It's easy to become enthralled by the Trance 3's ride as you dance over rough terrain. The ultra-efficient feel of its suspension means that 100mm of plush front and rear travel comes into play when you need it, not when you don't.
Submitted by
jesseruns
a Cross Country Rider
from Tri cities, Tn
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2011
Strengths: The Maestro suspension is perfect hardly gives on climbs and soaks up the bad stuff.
Weaknesses: A little on the heavy side at 31.8 pounds stock but for the price what do you expect.
Bottom Line:
This bike has increased my confidence. It eats up bumps and handles descents as well as it handles climbs. Every once and a while I think about the weight and I start looking for lighter components but it just handles so well that I would not want to do anything stupid like replace the frame. I might recommend a higher model but for the money you can have a whole lot of fun and keep up with if not leave your buddies in the dust.
I am loving this bike, it does everything I want and more when it's out on the trail - the only weakness is its susceptibility to water. When I had owned it for only three months I was up for a new bottom bracket, and new headset bearings yet it had only done two wet rides and been washed twice. I always wash my bikes with a small amount of water, and have never before experienced these problems - normally getting years out of bearings, so I was more than a little disappointed when my LBS considered it my issue and charged me for extensive repairs on a 3 month old bike.
Other than that gripe though, the bike itself is awesome. Just be aware of it's shortcomings if you ride in anything resembling dampness.
Similar Products Used: Giant Warp, Giant NRS, Scott Team Issue, Merlin Malt One, Giant Iguana, Specialized FSR, Kona Sex One, DBR V-Link, Marin Indian Fire Trail, and a host of others.
Bike Setup: Fox fork, Fox Float rear shock, SLX rear, Deore elsewhere, Juicy 3 brakes.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
ironstalin
a Downhiller
from Richmond, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2010
Strengths: Greate value for the price paid. Tires, suspension, weight
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
This is my first MT bike and therefore it's hard for me to make a compareson to anything else, but so far I've been very happy with performance of this bike. I would recommend it to any beginer. This bike would make sense if you are undecided whether to get into MTB seriosly or not.
Submitted by
fromagosor
a Weekend Warrior
from Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2010
Strengths: Excellent balance, very, very, very!! fast on downhills with secure feeling, climbs like a goat despite its weight, no pedal bump, good looks, possible upgrade
Weaknesses: Low ground clearance, stock tires (too early to estimate the quality of the parts)
Bottom Line:
Great value/performance rating: Giants engineers did a very good job
Performance: just outstanding in all conditions
Quality: I was told that the ball bearings of the links are cheap stuff and will break one day; but you get what you pay for. The bike has been upgraded with the Reba fork which is certainly a plus, even the Tora forks work well.
Because of the the low ground clearance I broke the plastic guards of the pedal, perhaps the only real week point of the bike.
Similar Products Used: Wheeler Falcon, La Pierre x control
Bike Setup: Front tyre: Hutchinson Moskito, rear: stock Kenda, Avid three, Rock shox Reba race, Fox R, F/R de-railer: Deore/deore LX, Stock wheels, SRAM Attack grips, Pedals: Shimano 647
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Submitted by
Joseph K.
a Cross Country Rider
from Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2009
Strengths: Smooth ride. Efficient pedaling. Stock Deore LX derailleurs shift fine. Pivots and shocks have yet to require maintenance.
Weaknesses: Stock Hayes So1e brakes and Hutchinson Bulldog tires are dangerous.
Bottom Line:
Mine is a 2005 model, the first year of the Trance. After 3.5 years of medium difficulty riding with no problems except brakes and tires, I am very satisfied with this bike.
Bike Setup: Stock except Formula brakes and Panaracer FireXCPro tires (made in Japan).
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Submitted by
cyclepsycho05
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2009
Strengths: The Trance's best trait is the Maestro suspension. It feels very active and soaks up decent sized roots and rocks with ease while also feeling very stable during hard pedaling and climbing. The bike climbs exceptionally well for its weight due to the increased level of grip provided by the rear suspension....and the bike looks sweet!
Weaknesses: Weight...I've invested in many light weight components and it still weighs in just shy of 30 lbs (with pedals).
Bottom Line:
Exceptional suspension and high quality frame...this is a rugged bike that you can live with and beat on daily. The engineering that went into the frame is on par with bikes that cost twice as much from more "exclusive" brands.
Similar Products Used: My first DS...rode a Kona Nunu for 10 years prior
Bike Setup: Manitou Minute 1:00 front fork, Race Face Deuce 120mm stem, Race Face Next flat bar, Mavic Crossmax XL wheels, Avid Juicy 5 brakes, Shimano XTR rear derailleur, SRAM X0 cassette, Shimano XT Hollowtech cranks, Chris King external BB, IRC Mythos XC tires, Sette saddle with TiCr rails
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
rhyko
a Weekend Warrior
from south wales
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2008
Strengths: awesome frame-it flies up hills much easier than most lighter bikes-i dont understand why but its not desputable it just goes. feels really well ballanced and nimble decending too, i ride this bike hard and it seems to take it in it's stride.
Weaknesses: tyres- it came with the Kendas, they are no good for what i ride,i left the one on the back as i enjoy the slide it gives me lol but i couldnt get on with the front understeering everywhere. i put a high roller on the front and it sticks like glue now.
Tora 289's are way too soft for trail cenre rides, i weigh 78KG and find them far too spongey,i have just changed the spring for an extra firm, have not tested it yet but hopefully this will solve the problem i had. the seat is minging but cos its so light i am just going to get used to it.
bike is a little heavy (33.5 lbs) but it feels like a much lighter bike when ridden.
Bottom Line:
really happy with this bike so far, it flies up hills, the 1st ride was scary because the front Kenda trye kept trying to kill me and i thought the front sus was too soft, but generally the bike just felt good.
i have swapped bikes with friends during rides and they all agree it flies (in comparison to stunt jumper and commencal 55.5.1)
it decends really well, very nimble and controllable, i have thrown it over jumps and some small drops (3-5 foot) and it seems to take them in its stride as expected from a trail bike.
so in a nut shell the bike kicks arse
Similar Products Used: my last bike (1st mtb) was a Saracen Xess (jump bike) which i used for a year on Xcountry. i am predominantly a BMXer though and ride an S&M black bike
Bike Setup: size small
i have changed the front tyre -maxxis super tacky high roller, the Kenda front tyre was scary to ride with
the only other thing i changed was the stem, i dont like long stems, so i put a shorter stem on.
Recently changed the spring in the Tora 289 to a extra firm, although i will probably buy some Fox 130 mm forks next year
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Himself
a Cross Country Rider
from Kerikeri,Northland,New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008
Strengths: Value,Lightish, Suspension Travel
Weaknesses: You get what you pay for,it isn't xtr but it works fine anyway
Bottom Line:
A good relaxing bike to ride plush but not baggy. A good bike for the older rider that wants to keep up but doesn't want to trash the body.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher,San Andreas assorted other bikes
Bike Setup: SLX it is all 09 stuff
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
globalfish
a Weekend Warrior
from Hertfordshire
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2008
Strengths: Still a fab frame
Weaknesses: Little on heavy side
Bottom Line:
Further update to my posts of July and Sept. 07
Just had full XT drivetrain fitted and still very happy with this bike in it's current spec. Fox forks still superb. Did trash a wheel in a big way but got a replacement easily enough and have a spare rear too. Still the best frame for a smooth ride with no pedal-bob. Love this bike and can't wait for the dark nights to draw in and use my Hope light again. This bike just makes me wanna ride more - that's gotta be a good advert.
Bike Setup: Fox TALAS X forks, Avid Juicy 7's, Full XT Drivetrain
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rickard
a Cross Country Rider
from UK, London
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2008
Strengths: Brilliant Frame design, sturdy, can take a beating, fox float fantastic. rebound adjust feature on forks is impressive. its a very fun bike, its not too heavy and can be thrown around pretty easily. seems to really soar down trails. brakes work well. bottoms out very rarely
Weaknesses: Stock tyres are shabby, not great for tight corners or loose terrain. Front forks make funny noise and at times feels a bit un-responsive, only seem to absorb bigger bumps. Rims can bend quite easily. Chainset doesn't match up to some of the other components.
Bottom Line:
Still a great bike from the stock rooms - some good mid-range components. handles trails brilliantly, fast, strong and good fun. I agree, with a few upgrades this bike could be a top notch machine throughout. If you're wanting an all-mountain bike for a reasonably low/mid-range bike, i really would recommend this bike. can be taken on most types of trail, except downhill, i think for that new forks would be needed. yeh...ummm, great bike - suberb value for money. i got it for £630!!!!
Favorite Trail: Lookout, Bracknell, Oxshott, North downs...
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At: PaulsCycles
Similar Products Used: Specialized fsr comp xc, Trek fuel 80, Marin rock springs
Bike Setup: Standard
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Joe Francis
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007
Strengths: Superb suspension design No pedal bob Looks great
Weaknesses: Heavy without upgrades Stock tyres, rear cassette and handlebars weigh a lot, but can all be changed relatively cheaply.
Bottom Line:
Lovely looking, plush, great fun to ride bike. Researched rear suspension designs as the Marin suffered a lot with pedal bob. Bike shops I spoke to said Giant had the best rear suspension design for the money. Designed by some Renault formula one bloke?? The Trance doesn't bob when you pedal at all. You just forget the rear suspension is there. Bike is a pleasure to ride. Trance 3 needs upgrading a bit to get the best from it but reckon it has the best frame colour (Don't like the brown on the Trance 2). Would recommend it to anyone who wants a full suspension off road bike for single track or general XC use. Go for a Giant Reign for more extreme stuff.
Similar Products Used: Marin Wolf Ridge 1999 model.
Bike Setup: KCNC Scandium Seatpost and handlebars SRAM PG 950 cassette IRC Mythos XC tyres and lightweight inner tubes. May change Alex wheels for a lighter set in due course
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jody Musgrove
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007
Strengths: Great value in Australia. Very balanced spec. Very balanced handling.
Weaknesses: Hutchinson Bulldog tyres. She's not light.
Bottom Line:
Have done 1000k of mostly endurance racing over the first year of ownership and have been very happy with my purchase. Bike is pretty much standard and everything is still working well. Handles really well for a rider of my skill level (medium!) and always feels safe and stable. Not exactly light but carries the weight so much better than my old Schwinn. I have no problem with the Hayes Sole brakes, they are relatively light and very simple to adjust and therefore keep in vgc. Lighter bar/stem to come in '08 and will replace the chain and race on for another season!
Bike Setup: Maxxis Larsen (r)/Hutchinson Scorpion (f) tyres. Bontrager Race Lite Lux saddle. Club Roost bar ends. Shimano SPD M520 pedals.
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Submitted by
casey potts
a Weekend Warrior
from prescott Wa USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2007
Strengths: The frame is great as is the ride. This bike is FAST. It has been an execellent bike frame to build on.
Weaknesses: Again the Tires suck, I changed the stocks out for a set of Wilderness and it made a huge difference in my confidence with this bike. For me the front shock spring was far to weak. At over 250 I changed it out for a heavy spring and have had no problems with it. The rear shock has gone out. The bike shop says there is a recall on the shock. We shall see this weekend if it makes any difference. The brakes are so-so at best.
Bottom Line:
With the exception of some upgrades that haven't cost too much the bike still rocks! I'm not sure about your bike shop but Scotty's in the Tri Cities has taken very good care of me for the little things that have gone wrong with this bike. For the money I spent and will spent in the near future this bike has done very well. I recommend it highly.
Similar Products Used: Hard tails and never going back to that again.
Bike Setup: So far I've upgraded the front shock, replaced the stock tires, chose a more padded seat, and put a Race Face bash guard on.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ross Ott
a Cross Country Rider
from Palmyra Mi. USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007
Strengths: Efficient pedaling, really durable
Weaknesses: Fork has no lockout and makes a weird clicking noise, stock tires stink
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for xc and it can take a brutal beating. People complain about the brakes, but mine work fine. I took the bike downhilling at snowshoe mountain and beat the crap out of it and all I got was a bent rim from an awkward 5 foot drop, and the brakes faded. I lost the chain a lot, but thats a given when you downhill an xc bike.
I also used this bike for dirt jumping more than once and it feels great.
buy this bike if you are looking for a great xc bike and plan on using it for more abusive applications when the opportunity arises.
excellent bike for the price, great frame, ready for upgrades when stock stuff breaks.
2009 moto carbon 3 or 2010 Giant trance x...both going for the same price of around 1800....I like the idea of having a carbon frame with beefy travel (6inch) but i know the weight Read More »
new bike for my son. giant is 07 and stumpy is08 (so i am told) they changed the stumpy in 09 and hear good about the trance. both in good to actually great condition. 650 to 75 Read More »
Bike is in great condition. Nothing more than regular scratches, has a chain slap guard for protection. Rock shok duke front shock. Hayes sole front and rear disc brakes with new p Read More »
I just felt like sharing. I posted a couple threads asking questions about brakes and what people experienced from their first full suspension bike. So, i figured i might as well s Read More »
