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I'm in the market for an upgrade to my trusty 2011 Specialized Camber and I've seen some cracking deals on last year's Giant Trance in the sales.
Anyone on here own one or ridden one? How does the stock wheelset perform (considering the rims are only 21mm internal)? At bang on 6ft tall I'm presuming I'll be needing the large size frame as the reach and stack are comparable to my current ride.
I have the 2017 trance 2 Alloy version. It's a great bike, I'm 6'1" and got a large. The large feels fine on red run type stuff, but a bit small when you tackle the steeper stuff. I replaced the stem for a shorter one. Nearly had it a year and the wheels are still true. Nobby nic aren't great.
The suspension is brilliant.
I use it for trails to downhill and it copes with everything.
I really like my 2014/15 Trance 2, now I've replaced both suspension units: Mine came with the Fox Evo stuff, which is pants. I think the 2016 comes with Performance level Fox, which may be better, I don't know.
I picked up the 17 Trance 2 in the sales a few months back. Really rate it. It's been ridden in the Lakes (Whinlatter and Grisedale Pike ridge descent), rocky and steep stuff around Hebden Bridge (Blue Pig, Peckett Well etc) and absolutely destroyed them. As mentioned above the suspension is superb, really balanced, really plush and really controlled. I've ridden the same descents on bigger, slacker bikes and felt less in control. She pedals really well too and the forks are good with great small bump sensitivity, but also well supported. All in all a fantastic bike with a great suspension platform (apparently Maestro is a copy of the patented DW-Link used by the likes of Turner, Pivot and Ibis. Giant were sued but settled out of court).
Only slight issue I've had has been the wheels. Nothing wrong with them per 'se and they've handled everything with aplomb. However I felt that they were a bit flexy when cornering hard (I should caveat that I'm 6'4" and weigh just under 18 stone, don't think these issues would apply for someone of normal weight). I've swapped them out for some Stan's Arch3.
My advice is buy and enjoy!
I have. Trance 29er but my son hs just bought a '17 Trance that is excellent. I first rode it coming off Jacobs Ladder and it was instantly confidence inspiring. He had a job getting it back. The geometry is nicer than the earlier trance and suspension works very well.