Hairy Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 So after a quick stop at some bike shops yesterday, something I hear a lot is "these bikes are not popular in South Africa and we don't bring them in...". So is 140mm overkill for SA and only bikes <120mm worth buying unless you do dedicated downhill? (The rest of the world seem pretty much happy with "trail bikes"). What do you guys think that are on > 120mm trail bikes? PS: I mean my old Giant VT-2 had variable suspension 5.2 or 5.7 setting and I think a 120mm fork. That was about 8 years ago. Even though I was in my 20s and a lot fitter, that bikes was a blast to ride even in 40km races were I could still be fairly competitive for a recreational rider. I would like to think the all-mountain / trail bikes of today are a lot more versatile... sounds like you need better bike shops! which province do you live in ... your profile on the page does not specify?
Oomkool Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 So after a quick stop at some bike shops yesterday, something I hear a lot is "these bikes are not popular in South Africa and we don't bring them in...". So is 140mm overkill for SA and only bikes <120mm worth buying unless you do dedicated downhill? (The rest of the world seem pretty much happy with "trail bikes"). What do you guys think that are on > 120mm trail bikes? PS: I mean my old Giant VT-2 had variable suspension 5.2 or 5.7 setting and I think a 120mm fork. That was about 8 years ago. Even though I was in my 20s and a lot fitter, that bikes was a blast to ride even in 40km races were I could still be fairly competitive for a recreational rider. I would like to think the all-mountain / trail bikes of today are a lot more versatile... Bike shops want to sell you what they know. Trail, all mountain and enduro are swear words to them...except for the few who have seen the light. I ride a 2015 Trance 2 and that thing climbs just as well as any 100mm XC bicycle and it has the added benefit of going down a hill a lot faster. My advice to you is, get out there, ride a 100mm XC bike and then get onto a 140mm+ trail bike...you'll be pleasantly surprised.
VT-2 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 sounds like you need better bike shops! which province do you live in ... your profile on the page does not specify?Gauteng...which makes the 100mm obsession around here to be fair more understandable, but there should be plenty of opportunity for me to hit more adventurous trails when going to Cpt (holiday/family) or doing races outside the province...(Plus remember I have the Anthem X1 which probably is not worth selling given the market for 2nd hand bikes). It is also kinda interesting that in my experience although many trails in Pta/Jhb are not very steep compared to more mountainous provinces (okay fairly flat), they increasingly contain sections that is not fun on a 100mm bike (at least not for me) or contain sections build on steep slopes/hills/koppies that have some proper downhill sections...which is kinda the fun I look forward to after climbing these short steep climbs
VT-2 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 Bike shops want to sell you what they know. Trail, all mountain and enduro are swear words to them...except for the few who have seen the light. I ride a 2015 Trance 2 and that thing climbs just as well as any 100mm XC bicycle and it has the added benefit of going down a hill a lot faster. My advice to you is, get out there, ride a 100mm XC bike and then get onto a 140mm+ trail bike...you'll be pleasantly surprised. Yeah I agree. I have a Giant Anthem X1 which I got specifically at the time to be quicker in the Nissan Trailseeker 1/2 marathon races. I did find almost immediately that although quicker and I guess a bit more "competitive" (B batch sense) I really did not have the confidence or enjoy the downhill sections as much as on my VT 2 (the old Giant Reign basically). That "competitive" part only lasted so long, because the bigger parts of that equation on my level are fitness, regular riding and well "caring about being competitive". With those things in place on the VT2 I was still relatively competitive even with a "heavier, slower" bike. Actually I think the only mayor difference the Anthem made was flat parts, and even on those I tend to not ride that aggressively and save energy for climbs. But these days it is more about enjoying the ride...
Quantum Theory Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Get the Trance... It's the perfect all rounder. I'm running it stock, with only a Giant dropper post added. It can do anything, including climbing well.
GoLefty!! Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 So after a quick stop at some bike shops yesterday, something I hear a lot is "these bikes are not popular in South Africa and we don't bring them in...". So is 140mm overkill for SA and only bikes <120mm worth buying unless you do dedicated downhill? (The rest of the world seem pretty much happy with "trail bikes"). What do you guys think that are on > 120mm trail bikes? PS: I mean my old Giant VT-2 had variable suspension 5.2 or 5.7 setting and I think a 120mm fork. That was about 8 years ago. Even though I was in my 20s and a lot fitter, that bikes was a blast to ride even in 40km races were I could still be fairly competitive for a recreational rider. I would like to think the all-mountain / trail bikes of today are a lot more versatile... too be expected from 29er marathon obsessed shops in JHB. In the rest of the country, were we ride actual MTB's and MTB trails the bikes suspension and travel are bigger factors than wheel size. (just ask the 29 trail bikes that I kept up with on my 26 XC race bike last night... You need to focused on what you want and be bold. If the shop does not want to help you walk away. Do not be fooled into the whole marathon and 29er convenience that SA bicycle suppliers has fallen into.
VT-2 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 One last question for Trance 2 27.5 owners. You happy with the stock Fox fork and did anyone try to swap it out for a Rockshox Pike Solo? (most say the dual air not really worth it) How much will the bike shop typically charge extra if you want to do the swap straight away?
Iwan Kemp Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Pike makes a HUGE difference, but so too will a Revelation. Someone on the Trance 2014 thread managed to organize a swap-out with his LBS and it wasn't much. (PS. No more dual air in the RS line-up. You must be referring to dual position. I wouldn't worry about a dual position or Talas type fork on the Trance.
Oomkool Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Fox fork is OK but a Pike would have been awesome. If budget isn't a problem then get a Pike, otherwise ride the Fox. There are a couple of things you can do to the Fox to make it a bit better, but again, not the worst fork in the world.
VT-2 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 Pike makes a HUGE difference, but so too will a Revelation. Someone on the Trance 2014 thread managed to organize a swap-out with his LBS and it wasn't much. (PS. No more dual air in the RS line-up. You must be referring to dual position. I wouldn't worry about a dual position or Talas type fork on the Trance. Pike vs Revelation? Any major difference in performance? Both come in 150mm 27.5 model right? I know the Pike is all the hype since it is back on market, but I think the Revelation also received good praise when it was released? Is it just a case of the Pike being newer and the top of the line long travel option?
droo Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 I wouldn't worry about a dual position or Talas type fork on the Trance ever. Fixed.
droo Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 With you here. Only thing is I wouldn't ride even a high end Fox 32 on anything over 120 / MAX 130mm travel. Once you're over 130 it becomes a very expensive pool noodle. And one that doesn't float. On a 29er the cut off would be 120mm for me. Yup, that's what the 34 and 36 are for. Ridden a 160mm 32 and it's like strapping your front wheel to a piece of spaghetti. With QR15 I'd go as far as 140mm on a 32 though. So after a quick stop at some bike shops yesterday, something I hear a lot is "these bikes are not popular in South Africa and we don't bring them in...". So is 140mm overkill for SA and only bikes <120mm worth buying unless you do dedicated downhill? (The rest of the world seem pretty much happy with "trail bikes"). What do you guys think that are on > 120mm trail bikes? As a few have said, it's the dealers and distributors that refuse to see a market for longer travel machines. Much the same as trying to find a 26" tyre or a Bell Super 2R - the importers aren't interested even though they'd sell as many as they liked if they'd only give it a chance. They're only really interested in XCM because that's the discipline where they see lots of people at once. If Steve Hofmeyr used the same logic he'd never release another album, but he's sharp enough (if you'll forgive me for saying this) to realise that there are a LOT of small towns in SA even if they're not all in the same place. And he outsells EVERY other SA muso (cough) every year without fail. /rant
DanielJhb Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Look at the x-fusion sweep as well (it has ridiculously good reviews on the trance forums overseas and good value). I'm looking at a fox 34 kashima 2014 (less 65% or something on crc) but I hear the rockshox are superior and don't have the break dive the fox 2014 models have. Can anyone comment on how much of a difference the 34's will make? I think going up to 160mm changes the bike from an all-rounder to a dh monster and that's not ideal for most (especially in gauteng). I have a trance 2014 and just bought my girlfriend one and nothing under 35k comes close to it. Getting my reverb installed today and may change the fork eventually but spending 12k on a Pike for a 25k bike is a bit crazy imo
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Don't go 2014 fox anything. Just don't.
Brawler Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Look at the x-fusion sweep as well (it has ridiculously good reviews on the trance forums overseas and good value). I'm looking at a fox 34 kashima 2014 (less 65% or something on crc) but I hear the rockshox are superior and don't have the break dive the fox 2014 models have. Can anyone comment on how much of a difference the 34's will make? I think going up to 160mm changes the bike from an all-rounder to a dh monster and that's not ideal for most (especially in gauteng). I have a trance 2014 and just bought my girlfriend one and nothing under 35k comes close to it. Getting my reverb installed today and may change the fork eventually but spending 12k on a Pike for a 25k bike is a bit crazy imo If the Fox 34 is a Float or Talas then NO. 12k Pike is a lot but thats just the price of aftermarket forks. Fox are even worse.
goatman Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 If the Fox 34 is a Float or Talas then NO. 12k Pike is a lot but thats just the price of aftermarket forks. Fox are even worse.My dilemma is: Upgrade to a 150mm Pike on the Trance 2 or go big with a stock 2015 Reign (if I can get my hands on one before it's SOLD)Any comments?
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