Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

I work at Golden Bike Shop, feel free to swing by.

 

I definitely recommend it, it's not the most phenomenal climber of a bike, but if you can muscle it through the climbs, it'll reward you on the descents. I love the bike, same geometry (essentially) as my Transition Bottlerocket, but with real suspension, and shaved about 5-6lbs with a similar build.

 

There ya go support a Tw members shop.

 

My first DJ experience was damn fun haha

 

That's what I like to hear. I really want to demo the Bronson but they only do like trek and ibis demos here

That at 495?

 

I'm having a hard time deciding between the Giant Trance 27.5 3 and the Kona Process 134 for my next bike? Any input that can help??

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/trance.27.5.3/14833/66291/

http://www.konaworld.com/process_134.cfm

 

I'm going to add the ibis mojo HDR 650b to my list of recommendations to you. It's a little over your price range but you may be able to find a deal at an lbs for the special blend build. Probably the best build with a carbon frame for that price. I always recommend to try and demo before a purchase though.

He trance is probably a better frame. I have read that the new konas are pretty sweet bikes though for the price.

 

What makes the Trance frame better? How do the components compare between the two bikes? With the price difference between the two, would I just be paying for the Kona name (with the exception of the dropper post)?

 

Both are good bikes. I suggest you pick the one that you feel fits you best because, for the most part, they are the same component wise. Slight nod to the Kona for the dropper seat post but don't let that sway you if the Giant fits you better. If you can, ride both of them together and hopefully, more than just around the parking lot.

Remember, you can always upgrade stuff.

If you're still not decided, Jordan posted a couple links to bikes that are also pretty good choices and are only slightly more expensive-have a look.

 

Giants maestro suspension is tried and true where konas is pretty new. The trance has more travel also. Kona definitely has better components all around though. It seems like kona is really stepping their game up but only time will tell when it comes to quality.

Here is a review that sounds pretty good for kona
http://gear.bikemag.com/2014-bible-of-bike-tests/all-mountain/kona-process-134-dl.html

 

That it is! Finished helping dig a new line and was offered to ride a bike. That place is super fun

 

I should be able to ride both bikes (not together though) but don't know if it'll be more than around the parking lot. I do know that fit is important, and that will definitely be a determining factor for me.

I like that the Trance has more travel since I like to be airborne pretty often. However, the Kona seems to have better components like you mentioned; the drive line is almost identical but the Kona doesn't use it's own brand of hubs and rims, which I like. I have read that the wheels on the Trance are pretty heavy.

I can get the Trance for $2k out the door, so it has that going for it as well...

 

honestly if you like getting air the trance is probably better. if you went with the kona you might like it at first then wish for more travel...that how i am. i loved my fuel ex but the rougher the trails got the more i wanted extra travel. now that there is a bike park near me i want that extra travel even more.

like Ian said, you can always upgrade parts

nice! i havent been there in a while. i wish i lived closer so i could ride/dig more.

 

Giant it is then!! Thanks guys!! There is a bike park close to me so the Trance will be perfect!!

 

just reread the page...its only like 1/4" more travel or so, i was thinking it had a little more, just thought i would correct that, i would still test ride them both to at least make sure the fit/feel is better.

 

Oh, ok; I'll be test riding them both still then.

 

sorry about that i was thinking it had 150mm for some reason

 

No worries!

 

So Kona is sold out of the 2014 Process 134 They won't be releasing the 2015 model until August/September this year. I'll be going with the Giant.

 

Kona has been stepping things up lately, with a more real suspension, lighter and (hopefully) stronger frame construction, as well as higher quality alloys. I have a good friend on a Process 111 or whatever it is, and he enjoys it quite a lot. BUT, these two bikes are surprisingly very different.

The Giant will be more stable at speed, it has a 67 degree HA, and a 17.3" chainstay length, while not terribly long, giant is limited by their dual-short-link design of the Maestro suspension to having longer stays. I can vouch as to the solid design of their suspension; it's very stable in the climbs and reasonably active and resistant to braking forced while descending.

So the Giant would climb, in some circumstances, more poorly than the Kona, your front end is slacker than the Kona, which means the front wheel may tend to wander on steeper stuff.. but this also means more stability at speed than the Kona. The Kona's HT angle is 68 degrees, one degree of difference (more important than it may sound). The Kona will want to wander less on the climbs, and will more easily navigate tight switchbacks than the Giant.

The Kona will be more of a playful bike than the Giant, for several reasons:
- Shorter chainstays, the back wheel will be tucked in further beneath you, and as a result will be easier to flick around. This also results in a shorter wheelbase, for a more nimble ride, etc.
- The head angle is 1 degree steeper, it will have quicker, more responsive steering than the Giant will, which also means less stability on steeper descents, and less stability at high speeds (steep, flat, whatever).

The BB height isn't listed on the Giant, so not sure about that aspect.

Basically, they're both good options, but in order to decide I would recommend first deciding what your specific applications with the bike will be, how you like to ride, and what your terrain will be like.