2015 Trance 1 vs 2015 Trance 2

Kale · Apr 3, 2015

Looking to purchase a new bike and my LBS is carrying Giant and want to support them. Not familiar at all with Giant bikes. Been reading good things about the Maestro rear suspension. My question is: is the Trance 1 really worth the $1400 more in price? 2 is $2600 and 1 is listed at $4000.

Thanks in advance for your feedback,

Kale

maclgallant · Apr 3, 2015

they are both really good the biggest advantage the trance 1 has over the 2 is the Carbon wheels & dropper post. if you were to get aftermarket carbon wheels and a dropper post you would be easily looking at 1500$

the suspension (rockshox) on the trance 1 is slightly better(better damper)

you could always upgrade the damper on the fox (trance 2) to the FIT damper if your not happy

suspension is really a subjective personal opinion rockshox vs fox

from a numbers game yes it's easily worth the 1400$, the wheels and seat post make it worth it alone, the rest is just a bonus.

on another note... have you looked at the giant trance advanced 2? it's slightly cheaper than the trance 1, spec wise its the weaker of the 3, but you are getting a Carbon Frame.
when things break, replace it with nicer spec'd components

Kale · Apr 3, 2015

Thank you for feedback. Never noticed the carbon rims. Do you think shock and fork on advanced 2 are better than trance 2?

Thanks,

Kale

maclgallant · Apr 3, 2015

it's kind of a wash, (btw i own the 2015 trance 2)

i prefer the 15mm axle on the fox vs rs maxle lite

most people seem to prefer the fox float ctd over the monarch rt ( i have no personal experiance with the monarch, but the sektor is a solid fork)

if i had the money for the advanced 2 i probably would of gone that route, then upgrade the suspension down the road, the rest of of bike is solide

lucifuge · Apr 3, 2015

I've been having a really close look and comparison between the two. While the $1400 difference can be explained, I wouldn't consider the Trance 1: $4200 for an aluminium frame is getting on the high side. Interestingly a Trance 1 is 12.8kg and Trance 2 is 13.15kg, so there's bugger all practical difference. OK, it has carbon wheels, but even they are a little misplaced on such a bike at this level. All up I think it's got an unusual mix of components. Ordinarily I usually see a really good reason to buy the more expensive bike, but not in this specific case.

In short, if you are happy riding a Trance with no dropper post and run tubes, I'd say the Trance 2 is better value. Of course you can always go ghetto tubeless later.

I would either spend $2600 and get the bike for what it has, or, jump to an Trance Advanced and expect pay more money, but money that makes more sense in spending. The middle ground that the trance 1 is in I'd bypass.

maclgallant · Apr 3, 2015

whats the price difference between the trance 1 & trance advanced 2 in your location?

Clencher · Apr 3, 2015

I was tossing up between the 1 and 2 for ages until wifey made decesion for me as a christmas suprise with the 2.
I've been really happy with it so far - but its my first fs mtb. Just put on a factory kashima shock yesterday which I picked up cheap off ebay brand new. And still waiting on a pike in the mail. Also ghetto tape tubeless worked for the stock wheels.
Great value bike as is but also a great starting place to build on if needed.

lucifuge · Apr 3, 2015

Clencher raises a really good point. A bike's fork is very important and who's to say the RS Revelation is good anyway on the Trance 1? I've seen very ordinary reviews. Now he, like me, went a Pike. Again, something you can do if save money now and get the cheaper model.

Clencher said:
I was tossing up between the 1 and 2 for ages until wifey made decesion for me as a christmas suprise with the 2.
I've been really happy with it so far - but its my first fs mtb. Just put on a factory kashima shock yesterday which I picked up cheap off ebay brand new. And still waiting on a pike in the mail. Also ghetto tape tubeless worked for the stock wheels.
Great value bike as is but also a great starting place to build on if needed.

MarinCRO · Apr 3, 2015

What about SX? I would get that over regular trance if buying new as SX is a better rounded bike for the intended use and I think it's cheaper than T1.

maclgallant · Apr 3, 2015

trance sx is indeed a better value. but slightly more expensive

Clencher · Apr 4, 2015

SX not available in Australia but is an option in NZ funnily enough. So had to go with regular.
Also worth noting that its the RL and not rct3 revelation on #1.

SierraOutsider · Apr 4, 2015

I went for the Trance 1 - I like the Rockshox fork a lot better than the Fox 32, wanted tubeless, dropper post, etc, but the Trance 2 is a great value. For me the spec on the 1 ticked all the boxes, but if it doesn't for you, get the 2 and adjust.

baja07 · Apr 4, 2015

I had a 2015 Trance 2 while I waited for my AnthemSX Advanced. My personal thoughts on the bike its a solid design. The only thing I would change are the breaks. They just didn't respond the way I liked and would completely fade away down long DH's. I bought Shimano ICE Tech pads for the bike but never tried them. That could solve the issue I'm thinking with fade.

-I never had a need for a dropper post. But I am 6"3 and have longer legs then most.
-Set up for tubeless was easy on the trance 2. Bontrager Rim strips with stan's with stock folding tires worked beautiful.

Kale · Apr 5, 2015

Thank you for all your feedback. Was at my LBS today and may add another bike into the equation: Reign 2.

They have it priced at $3200. Pike fork, dropper post and monarch debonair rear shock. I know it's a lot more travel. Seems to have better components for $ than trances.

How does reign pedal? A lot heavier?

Thanks

Kale

baja07 · Apr 5, 2015

Kale said:
How does reign pedal? A lot heavier?

Thanks

Kale

Reign is like a mini DH bike with even slacker HA. Geared towards people who live for Down Hills but allows you too pedal up hills just won't be as quick on the pedals.

maclgallant · Apr 5, 2015

It all boils down to where you ride , if you deal with a lot of technical climbs, and or long climbs I would stick with the trance . I would test ride both the trance 1 and 2 and see which suspension setup feels best too you, take time setting up proper sag though.... It's a tough choice because you can't go wrong either way

Steel Calf · Apr 6, 2015

Kale said:
Thank you for all your feedback. Was at my LBS today and may add another bike into the equation: Reign 2.

They have it priced at $3200. Pike fork, dropper post and monarch debonair rear shock. I know it's a lot more travel. Seems to have better components for $ than trances.

How does reign pedal? A lot heavier?

Thanks

Kale

As others said why don't you just go for the SX? It's the perfect deal. You live in the US right?

If it's between Trance 1 and 2 I'd take the Trance 1 over the 2 every day. And Reign 2 looks cool but is 1kg heavier than the Trance SX (that's a lot!), no travel adjustable fork, basic damper, cheap tires, no 1x11.

maclgallant · Apr 6, 2015

The sx is not available in his country unfortunately

Steel Calf · Apr 6, 2015

maclgallant said:
The sx is not available in his country unfortunately

which country? According to his profile he is from California. And as Kale never said where he is from but quoting US$ prices I assumed he is from the US.

Kale, where do you live? Which country?

Kale · Apr 6, 2015

California.

Appreciate all of your advice and knowledge.

Kale

2015 Trance 1 vs 2015 Trance 2

Kale

maclgallant

Kale

maclgallant

lucifuge

maclgallant

Clencher

lucifuge

MarinCRO

maclgallant

Clencher

SierraOutsider

baja07

Kale

baja07

maclgallant

Steel Calf

maclgallant

Steel Calf

Kale

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