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My new build is based on the Giant Trance 29er frame (120 rear shock). Want to build it up for maximum fun without adding too much weight - will have to do lots of miles on it...
Trying to choose a fork that will allow lots of miles as well as a "take anywhere" bike.
Thinking of a dual position 140/110 option but aware that adds weight.
Two top options for 140/110 are
- X-Fusion Trace RL2 DLA - 34mm stanchions but 1995 grams
- Rockshox Revelation RCT3 140mm Solo Air - 1800 grams
There is also a 130mm variant of the Rockshox available on chain reaction...
Or am I adding unnecessary weight for the adjustable height... I note the Dt Swiss XMM 120 comes in at 1610 grams
Any thoughts welcome. Thanks
Personaly I never use travel as just and just ride my forks at full travel, so is just more weight/expence/stuff to go wrong for me.
Love my Xfusion slants. So I imagine the trace is great too.
Agreed, I wouldnt bother with travel adjust, oh and the solo air rev is fixed at 140mm. A 140mm fork with lockout wont wander too much.
I have revs and Sids and find the RCT3 solo air to be really good. Xfusion get a lot of good reviews from everyone, so I guess its about the best deal you can get.
If Weight is really important why not look at a 120mm Sid which is really light and can still handle a fair amount.
Swapped out my Fox Float 32's 140mm for X-Fusion Slants and never looked back.
So another vote for X-Fusion here...
My bike climbs a lot better with the travel wound down so I am a fan of travel adjustment. Worth the weight penalty to me.
The traces will be quite a bit stiffer in my experience, even the xfusion slides are stiffer than revs.
I wouldn't bother with travel adjust for that much travel either, 110 - 160 or similar I might but not 30mm.
If you're looking for an all day adventure bike, then comfort and reliability should be in front of the need to lose just under half a pound.
If it were my money, I'd be forking out (no pun intended) on the Revelation. They're reliable, lightweight, tuneable and the travel adjust will help on the climbs.
Thanks for all the advice
Still tempted by dual height...
Options appear to be
X-Fusion Trace 140/110
RockShox Revelation dual air 140/110
Both similar price
Or there is a
RockShox Pike - 150/120 for a bit more - and seems to get great reviews
Any knowledge of the Giant Trance - will it handle 150 ok?
TBH, i've never found the travel of my forks to be the limiting factor in any climbing i've ever done. For me, really it's about my legs! 😉
if i were going to ride rougher, more techy stuff with any regularity i'd just plump for something around 140mm on a 29er, and if i only ever rode smoother stuff, i'd happily go down to a nice capable 120mm fork.
If you are an aggressive rider then I think either Revelation or Trace otherwise the SID or Reba from Rockshox or Slide from X-fusion.
You said you'll be doing lots of miles and you want something light so I would probably be going for a SID, Reba or Slide.
Also personally I would stick to a 120mm fork as that's what the bike was designed around. The bike is designed as an all round trail bike not a XC racing snake so should still be fun with a 120mm fork. And don't forget the bigger wheels means it'll roll over bigger bumps so you might not need the extra travel you think you might need on a 26" bike.
Also don't forget you might need to factor in a new headset and stem as Giant use their own Overdrive2 steerer standard on a lot of their bikes now.