidence in it with that fork.........trouble is for someone like myself i wouldn't know where to start to look for a good replacement fork. Among other things my rockhopper has V brakes which are a real pain in mud and i thought by the time i upgrade all these parts i may as well buy something new :?

Thanks.

paul.skibum

Those manitou forks were sh1t - chuck a reba or recon on there and it will feel sooooooooooo much better. Mate had a Manitou Axel Elite on his hopper and the fork moved about 30mm and flexed like it was made of plastic.