Comments on: 2005 Giant Trance review

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: BeenAroundTom

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:47:13 +0000

Great review. Glad I read this and was impressed with purchasing my ‘05 Trance 4 shortly after reading this. Took her out to Fremont Older (Cupertino, CA); rode her the next morning and yes, it rides smooth for a 3 year old bike….. Definetly a major upgrade from a NRS2 that is probably going to have a phat for sale sign on it soon:) I highly recommend getting a Trance 4 and converting to Trance 1 specs or lacing the ride with your favorite components. Save money and have a killer bike.

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: Cory

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:37:05 +0000

Quick update: I’m still running the bike and after 2 years, no real problems. I’m pretty surprised given the amount of trail it sees.

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: neily

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:45:56 +0000

i think trances rock !

ive had mine since june and it rocks at evrything

i love them !

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: Wes

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:51:40 +0000

I’m bidding on an 05 Trance frame at the moment, an upgrade from my aging old hardtail. I’ve pedalled a couple of Trances at the local bikestores and really like the feel of the suspension. I wish I had the budget to plop down a new X0, but I’m confident from the reviews here and elsewhere this is going to be a quantum leap for me. I’ll move over my Juicys, Marzocchi Bomber, Atlas crankset, and probably toss X.9 dlrs on it, along with my current tractor wheels: Rhyno Lites on XT hubs.

I’ll post back when I get it built and take it for a thrash in Nobel Canyon.

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: Al

Sat, 05 May 2007 05:19:26 +0000

I’ve got the same model, and I absolutely love it. I’ve built it up for XC racing, and while not the lightest bike, it has helped me get some top fives. I’ve upgraded it quite a bit to essentially the specs Trance 1 with X0 twisters, and Maxxis ADvantage tires, and whoa mama the thing moves!

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: andreas

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:42:04 +0000

Good review.
I am interested particularly in the rear shock bottoming out.
Is it due to the shock size (6.5×1.5)? Or, perhaps, lack of adequate pressure?
Thanks

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: Cory

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 14:49:39 +0000

Stef.

The Trance can manage smooth 5′ drops to tranny without problems. I do notice its limitations (relatively steep head angle, 4″ travel) on steep and rocky sections of trail — it’s just not as fast as a bike with a little more travel.

As for a longer front fork, I’ve only run my 36 at full travel once and I didn’t like it a lot. The bike didn’t climb well at all and it was a little sluggish when it came to ripping around turns and things like that.

For what it’s worth, the 6″ travel Reign isn’t a whole lot different from the Trance and it gives you a little more travel to play with. If I were riding more ‘light freeride’ stuff, I’d look seriously at that frame as an option.

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: Stef

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 12:58:51 +0000

Nice review!
I’m concerned about the Trances’ ability to take bigger hits. I’m talking 5 footers to tranny, gnarly rock gardens etc. Also how’s the handling with the fork extended? Say I put a Pike and run it at full travel (140mm), will it get sloggy and wobbly?

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: koan

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:37:58 +0000

good review.

but: giant has no “linear travel” bikes, the trance frame has a leverage ratio of 1:2.3 at the beginning an 1:1.9 at end of travel, so it is progressive.

i’m using the bike as an do-it-all secondary bike for tour/dirt/whatever in frame size Small with Pike in front

Great Bike!

Comment on 2005 Giant Trance review by: The current ride: My 2005 Giant Trance » The Biking Hub: Mountain

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 22:46:34 +0000

[…] Frame: 2005 Giant Trance (18″). I’ve been running an upgraded 2005 Giant Trance 4 frame for the past three months or so. I like pretty much everything about the frame, although I was surprised to find a small chunk missing from the tubing around the shock mount. […]