Price is the same which one would you pick?
- Thread starter ruffruff
- Start date
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
The Specialized TLC is a nice ride, but I have to go with the Giant Trance for the win. 
I would take the reliability of the Yamaha drive system over the Brose/specialized every time
I would take the reliability of the Yamaha drive system over the Brose/specialized every time
What sort of riding, how long will you own it, and how good are the lbs?
Specialized is more lively but every ride you'll be wondering when the motor will die. Then it gets replaced under warranty and the cycle continues. So long as each motor dies within 2 years of each replacement, you're stuck with no excuse to burn it. Unless specialize throw a major hussy with brose and can't replace the motor. Oh, and you'll always feel like the sad cousin - heavier than an sl but less capable than a kinevo.
Giant will be rock solid reliable , do you want a rock? If you're into that, and you have a decent dealer, then go for it. Just be aware warranty runs out at 2 years on motor, even if it's replaced at some stage. The app and interface will seem primitive compared to a specialized , but when you've got a few thousand kn of greasy dirt under the wheels ....life is good.
Specialized is more lively but every ride you'll be wondering when the motor will die. Then it gets replaced under warranty and the cycle continues. So long as each motor dies within 2 years of each replacement, you're stuck with no excuse to burn it. Unless specialize throw a major hussy with brose and can't replace the motor. Oh, and you'll always feel like the sad cousin - heavier than an sl but less capable than a kinevo.
Giant will be rock solid reliable , do you want a rock? If you're into that, and you have a decent dealer, then go for it. Just be aware warranty runs out at 2 years on motor, even if it's replaced at some stage. The app and interface will seem primitive compared to a specialized , but when you've got a few thousand kn of greasy dirt under the wheels ....life is good.
Browneye
Well-Known Member
What did you end up with?
When Sam was around - Fullerton Electric Bike Co - he was a dealer for all kinds of ebikes, including Haibike with Yamaha, as well as Yamaha branded bikes. He was a huge proponent for Yamaha drives, saying they just never break. I was in his shop when Bosch had just opened their hundred-thousanth warranty claim at their internet warranty center. Wow, really? So yeah, they're a top seller, if not THE top seller, but they also have a lot of warranty claims. Yamaha doesn't even have a warranty claim center.
Anyway, between him and @PDoz I don't think I would stray away from the brand. Well, maybe Shimano, just because they are visible and seems like any of their service centers could deal with a broken drive system.
When Sam was around - Fullerton Electric Bike Co - he was a dealer for all kinds of ebikes, including Haibike with Yamaha, as well as Yamaha branded bikes. He was a huge proponent for Yamaha drives, saying they just never break. I was in his shop when Bosch had just opened their hundred-thousanth warranty claim at their internet warranty center. Wow, really? So yeah, they're a top seller, if not THE top seller, but they also have a lot of warranty claims. Yamaha doesn't even have a warranty claim center.
Anyway, between him and @PDoz I don't think I would stray away from the brand. Well, maybe Shimano, just because they are visible and seems like any of their service centers could deal with a broken drive system.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Did you guys notice how e-bike prices went up?
No, our expectations went up.
In 2018 , my giant full epro retailed at oz $6500 - for the "1" level equivalent to a trance. But take a closer look -34 mm 140 mm travel forks, twin piston brakes, 11 sp sun race cassette, rekon tyres, 500 wh battery
That's sounding closer to a stance than trance , in fact it's not far off a stance "3" which now retails at $5500 oz. ( lower spec motor)
Even the "3" grade trance has 35 mm 150 mm forks, 4 piston brakes, 12 sp shimano cassette and a 625 wh battery. And an extra 2/3 kg!
Ps - perhaps just MY expectations went up?
I looked at the trance x 29 "2" and decided it was too heavy.
I'm currently lusting after an orbea rise, but decided the " base" level m20 " needs" the 34 mm fox performance forks upgrading to 36 mm factory kashima ( an extra $699 oz) - yet I'm perfectly happy with the 34 mm fox performance in my full e pro - despite the extra 4/5 kg it carries. Crazy.
I looked at the trance x 29 "2" and decided it was too heavy.
I'm currently lusting after an orbea rise, but decided the " base" level m20 " needs" the 34 mm fox performance forks upgrading to 36 mm factory kashima ( an extra $699 oz) - yet I'm perfectly happy with the 34 mm fox performance in my full e pro - despite the extra 4/5 kg it carries. Crazy.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
@PDoz, let me give some examples:
Turbo Levo Comp 2020: US$7380
Turbo Levo Comp 2021: US$8780
What has changed?
Turbo Vado 6.0 2020: US$5900
Turbo Vado 6.0 2021: US$6800 <-- the same product code as the "2020" model...
It is hard to prove anything for Giant as they changed all their models to 29". But Specialized? Did nothing, significantly increased the price.
Turbo Levo Comp 2020: US$7380
Turbo Levo Comp 2021: US$8780
What has changed?
Turbo Vado 6.0 2020: US$5900
Turbo Vado 6.0 2021: US$6800 <-- the same product code as the "2020" model...
It is hard to prove anything for Giant as they changed all their models to 29". But Specialized? Did nothing, significantly increased the price.
Browneye
Well-Known Member
Turbo Levo Comp is $8780? Dear lord...
I was getting the feeling Giant for 2021 was up about 5% - couple'a hundred bucks on a given model.
We were out to LBS, looking at a Stance E+2 for wife, and the LIV equivalent called the Embolden. I couldn't figure out which Giant model it was 'till closer inspection - has a Deore 10 speed, cheaper forks, and the Sport assist with 500w pack. MSRP was about $4400 on it - my guy offered it for about 20% off. I was a little surprised. He wants me to buy there, not elsewhere. LOL
Availability is really sketchy - seems they've built and shipped some bikes, but are also selling out overnight. Lead times to order are WAY out.
I was getting the feeling Giant for 2021 was up about 5% - couple'a hundred bucks on a given model.
We were out to LBS, looking at a Stance E+2 for wife, and the LIV equivalent called the Embolden. I couldn't figure out which Giant model it was 'till closer inspection - has a Deore 10 speed, cheaper forks, and the Sport assist with 500w pack. MSRP was about $4400 on it - my guy offered it for about 20% off. I was a little surprised. He wants me to buy there, not elsewhere. LOL
Availability is really sketchy - seems they've built and shipped some bikes, but are also selling out overnight. Lead times to order are WAY out.
ruffruff
Well-Known Member
ya I checked that out...540 miles is the closest Trance to me!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
It's $6300 in the U.S. It is EUR7000-7300 (US$8400-8800) in Europe. Somebody plays foul...
The Danish price of DKK55000 closely approaches US$9000.
sram nx 11 sp changed to shimano slx 12 sp , which means different wheels as well
rockshox 35 mm are now fox 36 mm ( up 1/2 a tier in spec)
brakes have gone from sram level to shimano slx ( up 1 tier in spec)
Realistically, Specialuzed built the 2020 comp to tempt people into the showroom, hoping they realised it was cheaper to buy an expert than upgrade everything. The 2021 comp is close enough to functional as it rolls off thd showroom floor - perhaps because you can't buy aftermarket upgraded parts at the moment ???? ( the cynic in me thinks specialized doesn't want 2021 comps flooding the second hand market when frustrated buyers realise they have to upgrade the bike instead of parts?
Alternate explanation - it's specialized pricing....they have an entire team calculating how high they can price each bike...
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I should say I'm jealous
The Levo has been my Holy Grail. After taking a reasonable decision to buy a Trance, I can say I'm happy. Levo would mean too much of a bike for me... I simply don't deserve to ride the Levo, while I love my Trance.
Taylor57
Well-Known Member
Theres a classic punchline to your question, but I've been reminded this is a PG forum!
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