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Trance x3 review?


Boulder's picture

By Boulder - Posted on 03 August 2010

Hi everybody,

I'm thinking of buying a Trance x3... I'll be using it for Manly Dam and the likes (maybe occasionally a bit of downhill), but i was wondering if anyone here has any previous experience with the x3 or any of the other bikes in the trance series, any advice or opinions would be greatly appreaciated. Laughing out loud

Cheers, Boulder

Jonathan's picture

Within the last 2 months i got myself a trance x2 and love it!!! From stepping up off a hardtail its got a lot more grip, a lot more stable and defiantly a lot more confidence inspiring. I bought my bike because it was supposed to be an awesome all rounder (also had the intention of riding a bitta dh) and from riding so far, it is. Very rocky loose decents, the suspension gives lots of grip and soaks up all the rock's. Climbing is even eisier, even when out of the saddle its got tonnes of grip. I haven't tried hardening up the suspension to do big drops yet but from what i've done im sure it will be fine

Hope this helps somewhat, if you've got any other questions just ask.

Jono

Andrei74's picture

Hey mate,

I own an '09 Trance X3 and it's a great bike that can handle a lot. It's a very good trail bike with some All Mountain abilities. Pedals great and is very neutral in handling. It loves to pop of jumps and being flung around. The main advantage of this bike is the maestro and the fox suspension. If you think about a bit of DH, I would stay away from rough and steep trails though as the bike has a relatively short wheelbase and steep head angle. That said however the Trance X has done very well at the all-mountain champs but with a longer travel fork. Also in the DH department, you might wanna upgrade a few things, like the brakes, maybe a longer travel fork and a extra volume shock to give you a bit more of a plush ride.

So in conclusion the Trance is a wicked little bike, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommending it.

PS. here are some more reviews on mtbr:
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/xc-suspensio/giant...

hawkeye's picture

... is that it has one too many fork legs.

But you can't have everything, can you? Eye-wink

FLY's picture

I have had mine for a bit over a year. I'm not a very good rider but it made a huge difference to my riding enjoyment.

Wayno's picture

I have a 2010 X1 Trance & a 2009 Reign 0 and I enjoy riding both of them but if you are looking to do a spot of downhill then the Reign is the better choice. The Trance does everything really well and is fun to ride but I find that the fork tends to ramp up and becomes quite harsh when getting towards the end of the travel. Having said that I was riding the Trance at Oxford Falls on Sunday hitting some of the smaller jumps/drops on the upper half of Oxford Falls and it really performed well but the landings are relatively smooth on those trails. To me the Reign climbs almost as well as the Trance, definately handles as well and kills it in the rough stuff.

Boulder's picture

say if i were riding the first section of the push traiil at oxford falls, would that be okay?

Boulder's picture

also thanks for all the opinions, i have a feeling this will be the bike for me!

thanks again,

Boulder

daveh's picture

I have had an X2 for about 9 months and love it. Nice comfortable ride, plenty of travel for what I get up to and it eats up single track. I test rode the Trance and Anthem and went for the Trance as it was a more comfortable ride, not as "racey" as the Anthem, a little easier to ride, especially for longer rides.

arghvee's picture

Had a trance for some 3 years... fantastic. Has held up very well with minor issues. Just need a bright shiny new one again, agh.

VC's picture

I bought mine 2 years ago, my first dual suspension bike,even now the bike is still better than me, i can ride it all day up and down hills, do the long haul and techo stuff.Make it soft or hard according to the terrain .........but.....I hate cleaning it around the rear suspension area cause of the bad cable routing and clutter, and i'd like a 12mm rear axle, but apart from those few gripes, i love my bike, it'a great all rounder.

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