Mountain Biking - giant trance x2 or 07 santa cruz Heckler

Okay I am looking at two different bikes both are close to the same price. I am wondering what to get I rode them both and the Heckler felt more compact not as far of a distance inbetween the seat and bars felt really tight. I liked them both alot and am wondering what you think thanks.

Heckler

I have an 06 Heckler, the top tube length is compact, you could get a longer stem (110 mm) like I did if it feels too tight. The compact tube is part of the reason it handles great through switchbacks though. I can't say enough about the travel (5.5 ") as it soaks up everything on my trails (Fox DHX 5.0). It's not the lightest bike though, a couple of my buddies have Cannondale Rushes (one is carbon fiber), and they smoke me up rocks and rooted climbs. A great bike all around though, and I recommend it:)

They guy at the bike store said the Giant was a much better bike I was leary when he said that but yet I am a newb to this sport and know practically nothing. He made a point about peddle bounce on the heckler was alot worse then the Giant he also made a point about the Giant's rear suspension is a true 4 point suspension I believe that's what it is called im not sure. But the Heckler looks like it does but is not. I am not sure what all that ment and if was true or not but I am wondering what you think ? Thanks-Tommy

I would like to say the giant meastro suspension system does ridebetter then the vpp. I would go wit the giant.

They guy at the bike store said the Giant was a much better bike I was leary when he said that but yet I am a newb to this sport and know practically nothing. He made a point about peddle bounce on the heckler was alot worse then the Giant he also made a point about the Giant's rear suspension is a true 4 point suspension I believe that's what it is called im not sure. But the Heckler looks like it does but is not. I am not sure what all that ment and if was true or not but I am wondering what you think ? Thanks-Tommy

I'm not sure what all that meant.......


I would like to say the giant meastro suspension system does ridebetter then the vpp. I would go wit the giant.

The Heckler is a single pivot bike not a VPP.

Giant is probably better, I've test ridden one of them they seem stretched and have alot of standover. the stock stem is long you could swap that for a shorter one no problem.. nice black color too.

how abusive do you want to be with the bike? i'd trust a heckler to take more of a beating than the trance-x line.

similar prices, but similar parts spec? geometry and sizing?

I had a heckler for 2 years and just recently bought a trance x2.
over all I like the trance better.

I like the trance better.

liar

Any more import would be great!!

giant has a far superior suspension, but the x isnt nearly as good as the old 4 inch bike. go trance...better bike.

giant has a far superior suspension

liar

giant has a far superior suspension, but the x isnt nearly as good as the old 4 inch bike. go trance...better bike.

Why is it better?

Because single pivot bikes suck.

just google search "maestro", and you will see why its better....

or just click this....

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/technology/maestro_new/maestro_new/14/

Yeah...funny how Giant says the Maestro design is better than others. You'd think they would publicly admit that they are inferior. (seriously, dude??)


I heard that the best design was the Equilink. I think I read it on Felt's website.

i use to sell giant and specialized. if you will look at the new 09 model specialized fsr stumpy, they look a hell of a lot like the old 05 trances...suspension set up speaking. thats because they are trying to get as close to the maestro as they can. i have riden many FS bikes...if i had the money to spend on one....i'd have the trance in a heartbeat.

No worries, they dogged on me just as much when I joined :thumb:

just google search "maestro", and you will see why its better....

That answer is weak sauce. If I google FSR I'll see why Specialized is the cats PJs....and SCs VPP and so on. I like a nice simple single pivot design but someone's gonna jump up and yell brake jack. If you're a smooth rider not prone to panic braking brake jack is minimal. So what really holds water is something like "I've spent a lot of time on Xbike and Ybike and I like the design of Xbike for what I ride becuse". Kinda like G-Monkey who seems to have trail experience with both bike in question here.


Oh...chelboed, blue single pivot bikes suck hard!

The giant is technically a single pivot..

I heard that the best design was the Equilink. I think I read it on Felt's website.

I used to think that FSR was the best, but then I remembered that Specialized sucks.

The giant is technically a single pivot..

Giant is not single pivot, you have two rockers that rock the swingarm around a "virtual" pivot point. A single pivot is a solid swingarm that pivots around 1 point on the frame typically down by the bottom bracket.

^^^^^exactly

OP...see if you can demo each one, on the same trail...then buy the one you like the best!

Giant is not single pivot, you have two rockers that rock the swingarm around a "virtual" pivot point. A single pivot is a solid swingarm that pivots around 1 point on the frame typically down by the bottom bracket.

oh yeah, there is an extra pivot there, I looked right at it and didn't see it.. my bad.:twitchy:

I think Santa Cruz's are definitely sexier... don't let the hype get to your head about fancy suspension. Ride both of them and decide which one you like better. I've been riding a Heckler for 6 years and the single pivot design has been working great for me. There's a reason its a classic. I haven't ridden the Giant but don't let anyone knock the Heckler, its a great bike.

I have a Giant Trance and have been very happy with it except the crappy TORO forks on the front.

Pic of the bike: http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=675509&l=f7964&id=780881666

The rear suspension is smooth and handles predictably downhill - however I have needed to pump the rear shock up to pressure to make the bike better at going up hills.

The seat that came with the bike is reasonably comfy and the disc brakes are very useful in wet conditions. The handle bar width is quite wide, especially as I have fitted bar ends to aid climbing - which does make it tricky on singletrack.

Overall I have been impressed with the bike - its very good for long distance and won't give you any back/ass problems - but if you want a really nimble bike go for a hardtail.

I have a Giant Trance and have been very happy with it except the crappy TORO forks on the front.

Pic of the bike: http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=675509&l=f7964&id=780881666

The rear suspension is smooth and handles predictably downhill - however I have needed to pump the rear shock up to pressure to make the bike better at going up hills.

The seat that came with the bike is reasonably comfy and the disc brakes are very useful in wet conditions. The handle bar width is quite wide, especially as I have fitted bar ends to aid climbing - which does make it tricky on singletrack.

Overall I have been impressed with the bike - its very good for long distance and won't give you any back/ass problems - but if you want a really nimble bike go for a hardtail.

Priceless

^^^^
Are you sure you dont me "Low Priced"?

blue biker is the stig .. he has rode all the bikes around the top gear test track..

Jeez, did you not read my post, I must be the Stig, because I have a shirt that says so :rolleyes: Get a clue ;)

Jeez, did you not read my post, I must be the Stig, because I have a shirt that says so :rolleyes: Get a clue ;)

I have a shirt that says ca7erham sux ....

Well thats not very nice.

i use to sell giant and specialized. if you will look at the new 09 model specialized fsr stumpy, they look a hell of a lot like the old 05 trances...suspension set up speaking. thats because they are trying to get as close to the maestro as they can. i have riden many FS bikes...if i had the money to spend on one....i'd have the trance in a heartbeat.

Are you on crack?

Certified bike mechanic, eh? :rolleyes:

Again to the OP: test ride, test ride, test ride. As much on both bikes as you can, if possible. It would also help if you gave more info about what/how/where you ride. And what parts spec are on the two bikes.

I think Santa Cruz's are definitely sexier.

To each his own but the Black Trance X2 is meaner looking.......stealth like....Now that is sexy.

I will be riding very tight single tracks trails lots of up hills and down hills and lots of gradule up hill riding. I am 5-11 the heckler is a medium 18 and the Giant is Large 20.

I will be riding very tight single tracks trails lots of up hills and down hills and lots of gradule up hill riding. I am 5-11 the heckler is a medium 18 and the Giant is Large 20.

Forks? Build kits on each bike? What rear shocks? Similar pricing, yes? Jumps/drops/burly technical steep stuff? The uglier your terrain, the more I'd be inclined to steer you towards the Heckler.

I will be riding very tight single tracks trails lots of up hills and down hills and lots of gradule up hill riding. I am 5-11 the heckler is a medium 18 and the Giant is Large 20.

The Giant is too large for you no matter what...unless you're "all leg".

The Giant is too large for you no matter what...unless you're "all leg".

Not exactly...he needs to go by toptube length more than seattube length, IMO. Geometry charts. These are the new Heckler numbers - not sure if the 07 was the same. And we still don't know if they have comparable build kits - granted he ought to pick based on fit rather than the build.



http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/heckler/index.php?geometry=1

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/1288/29375/

if you ride in lots of sand....a longer top tube would be best (keeps weight off the front tire)

if you dont have sand and its all hardpack...go a little shorter for easier climbing/turning.

I will be riding very tight single tracks trails lots of up hills and down hills and lots of gradule up hill riding. I am 5-11 the heckler is a medium 18 and the Giant is Large 20.

I would suggest an 18" in the Giant.

Heckler
Forks= Fox Vanilla 32 RLC
Size=18
Rear Shock=Fox Float R

Giant
Forks= Fox Fr
Size=20
Rear Shock= Fox Float R
Cran= Race face ride xc

I'd go 20 on the giant, they have short top tubes and longer stems,, I'm 5'9 and on my test ride of the 18" maxed out the seatpost. I'd get the 20 and shorten the stem.. The trancex has so much standover that is not even an issue.

I'd go 20 on the giant, they have short top tubes and longer stems,, I'm 5'9 and on my test ride of the 18" maxed out the seatpost. I'd get the 20 and shorten the stem.. The trancex has so much standover that is not even an issue.

20" bikes are for the Yeti.