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

[El Duderino]

8 minutes ago, VT-2 said:

Another great reply - thank you! TheBob also recommended I check out the Trek's at Wolwespruit. I also thought clicking on the website that Top sound exactly like the new down-country craze and more towards the XC side on things. But, the reviews I glanced at (will go read in more detail) basically confirm what you said - very capable going down despite the short travel.

 

It would be nice if the shop there had a Top and the more mid travel Fuel. I get the impression from the Facebook / website that is is mostly demo Tops. But, I will go check with them one day in the week after work...

 

The riding I like is the sort of flowing stuff you find at Wolwespruit and trails that have berms, jumps, drops and other obstacles that is challenging but not straight down, table-top, gap clearing hospital stuff. I basically want to be able to just do that as confident as possible and push / progress to doing them proper justice.

 

So, maybe I don't need an Trance X of Specialised SJ Evo...I have not heard from these guys yet? Do they pedal like say my bike / 2015 trail bikes but with all the benefits of what you get with a longer travel trail bike in 2022?

I reckon something like this:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/trance-advanced-pro-29-2

 

If you can find one. I could not. Found a second hand 2019 Giant Trance on the Hub for an excellent price, but I decided to go brand new. Also did not like the yellow/green colour. It is probably still for sale and is a bargain.

Here it is:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/dual-suspension-bikes/560954/giant-trance-advanced-pro1-m-1x12-carbon

[porqui]

I suspect that you have already made up your mind about a new bike but could not justify it in your own mind and you are now garnering support here on the hub. Don't worry it's been done before.

😝

Btw I might be interested in your Trance but remember it is an old bike with old geometry and 27 wheels and the front fork leaves much to be desired and as for getting new tyres almost impossible so ja ....

Edited July 26, 2022 by porqui

[thebob]

16 hours ago, El Duderino said:

I reckon something like this:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/trance-advanced-pro-29-2

 

If you can find one. I could not. Found a second hand 2019 Giant Trance on the Hub for an excellent price, but I decided to go brand new. Also did not like the yellow/green colour. It is probably still for sale and is a bargain.

Here it is:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/dual-suspension-bikes/560954/giant-trance-advanced-pro1-m-1x12-carbon

That Trance 29 Advanced in the classifieds would be an awesome upgrade. A proper fun and poppy bike with loads more capability than the travel and geometry numbers suggest. From experience with my Trance 29 1, it will more than likely need new bearings. Mine liked a new set every 6 months or so. The brake levers on that model are also pants. Upgrading to a set of Guide RS or Guide RSC levers makes a massive difference to the braking power

[esCape-ist]

18 hours ago, El Duderino said:

I reckon something like this:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/trance-advanced-pro-29-2

 

If you can find one. I could not. Found a second hand 2019 Giant Trance on the Hub for an excellent price, but I decided to go brand new. Also did not like the yellow/green colour. It is probably still for sale and is a bargain.

Here it is:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/dual-suspension-bikes/560954/giant-trance-advanced-pro1-m-1x12-carbon

Why are all the Trance models in the classifieds M?... I am searching high and low for a large 29er Trance, if anyone knows of one

[VT-2]

11 hours ago, porqui said:

I suspect that you have already made up your mind about a new bike but could not justify it in your own mind and you are now garnering support here on the hub. Don't worry it's been done before.

😝

Btw I might be interested in your Trance but remember it is an old bike with old geometry and 27 wheels and the front fork leaves much to be desired and as for getting new tyres almost impossible so ja ....

Haha - probably true...but there is the small problem of budget and money available. A new bike will probably have to wait until the end of November when I receive my extra check. Which gives me enough time to shop around for upgrades / demo new bikes and make a final decision. 

 

I am definitely getting convinced a 29er and even just the newer geometry is worth the upgrade - but I am still a bit unsure about travel and if it should be a 40k or 65k bike. With the 40k stuff buying you the frame but basically everything else almost a downgrade / sidegrade from what I have now (although a lot of bikes seem to come with dropper now and mine is an old giant from that period). Whilst the 65k bikes at least have or are close to the specs tested in shootouts and have stuff that is at the same level or better than my current bike. I mean I want at least Deore and not be stuck with another below average fork.

[VT-2]

50 minutes ago, esCape-ist said:

Why are all the Trance models in the classifieds M?... I am searching high and low for a large 29er Trance, if anyone knows of one

I have done a bit of window shopping or more accurately online browsing myself. Anything trail bike and in L seem to be a problem overall from most brands. Like I said earlier - the seed is definitely planted and I am getting convinced to upgrade - but man the market and industry is not in a good place nevermind the economy. So there are a lot of things that might still justify an upgrade on my current bike even if it is just to see if things get better in the next year or two...