Giant Trance 3 2008

Advantages: Rear shock lock-out
Disadvantages: Crap OEM tyres

...Bought one about 6 months ago, in preference to a Giant Trance 2. The lockout for the rear shock really made the deal for me, as I do a fair bit of tarmac riding. Locking the rear suspension really reduces power-sapping bounce and sag when pedalling hard. The only thing I'd complain about is the relatively poor OEM tyres. I've now swapped these for some High Rollers and all is sweet. I have to add fifty three more words here in order to be able to rate the bike, so essentially this is all filler (thirty to go now) until I hit the magic number. Come and visit New Zealand, by the way, and bring your bike with you. It's well worth your while to do so.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: QuickQuickQuick
Disadvantages: Frame Colour could be better

...Giant Anthem 2 Price £1400 Frame ALUXX aluminium, Fluid formed, Maestro suspension system 3.5/90mm travel. Fork Rockshock Recon 327 80mm travel. Brakes Avid Juicy 3 hydralic disc, 160mm rotors. Wheels WTB Laser Disc XC rims with Formula hubs. Drivetrain Shimano Deore 27 speed shifters, XT rear mech. Sizes 14.5”, 16”, 18”, 20”, 22”. Color Metallic Team Blue/Aluminium. There are also 4 other bikes in the range. Anthem 1 £1800 Anthem w (Women specific) £1800 Anthem zero £ 2999 Anthem Advanced £4699 There are also two frames Anthem £899 Anthem Advanced £2260 I recently decided to trade up from my specialized FSR Comp, I was looking to buy an specialized stumpjumper or an epic. Both these bikes were available for a trial at my local bike shop so I booked to have a go on them both. While I was there I picked a Giant catalogue up. I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Nice ride, reasonable pricetag
Disadvantages: suspensions a touch soft

...The £250 price tag means you can't expect an incredible bike, but giant do very well with the money, providing a good set of equipment for a first bike. The Suntour M7600 forks give about 3 inchs of travel they are slightly soft but rarely bottom out. The gears are a fifteen gear set, with shimano altus rear mech and rapid fire ez shifters, which are cool. The brakes are v-brakes which take a little getting used to, but will definitly stop you! The frame comes in anything from 14" to 21.5" which means you can choose the right size for you. The overall ride is pretty smooth, the control is good, the braking is excellent without being too fine. It's the kind of bike that lets you belt up and down hills, but can also be used safely on the road. In conclusion a great bike for a starter, with a reasonable equipment range and a nice price... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful