The 2005 Giant NRS is really a great buy for $1400. I've been riding NRS since 2000, I sold my 1st one because it was an DS/2 and I wanted DS/1 level components, so I bought an '03 NRS 1 that was a year old. I also bought super cheap another 2000 DS/2 in January that is a freak time capsule (kept in someone's garage since it was bought, riden for maybe a summer, the original tires still had the casting nubs), I will be selling it soon.

Anyway, I've riden many other suspension designs, many of which work as well or better than the NRS, only difference is the price versus component level. To get the same or better level of components, ride, pedaling characteristics and performance as an NRS, you have to spend more than a few more dollars.

On the other hand, the 2005 Trance 3 is only $200 more than the NRS 1, and the new Maestro engineering looks to be even better than the NRS. The T3 has exactly the same components as the '05 NRS, even the same shock and fork. It has 4" of travel, instead of 3.75".

I am tempted to sell both of my NRS bikes and get a Trance 1, and I probably will at the end of the year. I have riden the Trance, but only on pavement and curbs around the shop, but I can say it is noticably smoother than the NRS. It also feels like a lot more travel, even though it's only about 2-3 tenths of an inch more. I think the little extra (4.2" I think the spec is) puts the suspension in a more usable travel range.

Anyway-either one, I don't think you can go wrong. I put a lot of serious xc miles on my 2000 DS/2, and three xc races, and never had a single problem with the rear suspension pivots or the frame. As far as weight is concerned, I believe anything that is decently under 30 lb(NRS or the Trance), and has 3.75"-4" of travel is perfectly in the ballpark as a sturdy bicycle, capable of having fun on trails, going up, going down, occasional duty as a sport level xc racer and surviving for a few years. Anything lighter than 25 lb with this kind of travel and it's either astronomically priced, or it will be a one season racer, if you don't fall down!

Ed