We got our trail loop done today in an hour and a half, 14 miles, a few hundred feet of elevation, bikes used about 40%. We rode fast, full out most of the way. As I have mention previously, my son rode a ton with me on dirtbikes, so he took right to the MTB without issue. He kept right up too. He did get jostled and lost footing on a pedal and the gripper spikes scratched his shin in a couple of places, but he survived. He's pretty tough. He missed a couple of gears shifting down and stalled out on a hill. There is some getting used to preparing for a climb - you can't just step on the shifter and gas it like a dirtbike. LOL
The LBS loaner turned out to be the bike shop owner's personal 2019 Trance SX Pro. Very generous of them, I was rather surprised. They have three eMTB demos but all have some kind of problem, and since I was wanting to take one overnight so we could rider earlier than they open, I was pushing for something. My sales guy Ricardo at Fullerton bikes is a gem. He makes it happen. I'm sure he twisted Mike's arm, assured him we would take care of his bike.
Beautiful day today, it just doesn't get any nicer. And of course there were scores of walkers and bikers out on the trail today. People are done staying at home here.
My kid rode my bike, it's a large, he's quite a bit bigger than I am. The SX was a size M. It was a good chance to compare the two bikes, now that I have some time on my E+2 Pro. I added some psi to front and back on mine as he's about fifty pounds heavier - and he used all the suspension travel front and rear. I had to let a little out of the demo bike forks and didn't use all the travel.
Pdoz mentioned to pay attention to the geometry/steering, cuz they're slightly different. I don't really understand what all those numbers mean, but here's how they compare:
Spec SX Pro vs E+2 Pro
stem 40mm vs 60mm
rake 44 vs 46
trail 113 vs 109
ht angle 66 vs 66.5
WB 1211 vs 1231
I'm not clear why there is no 2020 SX Trance model - did that bike become the Reign? I also spied a CF Reign pedal bike at the store, 29-r. Very nice. Also four grand.
Anyway, the SX has a shorter stem reach, and the other specs do something to make the bike steer a little quicker. I wasn't sure what that actually felt like, but the bike responds quicker without being twitchy. Some of this could be due to wheelbase as well, the different frame sizes.
The coil shock is more linear, it has more 'cush'. The single shift Eagle gears are smother and slicker, but I missed being able to grab a couple of gears going down to a lower gear.
My brakes seem better. Maybe the pads were glazed - a little more noise from them. I didn't notice any difference in the fork, but the SX has the Kashima coating, for super low stiction. The motor is a bit quieter. I understand the 2020 updates make them even more quiet.
Otherwise the SX was indescernible to my E+2. For more than two grand difference in purchase price, I know I got the better deal - especially since I got nearly a grand off the msrp. Makes me even more happy with my bike. Same wheels, same dropper seat, same tires, same power plant and pack. I do like my Rocket seat better - this one had an aftermarket saddle but I did not get the name of it.
2019 Giant Trance SX Pro E+0
I think the blue and orange color scheme is very appealing
Hoping for that shorter reach.... Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
