2007 YETI 575 or 2009 Giant TranceX 2

[subpixel]

Im torn,

I can probably pick up a 2007 Enduro spec Yeti for about $2000+. The 2009 Giant tranceX 2 rrp is around $2500. The yeti base spec is better, older frame design now (not sure how the old yeti rates compared to the new one.. opionions)

What do you guys think? Ive had an NRS1 now for about 5 years, time to step up to something new. A buddy of mine just got a 2008 yeti, which just blew me away with how sweet it felt to ride. Just wish i could afford the 2008!! I have ridden the 2008 model of the tancex and it is pretty sweet to but shes no yeti... not sure how the 2009 compares to the older frame as well. any advice would be great.

Regards

Dave

[spudatm]

How many Ks has the yetti done, last service, component upgrades etc.
Have you looked at anything that is on runout from 2008.

[subpixel]

I havent found the Yeti yet. Just looking.

Haiving said that. the stock Enduro spec was

Fox Vanilla RL 130mm fork, a mixture of Shimano Deore LX and XT shifting, Hayes HFX-9 disc brakes, RaceFace Evolve XC two piece cranks, Race Face Next carbon riser bars, Evolve stem, Maxxis Minion FR 2.35 tires and Mavic XM 317 disc rims mated to a Shimano Deore rear hub and house-brand ARC front hub.

They would be 'running out' 2008 models already? where?

dave

[Nath8]

What size frame are you looking at?
I know someone who has an 06 575 frame and Fox Talas RLC fork hanging in their shed. He may want to part with it. He now rides a AS-R frame.
I personally ride a Giant Anthem, but if I was choosing between a 575 and a Trance X, I would go the Yeti everytime. Even the older models are a sweet ride.

[subpixel]

I need a large. Im about 6'1"

cheers

dave

[Oddjob]

If you were happy on the NRS I would suggest the Trance would be more your thing.

The Yeti actually has the older frame design out of the 2. The 575 has been around since 2002 from memory whereas the Maestros have been out since 2005. The 575 was updated for 2008 though to make it stiffer. The 2007 575 will feel completely different from the NRS, it's plusher and has a longer wheelbase, it flexes more through the rear end as well compared to the 2008 model and the Giant.

The Yeti enduro spec isn't exactly to my taste either, the Raceface cranks are terrible compared to Shimanos and the HFX9s somehow manage to combine shitty performance, unreliability and no feel into one package.

[subpixel]

I had no choice but to love the NRS (which has been awesome for over 5 years now with hardly any trouble), upgrading wasnt on the cards. At the time i bought it it was the best option. I will use the bike for commuting to work as well as offroad; andersons, manly dam, cascades etc.... So my thoughts were defiantly to get something with longer travel for more downhill aggression (NRS sucks at this) but still can handle the single track and commuting without to much bob.

But your comments are wise, so thanks.

I will def be testing the trance when the local gets one in

[spudatm]

They would be 'running out' 2008 models already? where?

dave[/QUOTE]
Yeah most stores are getting 2009 models already and i think the new trances are due in October maybe. Don't bother trying to upgrade to an x1 as ive been told they are long gone

[Cranker]

Im torn,

I can probably pick up a 2007 Enduro spec Yeti for about $2000+.

Dave

No contest! I would take the Yeti over the Giant anytime.:D
Yeti bikes are better built all round.

[Daver]

No contest! I would take the Yeti over the Giant anytime.:D
Yeti bikes are better built all round.

Hahahahaha. Funniest thing I've heard all day. And that comes from a Yeti-Fanboy too.

[maxwolfie]

Hahahahaha. Funniest thing I've heard all day. And that comes from a Yeti-Fanboy too.

Wait - So you think that Giant's ARE "made better" than Yeti's? (I really have no idea, just curious)

[Daver]

Wait - So you think that Giant's ARE "made better" than Yeti's? (I really have no idea, just curious)

Yep. Better made and more reliable than anything I've owned or ridden.

[RichJS]

Yep. Better made and more reliable than anything I've owned or ridden.

Even Nicolai? (I'd still like a Helius FR. I almost scored one cheap on eBay a few months ago..)

[From.Out.Of.Nowhere]

No contest! I would take the Yeti over the Giant anytime.:D
Yeti bikes are better built all round.

A lot of people use this argument to justify why they paid three of four grand for a frame when they could've had a complete Giant for the same price.

['Ross]

yeti yeti yeti yeti

Never ridden one, only ever seen a few in the flesh, but I have the uptmost respect for them?:confused:

[ETSX]

It is a tough call, I know most are saying yeti but if you are someone that sticks to 1 bike for a good amount of time and not really interested in upgrading components etc go for the Giant. The new bike will a great spec that should last. Where as the Yeti might have that wow factor but you maybe replacing bits before you know it. It is hard second hand and you do have to be picky to get a good one so if you go that way keep your eyes open and kow what to look for.
I have a Rocky Mountain ETSX and am just buying a second dually and Anthem X1. I just can't go past it for $2600. Yeah I wont get the looks the my Rocky gets but I reakon riding it I won't notice to much difference apart from a slightly racier position.

[IZAKM]

Yep. Better made and more reliable than anything I've owned or ridden.

i beg the differ. i recently bought an 08 giant anthem, the welding on the frame is far from consistent. consistency in the welds means that there are no weak points. which is hard to understand because aren't they welded by a robot?

[ETSX]

i beg the differ. i recently bought an 08 giant anthem, the welding on the frame is far from consistent. consistency in the welds means that there are no weak points. which is hard to understand because aren't they welded by a robot?

I think mass produced bikes allow more for the inconsistency in the welding when you look betwwen the 2 you will notice the mass produced are more meatyer than the handmade Yeti's, Turners, RM, etc. Yep the welds are nicer they look great on HM but they need to be.
Just what I think. It does not mean the Giant will be weaker. For the record I don't recall ever seeing a Giant fail through it's intended use.

[IZAKM]

I think mass produced bikes allow more for the inconsistency in the welding when you look betwwen the 2 you will notice the mass produced are more meatyer than the handmade Yeti's, Turners, RM, etc. Yep the welds are nicer they look great on HM but they need to be.
Just what I think. It does not mean the Giant will be weaker. For the record I don't recall ever seeing a Giant fail through it's intended use.

ok, yeah that makes sense. i have seen a few cracked dh comps, and apparently there a few glory's cracking around the headtube. although that may have happened in shuttles?

[XTCPom]

Well I've got a Yeti 575 and a Giant XTC, and whilst I enjoy the Giant and the great value for money it represents at all levels, I luuuuurrrvvve my Yeti. When I bought it I could have a run-out Reign 0 or a year-old 575 - one ride and it was no-contest. Had another ride against a Blur LT and still got the Yeti. Which also raises another point - have you ridden either of them?

Not everyone's cup of Sri Lankan leaves, but which would you choose if someone just handed you the bikes???

[b_S]

I'd take the Giant, new bike plus better built frame and parts. After working on many a 575 I can say I'm very happy I bought a Trance X myself ;) The only thing the Yeti's have is slightly better XC-ish geo, longer TT and short HT. But apart from that the Giant kicks it's arse.

[Steepy]

I havent found the Yeti yet. Just looking.


I don't really like your chances of finding a 2007 Yeti that cheap, I did see a 2006 one go on ebay for a ridiculous price like that a few months ago when, unfortunately I didn't have the cash available :mad: but I reckon you'd be hard pressed to find one for less than $3500. Good luck though!

[tcd_333]

Im torn,

I can probably pick up a 2007 Enduro spec Yeti for about $2000+. The 2009 Giant tranceX 2 rrp is around $2500. The yeti base spec is better, older frame design now (not sure how the old yeti rates compared to the new one.. opionions)

What do you guys think? Ive had an NRS1 now for about 5 years, time to step up to something new. A buddy of mine just got a 2008 yeti, which just blew me away with how sweet it felt to ride. Just wish i could afford the 2008!! I have ridden the 2008 model of the tancex and it is pretty sweet to but shes no yeti... not sure how the 2009 compares to the older frame as well. any advice would be great.

Regards

Dave

Dave,

They are both great bikes but there are a few things to consider.

I own a 2005 (L) 575 and bought it 2nd hand in new cond. The biggest issue
is your lack of warranty. I've fatigue cracked my 575 twice now so it's ready
for more welding and I'm only 72 kg. The older frame does flex somewhat,
but because they nailed the geometry so well it still rides like a rocket.

I think if you really want a 575, get it new and go for the newer more rigid
design. The Trance X2 will be steeper in angles and less oriented toward
high speed gnarly stuff. I think the Trance X will also be a better climber
and accelerator. More XC oriented than the Yeti. The thing with the Yeti is
it is just a lot of fun to ride and it is great on technical stuff.

cheers

TCD

[ducan]

i beg the differ. i recently bought an 08 giant anthem, the welding on the frame is far from consistent. consistency in the welds means that there are no weak points. which is hard to understand because aren't they welded by a robot?

All handmade !

[subpixel]

I have ridden the Yeti (albeit the newer frame) and i kinda wished i hadnt cause it felt freakn amazing. Jumping back on my NRS mad me feel like i was sent back to the stone age. Another buddy of mine has the 2008 trance x but its a medium so it feels small. (i need a large) so i'll await the 2009s arrival at the local and give it a spin.

The new Yetis worth over 2K more than the giant so i could never justify that unfortunately. I wish. otherwise it would be no contest.

Thanks for all you help though. Im just hoping the 2009 feels sweet.

dave

[b_S]

The Trance X2 will be steeper in angles and less oriented toward high speed gnarly stuff. Sorta yes and no there. Compare the numbers, for the L in both sizes...
Yeti is 20mm longer in top tube, but 20mm lower in the head tube. This will give a longer, traditional XCish stretch in the cockpit.
Trance has angles steeper by about one degree for both seat and head tubes, it also has slightly longer chainstays.

The more upright seating position of the Giant will make it a bit more controllable, countering the slightly steeper angles it has. The Yeti's geometry is appealing for the more enthusiast-orientated market (every time I see those numbers I get jealous) but of course a bit of cockpit tweaking with stem heights and lengths will bring them close. This is comparing the new Yeti, though I have a feeling the old models aren't much different as they come accross as very "traditional" numbers for such a bike. Essentially it's a long travel XC/enduro bike, thus would ride like one.

One thing to note and it's something I'm not 100% sure about is the Trance's bent seat tube, I think it puts you slightly forward over the BB than I like. The tall HT isn't to my liking so make sure when you test ride one you get the shop to run all the spacers on top of the stem, including the big conical one, this'll make the bike feel much better!

Between the two, if you're comfortable on a Trance and are willing to upgrade a few parts as you go, a new X2 would be a much better investment than a 2nd hand Yeti - the latter would need more upkeep to keep it riding smoothly, their bearing system is pretty crud in the scheme of things and some of those parts (ie, old Hayes) don't have much longevity in them.

Buying a boutique bike is a serious commitment, getting one 2nd hand would be a false economy... especially when new bikes offer so much more these days.

[subpixel]

well after all the responses Ive decided not to go the second hand yeti (If i could afford the newer model I defiantly would) I had alot of walking time on the angry doctor (damn cramps!!) on the weekend which gave me time to comtemplate.

I also had a chance to ride a year old Giant Reign as well. So ive narrowed the choice down to a new trance X 2 or a reign 1. Just need to wait till the local gets them in (are they out at stores yet?)

The reign may be overkill for me as the bike is used for about 75% commuting to work and the rest is obviously off road looking for fun. Im sure id get a couple of weird looks cruising down king street on a reign with slicks!!!
dave :)

[Mainee]

I'm also looking at purchasing my first DS bike. I've been reading a few threads and reviews and think I've decided on trying to find a 2008 Giant Trance X1 as a runout.

I've also been looking at the 2008 Reign X1 or the 2009 Trance X2.

I generally ride just XC, but also enjoy hitting many of the smaller jumps and drop offs on those tracks.

My questions are, would the weight of the reign significantly hurt my ability to ride uphill over the trance, and how does everyone think the 2008 trance X1 compares to the 2009 trance X2 specs. As the 2009 trance X1 is up to around $3.8K and out of my price range.

Also for someone who has only been riding for about 9 months and still doesn't have the greatest skills, would the reign offer a much better descending bike than the trance?

[Oddjob]

My questions are, would the weight of the reign significantly hurt my ability to ride uphill over the trance, and how does everyone think the 2008 trance X1 compares to the 2009 trance X2 specs. As the 2009 trance X1 is up to around $3.8K and out of my price range.

Also for someone who has only been riding for about 9 months and still doesn't have the greatest skills, would the reign offer a much better descending bike than the trance?

The weight wouldn't be so much of a problem it's more the geometry and where it places you're body that would be the issue. The Trance will have steeper geometry that place more of your weight over the front wheel making it the better climber.

Its a tough call but I would go the 09 X2. The Shimano SLX equipment across the board will be more reliable than the Raceface cranks and Juicy 5s of the older model bike. The 15mm front axle will also give you a stiffer front end.

If the 08 model is a few hundred dollars cheaper though, then get that and use the money saved to get some Goodridge sintered pads for the Juicies and save up for Shimano external BB cups for when the Raceface ones inevitably shit themselves. Oh and purchase some lightweight bolt up 9mm skewers to reply the quick release ones.

[Mainee]

Thanks Oddjob, I've compared the 2008 X1 specs side by side with 2009 X2 and I agree the only component that the 2008 X1 seems to be better is the XT rear derailleur.

I can currently get the 2008 X1 for $2295 as a runout and the 2009 X2 is $2695rrp, but I think I would be able to get at least $300 off that price. Must admit the colour of the 2008 model is better than the 2009 though. The Anodised Grey over the white and silver.

Does anyone know if the seat on the 2009 models trances is going to be as bad as the 2008 one?

I've also thought about looking at the specialized and trek bikes, but you just don't seem to get the same component levels as with Giant.

[Mainee]

Hmm, maybe should have made my own thread. Felt like I've hijacked this one.

Anyway I have attached a spreadsheet so people can see the specs of the 2008 Trance X1, 2009 Trance X1 and X2.

[subpixel]

all good here mate. Your info is my info. MY local store isnt getting a reign in so i guess ill only be able to try out the trance unless i go for a trek to someone that has one.

[Oddjob]

I can currently get the 2008 X1 for $2295 as a runout and the 2009 X2 is $2695rrp, but I think I would be able to get at least $300 off that price. Must admit the colour of the 2008 model is better than the 2009 though. The Anodised Grey over the white and silver.

Does anyone know if the seat on the 2009 models trances is going to be as bad as the 2008 one?



If that's the case then definitely get the 09. You won't care about the colour when you're riding it ;)

The 09 bike has a Fi'zi:k Gobi seat and they are pretty good.

[b_S]

You won't care about the colour when......it gets muddy and you don't clean it for a month :p

[ryanjb]

Proud owner of an 08 trance x1 for a few months now and i promise you wont be disappointed. I'm a newb, have only been riding for 18 months and switching from a scott hardtail to the trance feels like im a whole new rider. I'm a clydesdale (104kg 6'3) and it has handled dropoffs and a fair bit of abuse with ease but best of all is the propedal when climbing. Chase a runout X1 for sure...

[Oddjob]

...it gets muddy and you don't clean it for a month :p

... or three.