Heads Up to 05 Trance/Reign Riders

[jeffj]

I'm sure many of you (like tkblazer) already know about this, but on the chance that some still do not... I tried the search function here and it had nothing so here goes:

If you own a 2005 Giant Reign or Trance and have not replaced your pivot bearings, I would recommend you at least check them for wear and to be honest, I'd recommend you save yourself worse trouble down the road and just replace them before they go bad.

I have heard the Giant remedied the situation for 2006 and newer so this only applies to model year 2005.

This is well documented that the bearings that Giant spec'd for 2005 were the type that use a retainer and fewer balls instead of a full complement type and the stock type are prone to failure, especially the small ones at the top of the rockers where they attach to the swingarm.

My son Ted and I both ride 2005 Reigns and I've been somewhat keeping an eye on them and recently noticed some play and creaking on Ted's bike. After I took a closer look at mine, I see it also has developed some play.

One of those small bearing was pretty toasted and came out in several pieces. I had to carefully grind out the bearing race from the swingarm which was a tedious process to keep from damaging the swingarm.

The rest of the bearings that were still intact (although some didn't spin real freely) came out much easier using traditional methods.

I ordered a bearing kit from Enduro for each of them and just finished assembling Ted's bike. Wow! What a difference. Very smooth with no play and no creaking. * I'll probably go ahead and do mine this next week and hope the bearings are still intact enough to come out easily.

It's not a terribly difficult process if you are used to doing this type of work and have some tools to work with.

So if you're riding a 2005 Trance or Reign, you can save yourself some trouble and a possible warranty battle down the road by swapping them out now.

*Edit: I went ahead and changed mine out today as well. They were not totally destroyed, but several were pretty rough feeling and it's now buttery smooth with no slop

[Pho'dUp]

Does anyone know if Giant is offerent replacement bearings or do I have to pay for some from Enduro?

[tkblazer]

yup, Noel (hanzo) recently had to replace his bearings... you guys are lucky that they have lasted you so long... mine were shot after 4 months of riding

also the suspect bearings are the seat stay bearings

[jeffj]

I have heard that Giant may replace the bearings, but some get the same crappy bearings.

For me, it was not worth the hassle of going back to where I bought the frame (Wheelworld) and waiting for Giant to decide and act. I paid the $44 for the kit (8 bearings) and did the work myself.

If you're very resourceful, you can probably figure out how to order the same thing from a local bearing house and save a few bucks.