Giant Trance X5

[colly]

Hey guys.

Looking to get back into mountain biking after a long time away. My work are doing the 'bike to work scheme' so I can get €1,000 worth of bike for about half price and pay for it over a year. 1k does not get me much of a full sys so I will stretch a little further, I found the 2009 Giant Trance X5 (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/mountain/2434/32482/) for €1,250 here: http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_137&products_id=1526

I've done loads of research and it certainly gets good (http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/wwx/article.php?story=20090514132717415) reviews (http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/trance-x5-09-32603) etc - I'm just wondering if there are any alternatives I should be considering also?

Cheers
Colly

[Morgan]

Were you planning on getting a large?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p2273

[jeff]

id go for that, thats perfect for an entry level nice stuff on it too and if your around 5ft 10 like me id go for the size small...............nice find nice price

[DaveS]

If you'd consider racing at any time go for a Giant Anthem X, its still got 4" of travel and is much lighter. (even if you'd never consider racing the Anthem would be much lighter getting up the hills...)

[MarkG]

nice bike the Trance,great value, and if your 5'10 id defo get a medium

[colly]

Cheers guys. I'm only 5'6! I was deffo going to get a small - maybe even extra small? The guy in the shop told me their sizes are quite big.

Was in a shop last night and the guy is getting back to me with pricing and to see if he can even get the 2009 model. I hope they even have them left. The 2010 X4 is the same price but the spec isn't as good I don't think:

Speaks of each:
2009 X5: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/print/2434/32482/
2010 X4: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/print/4868/39077/

The X4 only has Alivio brakes but the X5 has Juicy 3's. I'm guessing the Alivo's will be crap?
I'm not sure which has better forks. I think the X4 looks better - but I'd say I'd have to upgrade the brakes, another cost blowing my budget!

[Martin]

The club chairman would be best man to answer this! he had a trance! and the club champ had one once too!

[Don]

That's a great price. Only downside to the Trance is it's appetite for DU bushes, there are a lot of linkages so bearings tend to go with alarming frequency. Pro pedal or lockout on the shock would be nice but for the money you can't complain. Other than that it is all good.

[Don]

I had to open my steenking pie hole, another bearing ate itself tonight!!!

[paddyobrien]

your bike must read the forum too don!

[Conor]

Hard luck Don. Whats that now, 35 DU bushes and a dozen bearings since Xmas??? Git yourself a hardtail !

That said, I wish I had my old Trance back, they're great.

[feed]

I had to open my steenking pie hole, another bearing ate itself tonight!!!

Hey Don, I'll give you €40 for that headset, that'll pay for new bearings !!!!!!

[Scrivo]

That's mad altogether Don. I've had my Reign for three years and it has all its orignial bearings and have just had to change the DU bust twice!

[colly]

Shite. I cannot get hold of a Trance X5. The X4 does not seem as good really, forks and brakes are not as good as the X5. Do you think I'll be ok with the 2010 X4 or should I keep looking?

[djcromie]

Colly check this link on epic, some REALLY savage hardtails for the money

http://www.epicmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10673

Its really tempting me

[Don]

Colly check this link on epic, some REALLY savage hardtails for the money

http://www.epicmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10673

Its really tempting me

Hey, no coveting our threads! But feck I'm tempted, group buy?

[djcromie]

Hey, no coveting our threads! But feck I'm tempted, group buy?

Now you're talkin Don, the Alliance and XTC 0 for a couple of hundred quid extra are makin me dribble