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08' Stumpy FSR Comp vs Giant Trance X1

3K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  checocc 
#1 ·
I am sure I will get some bias opinions, but I want to know why I should chose one over the other. This will by my 4th bike in as many years. My previous bikes have a been 2 Stumpy HT comps and a Rockhoppa...

With all the negative I am hearing about the big "S", I am starting to look at other brands and I want comparisons of the 08' Stumpy FSR Comp vs the Giant Trance X1. I want to avoid buying a name if Specialized truly is cheapening-up their bikes, i.e.... lack of quality. What makes the stumpy great this year other than it being a great bike in the past?
 
#2 ·
08 Stumpy and loving it....

In any forum you will find a lot of folks who love their bikes and a few who don't. I read all the posts re the 08 SJ (good and bad) and then bought one (08 SJ Pro Carbon). And I did look at the Trance.

With the help of all the knowledge from the SJ Pro posts I now have my SJ set up perfectly for me and the trails I ride. :thumbsup: For me the new Brain Forks are great. Only advice if you get an 08 SJ is to try different settings cause a click here and click there does make a difference to the ride.

What ever you get "Ride it like you stole it :madmax: ". Once set up of course.....
 
#3 ·
Big T42-

What made you chose the SJ over the Tance? I am actually looking at the Comp and the Elite, so I won't have to worry about the brain. I'll probably go with the Comp because I don't feel like you get much for the $500 extra the Elite costs. Although I really like the paint on the Elite in person; the black/mag combo looks pretty good. What I really like about both the Elite and Comp is that they have Fox front and rear suspensions. As does the Trance. I am looking for something that is tried, true, and tested.

I have always been a loyal Specialist guy, but I want to make sure I am buying a reliable product. I am surprised many people haven't chimed in?
 
#4 ·
My 2 cents

I've had a 08 SJ Elite now for 6 months. I came from a 100mm Stumpy but have owned a regular Trance (not the X). The Trance is a good design and Giant always brings value.

I considered the 2008 X vs. the 2008 SJ and went with the SJ as I saw it as a more natural extension of the 2004 100mm SJ. I have been very happy with the choice. On paper I'd consider the RP23 a better shock than the Triad but I really like the Triad so far and I don't think you give up much. The only thing I wish my SJ had was an annodized finish like the Giant.

I think they are both great bikes. You should consider the size differences between the brands - they don't stack up the same.
 
#5 ·
Franco94, thanks for the input. I have often wondered how the sizes of the two bikes are different. I would buy a medium FSR (I am 5'11"), but I have been told that Specialized bikes run a little bigger in comparison to other brands. I was told the Trance X work probably work best in a large for me. I haven't found one to test ride yet though....
 
#6 ·
Spec.Black said:
Franco94, thanks for the input. I have often wondered how the sizes of the two bikes are different. I would buy a medium FSR (I am 5'11"), but I have been told that Specialized bikes run a little bigger in comparison to other brands. I was told the Trance X work probably work best in a large for me. I haven't found one to test ride yet though....
If you are 5'11", go for a Stumpie size L. The 2008 models are shorter than the 2004-2007 and I ride a size L (2004 model) -- I'm 5' 9 1/2"... The best would be to try both sizes, though, but don't buy an M size before trying it at least in the shop...
 
#7 ·
I agree with Jerome, go with a large on the Stumpy and Trance X. I'm 5'-11" and test rode the mediums and larges for the SJ Expert, Trance X2 and Trek Fuel EX8. Medium was too cramped for me on the Stumpy and Trance X, but the medium Fuel EX (18.5") felt fine since the top tube length (24") was the same as the large SJ and Trance X.

Coming from a large 2005 SJ 120 Expert which was and still is a great bike, I decided to go with the Trance X0 over the SJ Expert and Fuel EX9. My LBS carries both Giant and Specialized so I would have gotten the same price break on each brand. I only test rode the X2 and in my opinion it performed just as well as the stumpy expert. So for me it came down to the parts spec and the look of the bike which the X0 won easily. My new ride should be in by the end of the week!
 
#9 ·
I bought the 2008 SJ Expert , medium frame , with pedals 27.2 lbs. My buddy bought the same bike in a large frame weighs in at 27.6 lbs stock.

I had changed the post to a set back Thompson, it feels good, as I m 5' 91/2. For me the large would work but with the set back the medium is a perfect fit and the bike will be easier to throw around.

If your 5' 11 large would prob be better, it all depends on how your built, long legs, short legs, long toros etc. I have short arms, long torso, short inseam, so need more of a cockpit length while still needing to get behind the seat, not an easy set up.

Never tried the trance but did try the Trek 2008 EX , the 18.5 frame fit well, liked the bike but still felt the SJ , geometry was what I wanted.

Anyhoo hope this helps, good luck.
 
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