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Posted

mountain lion, both you and mrs mtn lion would LOVE a trance. see if you can get one to testride (or come ride with me one weekend and test-ride mine).

Posted

I have back to back the following:

 

Anthem vs. Anthem X

 

For my type of riding (fairly aggressive trail riding) I preferred the X. Not that there's anything wrong with the std. It's a great bike. A GREAT bike. But when riding the exact same piece of trail immediately after, the X was just better. More travel and the slightest of slacker geo gave me more confidence to attack.

 

The difference wasn't big enough to justify an upgrade purely on performance difference. If you feel you need more confidence in order to go faster, then yes.

 

 

 

Trance vs Trance X

 

Trance X was the surprise bike when I was demoing bikes before buying the Ibis. For such a common brand name it was out performing some well-known boutique brands. The X was better balanced than the std Trance. The Trance felt like a out-of-sorts XC bike with too much travel.

 

If you bought a Trance for more relaxed geo and trail riding then you owe it to yourself to demo a X. Actually, just go buy one.

 

The Trance? My theory is this: Cause the Anthem is such a brilliant XC/Trail b bike, it gives you confidence to do and try more. More than the bike was probably designed for and more than what most XC racers are capable of. (Sorry) Same with a Racer-X. But because the Trance is somewhere between a XC bike and a proper trail bike it just doesn?t inspire. It?s okay and if you don?t push it to hard then you won?t notice. But overall it?s not well balanced.

 

 

 

Trance vs. Anthem

 

Weird one. I thought Trance has more travel, bit more relaxed geo...it?ll kill the Anthem. Not true. The Anthem is one seriously fast, agile, confidence inspiring bike. If you want to be a bit more upright, buy a stem that's 10-15mm shorter or fit a riser. Hell, fit a wider riser bar anyway and prepare to be amazed. Really. Do it. Seriously guys, do it.

 

 

 

So in my opinion, when buying new buy a Anthem X or Trance X...Make 100% sure what type of riding you do and what it is you want to do. If the X doesn?t appeal to you then buy the Anthem over the Trance. But be careful to not compare the Anthem X with the std Trance just cause they?re close in travel. They are completely different bikes.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored or at no time did I work for Giant. In actual fact, I?m trying my best to NOT be a fan. But you can?t argue with the Anthem...or the glory. Before the X?s came along the other duals in their line-up was more miss than hit.smiley17.gif

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Mr Lion. Not sure how your cockpit and set-up looks, but you can relax your current ride, without sacrificing speed or handling. In fact some people might gain speed and handling from it. Trance X might be a good option if you and the Head Lioness prefer trail rides and social rides with our race calendar thrown in for good measure.   The Crow2009-07-15 00:15:58

Posted

Having said that, wait till Oct and buy a Morewood Marathon. Optimized shock rate and geo for SA trails and SA riders. It'll be light, fast and sexy! Besides, local is lekker.

 

 

 

 

Posted
Having said that' date=' wait till Oct and buy a Morewood Marathon. Optimized shock rate and geo for SA trails and SA riders. It'll be light, fast and sexy! Besides, local is lekker.

[/quote']

 

I don't understand how you can optimise a spring rate or geometry for local conditions. What are local conditions and how do they differ for other conditions?

 
Posted
I have back to back the following:
Anthem vs. Anthem X
For my type of riding (fairly aggressive trail riding) I preferred the X. Not that there's anything wrong with the std. It's a great bike. A GREAT bike. But when riding the exact same piece of trail immediately after' date=' the X was just better. More travel and the slightest of slacker geo gave me more confidence to attack.
The difference wasn't big enough to justify an upgrade purely on performance difference. If you feel you need more confidence in order to go faster, then yes.    [/quote']

 

I agree with Crow here. I had an 08 Anthem 1, then replaced with an '09 Anthem X1.

 

I loved my 1, but now it seems a bit lacking compared to the X1. On paper, the upgrades are small (10mm extra travel and the back and the 1 degree slacker angle up front), but on the trail they are very noticable. The biggest difference is the confidence I now have on tight single track at low speeds. On the decents it doesnt feel as racey (twitchy), but more stable = bit more confident = faster.

 

Now I am starting to look @ 120mm travel bikes with lust and envy....
Posted

Bit off topic Crow but why did you decide to go for the Mbuzi rather than a Shova ST? Rode the ST this past weekend and it's more machine than I will ever be able to break!

Posted

The Anthem X "just" won the "Bike of the year" comp of one of the British MTB mags.  Go check it out in CNA.  They also rave about the Trance X.   Some of the mags talk about 120mm travel being the new 100mm travel?.. LOL<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

I have to agree with Crow, the Morewood Marathon looks sweet.  It's currently at the top of my Droooooool listBig%20smile. The Giant frames are just below it. Embarrassed

Ox_Wagon2009-07-15 01:58:04
Posted

Bit off topic Crow but why did you decide to go for the Mbuzi rather than a Shova ST? Rode the ST this past weekend and it's more machine than I will ever be able to break!

 

 

 

Hmmm. The Ibis is such a good bike, when I decided to try something new it had to be something different in order for me to not be able to draw direct comparisons. Does it make sense?

 

 

 

Also I felt like trying more travel. Something bigger that can handle more. Something that scares the living bejebers out of me. The Mbuzi is that bike.

 

 

 

I must admit that for the bulk of the riding I do 160mm is a bit much, but the Mbuzi is an awesome bike. Test rode SC Nomad, Titus El Guappo, Trek Remedy, Felt Redemption, Yeti 575, Scott Ransom, Giant Reign and a couple more I can't remember now. All in the 160mm range and decided to go with the Mbuzi.

 

 

 

1. Local is lekker

 

2. Value for money

 

3. There are some lighter frames out there, but either they cost too much or have carbon in funny places or couldn't keep up.

 

 

 

Would like to try a Pivot Firebird and if I have to go down in travel again it will only be for a Mojo. And there I will stay. What a freaking brilliant bike. Man, o man.

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