Hi,I’m a newbie to this site.I bought a Boardman comp hardtail to see how much it would get me into riding my local trails (mainly moorland/coastal in Cornwall).I’m looking to upgrade and was looking at a Giant Trance X Limited.I can pick an ex-demo one up for £1150..thanks for any advice : )

go for a Giant – they’ll be as good as you get for that price and beat almost all bikes for any money. Read some reviews and I’m sure you’ll agree – the peeps on here seem to think so too… enjoy.

That will see you right. Now’s the time to be buying a bike – lots of deals on 2011 ones and £1500 will get you a more than decent full suss from the likes of Giant / Specialized etc. The Trance X is a good mid travel bike, decent kit levels and a frame that’s well proven, and as robsoctane says, well regarded. If it’s ex demo, they won’t object to you taking it for a spin either – which would be the best advice I could give.

there are loads of good bikes for £1500 at the min.
The Cube AMS 110…Specialized Pitch FSR Comp …and im sure i have seen Lapierre Zesty 214 for that price…also look at bikes that are not big no name IE decathlon boardman….but the giant trance x is a good bike. rember its a lot of cash so make sure you try the bikes and they feel right for you.

If you do not require your arse wiped by bikeshops go Canyon for vfm!

vote 2 for Canyon

£1400 will get you a 2011 Anthem X3 which is a bargain, and an amazing bike!

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant_anthem_x3_.html

Spesh camber
base model from £999
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?category=Bikes&product=Camber%20FSR%20Comp%20-%202011&gclid=CPbJ_dmJ3qsCFYUOfAodGnF-OQ

Ex-Demo on the Trance X limited – I’d get it checked over & make sure you have some kind of warranty/come back if for example you get the forks serviced & find there’s some kind of damage.

It probably won’t be an issue, but it would be a shame to make a saving on a bike and then find 3 months down the line that you need to spend £300 on replacing some knackered components due to neglect.
Don’t rule that bike out, just make some sensible enquiries before you part with your cash.

I have never bought from Revel Outdoors before, but they have the Trance X4 for just over £1000. It hasn’t got as good spec forks & shock as the X Ltd, but would also be a good buy:

http://www.reveloutdoors.co.uk/2011-Giant-Trance-X4/cycledetail/1-1985

Alternatively, pedalon have got the Trance X Ltd for only a couple of hundred more than the ex-demo one you have seen. I’d rather pay that for the peace of mind of getting a new bike to be honest:

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant_trance_x_limited.html

Much as above.

Pauls cycles can be good if you don’t mind the year.

For example http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p3493

With enough money left over to upgrade some bits if you see fit.