First bike: Giant Trance 2 vs GT Marathon 3.0

[OldDogDan]

Helping my daughter's boyfriend shop for his first mtn bike (he's been riding friends' bikes). This is fun!(shopping with someone else's money always is!). He's 5'10", 240lbs. Shopping LBS so he gets some repair help when he needs it. So we looked at and eliminated Mongoose & Iron Horse (sorry Dino). These are similar to what his friends ride, and the way he described it, they're kinda XC/trail oriented, not huckin' or DH'ing. Couldn't find a good used bike, or appropriate 2007 close-out. Plus he's hankering for shiny new. Narrowed it down to the GT & Giant, based on value / specs, and how he likes it. Size L. I give the edge to the Giant, but I think he'd be happy with either. The two LBS are asking about 1100 for either. Opinions on these two bikes?

[sladnas]

What year is the Giant? I enjoyed my 2006 Trance 2. It was a great trail bike. Very nimble, and didn't complain when I pushed the envelope. I've read great things about the new frame design.

[OldDogDan]

Both these bikes are 2008 models. I ride a Spec, but I've always thought Giant was one of the best values. Similar 2007 models of both have gotten good reviews. I know a father/son duo who bought similar model GT's with i-drive, ride 'em hard, and love them. I'd steer my daughter's b'friend to a 5" trailbike, but his budget is limited. These are both 4" bikes.

[Pain Freak]

I haven't had a new GT or a Giant, but I have had, and still do have a Giant. The Giant is a road bike though and I've got 28,000 miles on it. The GT I had, didn't last 6 months. I believe both these bikes are made at the same location in China though. Still I've had much better success with Giant then GT. Take a look around, most people who know mtb's will be on a Giant. Better componets and I like the geometery. The I-drive is a great design though. I think you'll find the Giant a little better for manuverability and should be somewhat lighter. Typically the Giants come better equiped with better componets too.

[OldDogDan]

Yeah, I think the Giant wins on fork & brakes (Marzocchi & Hayes mech, vs Suntour & Tektro hydraulic), but loses on the shock (Giant brand vs Fox), but I'm thinking of trying to negotiate a Fox for the Giant. Drivetrains are comparable.

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

Yeah, I think the Giant wins on fork & brakes (Marzocchi & Hayes mech, vs Suntour & Tektro hydraulic), but loses on the shock (Giant brand vs Fox), but I'm thinking of trying to negotiate a Fox for the Giant. Drivetrains are comparable.

Wow, Giant has made considerable changes to their model specs. My 06 T-2 came with a Reba, RP3 and Hayes 9's. You can imagine how nice the T-0 was back then...

[OldDogDan]

Hi Mark, I'm guessing you had the Trance X2, a higher spec than the Trance 2. Kinda confusing nomenclature. I'd love to be shopping for a nicer bike (I like the other current "vs" thread, Ellsworth vs Turner...), but the boy's funds are already stretched (19 yr old firefighter-in-training). I'm just glad he wants to ride!

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

Hi Mark, I'm guessing you had the Trance X2, a higher spec than the Trance 2. Kinda confusing nomenclature. I'd love to be shopping for a nicer bike (I like the other current "vs" thread, Ellsworth vs Turner...), but the boy's funds are already stretched (19 yr old firefighter-in-training). I'm just glad he wants to ride!

Nope, the X wasn't out when I picked mine up. It was the Trance 2, in a rather ironic color--Burnt Orange.

But anyway, I bet either bike would make him happy. I'm just partial to Giant

[OldDogDan]

Oh, that was the one in the fire, huh? Yes, very ironic! Well, I see from the RR's you've been liking that Yeti...a very handsome bike, and a "safe" color...or wait, maybe not...is it ash gray? Nooo...! Anyhow, I kinda like simplicity / elegance in design, and I think the Giant beats the GT there too. The whole i-drive thing and stub tube for F der mount looks awkward, altho supposedly works great. Thanks for the input, hope to meet up on the trail again.

[DBD]

I would say the Giant over the GT. i have always had good experiences with Giant and you get a good bang for yer buck.

Now just to toss another idea at you, did you (him) look at the Dimondback Mission 3

I would think you could get an '07 model or an '08 Mission 2 for somewhere around 1200 to 1400$. They seem to have good components, licensed their suspension form Specialized but sell for much less.

Just a thought.

[northshore]

Can't go wrong with the Trance but recommend the slowest and heaviest bike available so it's easier to hunt him down in case he makes your daughter cry.

[bjammin]

Originally Posted by DBD

I would say the Giant over the GT. i have always had good experiences with Giant and you get a good bang for yer buck.

Now just to toss another idea at you, did you (him) look at the Dimondback Mission 3

I would think you could get an '07 model or an '08 Mission 2 for somewhere around 1200 to 1400$. They seem to have good components, licensed their suspension form Specialized but sell for much less.

Just a thought.

From a shop employee standpoint, I would suggest the Giant. I have worked on all three bikes, both new and used. The DB has pivot bolt issues. The GT has BB/Dogbone issues. The Giant is as sturdy as a tank without the weight of one. I have not ridden them on trail so my opinion is a mechanical one.
I would also take into consideration the shop that you would be buying it from.
i.e. reputation, customer service, service dept.


my .02

[OldDogDan]

Originally Posted by DBD

Now just to toss another idea at you, did you (him) look at the Dimondback Mission 3

Thanks. I forgot to say we looked at Diamondback too. But the Mission series is over his price range (I've already stretched him on that...) so he was looking at the Recoil at the same LBS who has Giant. The Recoil was heavier and not spec'd as well as the (more expensive)Giant.