Strengths: This review is for the 2011 Trance X aftermarket frameset pkg, not the complete bike.
The 2011 Maestro is by one on of the better suspension designs out there. This bike climbs extremely well and descends like it has an extra inch of travel. This is the first bike I've ridden where I was able to use all of it's travel on all but light XC rides. Even though the rear would 'bottom', I never felt it.
Weight for the frame is decent for an XL size aluminum bike with my build fluxuating between 28 and 29.5lbs depending on tires used. It's always been tough for me to get any FS trail bike below 30lbs due to the size of frame I require and my build preferences.
I should note here that I copied Adam Craig's build from the outset with a Fox Float 140 FIT RLC instead of the 125mm fork that comes on the completes. This slackened the HA out a bit and raised the BB just enough so I wasn't smacking pedals.
Weaknesses: Standover. I would have liked to have used a 150mm fork, but with the straigh as an arrow TT it took away that option unless I wanted to smack my junk every time I dismounted.
The verdict is still out on the Pressfit BB. It's lighter for certain and allows for a much wider and stiffer lower link, but until chainguide companies catch up and offer something up for that standard I'll be on the fence about it.
Giant needs to work on the finish of their bikes. You have to be carefull as paint will chip easily.
Bottom Line:
You can't go wrong with this bike for the price. IMO the new Maestro works better on all but big drops over Intense's VPP and is the closest thing I've come across to the DW Link.
Granted, you lose a bit in the paint finish department but it's a small sacrifice for the quality of the suspension design. It just works and works like it should.
The Trance X frameset is now in my Top 5 bikes of all time, and I've owned over 35 to date.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Nomad (2007), Ibis Mojo (2008), Giant Reign X frameset (2008), Intense Tracer VP (2009), Banshee Spitfire (2010).
Bike Setup: XL frame with green linkage. 2011 Fox Float FiT RLC (150mm shimmed down to 140mm) with Kashima, 15mm axle. Easton Haven and Shimano XT wheelsets. 4" drop Gravity Dropper Turbo. Shimano XTR 'Trail' crankset. XX rear cassette. XO shifters/derailleurs. Avid Elixir CR brakes. 2.5 Minion DHF EXO set up tubeless with a 2.2 Crossmark UST on the rear. XTR pedals.
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Submitted by
xtcphil
a Cross Country Rider
from Prince George BC
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2011
Strengths: Great technical climbing and downhill performance. Exceptionaly low frame weight and great strenght.
Weaknesses: Pivot bearings need greasing or replacement with Enduro bearings every couple years. That's it!
Bottom Line:
I can climb very techical rooty climbs like they are nothing. Ride it like a 29er though challenging terain keeping my speed up with the Mestro doing its job. Today I road the 27 lb Trance and did a 6 foot drop with a nice tranny that I had only done on bigger bikes before.I owned a 25lb 29er fully and found when I compared lap times on our race course they were within seconds and the tires were the same. I kept the bike that put a bigger smile on my face. If you have only tried the stock trance XO at 27 lbs it is a incredible bike at 23.5lb.
Similar Products Used: FSR including brian, Turner pivots (old), VPP and DW bikes
Bike Setup: One at 23.5 lbs biult tough with Xlite wheelset, 68 degree HA, Raceface Ti sl crankset & Carbon post, tubeless ready Pythons and XO grip shift . The other Trance has a Float 140mm by 15mm up front, tougher rims, and 2.3 tires at about 27 lbs.
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Submitted by
jenine.b
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester England
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2011
Strengths: Really lighht for the travel. Very good value, i paid only £2090 in the sale. handles amazingly. Frame finish is amazing looking
Weaknesses: The handle bar grips it came with were a joke.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike i have ever owned. It amazing can take it down just about any thing, but more amazing is that it climes better than a scott spark. Nice XTR bits and Race face finishing kit. No paint on the frame is also a nice touch, it both anodized and polished to make it look really cool in a two tone silver effect. It jus feels so good to pedal n no bob, but super good on both small and big hits :)
Similar Products Used: Scott spark, trek fuel ex9 trek fuel ex 8, loads of other bikes over the years
Bike Setup: stack apart from shimano XT duel control levers and Saint barkes. Purple sunline V1 bars and grips
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Submitted by
leogalvani
a Weekend Warrior
from Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2011
Strengths: Very light for a aluminium 5" frame/bike (around 11,2Kg). Climbs very very
well, like a goat. Insane when descent. Excelent maestro suspension system, independent
of the terrain. Literally eats roots, rocks. Looks great!
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
The perfect bike for my trail riding. Purchase by parts just to get a dream bike. So... let's run to the hills!!!
Favorite Trail: Green hell (Inferno verde). See it at www.bikely.com
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At: Ebay (by parts)
Similar Products Used: Gary fisher sugar 3+; Scott aspect FX-25.
Bike Setup: Frame: 2009 Giant trance X-3, shock upgrade to Fox RP-23 Boost Valve;
Suspension: Fox FIT RLC 120mm;
Wheelset: Shimano XTR M995, tubeless;
Shimano XT crankset and rear derailleur (shadow);
Shimano XTR rotors, 160mm (both);
Shimano XTR front derailleur;
Shimano XT brake system;
Shimano XT rapid fire;
Cateye stada 8 and garmin etrex vista;
Amoeba carbon/titanium seat;
KCNC seatpost, handlebar and barends;
KCNC pulleys in red;
Yban titanium chain;
Crankbros candy pedals;
Tires: rockt Ron 2.1 on front and Kenda Smallblock 8 on rear, both kevlar, mounted without innertube, but with Joe’s No Flat.
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Submitted by
XChic
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2011
Strengths: 5" Travel, head tube angles made it agile, and steady.
Weaknesses: weight - going for shorter travel to shed weight for racing.
Bottom Line:
Giant makes a fantastic bike for the money. This one I built up with a lot of my components, but am eying an Anthem X1 W - which is spec'd out NICELY. Will review that once I get it.
Bike Setup: Fox Talas 32 Float, RP23 rear, DT Swiss 1750's, Answer carbon bars, Thompson Masterpiece seat post...
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Submitted by
JRock1979
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2011
Strengths: XTR Build-kit, with carbon R/D arm, Avid Elir CR Brakes, Race Face Carbon Post, handle bar. Weight with Crankbrothers Candy Ti pedals, 27.8 Lbs
Weaknesses: Rims are UST but the tires were not. The handle grips were cheap, replaced them with Lock-Ons.
Bottom Line:
This bike is so well equpped and easy to handle it makes Novice riders reach new ground in their riding abilities. A fun bike to ride any way you look at it!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Ground Control, Cannondale super V
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
ags
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2010
Strengths: -Great suspension design
-Amazing spec for the price
Weaknesses: -None worth mentioning
Bottom Line:
I wrote one of the first reviews about the Trance XO here a few years back (scroll down to the bottom, under "AS"). It's been 3 years and I have to say this bike is still pretty darn amazing. I ride pretty hard and over the past few years destroyed the rear derailluer and had to have the shock and fork rebuilt -twice. Despite the abuse, every pivot on this bike remains smooth and tight. The bike still rides like a dream and rocks on technical trails and smooth singletrack (when you lock out the suspension.) If you're interested in this bike and your trails consists of rocky and rooty technical singletrack - BUY IT!
Similar Products Used: Intense, Specialized, Titus
Bike Setup: Maxxis High Rollers, Easton Stem 90mm
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Submitted by
MDH
a Cross Country Rider
from Edinburgh
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2010
Strengths: Great looks, great forgiving ride when on steep, fast and lumpy or rocky descents. Light - for uphill or lugging. Really pleased overall despite a couple of gripes below.
Weaknesses: 1. Avid juicy 7 brakes are brilliant but adjusters seem to be intermittent and front brake sometimes fades a bit.
2. Bottom bracket worn out after 467 miles over 18 months and needed replaced. Not impressed. I have a Marin Bear vally for commuting to work and have done ~15,000 miles before asking the bike shop to change it...
Bottom Line:
Top bike for riding and lugging. Am going to send the bottom bracket back to Giant and will complain !
Submitted by
Floyd
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2010
Strengths: Shiny! Delorean-like. Great top-line components for the price I paid and handles like a dream. MAestro suspension and Fox - a pair made in heaven.
Weaknesses: Crashing too much - almost on every ride due to the over confidence this bike gives me. I'm no spring chicken but I feel like one when I ride this thing - especially on the downhills. It floats over the rough stuff and I often forget that I have slow down to make the turns at the bottom. Seriously, this bike is bad to the bone! It climbs like a champ and is unstoppable.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy the Trance X0 if you don't like to crash. This bike handles so well that I find myself screaming downhills and climbing steep hills more than my experience or ability. Being an ex-Motocross racer as a kid, it brought back fond memories when I thought I was invincible and foolish. Now I'm just foolish and my wife won't let me ride alone for the fear I'll be laying in some ditch with a broken leg (or worse) and she won't know where I am! Such a great bike.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rock Hopper, test road Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe, Specialized Stumpy and Trek EX-8. No comparison. If you can find one, get one!
Bike Setup: All stock but will get rid of the ridiculous seat soon.
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Submitted by
DJMJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Paonia, CO
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2010
Strengths: Rides like a dream. Plush climber. Looks like a DeLorean!
Weaknesses: Brakes started squeaking on the third ride. Grips.
Bottom Line:
Love it! Ride trails daily (weather permitting). 6'2", 230 and the XL handles it...Rebound cranked up. Sitting or out-of-the-saddle power transfer is great. Suspension floats on the downs.
Submitted by
atta
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest, Hungary
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2010
Strengths: Well designed frame, very comfortable, I'm 6'1 and the Large frame size is perfect, quality parts, great climber, looks cool.
Weaknesses: Sometimes the Mavic ST has some weird noise under pressure, i think the spokes are rubbing each other, but that's not Giants fault.
Bottom Line:
Best bike i ever had and perfect for all day ride, climbs better than my previous carbon Trek Fuel even if i leave the shock open. Feels like the bike has no limits (it could be dangerous sometimes) bottomless feeling on downhill's, great design and looks. The weight is 12.3kg, 27 lbs. witch is great for a 5 inch trail bike with aluminum frame, but i think it feels lighter than is actual. I'm happy with the bike and i recommend it to anyone.
Similar Products Used: Pro Felex Animal'97, Specialized FSR S-Works '02, Trek Fuel 100 OCLV '02, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 120 Pro
Bike Setup: Factory set up + XTR pedals
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Submitted by
sherpa2000
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2010
Strengths: super stiff front end with 15qr, 140mm fork is excellent, corners great, climbs great.
Weaknesses: none really.
Bottom Line:
There are really two options in this class. The Specialized Stumpjumper or the Trance X. I believe the Giant is way better value for money. The stumpy feels like a Mercedes where the Giant is like a BMW. So try both and see which one like better.
Similar Products Used: hifi pro 29er, s-stumpjumper
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Submitted by
tamene
a Weekend Warrior
from fort collins, colorado
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2009
Strengths: every thing....maestro suspension is super tunable, its got a lot of blings coming stock on it. this bike made me a better rider overnight i cant believe the spots i am able to clear and ride over with it...it inspires confidence and eliminates the un-avoidable mistakes (ouch!)a person my age (50 years old) is capable of making on the trail without suffering the full consequences. the annodized silver is beauuutifulll.
Weaknesses: the race face pedal came loose on my second ride...the bottom bracket seal was found broken. my bike is a 2008 XO; meaning that it was boxed up in for over 2 years and the seal may have dried up.
Bottom Line:
got this bike after doing considerbale reaerch for quality fit and price. fianlly happy i got a keeper.
Similar Products Used: other full suspension bike used for the last three years
Bike Setup: stock XO...changed out saddle and the long stem for better fit/comfort
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Submitted by
marco fantauzzi
a Weekend Warrior
from newark, n.y
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2009
Strengths: Easy to setup, climbs like a hardtail. Will not make you faster, but a better rider.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I rode a giant vt one which was awesome. The trance xo blows the vt out of the water. I also feel bad I didn't purchase it at my LBS but I paid a grand less than what they wanted on ebay. Bike is flawless!! This one is a keeper for awhile.
Bike Setup: stock except for the saddle wtb lazer ti, stem seatpost switched out for thomson, and crankset is now shimano xt. full shimano drivetrain the way it was intended to work.
I'm so far hardtail rider, mostly do XC and some light AM while intending to try my luck in a bit more exciting AM (albeit far from extreme).
I usually like doing things myself wh Read More »
hi, I'm about to buy an 09 trance x0 that is in great condition. Just wondering, but are there any problems with giant bikes or these trance x0 model. Just wanted to know because t Read More »
I know someone locally probably needs this fine bicycle:
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Uber-dope SRAM X0 kit (in flashy pink), carbon N Read More »
