EmailBest Reviewed
Mountain Bikes
- Budget mountain bike Trek 3900 *Est. $440
- Entry-level XC race bike Kona Kula *Est. $1300
- All-mountain mountain bike Specialized Pitch Comp *Est. $2100
- Trail-oriented mountain bike Giant Trance X2 *Est. $2800
- Mountain bike for serious riders Gary Fisher Roscoe 3 *Est. $4950
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Trail-oriented mountain bike
- Versatile for varied terrain
- Precise navigation and handling
- Maestro suspension
- Uncomfortable grips
The Giant Trance X2 earns numerous accolades for being a versatile, all-around trail bike that can handle even rough terrain. Reviewers rave that the Giant Trance X2 is "good at everything," a "true do-it-all trail bike" and plays "as hard as you let it." This full-suspension trail bike has five inches of travel, a Fox 32 F120RL fork and Shimano shifters and derailleurs. In a test by Mountain Bike Action, the Giant Trance X2 wins a head-to-head test against the Gary Fisher HiFi Plus, Haro Sonix Comp, Santa Cruz Heckler and Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp -- on both smooth and rugged trails. Testers say the Giant Trance X2 sets itself apart from these other bikes thanks to tremendous versatility and capability over a variety of terrain. The bike also gets high marks for precise navigation and handling, and the Maestro suspension gets rave reviews as well. Uncomfortable grips are the biggest downside mentioned by reviewers, but they can be changed pretty easily. The Trek Fuel EX 8 (*MSRP: $2,640) also gets rave reviews for versatility, and it beats out the Giant Trance X2 for a Bicycling magazine Editor's Choice award.
The best review of the Giant Trance X2 comes from Mountain Bike Action. Their test of five popular trail bikes offers a great comparative overview, and each bike receives a lengthy write-up. BikeRadar.com and Bicycling also offer detailed reviews of the Giant Trance X2, both of which are based on tester feedback. Owner-written reviews from MTBR.com also round out the coverage with opinions from riders.
Our Sources
1. Mountain Bike ActionDetails/Subscribe
Mountain Bike Action pits the Giant Trance X2 against four other trail bikes in a head-to-head test. The Giant Trance X2 outperforms all the other bikes, and Mountain Bike Action calls it "the most versatile and capable trailbike of the group." It performs well on climbs and descents, but it is comfortable enough that you can ride for hours.
Review: Read, Ride & Rejoice: The $2500 Trail Bike Shootout, Editors of Mountain Bike Action, May 2009
Jenn Hopkins from Mountain Bike U.K. provides a first-ride review of the Giant Trance X2. Calling it "balanced and capable," Hopkins finds it performs just as well on climbs as it does screaming down descents.
Review: Giant Trance X2 (09), Jenn Hopkins
The Giant Trance X2 is highlighted in Bicycling's 2009 buyer's guide. Michael Frank says you can "bomb the roughest terrain you can find" with the Giant Trance X2, thanks to a solid chassis and rigid aluminum frame.
Review: Giant Trance X2, Michael Frank, March 2009
The Giant Trance X2 was a nominee for the Bicycling Editor's Choice awards in 2009 -- the same award it won in 2008. Although it ultimately loses out to the Trek Fuel EX 8, testers say it is a well-balanced bike that will appeal to riders with different skill sets.
Review: Editor's Choice 2009 Mountain Bikes, Editors of Bicycling
5. MTBR.com
There are a good number of recent owner-written reviews of the Giant Trance X2 on MTBR.com. The Maestro suspension gets very high marks; owners say it "works flawlessly" and is "absolutely amazing," with very little pedal bob. Some reviewers complain about different components, but overall most owners are very happy with this bike.
Review: Giant Trance X2, Contributors to MTBR.com
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