goodwrench profile

I still have the Trance Advanced 1 in my possession. I have to give it back soon, probably after the weekend.  Just sayin...

Posted by: Kthorpe

Posted by: goodwrench

I had a Trance Advanced 1 on loan for a while. The drivetrain and suspension brands are different between the trance 1 and 2 but here are some general thoughts I had. It's light, the large Trance Advanced 1 I had was light 27.5 lbs with pedals! I found it very easy to pick up the front end to get over rocks and roots and such - especially on the climbs. The seatpost works well, its a bit clunky compared to others and the lever is a bit old school ( I prefer under the bar levers), I noticed the narrow bars right away ( I ride 800mm bars), but after a few rides I got used to them, the grips felt nice and the tires hooked up well enough for me. The wheels felt solid, I didn't think that they accelerated faster than my DT Swiss stuff but to me they definitely felt stiffer laterally.   It's definitely not a monster truck.

On both bikes I have no issues with the GX drivetrain or the guide brakes - I run these. The Giant has a newer spec trunion mount  Rockshox deluxe shock. The Ghost specs a KS Lev which is a nicer feeling seatpost IMO. The Ghost says it only comes with a 760mm handlebar, I'm pretty sure the giant was a 750mm.

How did you find its descending abilities? Im looking for the best descending trail bike without going to an enduro bike. 
Thanks for the info though...im currently on 750mm bars (i was actually shocked when i double checked their size) and am decently happy with them at 6ft tall..never ridden any wider.

It descends well, it's very capable. Like I said it's not a monster truck, you can't plow over everything. I good rider could ride it virtually everywhere, it's probably outgunned at the bike park though. Do you live in the lower mainland? My neighbor works for Giant, it's how I got to ride the Trance while waiting for Specialized to send me a warranty frame. If you do, i'm sure I could set up a demo ride for you. Also speaking of warranty, I just checked the Ghost site, they are 5 year warranty (possibly MEC warranty is better?) , Giant is lifetime (frame only of course). From what my neighbor says Giant bikes in Canada include 2 years of service, but don't quote me on that.

I had a Trance Advanced 1 on loan for a while. The drivetrain and suspension brands are different between the trance 1 and 2 but here are some general thoughts I had. It's light, the large Trance Advanced 1 I had was light 27.5 lbs with pedals! I found it very easy to pick up the front end to get over rocks and roots and such - especially on the climbs. The seatpost works well, its a bit clunky compared to others and the lever is a bit old school ( I prefer under the bar levers), I noticed the narrow bars right away ( I ride 800mm bars), but after a few rides I got used to them, the grips felt nice and the tires hooked up well enough for me. The wheels felt solid, I didn't think that they accelerated faster than my DT Swiss stuff but to me they definitely felt stiffer laterally.   It's definitely not a monster truck.

On both bikes I have no issues with the GX drivetrain or the guide brakes - I run these. The Giant has a newer spec trunion mount  Rockshox deluxe shock. The Ghost specs a KS Lev which is a nicer feeling seatpost IMO. The Ghost says it only comes with a 760mm handlebar, I'm pretty sure the giant was a 750mm.

Posted by: grambo

Nice build! What size? Seems light  if that weight is with flat pedals. Cool to hear you had good warranty support on that crack.

Thanks. It's a medium, and yes that is with pedals. They are Straightline AMP pedals with Ti axles. 280 grams on my scale with all the pins. I researched most components to balance out weight/price/performance. I seriously though about NOBL rims, that would save about 300 grams all total. I could also save more grams by changing the seat and the cassette and freehub. I could easily go up a pound weight with a different set of tires. But I like this combo in the control casing, I have tried the Grid casing and didn't like it.

My full build is 2016 Enduro Expert frame, stock headset, 170mm Lyric, Monarch Debonair with a bike yoke, Chromag BZA bars and stem, I now have Sensus Lite grips, Sram GX 11 speed shifter and derailer, SunRace 11x46 cassette, Sram XX1 cranks with a 32 tooth ring, a wheels manufacturing thread together BB, Straightline AMP Ti pedals, Straightline headset spacers, Sram Guide RS brakes with 200mm rotors rotors, KS Lev 150mm internal seatpost with the Specilaized command post SLR lever, Ergon SME3 Saddle, DT Swiss EX 471 rims on 350 hubs, Specialized Butcher and Purgetory tubeless in the control casing, Jagwire cable and housings.

Posted by: Bryan

Curious what Specialized frame you had and why it needed to be warrantied? Possibly PM?

Nice enduro by the way.

Long story, PM sent. The frame developed a crack on the downtube where the brace that holds the shock is welded. I should mention that Graham at Caps in Langley handled the warranty even though I didn't buy the bike there. I really got great service there from Graham and Jeremy. Specialized also was great and upgraded me from a Comp Alloy to and Expert Carbon. The place I bought it is no longer a Specialized dealer.

My fresh warranty frame Enduro.

I have a full Invisiframe gloss kit on the bike, .

Garth

In eye to eye or travel? Eye to eye is easy, just get some offset bushings.

Hi everyone. I got some great advice on getting a DH bike as well as a trail bike as well as the DH build. 

As I stated in my other thread, I'm getting a upgraded warranty frame from Specialized, 2016 Enduro expert. I'm wondering if it's worth getting some NOBL 33's to put on the Enduro and I'll put the EX471 on the Wilson I'm building. I'll keep the DT 350 hubs on the Enduro and probably buy another set for the Wilson as the 20mm and 150 hubs are specific as far as I know. 

Thoughts opinions

Thanks for all the input people. I really appreciate it. I'll post some pics when i'm all done.

Thanks for the input everyone! Looks like i'll be building up a Wilson. I don't know if I can afford to build one for the boy as well…I'm probably going to put some carbon cranks on the new Enduro as well.

Wilson will probably be, SRAM GX DH 7 speed, DT Swiss 350 Hubs with EX471 or EX511 or FR570, Guide brakes.

Suggestions on good WBP tires would be nice, I'm kind of partial to MAXXIS and Specialized tires for the Enduro. Any other comments on the rest of the build like the rims would be great too.

Thanks Again