I tested the 2009 SL aluminum with xt/xtr, 28lbs.Have been on a Jeckel for 12 yrs!That bike is the best piece of sports equipment I ever bought but it was time to move on into 2009. This bike is the next level. You are not aware of the superb suspension, it just does its thing while you roll over everything I used to have to steer thru. Climbs like an antigravity device, nimble steering . Stiff frame but no body fatigue.
Cons:
Didn''t find any
Time Used:
Just Once
Comments:
WOW! I may have had it for only 3 hrs but let me tell you, I took it thru the most technical, steep eastern singletrack imaginable and this bike performs. Agile, stiff, smooth, a climber. At 28lbs a 1 lb lighter than my Cannondale and I will opt for the carbon version which gets you down to road bike wts.Then let''s see it climb!XT/XTR switched flawlessly even on the steep.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Chris - 8/19/2009 5:30:12 PM
Pros:
First dual suspension bike. Great deal. Been riding for around 3months now and bike has no issues. Drives over obstacles with ease and quick on switchbacks. It just rolls over everything. Took some monster drop offs and handles them with ease. Makes long trail rides easy on the butt. Bomber 33r front fork ease of adjustment is awsome, Rear shock is also more than adequate. Would have been nice to have a lock-out but no pogo effect at all.
Cons:
A little bit squeeky on the front disk breaks when I first got it. Just tightened up the front quick realease on the fork, cleared it right up. A bit on the heavey side around 28lbs, with clipless pedals and ergo grips. Tires are stock
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
The best bang for the buck out there for dual suspension. Giant makes an outstanding product!!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Erock - 8/11/2009 2:51:08 PM
Pros:
I have the Trance X4. It''ll take any abuse I can throw at it. I''ve bombed a couple 16 ft drops and it never bottomed out. Sweet on the climbs! It''s like my old hardtail.
Cons:
I upgraded to better tires with more outside tread.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
For the money, it''s the best deal around. It will be easy to upgrade components ir needed. A user friendly bike to work on.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Paddy - 7/7/2009 4:25:43 AM
Pros:
Climbs very well and handles technical stuff with ease.
Cons:
I can''t find fault with this bike.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
This is a 2006 trance 2 and I love it.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Frog - 5/6/2008 11:58:25 AM
Pros:
Full suspension wide open, it rocks downhill. Uphill takes some adjustments to find what works, but with 15 front and 9 rear clicks, that works out to something like 18,225 possibilities. Check my math. You need to play with it a bit to get your fit. NBD, however.
Cons:
Stoker brakes heat up way too fast and squeal, even feathering them slightly. That's kinda annoying and makes you embarrassed whilst passing others. I stop and clean my brakes about each mile, else it drives me nuts.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
For the $$, this has my vote. I've tried to tear the crap out of this and my only probs have been some flats. And weighing in at 28.5 lbs (X2 s frame), it works sweet. I had to cut the seat post down a bit since it hit the Meistro suspension, so that took a bit...I love the black stealth color, even though it turns to what ever mud color you're in at the time.
Rating:
Recommendation:
No I would not recommend it to a friend
Submitted by thorney - 1/12/2007 2:41:39 PM
Pros:
feel like a hard tail going up, goes down like a whore
Cons:
tires brakes
Time Used:
More than 2 years
Comments:
I have the trance 3 and it kicks ass. Only problems are tires (upgraded to specialised enduro pro) and brakes (hayes sole brakes need super glueing to stop lever screw coming loose). taken mine to the alps and loved it - me too :-)
Would recommend tony buys one
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Pebble - 11/29/2006 4:40:29 PM
Pros:
Great all round duallie! Very versatile ride and the maestro suspension performs great. I reckon the bike is capable of some rough treatment too.
Cons:
Can be on the heavy side depending on the build. Mine is about 13.5 to 14kg (crappy bathroom scale) or about 30lb.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
I've got an Aussie Trace 3, RS Tora fork (removed spacer so it now has 130mm travel). Race Face Deus Bar, Thomson Stem & Post. Specialized Avatar saddle, Platform pedals. Ethirteen supercharger bashplate and a 1x9 set up.
I love this bike, it rides and feels heaps better with 130mm up front compared to 100, that's for just general trail riding, small drops and jumps. It is so versatile in that it can make a great xc rig or a full blown fun trail machine. 9 gears is plenty for me, the 1x9 conversion has been a recent change. Got a set of V12mag pedals on their way as well.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by brettstaman - 11/26/2006 7:45:10 PM
Pros:
rockshox recon fork, fox float-r rear shock, maestro frame, deore lx gear, raceface cranks, mavik rims, awsome geometry,and going from 10yr old tires and rim pads to sole disks and hutchisons, I dont see what everyone is crying about. I thought the brakes and tires kicked a$$!
Cons:
none that I can find at my level!
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
I'm a 37 year old guy who rode bmx when I was a kid. my experience lately is limited to riding around the neighborhood and a couple atv trails close by to get back into shape. I got this bike on sale yesterday and went to our area mtb specific park today,and was blown away! No way a begginer like myself should have kept up with my friend, a seasoned rider/racer, on some of the stuff he took me on! Even at 230lbs the suspension was like magic! pedaling seemed the same as the rigid I came from while I was in the saddle, with only a little bob while standing. I had it aired to recommended settings for sag in the back, and psi for my weight in the front, and it never bottomed once, not even over a foot tall log I wound up ramming over. The bike was in pefect shape at the end of the ride as well. bulletproof! I don't see how a bike could much better!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by MTB-WLV - 10/8/2006 9:38:17 PM
Pros:
Trance 2 - Suspension is great, not afraid to throw it into tight technical turns and survive (tune the suspension to your style), the price is the best on the market.
Cons:
Disk brakes heat up quickly.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
Since I bought my Trance 2, I've noticed that Giant had the right idea with their rear suspension - most mfg. are going with the same design. Test ride them and select your preferance. I did and went with Giant.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Maximus Richards - 6/18/2006 6:30:21 AM
Pros:
Maestro suspension rocks, reduces bob alot. Genius frame.
Cons:
Hayes Sole brakes, not the best. and trance 4 tires suck.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
Very nice bike, i'm still able to pop weelies on it. Better on technical trails than wat was expected, great climber also.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by craig - 5/25/2005 4:58:21 PM
Pros:
sram gear is sooo much better than shimano, this bike is really well spec'd for the price. rides really well
Cons:
changed the ea50 stem- too much flex went to titec, changed the fork for my old skareb, wanted the lockout.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
really nice ride, also done 2 races on it, the back end does bob but is not too bad, more than makes up for it in the ride.
value for $ cant be beat.
