Trail MTBs - 7 years later...What has changed?

[VT-2]

I realised my Giant Trance 2 27.5 (2015) is about seven years old. I have not really looked seriously at new bikes mostly because I ride on my own the trails around Pretoria (love Wolwespruit in particular) and don't do events. If there is one thing that have kept me from the temptation is has been the prices - but that is another story.

 

This is however the longest I have gone without a new bike. Whilst there is nothing in particular wrong with the Trance, I am looking again at the bike market. Apart from the absolute shock in terms of price and value for money (the components are average on 60k+ bikes) - I have also noticed there seem to be less choice with almost none of the brands you see in shootouts available in South Africa. Especially if you like trail bikes...But that is a whole discussion on its own...

 

I want to rather focus on what the new trail bikes can do compared to a 2015 Trance. Mine is still standard apart from the drive train which I changed two years ago to a single 10 speed. 

 

 

First, it seems most of the traill bikes are now 29ers. Second that you still basically get an average trail bike (130-140mm) and a more aggressive trail bike (close to enduro / all mountain 150mm-160mm machines) - but now also the so-called "down-country" bikes. I am only interested in the trail to more aggressive trail bikes. I see you also get "chips" and all sorts of settings that enable you to change the geometry on the trails. Anything I missed?

 

I want to know from trial riders or people that had a trail bike from say 2015-2018 and then replaced / added a more recent bike (2019-2022) like say a Giant Trance X or the Specialised SJ Evo (aggressive trail bikes). However, I would also like to hear from the people that stayed more or less in the 130-140mm range from 2019-2022 - it might be the equivalent of my bike then.

 

(1) How much have the bikes improved in technology and does it make a difference to you riding ability and technical progression compared to you older bike?

 

(2) Is it more fun? One criticism of all these new 29er trail bikes and especially the long travel bikes is that they are so forgiving and capable that they actually require bigger and more dangerous riding to stay fun. In other words the actual trial experience is soaked up in all the travel and tech. Also that people don't learn proper skills on them but I don't want to get into the philosophy and the pro / cons of this approach in the industry...Rather given the trails and activities in your area and what we typically find in South Africa are you having more fun? Progressing your skills? Why? 

 

(3) Personally I am not sure if it worth upgrading to a 29er between 120-140mm. I think it might be better to just upgrade my drive train (12 speed) and my wheels (bigger and better hubs for wider tyre coverage) and maybe call it a day. Ideally I would like to upgrade the fork but 2nd hand forks in RSA is a mission and often way overpriced. It is almost cheaper to just buy a 2nd hand 34 140mm-160mm bike than go shopping for such a fork. Now the Trance X type of bikes look like something that might be worth the upgrade...Opinions?

 

*Disclaimer 1: It seems like a horrible time to buy new now given the state of the industry, South African market and our economic prospects - but lets put that aside and say there is money for a new bike.

* Disclaimer 2: The obvious best way to know is to go ride a few bikes, do demo days (if you still get those) and / or make new mtb friends and borrow their bikes. But some desktop research will not hurt...

 

 

 

Edited July 26, 2022 by VT-2
A lot of "trials" instead of "trails" :)

[Steady Spin]

I’m on the shorter travel spectrum of the trail bike category with a 140/120mm setup and to be honest it handles everything my skillset can ever throw at it and what GP has to offer. For example Wolwespruit has nothing that needs an aggressive trail bike.

The frame is a little dated being a 2018 model with a 66 degree HA but it does the job just perfectly. 

Wont be upgrading any time soon. 

[Jewbacca]

Most trial bikes have no suspension, tiny wheels and often no saddle......

 

 

[droo]

22 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

Most trial bikes have no suspension, tiny wheels and often no saddle......

 

 

My internal spell checker was twitching as well...

OP - if you want to spend money, just take a modern *trail* bike for a test ride. The improvements that have been made, mainly to geometry, and therefore handling, are many and effective. I could write a thesis, but I won't.

If you're happy with what you have, don't start looking.

[MTBRIDER1234]

When I saw this title I was thinking how much have trials bikes changed? Apart from the introduction of carbon frames thanks to Danny, they have stayed the same for years

Trail bikes on the other hand, have changed a lot. Like a lot. Geometry has got longer and slacker, stems have got shorter and bars have got wider. They now pedal better and are able to descend faster and give you more control. It is also commonplace for frames to have built in adjustments that you can make to the geometry.

 

[porqui]

A Trance is a Trance ou pel. They handle almost everything that you throw at them well. You are not going to improve on it that much and as for it being a 27 that's more of a mind thing yes 29 wheels are nice but are you going to have more fun on it ? - doubt it. If you are a serious race snake you are going to spend a lot more money to get more bike.

If your Trance is not a 1x 11 or 12 yet it would be much better to spend bucks on that and get a dropper post if you don't have one. And get FLAT pedals. Money well spent.

Just my opinion

Edited July 25, 2022 by porqui

[AkwA]

Honest biggest changes I would say would be slacker geo, 1x11 or 1x12 is verrry lekka and those forks that came on the trance aren’t my favourite.

 You could spend around 15-20k, swop the drivetrain and change the fork for a 29er fork and wheel, and you’d basically have a new bike.

[VT-2]

5 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

Most trial bikes have no suspension, tiny wheels and often no saddle......

 

 

Haha - deserve it! I think I only got the header right and from there on it was "trials" all the way. Even riding "trials" in Pta Will edit it tomorrow...

[bullet77]

You could also "mullet" the Trance with a 29er fork and wheel, and a dropper if you don't have one.

[Rolf Hansen]

2015 feels new if I think about the date but then I remember we are already halfway through 2022.

I have a 2008 Cannondale that now has a 140mm fork, new brakes with larger rotors, short stem, wide bars and 29/27.5 wheels. Doubt I'd win any races or have people admiring my ride but hell do I have a lot of fun on it on the trails. 

Upgrade the fork to a 29 and run a mullet setup. It will feel like a new bike.

[VT-2]

14 hours ago, Steady Spin said:

I’m on the shorter travel spectrum of the trail bike category with a 140/120mm setup and to be honest it handles everything my skillset can ever throw at it and what GP has to offer. For example Wolwespruit has nothing that needs an aggressive trail bike.

The frame is a little dated being a 2018 model with a 66 degree HA but it does the job just perfectly. 

Wont be upgrading any time soon. 

I hear you and is more or less on the same page. But, I want to hear from those that did change to the slacker, new geo and longer travel newer trail bikes if that made any difference to their riding at say a Wolwespruit. (I have done all the black lines with my bike and don't just slowly roll every jump although I by no means is Greg Minaaring down them either or have any great desire at 40+ years)

[VT-2]

13 hours ago, droo said:

My internal spell checker was twitching as well...

OP - if you want to spend money, just take a modern *trail* bike for a test ride. The improvements that have been made, mainly to geometry, and therefore handling, are many and effective. I could write a thesis, but I won't.

If you're happy with what you have, don't start looking.

Eish, good advice but hard to follow the last part Although I did not look for 7 years...

[VT-2]

12 hours ago, porqui said:

A Trance is a Trance ou pel. They handle almost everything that you throw at them well. You are not going to improve on it that much and as for it being a 27 that's more of a mind thing yes 29 wheels are nice but are you going to have more fun on it ? - doubt it. If you are a serious race snake you are going to spend a lot more money to get more bike.

If your Trance is not a 1x 11 or 12 yet it would be much better to spend bucks on that and get a dropper post if you don't have one. And get FLAT pedals. Money well spent.

Just my opinion

Yeah, first things I got back in 2015 was a dropper and flat pedals. Really enjoy both especially the flat pedals. Changed the drive train pre-Covid to what the shifters and most of the exsisting components could accomodate (apart from new casette and blade upfront) but definitely 1 x 12 is first on the list for next upgrade.

[VT-2]

A couple of people have suggested a fork upgrade. The fork never got good reviews back in the day and was first on most lists for upgrading.

What do I need to know when upgrading and what is typically available in RSA? I assume 2nd hand makes most sense? Back in the day many on the interwebs preferred a RS Pike Solo 150mm if I recall...

(I assume it has to be a 27.5 fork around 140mm to 160mm and probably a 34-36 - again the 32 was a criticism on the bike - and the offset doesn't matter that much but ideal if can match?)

[thebob]

Get a ride on a Trek Fuel EX or new Top Fuel (Wolwespruit has demos) and decide for yourself. Comparing you bike to a current trail bike back to back will give you the answers you are looking for. Personally I wouldn't bother throwing money at an older bike. The bones are already outdated and hanging fancy new bits on it won't give you as much performance gain as the new school geometry.

If you ride a size M you can give my Pyga Hyrax a go at Wolwe this weekend. I'll be there on Saturday. Drop me a PM if you want to organise

[AkwA]

57 minutes ago, VT-2 said:

I hear you and is more or less on the same page. But, I want to hear from those that did change to the slacker, new geo and longer travel newer trail bikes if that made any difference to their riding at say a Wolwespruit. (I have done all the black lines with my bike and don't just slowly roll every jump although I by no means is Greg Minaaring down them either or have any great desire at 40+ years)

I have ridden a 2016 trance, newer model 160mm softail and a 130mm hardtail at wolwe, Most fun would be on the hardtail if I had to be honest.

The speed I would say is a minor difference, where the trance and hardtail were only slower on rough stuff.

There is a difference, but in terms of fun, don’t think the difference is big enough to warrant a full bike upgrade, especially if you don’t race.