I've recently had a pretty good hardtail stolen off me :-( however, time to step up a few levels I guess and am looking at either a Giant NRS or the Trek Fuel 80... similarly priced and spec. outside choice is the Giant Trance 3.
Never had a full-boinger before so any thoughts and input is welcome.
I was acually going to ask the same thing but am thinking about the Fuel Ex8, Supposed to be really nice with complete lockout remote. I was looking at the NRS 2 Composite. But bang for the buck it's hard to look past the Trek! I'm having a hard time deciding. I am going to do mostly Cross Country.
What kind of price range are you looking to spend. I have done alot of research on the very same dilema. I have came to the conclusion that the trek ex 8 or 9 is by far the best for the money. They have a new rear suspension with a remote lockout on the handlebar to eliminate bobbing completley. Also the trek comes with tubeless, race componentry is also lead by the trek. You can get the trek for aroung 1900.00 give or take, and the nrs composite for around 2200.00. The fuel 80 is a great buy and the shock system on it is also virtually no bobbing. I have a friend that rides one and the loved it.
I've recently had a pretty good hardtail stolen off me :-( however, time to step up a few levels I guess and am looking at either a Giant NRS or the Trek Fuel 80... similarly priced and spec. outside choice is the Giant Trance 3.
Never had a full-boinger before so any thoughts and input is welcome.
Well up till last week I had a TREK Fuel EX7 on order, but that was since Novemebr and I was getting a bit "displeased" with the continual delays and excuses. I told the bike shop I was getting it from exactly that and what else might they recomend in that price/component/quality range and they suggested the GIANT Trance3 (which they had in stock in my size). Guess what I'm getting the Trance3 for $1,400, $100 cheaper than the EX7 and I'll have it in 3 weeks unlike the EX7 which "should" be being built by the 20th Jan.
I really didn't knwo a thing about the new GIANT Maestro line-up, BUT after doing some research and reading glowing reviews of them and how plush and yet bob free the design was I decided to go with GIANT over TREK. I would have loved the Trance2 w/ better components than the EX7 and $250 more, but I would have had to wait for it aswell.
I'd say give the Trance line a closer look and check the GIANT forums and what members are saying about them. I feel the NRS could be a bit to "harsh" a ride for what you're looking for - you can check out NRS comments and you'll notice they are more race oriented and a lot like a HT in feel.
Test ride them all - in the size you'd be riding - buying a bike based on internet advice is risky business.....and you've not provided enough personal info as to how/where you ride, etc....All are nice bikes in their own right, depends on what YOU want out of it. Haven't looked at NRS's lately, but a few years back, I remember them being more hardtail-like than the Fuels, beings as they were designed to run with no sag in the rear. I went with a Fuel 90 (seemed to be a nice "crossover" to FS - the rear sus is not too terribly plush, but takes the hits as needed ....) I imagine the EX's would be sweet (4" Fuel - how bad could THAT be ??? heh) I know nothing of the Trances, but, my understanding has been that $ for $, Giant pretty much delivers the best spec for the price, and have never known anyone who badmouthed the co. Let us know what ya decide .................
It all comes down to what was mentioned earlier. Test ride them. A carbon fiber giant and a carbon fiber trek are totally unique to each rider. It all comes down to what your used to, what a bike should feel like. The delays with trek have nothing to do with trek. Trek is waiting on rock shock for the new remote dampening shock system. The minute the shocks are released the bikes will become availiable. So the advise is this, both bikes near top of the line and the only difference between them in a race winning and losing is going to be the rider that wants it more.
take a look at the cannondale scapel. its a sweet bike and i believe the scapel 1000 is around 2000. you get the lefty fork which is amazing, and a remote lockout too.
I have ridden the Trek Fuel extensively, both at work (I am a MTB cop) and off-road, and while it's a decent bike, I rode a buddy's NRS1 and I was blown away by the difference...Not only do you get more for the money from Giant (I own their superb OCR2 roadbike), but overall, I think that Giant gets the nod for attention to detail in spec, design, and overall construction.
It'll be tough to go wrong with either one-good luck deciding!
I've been on the NRS for almost a year now after debating between the NRS and Fuel. Something to keep in mind is that they're not sized equally - it really came down to fit for me.
The NRS is essentially hardtail that takes the edge off the rough stuff. It's a good race bike but not that much of a trail bike. I've had no problems with the NRS and feel it's a good deal for the money but if I had the choice now, I would seriously consider the Trance or even a Specialized Stumpjumper. After a year on the NRS, I realized that I'd prefer a raceable trailbike - not totally a racebike. Keep an open mind beyond the Fuel and NRS.
I believe in these high performance models your not going to get disappointed by any of these designs. What I mean is, they are all going to be high quality... The difference in all the mentioned models is the intended use.
You are coming from a hardtail, from there you have a scalpel, then an NRS, then a FUEL, then a FUEL EX, and finally the trance lineup... You have to figure out what kind of riding you are going to want to do. If you were happy with your hardtail, just want perhaps some more confort than you can get one of the hardtail-like full suspensions like a scalpel or NRS. If you're looking to get into bigger drops and more freeride, look into the trances and liquids.
Thanks to all for your input! I'm now down to final decisions here....based on size/fit and componentry. I'm 5'7" or nearly 5'8" and 172 lbs. Both bikes seem pretty similar in components, really.
The NRS comes in a 16.5" which gives me an inch clearance in stand-over height.
The Fuel 80 - 17.5" is too big but I think the 15.5" may be too small but no-one has one to check :-(
Luckily one dealer handles Trek and Giant so trying to get both in to see.
Now the ice and snow should melt and it'll be time to hit the dirt!
Thanks to all again and any further input is most welcome.
Thanks to all for your input! I'm now down to final decisions here....based on size/fit and componentry. I'm 5'7" or nearly 5'8" and 172 lbs. Both bikes seem pretty similar in components, really.
The NRS comes in a 16.5" which gives me an inch clearance in stand-over height.
The Fuel 80 - 17.5" is too big but I think the 15.5" may be too small but no-one has one to check :-(
Luckily one dealer handles Trek and Giant so trying to get both in to see.
Now the ice and snow should melt and it'll be time to hit the dirt!
Thanks to all again and any further input is most welcome.
Well glad you managed to narrow it down to 2 bikes. Are they both around the same price at your LBS then? One (Fuel 80) should give a slightly plusher ride and better suit more trail riding and the other (NRS) will be more like your old hartail with just a little "cush" to take the edge off. Check for the top tube length for the sizing on the Fuel and determine the size 15.5" or 17.5" based on that. You can always use more seatpost if the stand over is to low, but getting more top tube ( pushing saddle back, reclined seat post, longer stem) if it's to short can adversly effect handling.
Just in case you didn't do the math the 17.5" Fuel would oly be 1/2" longer (23.1")Top Tube than the NRS (22.6") whereas the 15.5" Fuel will be a whole 1" (21.7")shorter. GIANT for some reason doesn't give stand over height so I can compare measurement there.
Hope this helps a bit but..............
This is KEY - Ride them both and feel which one better suits you - try to get a ride out on some trails and not just in a parking lot and get the LBS to set the bike up as good/close to your specs as they can so as to give a fair comparison.
Compare similar bikes between Trek and Giant, and I am certain the quality of components and the bikes retail will beat anything that Trek offers. I know of personally and have read many more testimonials of Gaint owners who have had service issues, quite often out of warranty and the LBS and Giant together have made the situation right for the customer no questions asked.
Glance down through the Trek board and read about frame issues and the problems that owners have had getting the issue taken care of. Trek is overpriced too.
When I broke my Fuel front triangle I asked Trek if they would give me a rear triangle as well since mine was pretty beat up. "Sure, no problem" was the response. I had the new frame back in ~2 weeks. I've had nothing but outstanding customer service from Trek.
How can Giant be "worlds above Trek in it's customer service"? FWIW, I have friend that has broken several Giant frames and they have also been very good with the warrante.
I agree that the Giants generally have better parts for the price (or they did when I was looking) but I've never been a fan of their frames. The ones I've ridden have been at best OK. I thought the VT1 was OK and actively disliked the NRS1.
I always thought my Fuel was a great bike, just a little too fragile for the riding I did.
To the original poster: Take them out for a ride. It's probable that one or the other either will fit you better or just appeal to you more.
Hey there, I read your posting and I think i might have a little bit of advice for you. I had a Giant NRS that I rode for 2 seasons, in a small crash the tin can thin frame dented. I rode like this for another 1 year, but eventually it cracked all the way through. Giant was not supportive at all with a warrenty (which was expected) or even a crash replacement or a deal on a new bike (which I was dissapointed about) I recently bought an EX 8 and the guys that deal with Trek here are excellent and more than supportive. They knew about the troubles I had with my Giant and gave me a pretty sweet deal. Not a big deal for them, but it means a great deal for me. They will now get all of my business plus a very good recomendation from this new EX rider. When I did comparisons the Trek is by far the better pick. Not only spec wise, but expecially on looks as well.
blmiles said:
Hi all,
I've recently had a pretty good hardtail stolen off me :-( however, time to step up a few levels I guess and am looking at either a Giant NRS or the Trek Fuel 80... similarly priced and spec. outside choice is the Giant Trance 3.
Never had a full-boinger before so any thoughts and input is welcome.
Hey there, I read your posting and I think i might have a little bit of advice for you. I had a Giant NRS that I rode for 2 seasons, in a small crash the tin can thin frame dented. I rode like this for another 1 year, but eventually it cracked all the way through. Giant was not supportive at all with a warrenty (which was expected) or even a crash replacement or a deal on a new bike (which I was dissapointed about) I recently bought an EX 8 and the guys that deal with Trek here are excellent and more than supportive. They knew about the troubles I had with my Giant and gave me a pretty sweet deal. Not a big deal for them, but it means a great deal for me. They will now get all of my business plus a very good recomendation from this new EX rider. When I did comparisons the Trek is by far the better pick. Not only spec wise, but expecially on looks as well.
No Manufacteur will warranty that. Not even Trek. Giant has an excellent reputation for it's warranties. Of course the guy who sold the you the bike is going to do anything to get the sale. But when it comes down to it and you did the same thing with the Trek, I guarantee they won't warranty it.
Hve you checked out a scott scale limited frame the frame retails for 2299 US. I dont have any experience with this frame but it looks like a pretty sweet frame especially at the claimed 2.14 pounds.
I've been looking at the same bikes for a new FS ride. The Fuel EX8 and EX9 vs. the Giant Trance 2 or 1. FWIW - once you take that leap to look at the EX9 or Trance 1, the "custom" bikes (ie Santa Cruz) start to enter into the same price range and are VERY appealing - except for their reported order/delivery delays.
I've been a long time Trek owner/rider, and have nothing but good past experiences with customer service (like when THEY contacted me about a warranty issue on the BB that came on my 8700).
As a civil/structural engineer, I really dislike the Specialized FSR and Giant Trance/Reign due to the pierced tube design (seat tube on the FSR and downtube on the Giants). Just looks like a failure waiting to happen due to the stress concentrations. However, I believe the Treks are some of the heaviest bikes in comparison to other companies offerrings, and the Giant suspension has gotten nothing but positive reviews
Just my $0.02 - I'm leaning toward a one of the higher end bikes (Trek EX9 with a Project 1 custom paint scheme and upgrade the shifters to X.0 carbon or the Trance 1 - if I can get more info on how susceptible the lower shock mount is to rocks/logs).
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