cat-i Posted February 6, 2009 Share never ridden a dual suspension. the bike shop thought if they borrow me their Giant trance x2, i might want to buy the bike. it's 2007, i absolutely love the bike - no need for making lines on the downhills, because it can go anywhere. no need to be awake on technical climbs, because it just goes. no need to concentrate on singletrack - it's as if the bike injects confidence. But it's probably dumb to buy the first dual suspension that i've ever tried out. questions:- are all dual suspension bikes this much fun, or is this an exceptional bike?- the trance is slightly heavier than the anthem. i might want to take the bike on x-country-things like sabie classic or xperience (but will keep the hardtail, which was adequate for sani2c and 2 very muddy sabie x's). i will take it on ride2rhodes, so lighter would be better (there will be portages, and almost 3 km of vertical ascent on some of the days) i prefer playing and technical stuff to x-country, though. how does the anthem's handling compare to the trance's? would it be able to do what i want it to?- i have a very restricted budget - 25 k max, and that must include the stan's conversion, a seat (if i want to change) and pedals. preferably lower, so that i can spend the rest of the budget on tking the bike places. What other bikes should i consider? commencal meta 4.2? what else? - i'm 167 cm, so a small or maybe medium (if you know of any good second-hand deals of bikes that were less abused than my hard-tail) cat-i2009-02-06 11:03:30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtbreath Posted February 6, 2009 Share "they LEND you their Giant" Before spending 25k I would definitely ride a few bikes. You can get a lot of wheels for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat-i Posted February 6, 2009 Share dirtbreath - suggest which? i'm riding a commencal tomorrow, but if i have to ride everything out there, it's going to take forever ... e.g. what can a 5-inch-travel-bike do for me that a 4-inch-travel-bike cant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwil Posted February 6, 2009 Share Hi cat-i,A few points:1. They LEND to You. You BORROW from THEM2. I am impressed that at the age of 71 you are only now considering a full suspension bike for the first time.3. TrySpecialized, Mongoose, Scott, Gary Fisher, Marin, Merida, Rocky Mountain4. All full suspension bikes are GREAT fun. Once you have ridden a full suspension bike for a while you will wonder why you did not get one sooner and how you ever managed without one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwil Posted February 6, 2009 Share P.S. 4 inch travel or 5 inch travel ? Not much in it really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wernervdmerwe Posted February 7, 2009 Share I bought a Trance after a lot of research - budget wise it was the best bike I could afford. Love mine, very similar experience than you. Where are you based? There is a ride-before-you-buy at Dirtopia (Stellenbosch) on the 15th. So there you can play on different bikes for a day (R60 - own shoes, pedals * helmet) The other toughy is the fact that my first 3 rides absolutely sucked, I hated the bike, felt heavy, had no climbing ability etc. After I had a setup done, it was like I traded it in for the sports model. The bike is now substantially faster than me. Anthem is more a XC geo, and the Trance X more trail / aggressive XC. Buy a bike that will do that what you enjoy the most - else it becomes a job Good luck - this is the most difficult part of cycling, choosing a new baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat-i Posted February 7, 2009 Share hi werner i tested a commencal today ... the setup was totally wrong and the shock was loccked-out (or whatever the commencal-people call it) ... the guy was very upset when i said i couldn't feel the difference from the hardtail ... luckily i had one of my own riding-buddies there who spotted the lock-out, and who also changed the seat-position to enable a better climb. but with the commencal it felt like my bike, just with a lot more control on the downhills... the trance was *wicked* - it *wanted* me to pick horrible lines ... the meta4 was much more sedate ... jagwil, die specialised's are a little outside my budget - i read a review that compared the trance to the stumpjumper, and the stumpjumper won hands down, but i'm not willing to pay 30k for a ride ... i need leftover budget to be able to take the bike places any idea when the next 'ride before you buy' will be in gauteng? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog_ Posted February 7, 2009 Share If it was my money, I'd but a Mongoose Teocali Super. Don't think you'll get better value for money than the new ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwil Posted February 7, 2009 Share I agree with Hog.Mongoose Teocali Elite : R20 000 to R25 000Color(s): Gray/White Frame: Mongoose FreeDrive W/ 145mm travel, zero stack headset and replaceable hanger Fork: Marzocchi 44 TST2 140 mm travel, air spring, TST 5 position compression adjust, rebound and 15 mm thru axle Rear Shock: Fox Float RP2 XV, air spring, two position ProPedal, extra volume air can, 200x57 mm w/ 19x8 mm hardware Crankset: Shimano FC-M542 22/32/44T Hollowtech II Bottom Bracket: Shimano external bearing Pedals: Crank Bros. Smarty Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: New Shimano SLX, Shadow mount Shifters: Shimano Deore 27 speed Freewheel: SRAM PG-950 Cassette11-34T Chain: Shimano HG73 Rims: Mavic XM317 32 hole Front Hub: Formula 15mm thru axle Rear Hub: Shimano Deore disc cassette Spokes: 14g Stainless Brake Levers: Hayes Stroker Trail w/ tool free reach adjust Handlebar: FSA XC-300A-OS AL6061 riser 31.8x 20x 680 mm Stem: FSA OS-190LX 6 deg. 31.8x90mm Grips: Mongoose Lock on Saddle: SDG Bel Air RL cromoly rail Seat Post: 2014 alloy post with double bolt clamp, 31.6x350 mm FRAME SIZE: HEAD TUBE ANGLE: SEAT ANGLE:CHAINSTAY LENGTH:STANDOVER HEIGHT:HORIZ. TOP TUBE LENGTH:SEAT TUBE LENGTH:HEAD TUBE LENGTH:BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT:FORK OFFSET:WHEELBASE:S69 ?71.5 ?17.128.222.016.54.513.31.541.9M69 ?71.5 ?17.129.423.018.05.313.31.542.9L69 ?71.5 ?17.130.924.020.05.913.31.543.9XL69 ?71.5 ?17.132.525.022.06.513.31.544.9FEATURESFRAME: Mongoose FreeDrive All Mountain 6061 Aluminum w/ Zero Stack Headset, Forged Dropouts & Disc Mount, Replaceable Derailleur Hanger, 145mm Travel FORK/SHOCK: Marzocchi 44 TST-2 w/ Air Spring, Alloy Steerer, 5 Position Compression Damping To Lock Out, Rebound Adjust, 140mm Travel; Fox RP2 XV Air Shock w/ 2-Position ProPedal & Adjustable Rebound DRIVETRAIN: Shimano SLX/Deore Derailleurs, Deore Shifters; Shimano M542 Hollowtech II 2-Pc Crankset w/ External Bearings BRAKES: Hayes Stroker Trail Hydraulic Disc, 180/160mm Rotors < =dealerlocator>>Mongoose Canaan Elite :R23 oooo to R26000 (Ladies Specific)Color(s): Red Frame: New Mongoose FreeDrive W/ 100mm travel, Xtrolite-G6 double butted, shot peened & heat treated alloy, INTEGRATED headset and replaceable hanger Fork: Fox F32 FRL 100mm travel, rebound and lockout Rear Shock: Fox Float RP2 , air spring, two position ProPedal, 165x38 mm w/ 19x8 mm hardware Crankset: Shimano SLX 22/32/44T, Hollowtech II Bottom Bracket: Shimano external bearing Pedals: Crank Bros. Smarty Front Derailleur: Shimano SLX Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT, Shadow mount Shifters: Shimano SLX 27 speed Freewheel: Shimano Deore XT 11-34T Chain: Shimano HG73 Rims: Mavic XM317 disc 32 hole Front Hub: Shimano Deore disc Rear Hub: Shimano Deore disc cassette Spokes: DT Competition double butted with alloy nipples Brake Levers: Hayes Stroker Trail w/ tool free reach adjust Handlebar: FSA XC-282-OS double butted and shot peened AL6061 riser, 31.8x20x660 mm width Stem: FSA OS-190LX 31.8x90 mm Grips: Mongoose Lock on Saddle: WTB Silverado Race cromoly rails Seat Post: FSA SL250 directionally butted AL6066, 2 bolt, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwil Posted February 7, 2009 Share The Teocali Super is probably a bit more expensive but here are the specs.Color(s): Black/White Frame: Mongoose FreeDrive W/ 145mm travel, zero stack headset and replaceable hanger Fork: Fox F32 FRL, 140 mm travel, air spring, rebound and lock out, with 15 mm thru axle Rear Shock: Fox Float RP23, air spring, three position ProPedal, extra volume air can, 200x57 mm w/ 19x8 mm hardware Crankset: Shimano SLX 22/32/44T Hollowtech II Bottom Bracket: Shimano external bearing Pedals: Crank Bros. Smarty Front Derailleur: New Shimano SLX Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT, Shadow mount Shifters: Shimano SLX 27 speed Freewheel: Shimano HG80 Cassette11-34T Chain: Shimano HG73 Rims: No Tubes ZTR Flow 32 hole Front Hub: Formula sealed bearing 15 mm thru axle Rear Hub: Formula sealed bearing cassette Spokes: DT Competition double butted with alloy nipples Brake Levers: Hayes Stroker Trail w/ tool free reach adjust Handlebar: FSA XC-190A-OS, triple butted and shot peened AL7050 riser, 31.8x20x680 mm Stem: FSA OS-150XT 6 deg. 31.8x90 mm Grips: Mongoose Lock on Saddle: SDG Bel Air RL titanium rail Seat Post: KS Cobra adjustable height w/ remote 31.6x350 mm GEOMETRYDISPLAY DATA IN:INCHESMILLIMETERSHEAD TUBE ANGLE: SEAT ANGLE:CHAINSTAY LENGTH:STANDOVER HEIGHT:HORIZ. TOP TUBE LENGTH:SEAT TUBE LENGTH:HEAD TUBE LENGTH:BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT:FORK OFFSET:WHEELBASE:69 ?71.5 ?17.132.525.022.06.513.31.544.969 ?71.5 ?17.130.924.020.05.913.31.543.969 ?71.5 ?17.129.423.018.05.313.31.542.969 ?71.5 ?17.128.222.016.54.513.31.541.9FEATURESFRAME: Mongoose FreeDrive All Mountain 6061 Aluminum w/ Zero Stack Headset, Forged Dropouts & Disc Mount, Replaceable Derailleur Hanger, Anodized Frame Finish, 145mm Travel FORK/SHOCK: Fox F32 FRL w/ Air Spring, 15mm Thru Axle, Adjustable Rebound & Lockout, 140mm Travel; Fox RP23 Air Shock w/3-Position ProPedal & Adjustable Rebound DRIVETRAIN: Shimano Shadow XT/SLX Derailleurs, SLX Trigger Shifters; SLX 2-Pc Crankset w/ External Bearings BRAKES: Hayes Stroker Trail Hydraulic Disc, 180/160mm Rotors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daxiet Posted February 9, 2009 Share Just something to note, the X2 only came out in the 2009 release, before that it was known as the Trance 2. That aside, my wife has a 2008 "Trance 2" - Trance 2 kit on 09 Trace x1 Frame. I have only escorted the bike down a couple heavy descents, but on these was very impressed with the handling. The front fork is very decent and light. The bike it self is not the lightest, which I would attribute a a slightly heavier than normal frame. However value for money this bike is awesome. By the way in Dec I paid R14500 for my wifes bike. I had the option to get a 2008 Medium version in Rusteburg for the same price. To my knowledge the medium is still available here. DS's are good fun, but the trade off is weight and maintenance. For the same priced HT you probably cut 2kgs (R15000-25000 bracket). The Mongoose specs listed in earlier posts are very good for the price (Canaan Elite). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madison Posted February 9, 2009 Share For what it's worth, I have a Trance X0 & I am quite satisfied. I previously had a Giant NRS & I actually think the Trance, despite it being somewhere between a trail bike & a XC bike performs better on uphills than the NRS did. Downhill of course the two cannot compare. I would say if you are going to race rather go for something like the anthem, epic etc. If you are more of a mid pack rider just out to have fun, go for something with a bit more travel. Fit is also very important. The Anthem medium was way to small for me & the Anthem large was way to big. The trance however fits perfectly. I stand to be corrected, but you cannot compare the meta4 to the trance X, a better comparison would have been the meta 5.5. Cannot comment on the Mongoose, but I see a lot of them around so there must be a few people that are happy with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted February 9, 2009 Share cat-i, you just know i'm gonna push you towards the trancei think you said it best yesterday: that bike just wants to play btw, had loads of fun yesterday. cool seeing you again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwil Posted February 9, 2009 Share Still think you should go for one of the Mongoose bikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat-i Posted February 9, 2009 Share Daxiet - i'm sure it was trance X2 2008? it's an evil black colour with ghost-writing. the 2009-ones are some or other boring colour ... and the dead black colour was half the attraction! i have a hardtail and am not in the market for another one ... i wasn't even in the market for a duallie, just happened to ride it by accident ... it was love at first sight i'd love to take the new bike on ride2rhodes (if i decide to buy) ... the total vertical ascent approaches 3 km and there will be portages, so weight will be an issue - but if it's too heavy, then i take the well-abused hardtail - can't buy a bike for just one ride ... jagwill - for you - i'll try a teocali if i can get my hands on one. i don't like their warning stickers: i can't ride a bike that warns me to not ride at night! but then again - my bike's warning sticker says something about not riding it in mountains ... holy - loved riding with you - you make wicked singletrack-lines! cat-i2009-02-09 13:44:41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwil Posted February 11, 2009 Share Have you bought your new bike yet.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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