How to make an all mountain bike do XC events?

PB Forum :: All Mountain, Enduro & Cross-Country

Author	Message

ThedoggiesWheaton

O+

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 at 18:06	Quote
Hi all, Question: I have 2 x Giant Trance 27.5’s. I now do a few XC events and would like to make one of the Trance more XC efficient. Can’t afford a 3rd bike with less travel etc. Both are carbon with 2.4 Maxxiss Ardent front and 2.25 Maxxiss Ardent rear tubeless. Rental Fat Bars etc. Any thoughts on making one of them faster on the flat and climbs? Cheers Z

Adamrideshisbike

O+ FL

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 at 20:03	Quote
Okay, you're going to have to tell me why you have two of the same bike.

ThedoggiesWheaton

O+

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 at 20:28	Quote
One is older - handy having a back up bike ????

Adamrideshisbike

O+ FL

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 at 20:32	Quote
Fair enough. To answer your question, not much to be done, other than firm up the suspension a little and buy pinner tires. They'll cut a lot of weight. I raced a Kona Process on 2.4s in an XC race last summer and it felt like torture. I smoked 'em on the downs, like double the speed, but let's face it, climbs win XC races.

RodneyPierce

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 at 21:30

Quote

Adamrideshisbike wrote:

Fair enough. To answer your question, not much to be done, other than firm up the suspension a little and buy pinner tires. They'll cut a lot of weight. I raced a Kona Process on 2.4s in an XC race last summer and it felt like torture. I smoked 'em on the downs, like double the speed, but let's face it, climbs win XC races.

True enough. Pedal harder?

Depends on the bike as well. I honestly dont think my Recluse would be terrible in an XC race, but then again the linkage kinematics much favor pedaling off the top instead of small bump.

I have heard that the Trance is a killer small bump machine, so Im assuming you get a fair amount of pedal induced movement. Nothing outside of firming up the suspension would help more than likely.

justwan-naride

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 at 21:50	Quote
Lighter wheels and tyres. Ardent race front, icon rear for example and a lightweight wheelset. Also consider setting the cockpit for climbing efficiency. Clipless pedals if you're not already on them.

joelk1

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 at 23:12	Quote
The most speed would probably be gained by switching to xc tyres. You could also improve your riding position by switching to a lower and longer handlebar position by using less spacers/lower bars + longer stem, to create a more comfortable climbing position.

ThedoggiesWheaton

O+

Posted: Jun 7, 2018 at 3:09

Quote

Thanks crew - it looks like we are on the same page! Here is my plan (pretty simple really):
Ardent Race 2.20 front and maybe rear?
Or go the Icon 2.20 rear?
Carbon rims on already.
Swap out the Renthal stems for a longer a Renthal (60mm)?
SPD XT clipless already but might swap to the really light ones.
Run say 20% higher Fox shock pressure.

Then convert the older Trance into a full All Mtn assault weapon ????????✌️????

justwan-naride

Posted: Jun 7, 2018 at 3:30	Quote
This way you will also be able to diversify your two-trance quiver.

Citizen-kim

Posted: Jun 7, 2018 at 4:37	Quote
Will the older Trance not have a marginally more xc geo as newer bikes are generally slacker, lower and longer and on the other side of the same coin, the newer Trance be better* on the downs? I had a 2011 Trance. Nice bikes.

ThedoggiesWheaton

O+

Posted: Jun 12, 2018 at 16:12	Quote
Good point Kim... Might look at the older Trance angles.

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