Mountain Biking - 2008 Giant Trance X0 - Opinions or Experience

I realize the X was just recently introduced but I'm wondering if anyone here has ridden one, particularly the 0. If so, I'm curious as to your thoughts. I'm looking to add a 5-6" travel bike to my collection. The Trance is a bit too close to my Anthem (4.2" v 4") and the Reign seems a bit much for what I ride. I saw that Giant is marketing the X to fill that gap and the reviews I've seen are very positive.

So, anyone have or ridden the Trance X? Please share your experiences. Thanks!

I'm curious too. I had the chance to ride a 07 Reign the other day. I was a great bike, but 6" seemed a little much.

I've heard the 08 Trance X is lighter than the 07 Trance. And it has 1" more!

Anybody own one?

I went to the local LBS this past weekend and got to pedal a 16" Trance X2 around. I was worried it would feel to freeride, but it didn't. The bike isn't to slack and it's not to steep. It felt right in the middle. The Stroker brakes had better modulation than expected. I really liked it. The fork was okay. I didn't get to see how it climbs, but I doubt it will be bad.
If I get the okay from the wife, I'll pull the trigger on the bike for sure.

Awesome. I'm ready to pull the trigger on the XO but wanted to get some user experiences (other than myself and from what I read in the mags) first....

I don't think you'll be disappointed. I road the X2 and it felt good. The XO has all the nice goodies so you should be stoked. I'd assume it was the front brake, but if I went hard into a turn I could hear the disc rubbing. I think the fork was flexing a lot, but I could be wrong. I'll either upgrade in the future to a 36 Talas. Standard spoke popping happened too, but I was the first to ride it.

I'm still curious on the weight of the Reign. If it's close I might consider it.

halfro: Was it some sort of test bike? If it was a brand new bike and you tooled around on it for a bit...how can you comment on the modulation of brakes that weren't even bedded in yet?

My Juicy's feel more "modulation" than "power" for the first several hours of new pads, but when they're bedded in...it's a different story.

chelboed: You're completely right: the bike was brand new at the shop so the brake pads were very fresh. I'm not fimiliar with disc brakes, but from experience the ones on the X2 had way more modulation. I could put a little pressure on the brakes or a lot. The last bike I was on felt very different: Hit the brakes and they had a lot of pressure to start.

If having new pads gives you great modulation I wish I could use new pads all the time. Anybody have the Hayes Strokers with bedded pads? How are they?

Anybody have the Hayes Strokers with bedded pads? How are they?

I do! They're amazing.

Found a review of the Hayes Strokers on Pinkbike.com:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Hayes-Stroker-Review.html

Well, I did it. I ordered my X0 today, complete with XTR upgrades (cranks, shifters and FD)! Should have in 7-10 days! I can't wait!!

When you get that bad boy let me know. I still haven't pulled the trigger, but I'm thinking about it still. Read that review on the brakes.

I was just reading your post and am thinking about a trance X. What do you think after 7 months?

Thanks -

I hope the trance X doesn't feel too freeridish, it's a medium duty trail bike.