munk
Please welcome the newest addition to my stable- my Giant Trance 3 2008.
I'm not sure what it is about me and cheap bikes, but this is another eBay bargain. Having recently returned from my trip to the states, I really fancied a full sus XC bike. So, taking my cash to the local bike shops I quickly realised that I couldn't afford anything anywhere near as good as I had been riding out in the USA. So, a quick trawl of ebay turned up some nice looking secondhand bikes, but they all seemed a little too 'loved' for the money. I began to lose hope, but after a long night of uni work I flicked across to the 'bay for an idle browse, I came across a really bad advert for a Giant Trance- 1 line of writing saying that the bike was black and silver and in good nick but with no picture and a -1 rated seller. The auction finished at 2am that morning so I took a gamble with a silly £250 bid and won. I went to pick it up, not expecting the bike to be much, not even expecting it to have wheels... how wrong could I be?! The bike is mint, ridden once... I'm a very lucky and very happy chap!
(NB. Before you think 'oh it's obviously nicked', I have a reciept in the sellers name from the original bike shop in Bradford. Just to be safe have had it checked for any tags / stolen reports at the local police station and all is well.)
She's a little heavy, but like any larger lady she really performs well, with plush travel at both ends and a really smooth running train. I wasn't too keen at first on the lockout forks, but after riding them for the past couple of days I'd have to recommend them to anyone who does any XC as they make uphill climbs so much easier than my Diamondback did.
Spec:
RockShox Tora 302 fork.
Fox Float R rear shock.
Avid Juicy 3 Brakes.
Shimano Deore running gear
WTB rims
Upgrades for the future:
Some clipless pedals - V. near future!
Weight loss program- carbon bars & stem & Carbon seatpost.
I'm not sure what it is about me and cheap bikes, but this is another eBay bargain. Having recently returned from my trip to the states, I really fancied a full sus XC bike. So, taking my cash to the local bike shops I quickly realised that I couldn't afford anything anywhere near as good as I had been riding out in the USA. So, a quick trawl of ebay turned up some nice looking secondhand bikes, but they all seemed a little too 'loved' for the money. I began to lose hope, but after a long night of uni work I flicked across to the 'bay for an idle browse, I came across a really bad advert for a Giant Trance- 1 line of writing saying that the bike was black and silver and in good nick but with no picture and a -1 rated seller. The auction finished at 2am that morning so I took a gamble with a silly £250 bid and won. I went to pick it up, not expecting the bike to be much, not even expecting it to have wheels... how wrong could I be?! The bike is mint, ridden once... I'm a very lucky and very happy chap!
(NB. Before you think 'oh it's obviously nicked', I have a reciept in the sellers name from the original bike shop in Bradford. Just to be safe have had it checked for any tags / stolen reports at the local police station and all is well.)
She's a little heavy, but like any larger lady she really performs well, with plush travel at both ends and a really smooth running train. I wasn't too keen at first on the lockout forks, but after riding them for the past couple of days I'd have to recommend them to anyone who does any XC as they make uphill climbs so much easier than my Diamondback did.
Spec:
RockShox Tora 302 fork.
Fox Float R rear shock.
Avid Juicy 3 Brakes.
Shimano Deore running gear
WTB rims
Upgrades for the future:
Some clipless pedals - V. near future!
Weight loss program- carbon bars & stem & Carbon seatpost.
Leave a comment
Want to add your comments about this bike?
Login or Sign-up by clicking the button below.
hardtailhero said on 9 February 2012
awesome bike!!
Please login to reply to this comment.
dhshredder@hotmail said on 17 February 2011
Real nice ride youve got there mate, havent really dabbled with e-bay but pay a lot more as a result :( but i love my bike, even though it cost me £1300! (current picture minus the new halo freedomdisc wheels in white i have just purchased- new pics on saturday) please could you rate it.. cheers :)
Please login to reply to this comment.
born2bike said on 26 January 2011
I'm not keen on these more basic Trances, for the money (new) I would rather have a long travel hardtail with decent kit than a Trance. It was an absolute bargain on your part though, so you get a slightly better score than i would otherwise give.
Please login to reply to this comment.
FreerideJon said on 16 December 2010
NiceBike. ;D
Please login to reply to this comment.
chilton said on 18 April 2010
Looks Pretty Dam Gd
R the brakes hydrolic? i had some mechanical one's and they were crap
Please login to reply to this comment.
tallzie said on 19 May 2009
lookin goood!!! looks light as mate..
Please login to reply to this comment.
vitaminjayz said on 22 January 2009
nice bike i want a set of tora on my bike
Please login to reply to this comment.
munk said on 20 June 2008
SOLD!
Got hit by an uninsured driver so needed to raise some cash- made £630 in the end... so £380 of pure profit! wooo!
Gonna miss the bike though!
Please login to reply to this comment.
kevinr2008 said on 21 May 2008
nice bike m8 loads of room for uprating.....
Please login to reply to this comment.
MudSweatAndGears said on 18 May 2008
a 10, just because I can ;o)
Please login to reply to this comment.
Stug said on 18 May 2008
Friken steal!
Please login to reply to this comment.
bikerboywill said on 18 May 2008
£250!! my god thats a bargin and good effort for stayinf up to win it :D
and its a really nice bike with really nice parts
, nice one
Please login to reply to this comment.
Telemaster18 said on 17 May 2008
Come on the Giants!!! lovely stuff
Please login to reply to this comment.
grazo22 said on 17 May 2008
What a gorgeous frame, similar to marin. It flows. I though my bike was an ebay bargain t £520 but this is in a different league at a quarter of the retail price. You really are very lucky. My brakes are Tektro Auriga Comp. They are powerful but feel slightly dead. Might get some hope M4's but no money :-)
Snap!!!! Same wheels!
munk replied... on 17 May 2008
I know... £250... I'm still reeling! M4's would be sweet on yours but I do think that they may be a little overkill. Try a set of Hayes 9's- they're great brakes and don't cost the earth and would suit yours down to the ground in a nice beefy XC way. Granted they aren't much to look at but power is better than looks any day! I'm not too impresed with the wheels- I'm tempted to upgrade them if I get some cash- I'm thinking halo's.
Please login to reply to this comment.
harobasher said on 17 May 2008
nice xc bike rate mione pleasse
Please login to reply to this comment.
specialized-kid said on 16 May 2008
v. nice bike mate
Please login to reply to this comment.
jac114 said on 16 May 2008
Lol.. I had better not show my nate this ..he has just bought 1 for £639 new.. nice bike but he got his for downhill.. not so sure about that.. please rate my bike. after looking at some of my udated pics in my profile
munk replied... on 17 May 2008
Hmmm... Downhill you say... it's clearly an XC bike. That will be fun when he comes to his first ride!
Please login to reply to this comment.