Beginner Enduro Bike - Skyrim Dash vs Trance X2 vs Stump Jumper Allow

[Shane Dale]

Guys I am absolute newbie and wish to start doing Enduro's with my son. 

I am told these three are great entry level bikes to get one started:

https://giant-bicycles.co.za/products/trance-x-29-2-metallic-black-black?available%20colours=metallic%20black%20%2F%20black&available%20sizes=s

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/dual-suspensions/products/titan-skyrim-st-dash-2024?_pos=8&_fid=17382bcd9&_ss=c

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/stumpjumper-alloy/p/200518?color=349342-200518

I come from a enduro and xc motorcycle background and prefer a heavier bike for tech downhills. 

Any advice on these three bikes (Or any other capable bike at this price point) would be highly appreciated 

[thebob]

Much of a muchness between all 3 of them spec wise. All will be pretty capable with none standing out as much better than the other. All three have solid alloy frames. All three running SRAM SX gearing, which is pretty regarded as not great at all. Basic Rockshox 35 fork and basic rear shocks. Giant has the best brakes, which might swing it for me. If you goal is to make it down the trail and have some fun, I'd go for the one with the best dealer close to me. If you goal is to compete and push your limits, I'd look at a higher spec secondhand bike from the classifieds.

[Shane Dale]

That is great advice thank you Bob!

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

The Giant has a better fork and shock than the others, as well as better brakes, so buying new that would swing it for me. That’s if they all feel nice to ride. Doesn’t help to have better x and y if the bike feels *** to ride. 

[Lemmer Pretorius]

My first upgrade purchases after the cheap getting into second hand bike it was the stumpjumper alloy.

While I love the bike, there is so, so much to upgrade.  The first was the brakes, then the tires, now the bottom bracket, after that new brakes again (newbie mistake after the first upgrade) also trying to find a back shock that fits for a decent price is a thing. Then the front shock will mostly likely needed to be upgraded as I up skill.

All in all after riding it for something like a year and a half, it is getting cheaper just to buy a better bike than trying to get it where I want it.
If you can and want to, rather get the upgraded version of the stumpjumper, I realized a bit late that buying the upgraded version is more expensive, it will save you in the long run, especially on parts, especially on the stumpy.

but between these 3 I would also go for the giant

[Headshot]

The spec of these entry level bikes is disappointing. I'm sure the shock and fork on the Stumpy for instance will last a while but things like hubs brakes and rims are usually even worse quality. Spesh no name rims are soft as he'll and the hubs I had chewed bearings. I'm on totally different wheels and brakes now. Basically my bike arrived with some components that simply weren't up to the purpose of the bike. Why not spec Deore brakes and heavy but strong rims? 

[Hein3G]

On 5/14/2025 at 9:59 AM, Shane Dale said:

Guys I am absolute newbie and wish to start doing Enduro's with my son. 

I am told these three are great entry level bikes to get one started:

https://giant-bicycles.co.za/products/trance-x-29-2-metallic-black-black?available%20colours=metallic%20black%20%2F%20black&available%20sizes=s

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/dual-suspensions/products/titan-skyrim-st-dash-2024?_pos=8&_fid=17382bcd9&_ss=c

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/stumpjumper-alloy/p/200518?color=349342-200518

I come from a enduro and xc motorcycle background and prefer a heavier bike for tech downhills. 

Any advice on these three bikes (Or any other capable bike at this price point) would be highly appreciated 

Hi @Shane Dale Out of curiosity, what size bike are you looking for?

[Robbie Stewart]

38 minutes ago, Headshot said:

The spec of these entry level bikes is disappointing. I'm sure the shock and fork on the Stumpy for instance will last a while but things like hubs brakes and rims are usually even worse quality. Spesh no name rims are soft as he'll and the hubs I had chewed bearings. I'm on totally different wheels and brakes now. Basically my bike arrived with some components that simply weren't up to the purpose of the bike. Why not spec Deore brakes and heavy but strong rims? 

I killed the Spez Roval wheels on my Stumpy EVO after a handful of rides. Final straw was three consecutive hike-a-bike walks of shame back to the car park from the top of Rhino 1 after that rock garden before the trail head ate my rear wheel. 

Spent the money to buy a set of Lyne Amp HD Hi-per Mullet Wheelset. I have not had any issues with those wheels. Al the manufacturers tend to spec their bikes with cheap rubbish wheels to keep prices down if you're not buying the top of the range dentist's bikes. 

I also upgraded from the NX derailleur to the GX at the same time and now that bike is on-point every ride.

[Shane Dale]

1 hour ago, Hein3G said:

Hi @Shane Dale Out of curiosity, what size bike are you looking for?

I bought a large Giant Trance X

 

[Shane Dale]

Thanks for the responses guys. In the end I went for the Giant Trance X as after researching components they where a little better.. Derailer and group set are not the greatest but I am very happy with the handling of the bike and the way the suspension works. Fine for where I am at the moment. Entered the Enduro at Cascades and see how it goes form there.. Need to save money for my kid who is already eye balling Canyons and Santa Cruz's!!

[GLuvsMtb]

I would have gone with the Skyrim. Great after sales support from Titan and the transferrable warrantee on the bike means in theory its worth more in the event of an upgrade down the line. 

[thebob]

3 hours ago, Shane Dale said:

Thanks for the responses guys. In the end I went for the Giant Trance X as after researching components they where a little better.. Derailer and group set are not the greatest but I am very happy with the handling of the bike and the way the suspension works. Fine for where I am at the moment. Entered the Enduro at Cascades and see how it goes form there.. Need to save money for my kid who is already eye balling Canyons and Santa Cruz's!!

Lekker man. Enjoy the bike and the enduro

[RiverInTheRoad]

The Trance was the correct choice. Enjoy the bike!