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One of my colleagues does a lot of road riding and has been looking at getting a mountain bike. He's been offered a Giant Trance by his LBS and has asked my opinion.
He says he wants to do "normal trail riding", he lives near Wrexham so has access to all the usual North Wales trails. He has mentioned looking at places like Antur and Snowdon and doesn't want to spend money a bike he might quickly outgrow, and will still have his road bike for fitness.
I ride a 165mm bike and prefer to have too much than too little travel, I'd rather have fun descending and dont really ride trail centres. I'm sure a 115mm 29er with ok geo would be great at a trail centre but would he be better off with a 140-150mm all rounder?
I dont want to give poor advice to a new starter based on how I like to ride.
would he be better off with a 140-150mm all rounder?
Yeah that's exactly what I'd suggest.
One that pedals well and isn't a massive lump, if possible.
Thanks @chakaping needed a sanity check. Think the shop had suggested a Whyte T-140, I thought that would be ideal but of course they're out of stock.
I've ridden a trance (115mm) and they do ride like they have a fair bit more travel, I recently bought a 2021 Trance X which is probably more suitable for his needs, I also own a 29er Reign and took both to BPW on a recent trip, I've now decided to sell the Reign as the Trance X is very capable downhill and didn't feel out of its depth on any of the black runs, but it also climbs on another level, as an all rounder that can hit most downhills with confidence its hard to beat
Unless he's planning to hit big drops and jumps, the Trance 29 would make a great first MTB.
Giant's suspension system is pretty dialled. That 115mm will ride more like 130mm / 140mm downhill, plus will be an absolute rocket uphill which might work out well for someone coming from a roadie background.
You can also get a new (this year) Trance 29 with 150mm fork and 130mm rear which nudges more towards the Enduro category without stepping on the Reign's toes. That might be worth investigating.
I have a trance 29er and that 115mm at the back is black magic - feels like a lot more. V capable bike on the tech.
OTOH It doesn't actually climb that well (imho) so if he's making the usual roadie error of over-emphasising climbing ability on an FS MTB then it's not the bike to choose.