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Average Rating
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4.94/5
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# of Reviews
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16
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MSRP
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Weight
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More Products from Giant
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Description:
- Fox 32 F120R, 120mm suspension fork
- Fox Float R rear shock
- Hayes Stroker Ryde Hydraulic disc brakes
- Race Face Ride XC handlebar, stem and seatpost
- WTB Speed Disc Trail rim/sealed hub wheelset
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Submitted by
anthemania
a Cross Country Rider
from KL, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$980.00 | | Strengths: | lightweight and nimble, definitely the best 5 inch allrounder bike with reasonable price | | Weaknesses: | cable routing | | Similar Products Used: | KHS 604 and SC Blur XC | | Bike Setup: | Talas R, mix XT & LX drivetrain, DTswiss wheelset, magura julie brakeset | | Bottom Line: | this bike is really great. I bought it frame only and put the same setup in my previous Blur XC. the weight of the frame is only 2590 gr !! it's amazingly light for 5 inch full susp bike.
In climbing, both perform about the same, but in descent trail, Trance X way much better.
Luckily you pay also much less money for its quality and performance. definitely will recommend this bike for everybody.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Longreach
a Weekend Warrior
from melb, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | you yangs , various trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike shop? | | Strengths: | good value.
light but strong.
dark finish gives it an nice evil look.
amazing suspension performance.
| | Weaknesses: | aussie spec wheels......not that strong....should come with better , more robust wheels.
Brakes (shimano) are only satisfactory.....but do work fine. | | Bike Setup: | stock. | | Bottom Line: | By far the best bike i have owned. I use to only like hardtails..........until now. Maestro susp. seems like a hardtail when pedalling, but takes the hard hits when you need it.
I can climb up hills like a kangaroo on steroids on this thing.
I can't explain how much i love my trance x2...... it will take quite a while to get sick of this bike.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aussie the dingo
a
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Manly Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | The Australian spec of X2 has some very solid components on this 5" Maestro frame.
Frame geometry is very good - the slacker and taller head-tube angle gives this bike a very stable feel. It is suprisingly ligth for a 5" all rounder. | | Weaknesses: | Assies spec wheelset. The wheelset is not that flashy and is probably its weakest point. They do work ok, so do the brakes but they're not that great. | | Bike Setup: | Australian spec, but changed the tyres, grips, saddle and the stem | | Bottom Line: | Excellent ride for the money.
THE SPEC: The australian spec has some very nice componentry hanging on the frame (better than the US spec). The X2 is the bottom of the TranceX range here but it is actually a very good setup (LX shifters, LX cranks, Raceface stem+bars+seatpost) that will please those on the budget. The LX gearing is simply excellent - feels close to top of the range but costs 1/4... The only real weakness this bike has is the wheelset which may not last that long. A suprise for me were the brakes: on the aussie spec they're the bottom of the range Shimano hydros (BR-485 I think) but they actually do work! I was planning on upgrading these but now I'll just wait till they're well used.
THE RIDE: one word: GREAT. This is a very balanced frame that is not too twitchy and not too lazy. It climbs well because it has a steep seat tube but it also descends well because of its slacker and slightly taller (by XC standards) head-tube. The fact that it has 5" of travel on both ends simply makes this a great all-rounder, especially here around Sydney where just about any trail is boud to have some rocky decends. I was not really after a 5" (4" would be enough for me) but the geometry, frame angles + just that bit longer wheelbase sealed the deal for me. The extra inch of travel simply adds a bit of extra security; I ride relaxed knowing that the bike can be pushed just a little bit harder on those odd downhill runs...
THE BOB: Not much from the rear end. In fact, the rear end outperforms the front end by a mile. Is Maestro too good!? Propedal or whatever is not needed for most of the rides as the rear end is really excellent and there's not much bob at all. It simply works. The front end is just as any other XC bike with a proper fork - the Fox F120 solid and nicely tunable. I climb seated 90% of the time so I don't even need the lockout on the fork, but if you're a strong monster that climbs standing then the you might think of upgrading the fork and get the F120-RLC instead. Even better - get TranceX1 if you need the lockout as there are other upgrades on X1 (oh well, except the asusie-spec crankset on X1, which is a DOWNgrade!!).
Overall, I am very pleased. The ride is great and the price is right!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kelso | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Pretty light, overall decent components. Very durable.
Sure-footed over tricky areas thanks to the Nevegals
Climbs a lot better than I expected and downhill runs are a piece of cake. | | Weaknesses: | The seat. Didn't have bike shorts and my ass paid the price. The seat is actually not that bad, but a 4 hour ride with rests in between will begin to take its toll. Shorts eliminated the soreness. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC Alliance, Giant Anthem 2 | | Bike Setup: | Everything is stock although I see myself replacing the Hayes brakes within the next few seasons. | | Bottom Line: | I'll be the first to admit that I am not the most advanced rider, but the bike helps to make up for my lack of technical ability. It's definitely a confidence-builder being able to easily tackle dangerous terrain. Nimble and durable is the way to go and the Trance X2 is that and a heck of a lot more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Patana
a Cross Country Rider
from Houghton, MI USA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Maasto Hiito | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Down Wind Sports | | Strengths: | Lightweight, responsive | | Weaknesses: | None found as of yet | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Ranier, hardtail | | Bike Setup: | stock except beefed up front Fox shock | | Bottom Line: | Phenomenal!, very lightweight, 5.5 inches of rear travel, keeps my butt on the seat. Great Bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a Racer
from Kennewick, Washington
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Scott's Cycle and Sports | | Strengths: | Value, cornering, and climbing efficiency. Powerful brakes. | | Weaknesses: | WTB saddle kills. Wheelset and Shimano Deore groupo not suitable for serious racing. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stumpjumper fsr, Ellworth epiphany, and Trek fuel ex. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to Sram X.0, and Dues Crankset, Crossmax st wheelset, WTB prowler mx 2.1 tires, and crank bros eggbeater sl. (26.5 lbs with pedals and cage.) | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike for tough technical climbs and decents. The Fox front and rear have saved my neck on more than one occasion.
You can flick it into corners and bomb down trails like a freerider, and hammer it up lungbuster climb like a xc'r.
If you're a serious rider, the componentry will let you down. Save your money and buy the x1 or x0. I liked the black frame so I just upgraded the x2. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Levis/Trow Mound | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | Michael's Cycles-Janesville | | Strengths: | Frame design, weight, good minimum component level quality, good value for the $. Pedals as well as most 4" travel bikes. Very comfortable on long rides. Excellent technical climber. Giant warranty history--they stand behind their bikes and Michael's Cycles makes sure they do every time. | | Weaknesses: | Poor initial wheel build, wheels hard to convert to Stan's (not Giant's fault but they picked these wheels this year). Only one frame mount for water bottle, even on larger sizes. | | Similar Products Used: | Numerous other famous maker 4" single pivot and four bar designs. | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock--may have rear shock PUSHED though see no need for it yet. Stock seat more painful than barbed wire (personal preference) replaced with WTB Rocket V | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great value. I wanted a 5" travel bike for longer rides and out of town excursions. The basic component mix should last a season or two except for the wheels. The suspension is very smooth and efficient even w/o platform tech. Size L w/ pedals and bottle cage= 29lbs. 14 oz. which I think is impressive for the money and low dollar components (my scale does not lie). The wheels needed retensioning after a few rides (normal) and WTB rims are not very Stan's conversion friendly. This entire bike costs less than numerous other famous maker framesets and it is backed by Giant's warranty which means a great deal to me since I tend to destroy things. Overall pretty smart spec for the $$ (Fox fr. and rr., OS bar stem combo, 7" rotor on front, folding stick-E Nevegals, Shimano and Race Face stuff behaves well together and quality sealed bearings on all pivots). I feel it's the little things that make it a great deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TommyCrash
a Weekend Warrior
from Monmouth Junction, NJ
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | 6 Mile Run, My Backyard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Halters Best Shop in Central NJ | | Strengths: | Are you kidding me!? 5 inches of Fox adjustable air travel, sub 29 pound bike for under $2000.00. Why are you reading this, when you should be at your LBS buying this bike! No brainer and you won't be disappointed. It's so light that you want to keep on petaling and ripping your favorite trail.
Money in my pocket! | | Weaknesses: | None so far! | | Similar Products Used: | IronHorse Ginsu, Haro Mary SS, Santa Cruz Heckler, Giant Trance 2, Cannondale F600 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Ergon Grips and Candy Petals. I didn't even have to change the seat from my old bike which was extremely comfortable for me. The Devo is sweet. | | Bottom Line: | If you have a budget, which most of us do, and want a competent 5 inch cross country, favorite trail happy, light, hydo brake, comfy seat, sweet flat black, race face handlebar, crank, stem, seatpost, shimano quick shifting, Kenda Nevegal tires front and rear, Fox air front and rear suspension bike, that will do every thing you ask of it, this bike is for you. The frame is the same as the X1 and X0 without the huge price difference. If you can afford either of the others, spend the money. If you can't at the moment and wait to replace or upgrade componets as they wear for this bike, then you are already ahead. Between the X2 and the X0, (granted there are a lot of component upgrades), but tell me if you can really feel the sub 2 pound difference. You can feel an $1800 difference in your pocket! It's HUGE. Or you can buy this bike and ride the snot out of it and lose the weight from your own fat ass! It's cheaper that $1800. I was 210 and now I'm 185. Eat less, ride more! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliot
a Weekend Warrior
from W, Sussex
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Surrey hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Nirvana | | Strengths: | Fast, responsive, the suspension is plush and very efficient, the kit all works brilliantly and it’s very reliable. | | Weaknesses: | Kind of hard to wash after a ride in the mud and the US kit sucks. Apart from that it has no weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Slayer
Specialized Stumpjumper
And I tested every other bike you can imagine. | | Bike Setup: | http://egf-blog.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-giant-trance-x.html
| | Bottom Line: | A really great bike that’s one of the best you can buy but make sure you get the sizing right and my value rating is based purely on the UK spec cos the US really does suck by comparison.
Amazingly good ride!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
allister
a Weekend Warrior
from atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | bear creek, chicopee, blue diamond | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1720.00 | | Purchased At: | Roswell Bikes | | Strengths: | This is a follow up Review after my trip out West to Vegas & Utah | | Weaknesses: | Haynes Stroker Ryde Brake Levers; the set pin that holds the brake lever in place fell out before I hit the Single Track.
Fox F120 Fork Hayes Style Brake Tabs; The top one stipped out during an awesome descent at Blue Diamond trails in Vegas. Me and my buddy were cooking down the trail. At the end I notice the post bolt dangling. Stripped during decent from side to side tork. I have experienced this with avids, but b/c Avid uses spherical caliper bolts the caliper can move under extream load and thus not over tork and strip your brake posts. Back to Roswell bikes to have then tap the post ans insert a helicoil for a fix. This type of damage sucks b/c you cannot fix it while on a trip. Oh Well. | | Similar Products Used: | many full suspensions over the last 10 years | | Bike Setup: | stock X2 - sachs chain, specialized bg saddle | | Bottom Line: | I still love the bike. Crappy luck with the Hayes Brake system. Taking one star off b/c I only got 2 days of hard riding before the brakes & fork messed up. Thankfully all the probs are fixable if you have a week or so to wait. On a trip you dont, so I rode Gooseberry Mesa on a beater Cannondale Rush instead. I would've liked to have been on my X2. It does ride great, I just had crap luck on mechanicals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine | | Strengths: | Overall value. | | Weaknesses: | Seats hard as a rock. Kendas wheel set, hard to seat a tire, no mini pump will do. Pedals are cheap and heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Reign, Trek hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock, just changed flyweight tubes and crank brother SL pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. For the money you cannot beat it. Very light and nimble. Quick on the corners and the Nevagal tires are just damn good.
The bike can handle some really knarly stuff. And can stand up to some abuse. I ride hard and push this bike to its limits. Nice on the climbs and fast on the downhill.
I would recommend this bike to anyone, beginner or seasoned. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Speed
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | The list of strengths for this bike could easily be a mile long. Some great points i want discuss are the suspension components and overall suspension design. The bike is fitted with easy to use Fox shoxs that are easy to set up and create the perfect set it and forget it balance. These great components also help to create a fairly light package. It climbs extremely well and can easily be flicked through the switchbacks. | | Weaknesses: | The only 2 weaknesses i have are purely personal. I had issues with the Devo seat and recently replaced it with a Flite saddle. I have also replaced the stock Shimano LX rear derailleur for SRAM X9. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specialized, Motobecane, Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line, you can't find a better deal for a well balanced do-it-all 5" travel bike. Fast, light and tuff as nails. Go get one immediately. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
allister
a Weekend Warrior
from atlanta ga
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | chicopee woods/bear creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1733.00 | | Purchased At: | Roswell Bikes | | Strengths: | Suspension design, parts spec, | | Weaknesses: | none yet, I'm going out West in April with this bike so I'll let you know if any pop up | | Similar Products Used: | SC Superlight, Giant VT 1, Various Kona, Various Specialized, Giant NRS, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Stock excepy for Specialized BG Saddle & Sachs Chain | | Bottom Line: | Good Bike, pedals extreamly well (not as good as my SC Superlight) and decends better.
It solves the one big problem I had with my VT1, weight & pedaling effciency. Too easy for a fat man such as myself to overwhelm the pedaling platform on the VT1. Trance X is lighter weight and excellent pedaling compared to the VT1. I will ride this bike for a long time. Anyone want a great deal on a VT1 in excellent condition? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noah
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | KLM | | Strengths: | Light!
Fox Shox
5 inches of travel
Good Components for the money | | Weaknesses: | Hayes stroker brakes.
(More of a complaint for Hayes than anything) | | Similar Products Used: | Giant anthem 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the seat | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike!! Have put about 700 miles on it and except to tighten a few things due to break-in, this bike is solid. Climbs great, descends well and is quite comfortable on long rides. My only complaint is the Hayes brakes lever adjustment design. The levers move all over when your riding. The brakes work great but, it sucks when you have to pull off the trail and dig out your multi-tool to adjust the levers. I'm only giving 4 chilis for value due to the levers driving me nuts on longer rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quentin
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lane Cove NP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | St Ives Cycles | | Strengths: | Almost everything, its light, has Fox fork and shock, black anodized 007 inspired frame and raceface components. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is hard as a rock. Shimano Deore Hydraulic Discs are not great. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Teocali Elite | | Bike Setup: | Stock standard | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the perfect introduction to dual suspension for anyone who cant decide if they want an XC or All Mountain bike. I am 75kg and have not bottomed out yet even on some decent size drops and yet its under 28lb and feels like an XC bike. I am in love. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from So Cal
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | sycamore/cheesboro | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This bike is a perfect blend of bob free climber and rocketship decender. I have put over 500 miles on it and I can't find anything loose or squeaking on it and I have been abusing it pretty hard. The Meastro suspention works perfect and now with 5 inches of travel, Perfection. | | Weaknesses: | Hayes Stroker Brakes. I have to adjust them before every ride and sometimes during long decents. Plan to upgrade to Shimano XT's | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, 07 Giant Trance, Gary Fisher Cake 3, DEMOed Santa Cruz Nomad. | | Bike Setup: | XTR Rear, XTR crank, Time ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is light and nimble enough to be the perfect all round trail bike. Granted it is not a down hill monster machine, and it doesn't climb as good as my old hardtail, but it does each of those well enough to fool the average weekend warrior and it won't break the bank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from phoenix
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | a five inch bike that weighs less than 30 pounds. maestro suspension is effecient and bob free, anodized paint, does everything well. | | Weaknesses: | if you buy it you will want to ride it all the time at the cost of your job, education, relationships etc | | Similar Products Used: | giant nrs, hardtails | | Bike Setup: | all stock | | Bottom Line: | the bike rocks. It descends super fast, stable, not quite a point and shoot, you still have to pick a line but it is very forgiving. pedaling efficiency is not as good as the nrs but it doesn't bob. It climbs over the gnarly stuff with ease. I've already put over 100 miles on it in less than 2 weeks. If you want a good trail bike that you can pedal nearly as well as xc but still scream downhill highly recommended. forget it if all you do is downhill. get it if you like to go fast up and down and can only have one bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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