i dont think those upgrades are worth 600 extra bucks. id get the x3, sell off the fox fork and put a pike on it! call it a day.
Giant Trance help
Hey,
So I've decided that I'm going to get a Giant Trance, but haven't made up my mind between the x3 or x2. My LBS sells the x3 for $1899 and the x2 for like $2500. I'm not going to be racing or anything, I just want a bike that rides well and holds up. Is it worth the extra cash to upgrade?
Here are the different specs:
Basically, you get rp2 over float, lockout in the fork, better brakes, and XT level stuff over Deore level stuff. Should I shell out for the x2?
X3
FORK Fox 32 F120R, 120mm travel, 15mm thru-axle
SHOCK Fox Float R
SHIFTERS Shimano Deore, Rapidfire
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore, 34.9mm, top swing
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano SLX Shadow, top normal, long cage
BRAKES Hayes Stroker Ryde disc, 180F / 160R
BRAKE LEVERS Hayes Stroker Ryde
CASSETTE Shimano HG50, 11-34T, 9SPD
CHAIN Shimano HG73
CRANKSET Race Face Ride XC, 22/32/44T
BOTTOM BRACKET Race Face X-type, external
X2
fork Fox 32 F120RL, 120mm travel w/ 15QR Thru Axle
shock Fox Float RP2
shifters Shimano XT Rapidfire
front derailleur Shimano SXL
rear derailleur Shimano XT Shadow, top normal
brakes Hayes Stroker Trail Custom for Giant 180F/160R
levers Hayes
cassette SRAM PG-980 11/34, 9-speed
chain Shimano HG-73
cranks Race Face Deus XC, 22/32/44
BB Race Face X Type, external
So I've decided that I'm going to get a Giant Trance, but haven't made up my mind between the x3 or x2. My LBS sells the x3 for $1899 and the x2 for like $2500. I'm not going to be racing or anything, I just want a bike that rides well and holds up. Is it worth the extra cash to upgrade?
Here are the different specs:
Basically, you get rp2 over float, lockout in the fork, better brakes, and XT level stuff over Deore level stuff. Should I shell out for the x2?
X3
FORK Fox 32 F120R, 120mm travel, 15mm thru-axle
SHOCK Fox Float R
SHIFTERS Shimano Deore, Rapidfire
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore, 34.9mm, top swing
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano SLX Shadow, top normal, long cage
BRAKES Hayes Stroker Ryde disc, 180F / 160R
BRAKE LEVERS Hayes Stroker Ryde
CASSETTE Shimano HG50, 11-34T, 9SPD
CHAIN Shimano HG73
CRANKSET Race Face Ride XC, 22/32/44T
BOTTOM BRACKET Race Face X-type, external
X2
fork Fox 32 F120RL, 120mm travel w/ 15QR Thru Axle
shock Fox Float RP2
shifters Shimano XT Rapidfire
front derailleur Shimano SXL
rear derailleur Shimano XT Shadow, top normal
brakes Hayes Stroker Trail Custom for Giant 180F/160R
levers Hayes
cassette SRAM PG-980 11/34, 9-speed
chain Shimano HG-73
cranks Race Face Deus XC, 22/32/44
BB Race Face X Type, external
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Personally, I'd buy the X2. I end up climbing a lot of fire-roads and negotiating the occasional sections of pavement so I'd want a fork that locks out, like the F120RL on the X2. Many disagree with me, but I also think the Trance X benefits from a ProPedal shock when climbing. The stock RP2 has a bit too much ProPedal, but you can get any Fox service center to retune it for a modest fee.
Your best bet, really, is to demo both bikes on your local trails and then buy the one that works best for you...
Your best bet, really, is to demo both bikes on your local trails and then buy the one that works best for you...
As far as the xt over the deore...worth it?
The second bike has two more pieces of "bling" to it with RF Deus Crankset and the RP2. Everyone will have an opinion. The Trance isnt a race bike but I think if you can afford it you step up to XT. The Deus Crankset is a big step up from the Ride. Cheap cranksets have cheap rings that tend to either bend or have teeth break.
I think it worth upgrading the drivetrain. Even a parking lot demo should show the X-2 is a smother shifting bike. For the $600 I think just about everything is upgraded including stem, bars, seatpost, seat and wheels. I bought a bike with Deore and a cheap crankset and everything was replaced with upgraded stuff after about two years.
I think it worth upgrading the drivetrain. Even a parking lot demo should show the X-2 is a smother shifting bike. For the $600 I think just about everything is upgraded including stem, bars, seatpost, seat and wheels. I bought a bike with Deore and a cheap crankset and everything was replaced with upgraded stuff after about two years.
If you really plan on riding this bike as much as you should 
then definitely go for the X2 with XT and all the other components upgraded as well. The RP2 shock and Flot RL fork will be much appreciated on smoother ascents and flats and truly the difference between XT and Deore as far as shifting/working performance, it's night and day difference. Also if you got the X3 and decided to upgrade it over time you'd spend way more than $600 for those upgrades.
then definitely go for the X2 with XT and all the other components upgraded as well. The RP2 shock and Flot RL fork will be much appreciated on smoother ascents and flats and truly the difference between XT and Deore as far as shifting/working performance, it's night and day difference. Also if you got the X3 and decided to upgrade it over time you'd spend way more than $600 for those upgrades.
If you have the cash, go X2. If I did, I would have. Instead I bought last year's, which is basically the X3, and will in the long run spend more (but get to bike more than if I had saved up!) I'd question the "night and day" shifting difference between Deore and XT. The XT shifts better when they're both new, but it's real advantage is that it's lighter and will shift waay better in 2-3 years than the deore. The selling point for me is that you not only get those upgrades, but also lockout on the front and rear suspension AND better stem/seatpost/handlebars. And the stroker trails are supposed to be much better than the Rydes.
The X2 is definitely worth the $600.
The X2 is definitely worth the $600.
I disagree.tomsmoto said:i dont think those upgrades are worth 600 extra bucks.
I think it's well worth $600 for those upgrades.
Trying to upgrade a TX3 to TX2 level later on would cost a lot more than $600.
it really wouldnt. pawn off the fox fork to some poor bastard on ebay for 300 bucks, put a pike on it for 400 bucks, get a 20mm wheel built up for another 100, and call it a day.
so now you've got a MUCH stiffer front end, an extra 20mm to make the bike shine, compression damping.. and hey, you picked up a lockout too.
xt stuff isnt night and day. you press the button, it shifts a gear. it'll shift a gear every time you press the button, consistently, and reliably. sram stuff will do the same... ok the rear deore deraillers wont, they really do suck, but the x3 comes with a damn fine SLX shadow anyway. the amount of time they take to shift is identical, the XT pods just feel more "positive", but the actual shifting through the gears is as fast as your finger moves (same actuation ratio). but if it really bothers you all that much, xt pods are under 100.
that pike and wheel made the 600 dollar difference a 400 dollar difference. cheaper and better.
too much of that 600 bucks goes to crap i wouldnt want.. looks to me like you're paying 600 bucks for an rp2 upgrade, and another crappy fox fork.
so now you've got a MUCH stiffer front end, an extra 20mm to make the bike shine, compression damping.. and hey, you picked up a lockout too.
xt stuff isnt night and day. you press the button, it shifts a gear. it'll shift a gear every time you press the button, consistently, and reliably. sram stuff will do the same... ok the rear deore deraillers wont, they really do suck, but the x3 comes with a damn fine SLX shadow anyway. the amount of time they take to shift is identical, the XT pods just feel more "positive", but the actual shifting through the gears is as fast as your finger moves (same actuation ratio). but if it really bothers you all that much, xt pods are under 100.
that pike and wheel made the 600 dollar difference a 400 dollar difference. cheaper and better.
too much of that 600 bucks goes to crap i wouldnt want.. looks to me like you're paying 600 bucks for an rp2 upgrade, and another crappy fox fork.
I disagree. you get XT stuff, which is nice, if not THAT much better than deore/slx. You also get an upgraded: crankset, stem, seatpost, handlebars, and of course front and rear suspension. Definitely worth $600. Besides, you could just ride that fork for awhile, then send it to PUSH and get a custom-tuned fork that'll be way better than a Pike. (you can even upgrade to RLC spec...)tomsmoto said:looks to me like you're paying 600 bucks for an rp2 upgrade, and another crappy fox fork.
If you have the extra money to spend on it go for it! I have an 08 X2 which is pretty much the 09 X3. Only thing I can say I wish had went a step up for is the lockouts on the fork and shock. While the suspension doesn't really need them they are nice to have, and it is nearly impossible to find a RP2 or other rear shock in the right size as I think the Trance is the only one that uses it.
I ended up uprading the drivetrain to XT and getting the stroker trails as well. While these were improvements it was far from night and day. Personally i'm glad I saved the $600-700 going with the lower model. Personally the extra money is better spent went needed and makes it easier to validate upgrades down the road.
I ended up uprading the drivetrain to XT and getting the stroker trails as well. While these were improvements it was far from night and day. Personally i'm glad I saved the $600-700 going with the lower model. Personally the extra money is better spent went needed and makes it easier to validate upgrades down the road.
yeah that proprietary 7.25 by 1.75 SUCKS...I'll go XT eventually, getting some lighter wheels faster tires is first, maybe shorter stem.finny1999 said:If you have the extra money to spend on it go for it! I have an 08 X2 which is pretty much the 09 X3. Only thing I can say I wish had went a step up for is the lockouts on the fork and shock. While the suspension doesn't really need them they are nice to have, and it is nearly impossible to find a RP2 or other rear shock in the right size as I think the Trance is the only one that uses it.
I ended up uprading the drivetrain to XT and getting the stroker trails as well. While these were improvements it was far from night and day. Personally i'm glad I saved the $600-700 going with the lower model. Personally the extra money is better spent went needed and makes it easier to validate upgrades down the road.
G
I just bought the X2; it's worth every dollar. It is set up great with the components that come with it. You don't really need the lockout on the rear, but the front lockout is helpful.
It is more realistic to compare this bike with those costing much more instead of the lower end model Giant. You buy the X2, you won't be disappointed. You won't need the extra $600, you'll be too busy riding to spend it.
It is more realistic to compare this bike with those costing much more instead of the lower end model Giant. You buy the X2, you won't be disappointed. You won't need the extra $600, you'll be too busy riding to spend it.
Personally I think the X2 is the best value of the bunch. The step up to X1 is $1500+ and all you get is the rp23 (which you don't need at all with Maestro), xtr rear dr (I think the difference between XT and XTR is primarily weight), XT front dr (not much difference over SXL) some lighter stuff (but not as big as the step from ride to evolve) Exilir CR brakes (but the stroker trails are supposed to be pretty good), and the biggest advantage, Crossmax ST wheels. And of course an ugly olive green color
Obviously tomsmoto hates Fox for some reason so I would take his advice with a grain of salt.tomsmoto said:it really wouldnt. pawn off the fox fork to some poor bastard on ebay for 300 bucks, put a pike on it for 400 bucks, get a 20mm wheel built up for another 100, and call it a day.
too much of that 600 bucks goes to crap i wouldnt want.. looks to me like you're paying 600 bucks for an rp2 upgrade, and another crappy fox fork.
Adding a Pike and a TA will add a further pound of weight to the bike.
With the QR15, the stock front end will be plenty stiff for the trail riding the TX2 is suited for.
This years TX2 is basically the same spec as last years TX1 with the added benefit of the QR15.
Someone already said this years TX2 was the best value, well so was last years TX1.
I have a few parts that I will probably switch out: nice stem and handlebars, and I have an older pair of shimano hydros that I might switch out if the rydes suck. Right now, I'm definitely leaning towards the x3 so I can get riding sooner. Thanks for the input everyone
If you don't need the QR I'd agree in looking for a 2008 X1 on discount. Same goes on getting the '08 X2 over the '03. Only difference is no QR and LX instead of SLX RD. For me, the only thing I REALLY miss on the step up is lockout on the front, but I'm gonna push mine at some point and make it RLC... Oh, and the '08 models look SO much better.
I would get the nicer bike because you enjoy a better ride and the money comes back to you when you sell it.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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