mcoine

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

ryanlovesyou

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.

rossnewark

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

Pic of the bike: https://www.new.facebook.com/photo.ph...4&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.

ed 

Priceless

ca7erham

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

DirtPedalerB

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

ca7erham

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

DirtPedalerB

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

ca7erham

Well thats not very nice.

scrublover

Are you on crack?

Certified bike mechanic, eh?

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.

G-Monkey

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

ripper122

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.

scrublover

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.

ed 

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

scrublover

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.



https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/hec...php?geometry=1

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...in/1288/29375/

Blue_Biker

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.

G-Monkey

I would suggest an 18" in the Giant.

ripper122

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

DirtPedalerB

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.

mtnbiker66

20" bikes are for the Yeti.