Giant Stance 1 vs. Trance 3

[Remnace]

So I’m looking for my first FS and I’m leaning towards the Stance 1 in large part due to the price point and decent components. My local bike shop recommended I take a look at the Trance 3, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra $200. Any opinions?

[Dr Sweets]

@Remnance: “So I’m looking for my first FS and I’m leaning towards the Stance 1 in large part due to the price point and decent components. My local bike shop recommended I take a look at the Trance 3, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra $200. Any opinions?”

The Stance and the Trance may look similar, but their suspensions are completely different. While the top end Stance may have slightly nicer components, the Trance has a superior ride and is worth building on/upgrading as time goes on. The nice components on an inexpensive frame is a time-honored trope in bike sales. Don’t fall for it and instead buy the best frame, wear the components out and upgrade as needed. Plus the Trance looks really good.

[Alvin Mullen]

Trance 3 is definitely worth the extra. With the multi pivot point suspension, vs the Stance single pivot point, you get a much more refined suspension. The Trance has 20mm more rear, and 30mm more front suspension, yet you lose nothing as far as flat smooth performance or climbing performance.

 

I have a Stance 2 that I have converted to 1x, added a wide ratio 11-40 cassette, changed the stem and bars, and added a dropper post. It is a very nice starting bike if you just don’t want to spend much, I really like it. But if I had it to do over again, I would have started on a Trance.

So if you are able to spend the extra, the Trance 3 is a no brainer. For that matter I have test ridden a lot of bikes since I got my Stance, including several levels of Trance, and I think the next step up, Trance 2 with Fox suspension, is worth the extra.

[Aaron Chamberlain]

I agree with Sweets and Mullen. Spend the extra $200 on the Trance. The bike will give you a lot more room to grow as a rider. The Stance has some *marginally* nicer components in just a couple places, chief among them the rear shock and some of the drivetrain bits. A Fox fork may sound better than the Suntour, but that 32 Rhythm is about as base as it gets. The Suntour is a fine fork and is much beefier than the Fox. On the Trance you get a better dropper post and better tires in addition to more suspension travel and a refined suspension platform.

You’ll be glad you spent the extra $200, and if not, you’ll probably be able to get more of your money out of it should you sell it!

 

[bobbewould]

I just bought a 2017 Trance 3 two weeks ago and I love it. It’s quite the upgrade from the Talon I own. My plan is to slowly upgrade components bit by bit. I intend to use this bike for a very long time.

[Remnace]

Thanks for all the input guys. I’m pretty set on the Trance at this point. I just wish that I could get the Trance in that sick red and blue color scheme that the Stance has!

[Alvin Mullen]

I personally think the Trance 3 Neon Green and the Trance 2 Neon Red both look better than the Stance blue. (I have the 2015 dark blue Stance). And the Neon Red looks better in person than on the webpage.

 

And Spiderman?? NO!!!!  But I do have this jersey. 

[Aaron Chamberlain]

[Mark Larson]

Ha, I feel qualified to give an opinion.  I just rented a Trance 2 last week and I thought it was awesome (I ride a few different bikes each year and wouldn’t hesitate to own a Trance at all.)  It was probably the most nimble bike I’ve ridden. I also work for SR Suntour, and the Aion fork on the Trance 3 has 35mm stanchions and is the best value in our whole fork lineup.  It’s stiff, smooth and tuneable and every bit as good or better than the Fox Rhythm series.  The Contact dropper was really light action and I liked it too!  That Stance paint job is pretty sweet though, not gonna lie.

[Kevin Mills]

@Aaron. Please don’t be this person  : /

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