To upgrade or not

[JohannRaath]

So I have a 2015 Giant Trance 2 that I have been upgrading over the past few months.

 

Swopped the terrible fox32 for a manitou mattoc with the the dorado damper.

Added a lyne 150 dropper.

Went 1x10 30 11/43.

Wider bars shorter stem and all that.

 

Oh, I also wrapped the bike black cause you know... looks = speed.

 

I am thinking of upgrading the fox float ctd evo to something with better dampening since I have to run it currently near max pressure to hold up in bigger hits and not flop around (i'm 102kg)

 

On the other hand, the p-xc2 wheels, bombproof as they are, are rather skinny(19mm internal) and the tire roll is rather bad (2.3 maxxis) on them.

 

Upgrade shock or wheels? And if so, upgrade them to what?

 

Thanks in advance

[Pikey]

Which frustrates you more and makes you troll the World Wide Web in search of sparkling trinkets that enhances your ride ?

[Allrounder]

N+1

 

When in doubt, buy the new bike. 

[Grey Hubs]

Or, what makes you want to ride when you look at the bike and feel guilty when you don't.

 

Hard to beat a great pair of wheels though...

[Odinson]

Tough call. I'd say wheels, but I'd hate to ride around on one of those wooden CTD shocks. 

 

That being said, be wary of overcapitalizing on your bike. You don't want to take a big hit when the time comes to sell your baby. 

[Pikey]

Or, what makes you want to ride when you look at the bike and feel guilty when you don't.

 

Hard to beat a great pair of wheels though...

+1 on the wheels for sure.

But a good set is a fair bit more than rear shock.

[anybody seen george?]

So I have a 2015 Giant Trance 2 that I have been upgrading over the past few months.

 

Swopped the terrible fox32 for a manitou mattoc with the the dorado damper.

Added a lyne 150 dropper.

Went 1x10 30 11/43.

Wider bars shorter stem and all that.

 

Oh, I also wrapped the bike black cause you know... looks = speed.

 

I am thinking of upgrading the fox float ctd evo to something with better dampening since I have to run it currently near max pressure to hold up in bigger hits and not flop around (i'm 102kg)

 

On the other hand, the p-xc2 wheels, bombproof as they are, are rather skinny(19mm internal) and the tire roll is rather bad (2.3 maxxis) on them.

 

Upgrade shock or wheels? And if so, upgrade them to what?

 

Thanks in advance

I`d say a new shock. Having to up pressure close to max is not good as then the rest of your ride suffers. Maybe a monarch plus? Think you need something you can tune with a bit more ramp up at the end before you bottom out.

[anybody seen george?]

Not sure of the shock dimensions for the trance but I would go for this

[JohannRaath]

Upgrading would be to a much more expensive bike.

 

@Mr.GT I had that shock in mind and it is the correct sizing for the trance. As it is now I have close to no low speed compliance and it is probably effecting the bike in more ways than I think.

 

I'll just have to run the tyre pressures a bit higher to compensate for roll?

 

Out of interest, what would be a worth while wheel upgrade? Trail focused, jonkershoek type of stuff.

[droo]

I'm going to ask the same question I always do - when was the shock last serviced? If it's set at 30% sag and it's blowing through travel, chances are the damper's shot. Those EVOs aren't the best (by a long shot) but they're not completely useless.

 

My advice would be to go for a shock rebuild and the wheels, and keep an eye out for a Monarch or a Fox Boostvalve shock in the classifieds - you'll pick up a bargain if you lurk long enough. Those DB  Inlines are great when they work, but have been known to be unreliable.

 

As for wheels, there are so many options to choose from that it's hard to say where to start, but make sure they're 32H, hand built, with double butted spokes and brass nipples. And somewhere around 27 - 30mm wide rims. At 102kg I'd say Flow MK3 are a good option.

[JohannRaath]

Hi Droo!

 

After a few weeks on the mattoc you extended to 160 for me (i was at your shop with ben) and getting all the nobs to the right numbers the bike has been feeling amazing and it's probably the reason I now notice the under performing parts.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll look around, not in a hurry to buy anyway.

[Mr lee]

If it is just tire roll that is bothering you then just buy a decent rim and rebuild onto your current hubs and spokes! Would be much cheaper than a complete new set of wheels!

 

25mm ID is a nice compromise and allows you to run low pressures without the roll you currently experience. 30mm will really stiffen things up but the rim is more exposed and more prone to scratches from well, anything! All depends on your riding style, where you ride and what you want from the them 

 

You can go Stan's at +/-R1500 a rim or Rapide which are really good too at less than half the price. Then just find a decent wheel builder and away you go. You may even be able to use your original spokes too...

[JohannRaath]

@Mr lee

 

Yeah I will probably go with the rapide rim option, since I am not one to care too much about the weight, along with a shock service.

 

Thanks for the input guys!