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Average Rating
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4.43/5
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# of Reviews
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63
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MSRP
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$ 1450.00
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Weight
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Description: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.
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Submitted by
Rickard
a Cross Country Rider
from UK, London
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lookout, Bracknell, Oxshott, North downs... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | PaulsCycles | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized fsr comp xc, Trek fuel 80, Marin rock springs | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | 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!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Francis
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | 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. | | 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 | | 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.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jody Musgrove
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | Great value in Australia. Very balanced spec. Very balanced handling. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Bulldog tyres. She's not light. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Rocket Pro | | Bike Setup: | Maxxis Larsen (r)/Hutchinson Scorpion (f) tyres. Bontrager Race Lite Lux saddle. Club Roost bar ends. Shimano SPD M520 pedals. | | 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! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
casey potts
a Weekend Warrior
from prescott Wa USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Scotty's | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross Ott
a Cross Country Rider
from Palmyra Mi. USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Strengths: | Efficient pedaling, really durable | | Weaknesses: | Fork has no lockout and makes a weird clicking noise, stock tires stink | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | I am running the bike stock but changed the front tire. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Hertfordshire, U.K.
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great frame | | Weaknesses: | forks/tyres | | Similar Products Used: | Scott G-Zero FX 2005 | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Giant Trance 3 medium frame
2007 Fox 32 TALAS X forks
Schwalbe Mountaineer II front & rear tyres
pending - Avid Juicy 7's (on my Scott now) | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my post of 7/14/2007.
Clocked up a good 450+ miles now and the Fox forks along with the Schwalbe tyres I fitted have totally transformed the bike. All the handling problems which I knew were down to the Kenda rubber have disappeared and the Fox TALAS X forks have made the ride so plush. Really happy with this set-up now and think it's a vast improvement on my old Scott. Will gradually upgrade as parts wear out in the future. No more holding back on the trails now - this set-up rocks!!
Only give it 4 chilli's for value (as previously) as Giant's component choice failed to let the great Maestro back end shine. A test ride could be very misleading in stock trim.
5 Chilli's now overall as my upgrades finally reveal what a really great frame this is for the money.
Would recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
giles
a Cross Country Rider
from busso
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | secret ranges build with family and mates | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclerama i think | | Strengths: | pretty much everything the bike is a nice rid and can take a real beating when needed. most of all the bike handles really well | | Weaknesses: | definitly the hayes sole there rubbish getting some juicys soon.
for a racer is a little too heavy but i dont really care | | Similar Products Used: | hmmm nothing really this bike is a one of a kind | | Bike Setup: | stock but tires, as said before getting juicys soon | | Bottom Line: | this bike is so sweet and is a really good bike for me. this bike has performed well and have never had an issue, the spokes are still tight and wheels are true and i do push the bike to its limits i am only 52 kiloes though. i reccomed this bike to anyone but a downhill/freeride rider or a hard race.
this bike has stolen my hart | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jag
a Cross Country Rider
from pensacola,fl
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | alafia,tampa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | f/u to 11/6 review. solid bike after 1 yr. after 1500 miles. brakes solid. maestro makes for efficient pedaler. still love it | | Weaknesses: | had to replace cassete, rear der, frt der,had crank squeak @ 600 miles. getting xt gear. | | Similar Products Used: | trek,cdale,stumpy fsr,gf cake 3 | | Bike Setup: | stock till i get it back. then xt thru out. panaracer fire xc tires,monkeylite, | | Bottom Line: | great bike. stock comps good for intro riders but will deteriorate when stressed. w/ upgrades should b better than ever. for 2k total going to have a better setup than many more exp bikes. 4 chili's cause of comps dying. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Till Neuburg
a
from Lesmo (MI), Italy
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cicli Conti, Nibionno (LC) | | Strengths: | Fantastic combination of "Maestro" system + Fox Float R.
Overall efficiency on every kind of terrain. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kikapu De Luxe. | | Bike Setup: | Default, with exception of stem (shorter) and handlebar (lighter). | | Bottom Line: | An outstanding value for money.
The bike is an ideal all-terrain solution. Easy to ride everywhere, in every condition.
The frame is exactly the same that for Trance 2 or 1 ("Maestro"+ Fox Float R).
The Juicy 3 (with 160mm disks) handles wonderfully.
The only substantial upgrade I consider for the future is the fork: 120/130 instead of 100mm (NOT for weight reasons but just for top handling on rocky and difficult downtracks) and, maybe, some lighter rims.
In the past years I rode 4 different bikes. Now I'm shure that this one will be my evergreen. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Hertfordshire, U.K.
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1424.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Maestro frame is really well designed | | Weaknesses: | Rockshox Tora 289 Forks are really rubbish. So are the Kenda Nevegal/Blue Groove tyres - dangerous even in mildly wet UK riding conditions. Frony tyre goes where it feels like and rear slips away without warning.Paint chips very easily and can't locate source of intermittent squeaking noise. | | Similar Products Used: | Scott G-Zero FX + Avid Juicy 7's | | Bike Setup: | Stock UK 2007 model - LX rear mech, Avid Juicy 3's, Rockshox Tora 289, Fox Float R | | Bottom Line: | If I knew before, I'd have bought the frame only which I recommend. Frame is really impressive so far but forks feel wooden compared to Manitou's on my Scott. Fox Float R fells good so far. Avid Juicy 3's are fine but l60mm front lacks stopping power - needs bigger disc up front for my favourite 32mph+ sections. Stock tyres are almost lethal - crazy for UK conditions. To be expected for the price but seriously looking at Manitou R7 Platinum Snap-valve SPV forks & some Panaracer rubber. Will also swap the Juicy 7's from my Scott.Should be happy with these upgrades.
Much smoother ride - just did 75 km and still feel fresh. Very stable in comparison to my Scott when pedalling hard but I still ride the Scott MUCH harder. Until it's upgraded, I can't give it my all as the fork/tyre combo inspires no confidence - it almost scares me! Will update in the future. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Dubreuil
a Cross Country Rider
from Slave Lake Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything that gets me out of town | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports First | | Strengths: | Excellent bike to upgrade. It come with a basic setup, but really shines with a few upgrades. The cost of a full suspension seemed high but Gaint hit a home run with this one. | | Weaknesses: | The rider is to blame for weakness not the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension xc. Had other hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Fox Talas X
Cane Creek Cloud Nine rear shock
Spinergy Xyclone disc wheelset.
Sram X.0 rear derrailleur / X.0 trigger shift
Sram 990 11-32 rear cassette
Race Face Deux crankset and Bottom bearing.
Race Face Diabouls stem and bar
Ergon GP1 grips.
Specialized BG2 seat.
Cane Creek ZS-6 headset | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great out of the show room. After a few 100 miles, there was no turning back. It is a frame worth upgrading. Every upgrade put more comfort and speed in this build. Great bike to start with but only gets better the harder you push yourself. The trance 3 comes with basic stuff and great for that weekend warrior, cant say enough about the preformace of this tightly packaged suspension. Put yourself atop of one and you find yourself rocketing down the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Casper, WY, USA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lizard Cracks Rimrocks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop Billings MT | | Strengths: | This bike rocks. I was really fighting what bike to purchase when a buddy said by a giant. I test rode it and within two days I had traded mine in and purchased the Trance 3. The rear shock kicks butt. There is no bob in the pedal stroke. The frame is one of the best designs I have found. It handles great. | | Weaknesses: | The tires suck they don't work when traveling on a side hill. The front Dart shock kind of stinks but will be replaced in the near future. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Reign 0, Giant DH 8, Specialized Big Hit, and GT 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Factory setup | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Davie, FL USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Markham Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | West Broward Cycles | | Strengths: | Great price point, nice balance of components, RockShox Dart fork is servicable, active rear suspension makes the Trance climb great, decends well. | | Weaknesses: | Hayes MX4 brakes could be a little better, Avid break levers are brittle. | | Similar Products Used: | Parking lot demo'd all bikes under $1700. Wanted disks so I ruled out the Specialized FSR XC rim; too impatient to wait for the Jamis. Could only point at the HiFi, but not touch. | | Bike Setup: | 16" frame, running 190 lbs. in rear shock. Almost stock... Time ATAC Alum pedals, Shimano Deore V-brake levers (snapped front break lever on Armadillo at Markham). | | Bottom Line: | I love the bike. It makes me want to ride more and improve my skill level. My old Schwinn started becoming my excuse for not doing (insert obsticle here). Now I can't blame the bike. It can do anything I want, but can I? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike the animal
a Racer
from London
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | fanshawe lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | 2 wheels bike shop in london | | Strengths: | This bike does everything the hype says. Very study bike. The suspension works well on almost all riding terrains and weather conditions. Climbs excellent. Good clearance from the ground to bb. Light enough to ride all day (I know because I ride all day). | | Weaknesses: | The tires stock are not very good either. They don’t ride on wet stuff very well and slip when climbing. I have now used ware wolf mtb tired (they are wow). Some of the stock components’ are on the heavy side, cracks pedals front and rear detailer. Other than that nothing else to put here. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco big foot. (I converted this nice free ride bike to Cross country). Ran nice minus the sore back from rock beds and tree roots. | | Bike Setup: | Everything stock except steam and hand bars. I have also change the bb to DH as it seems to last longer. Cables are good d for about 4 to 6 months. | | Bottom Line: | My fav part. The bottom line here is this bike is what excellent. I could have spent the other 900 and got the trance 1 but I am not too concerned about the weight. Over this entire bike is an excellent buy and having rode this bike now for over one year I would highly recommend this bike to any one who rides BIG hills and mountains as well as folks who ride all day (an night) it does what it is suppose to do. Can be ridden any place in the east or central or western Canada with the confidence to bring you home each an every time. This is my first Giant bike and I can say I will be getting my next bike from Giant. Priced better than Norco and better warranty and over all service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
karl weatherall
a Weekend Warrior
from coventry
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | coed y brenin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | holey trail-wales | | Strengths: | climbs like a dream,gives you super control on downhills | | Weaknesses: | tyres are great on dry tracks but could come into trouble in wet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | standard bike shop set shocks up perfect for me 15st
front 210psi rear 160psi | | Bottom Line: | buy buy buy cant go wrong | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin Hopps
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Harper's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | very strong agressive fast bike | | Weaknesses: | none really | | Similar Products Used: | jamis dakar sport | | Bike Setup: | wtb rocket seat crank bros quattro ti pedals fox float 130 r fork avid juicy 5 discs | | Bottom Line: | great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Casey Potts
a Weekend Warrior
from Prescott, Wa USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Scotty's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Soild Frame, Great Ride, Very little peddle bob. Bike is fast and handles well. | | Weaknesses: | Poor stock tires, Weak front shock frame for a guy my size.
Brakes not the best but stop the bike on a dime. | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension XC bike. Replaced my old Giant hard tail. Rode another Giant full suspension and fell in love. | | Bike Setup: | 22 in. Frame. Stock with the exception of the seat and front shock spring so far. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that this is a great starter bike and a great value for the money. The bike has some weak points that after market parts will bring up to speed. This bike rides super smooth and is fast. Mine is a 22in frame and I'm love'n it. This bike is still in its first year and the true test is yet to come this spring but so-far-so-good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | XC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike store | | Strengths: | Frame is excellent, Duke fork is very good but misses L/O.
Reasonable weight for full susp bike. Very fast on XC terrain. Bike feels solid and handles well. | | Weaknesses: | The drivetrain components on the 05 model were of rather poor quality. I now hate Shimano's low-normal derailleurs. Replaced it with Sram X9. Brakes are OK at best. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek and Gary Fisher hardtails | | Bike Setup: | 07 Sram X9 rear derailleur and shifters (love them!), changed out stem/bar for better fit, WTB tires, rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | I've had my 05 Trance 3 now for 1.5 years and I love riding it. This is my first full suspension bike. I was concerned about pedal efficiency on a FS bike when climbing, but on this bike I can't feel a real difference with my hardtail.
The components were a bit disappointing so check out the components on the current versions before deciding what version Trance to buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Roberts
a
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | st pats forestry | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | burkes kilbirnie | | Strengths: | i'm a big fulla, strong frame. good stopping power. not sure why people knock hthe factory brakes as i'm 105kg. climbs better than my gt avalanche 2.0 . gt was bike 2. prev bike was non susp, rim brake. circa 1985. | | Weaknesses: | only avauialable in 1 colour. | | Similar Products Used: | none- haved GT 2.0 , mate had a scott and i used that as a base for quality. this is my next step of 4. will look to upgrade in 2008 if trance 3 not any good but suspect will only upgrade components if other reviews are to go by. | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | ideal for first upgrade from hardtail to full susp. no bob. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Brandywine | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Agile, stable, pedals efficiently, inspires confidence, very smooth & plush. Corners like crotch rocket. Solid frame. | | Weaknesses: | Some stock components suck (stock brakes and tires), but that's to be expected at this price.
Geometry felt a bit long, and I'm 6'3". | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Juicy 5's and WTB tires | | Bottom Line: | First, this bike belongs to my brother, and he let me borrow for a ride.
Amazing bike, especially for the money. The components are pretty nice. This bike tempted me to push myself and the bike past it's limits. The bike is well balanced and is not twitchy or "nervous" like my hardtail. It has a very stable feeling, yet is agile and turns sharply. The suspension is just enough for hard XC riding, and climbs great. Maestro suspension rocks.
Overall, a great bike. Too bad I can't ride it all the time. I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a great XC bike on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jody
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Woolys Wheels | | Strengths: | Light, sharp and agile. | | Weaknesses: | Not reached it's limits yet! | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Rocket Pro | | Bike Setup: | Club roost bar ends. Maxxis Larssen TT tyres. | | Bottom Line: | Swapped the tyres based on other reviews on this site! Mind you, the Larssen on the front is a bit twitchy! Great bike: solid but light enough. Very well specced and really pushes the intermediate rider (me) to better things. SRAM gears are the business and the air shock combo is really balanced and very easy to adjust. Climbs well and descends comfortably. I look forward to a long and beautiful relationship................ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jag
a Cross Country Rider
from pensacola, fl
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | oak mountain bham, al | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | efficient pedaler. little to no bob. climbs great. | | Weaknesses: | tires suck. haven't changed yet. cable rub bigtime...down to frame after 300 miles | | Similar Products Used: | stumpy fsr, cdale prophet, cdale rush, gf cake 3, trek fuel ex7 | | Bike Setup: | stock except easton monkeylite bars. trance 3 | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. great pedaler. haven't ridden in 12 yrs got back into it with a trek 4300. geometry was spot on with trance. liked the stumpy but couldn't get a good fit. I'm in between s and med. (5'7 170 lbs)got a med trance and is great. tried as many other bikes i could find. trance was best. cousin got a prophet i tried and blew out the chain and derailleur after 60 miles and lbs says cdale won't care. paint rub is biggest pain all the way down to frame. fork makes weird click noise. suspension a little stiff sometimes but bombs well. able to go 25+ mph on downhills in the flatlands of florida with confidence. good all around bike for most users. would've got a trance 2 or waited for 2007 trance 1 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ropie
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | L.B.S | | Weaknesses: | SHOCK!!!!! CUSTOMER SUPPORT!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain, Specialized, Yeti, Kona... | | Bottom Line: | I purchased the bike because of the deal. Rode it about 5 times started to have issues with the shock. Rocks and mud were eating it up due to it being exposedt to the front wheel. I called Giant on the matter and they proceeded to tell me that I was the only one having the problem. Which is nonsence because the started installing a guard on all the new bikes from about mid year on. When I called them out on this they stood to their word and told me that I would have to pay 40.00 for the guard. WHAT!!! they expected me to pay to fix a problem that they new they had... Whatever. I sold the bike and bought a Yeti. Do yourself a favor do not buy a Giant. The company has some issues, more importantly they do not back their product. There is no room in our industry for this.. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LyNx
a Cross Country Rider
from Barbados
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World, Miami | | Strengths: | Excellent pedaler, suspension is excellent and seems more than 4". | | Weaknesses: | Only real flaw is the GIANT paint - it sucks sadly.Definitely be prepared to use cable rub stickers if you buy any GIANT it would seem.
Other weakness was the wrong spec'd bearings for the '05 model ('06/'07 have been properly spec'd) so I had to replace the bearings with some Enduro MAX type from ENduro Fork Seals.
Other weakness was the Bulldog tyres, replaced with some good tyres and no problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing similar, had a DB COil EX before and there's no comparison. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Trance3 frame totally upgraded parts spec - REBA SL fork, XT Drivetrain, HOPE Mono Mini brakes, XT hubs/Mavic Xm321 wheels, KENDA Nevegal tyres, Ergon MAG R2 grips. | | Bottom Line: | Well it's now been almost two years I've owned my Trance and thought it would be good to give an updated review. I've logged over 20 months and 5,000 miles on my Trance on a mix of single track, double track, rough paved roads and some paved roads. I am super happy with the bike and it's suspension design - my review still stands on pedal bob, you can get it if you don't spin properly or if you stand and mash (I've learned to spin now). Still find that it climbs like a goat, even with the REBA now set @ 115mm travel and soaks up the DHills like they weren't there - picking lines makes it faster, but seriously you don't need to.
No I don't work for GIANT I am just super happy with what was basically a crap shoot in ordering a bike unseen and untested.
Who should buy this bike - Anyone looking to get into XC on a budget, but with room and a good frame to upgrade as you get more serious when parts wear out. Straight out the showroom excellent value for money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Lehigh Valley PA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bear Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop | | Strengths: | The Maestro suspension is great, it is active when you need it and firm when you don't. I feel you also get a nice parts pick from Giant for the price you pay. | | Weaknesses: | The brakes and the tires. Hayes (sorry) the Sole brakes need some serious attention.
| | Similar Products Used: | KHS XC 304, Gary Fisher, Trek Fuel | | Bottom Line: | Giant did a great job with the Trance. I think Giant really gives you a good parts pick and the suspension works like a dream compared to the others I looked at. I've used the bike for XC riding as well as for riding technical trails. The Trance really can fly on non-tech singletrack and is able to handle technical riding. On some crazy downhill sections it can feel a bit jittery due to the geometry.
Giant did a great job with this bike other than the Hayes Sole brakes and the Hutchinson tires. The tires came off immediately after the first ride and the brakes both failed in less than 4 months. The shop I bought it from (Weavers Bike Shop) stood behind it when Hayes was waffeling. The bike has since been refitted with Hayes HFX9 disc brakes and I haven't had a problem since.
If I had to do it all again I'd buy the Trance, but I'd buy the Trance 2 rather than the 3. It comes standard with the Hayes HFX9 disc brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtndew
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Weaknesses: | Paint job is not very good, cable rub appeared after a couple rides | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock Comp 04 | | Bike Setup: | Trance3 2006 with Avid BB7, Marzochi Marathon XC 05, Fox Float RP3 05. Panaracer Fire XC Pro. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is pretty decent when coming from a hardtail. Climbs as good as the hardrock did, which is so-so. But its alot more plush. I don't really notice any pedal bob. I swapped out the Fox Float R for a RP3, but I cannot tell the difference between any of the settings. I should have stuck with the FloatR. I don't do any drops more than 2 feet so the trance was a good fit. Any more travel would be too much i think. I swapped out the stock tires at the shop before testing them since everyone complained about them. The seat is surprising decent and comfortable. Had to make a mud guard for the area right beneath the bottom bracket so dirt wouldnt get in it. I wouldn't say you can bomb hills or anything, you still have to pick a good line. Can't really comment on how durable the frame is, I weight 150 lbs and don't do big drops and am pretty gentle with components. I got this end of season so the price was alright, plus, trances are hard to find end of season. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hai
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shed | | Strengths: | Climbs like a hardtail, no pedal bobbing. Feels like a hardtail, except the rear suspension makes it comfy to ride all day, ride uphill on the seat without your butt getting sore from tree roots. The dual suspension makes riding rocky firetrails quite smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Giant went cheap on the disc brakes by putting the Hayes Soles. No lockout on the rear suspension however, the bike doesn't bob anyway. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Alias | | Bike Setup: | Hayes Mag XC, Maxxis Crossmark with Stans no tubes, Rocksox Reba Team, SRAM X.0 triggers and rear deraileur, Race Face Deus steam, Race Face Next carbon bar. Everything else is standard. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for XC trail riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abel Flores
a Cross Country Rider
from Tijeras, NM USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | 342 Elena Gallegos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World Albuquerque | | Strengths: | Pedaling efficiency! Coming from a Mongoose I thought was just heavy but when I rode a friend's Giant NRS I realized there was more than just weight. I read the reviews and settled for a Trance 3 with upgrades to shifter Sram X-7 and derailler Sram X-9 and wow, what a difference. Pedal and the bike moves, even uphill! | | Weaknesses: | Tires. Just waiting for the Hutchinsons to wear a little to justify new ones. Other than the switch to SRAM, can't really say much about what was stock (XT)and Deore. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose, Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Duke fork, Fox float rear shock, Crank Brothers Cranks, SPD's | | Bottom Line: | Even after gaining weight and having a total hip this bike has given me the motivation to get out and ride. It takes the grind out and puts the fun back. You have to get used to the thing (had my first endo on my second ride) brakes, shifters etc. but once you have it down, watch out hills, here we come. Newbies to experienced riders will love the Trance 3 and I can't wait till the 07 model comes out. Just saw a sneak preview and it looks killer! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Emery, South Dakota
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sugarbottom | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Hub Coop Twin Cities | | Strengths: | Rides fantastic when switching from a hardtail. Easy to accelerate, wheels stay on the ground and when you dial the suspension in it is plush. The frame and suspension are big strengths. I like the Recon fork. | | Weaknesses: | Like M Crawford, I agree the front end gets light on in saddle climbs, but for me out of saddle climbs lighten the rear up too much. From that standpoint it is worse than my Stumpjumper. Tires do wash out on corners. Get new ones. I went to Mythos -- not sure they are best all around tire, b |
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