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NEWS
Giant
Trance
X
2
review
£1495
When
Giant
brought
out
an
addition
to
the
maestro
range
in
the
shape
of
the
Trance
X,
the
hole
in
their
range
was
filled.
Previously
there
was
a
Trance
with
4.2"
of
travel
&
the
Reign
with
6"
of
travel,
but
nothing
in
between.
So
as
the
extremely
happy
owner
of
a
Trance,
when
the
Trance
x
came
along
I
couldn't
wait
to
get
my
hands
on
one.
Not
quite
sure
why
really
as
the
only
time
I
felt
maybe
I
could
do
with
a
bit
more
travel
was
when
mtbking
in
Italy
&
heading
straight
down
for
approx
40mins.
But
I've
come
to
the
conclusion,
it's
in
mountain
bikers
nature
to
keep
looking
for
the
'next
best
thing'
Upon
checking
out
the
range
I
decided
to
go
for
the
Trance
X2
which
retails
for
£1495.
The
other
possible
option
was
the
Trance
X1
at
£1750
with
the
difference
being
in
the
chainset,
shifters
&
a
few
other
components.
The
other
question
was
should
I
go
for
the
woman's
version
which
is
exactly
the
same
price
&
spec
but
with
slight
differences
on
the
frame.
The
top
tube
length
is
a
cm
shorter
&
the
head
tube
is
a
cm
longer.
Luckily,
coming
from
my
Trance
I
knew
exactly
how
I
like
the
set
up
&
as
I
prefer
a
longer
top
tube
&
shorter
stem
(rather
than
the
other
way
around)
the
men's
one
would
suit
me
for
length.
I
also
prefer
to
have
the
head
tube
shorter
&
lift
the
stem
with
spacers
if
necessary,
as
if
you
can't
get
enough
weight
over
the
front
it
makes
the
steering
a
bit
wandery
&
difficult
to
keep
on
the
ground
up
steep
climbs.
Component
wise
it
has
Fox
Float
RL
forks
&
Hayes
Trail
stroker
brakes,
DT
hubs,
XT
rear
mech,
Raceface
ride
xc
chainset,
stem
&
seatpost.
I
have
to
make
a
small
confession
that
I
transferred
my
DT240
hubs/wheels
over
from
my
previous
bike
as
they
are
fantastic
wheels
&
one
of
the
best
kept
secrets
out
there.
From
a
girlie
point
of
view
I
also
swapped
the
saddle
to
a WTB
ladies
gel
saddle.
Helen
enjoying
the
sunshine
at
the
tower.
Well
how
does
it
ride?
Great.
The
maestro
suspension
system
works
superbly
&
I
love
the
stability
of
these
bikes.
To
be
honest
the
difference
between
this,
the
5"
travel
&
the
4.2"
travel
is
marginal.
It
definitely
feels
plusher
over
bumps,
but
there
is
no
detriment
on
weight
or
climbing
ability.
The
only
main
difference
I've
really
felt,
is
on
twisty
singletrack
&
berms
where
I
feel
I
can
rail
it
round
better
without
feeling
the
front
is
going
to
tuck
under.
This
is
probably
due
to
the
slacker
head
angle.
The
Fox
forks
work
great
as
always
&
the
new
Hayes
brakes
work
very
well.
With
the
introduction
of
this
5"
travel
bike,
Giant
now
offers
something
for
everyone.
8.1.08
Update....
I'm
really
getting
to
grips
with
this
bike
now
&
I
have
to
say
it
soaks
up
everything
going
downhill
&
as
I
said
before
it
handles
very
well
in
singletrack
&
berms.
The
trail
stroker
brakes
are
also
a
revelation.
Initially,
as
I
use
gripshift,
I
thought
the
levers
may
be
a
bit
short
but
I've
got
used
to
that
now
&
the
performance
is
superb
with
a
nice
biting
point
&
plenty
powerful.
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