Posts
7
Joined
5/26/2020
Location
KY
Edited Date/Time
6/4/2020 5:02pm
I am 56 years old and am wanting to purchase either a Giant STANCE E+ 1 PRO 29 2020 or a Specialized Turbo Levo 2020. I have great local dealer support on either bike the Giant out the door is about $900 less of course my wife loves that part!! Anyway, I live in Florida pretty much flat terrain I’ve never mountain bike in my life I have ridden both at a Demo and both of these bikes to the untrained eye seem fairly close. So with all that said any help would be greatly appreciate it towards which bike I should purchase.
Thanks
Thanks
As a rule: Giants are “high spec” for the price. EG 2 Giants I have purchased came with Carbon rims at a price point that this feature was unique. (“Giant” branded - have proven to be perfect so far.) By using “Giant” branded things like bars/stem/seat/seat post, they sometimes manage to fit higher spec gears/brakes at a price point.
I also have personal experience with the exceptional warranty.
In the non E bike world - the Giant “Trance” is more capable than the “Stance”
I also agree with Falcons comment.
If you find you “love it”, you will have more idea which direction you might go:
1. Love this bike, and it suits my use.
2. Love jumping - need more “travel”
3. Love long rides - need more range.
Etc
I am also 56yo.
Yesterday.
While MX gets more “difficult”, with less tracks and more rules, MTB is growing in my area. (And Australia generally)
The council (local authorities) have actually built fantastic free tracks (including the jump in the pic, and “Wall of Death” Avatar).
I can go for a ride anytime.
Fun, exercise and inherent danger - perfect!
Giants "stance" line is their super low end. That means it has "flex point" suspension and very dated geometry. Flex point suspension is rough, especially on an aluminium frame. Giants Maestro suspension is one of my favorite designs, but the Stance is just basic. I've never ridden a giant e bike so I can't say anything about the electrical/motor side of the bike, but the rear suspension on that bike will feel "okay" at best.
The Levo on the other hand? Great geo and trusted FSR design. Is FSR the best ever? Probably not but it feels like a legitimate suspension design, not like flex point. Again if we are comparing Maestro to FSR it's much closer (I'd probably go with maestro) but flex point is cheap. The Specialized is a solid design all around (don't forget the better geo) and will give you a ton more room to grow.
Now the e bike parts? One of the big web sites (can't remember if it was vital or the other guys) did a big e bike motor test where they tested a bunch of brands motors, and the Specialized Brose motor got the best review. Having ridden it and a Bosch and a Shimano motor, I'm all for the Brose. It's damn good.
I've worked for both Giant and Specialized. Both warranties are amazing. Can't go wrong with either.
Honestly, as a newer rider either bike will be an absolute riot for you, can't go wrong with either. Initially the suspension design and geometry won't affect much. However, if you enjoy the sport and want to progress, the Stance's limit will be found much quicker than the Levo's. I can tell you that the $900 extra for the Levo will get you a hell of a lot more than the money could do to the Stance. You can't upgrade a frame to a better suspension design or better geo. Getting yourself a more solid bike from the get go will save you a lot more in the future.
Again, at the end of the day either bike will put a huge smile on your face and that's what matters.
Now I have to get a platform hitch carrier since my truck is lifted and my cancer has taken a lot of my strength. I would be unable to lift the bike into the bed of my truck. Now which one?? LOL
If awkward - a rope/strap through a ring bolt near the cab. One end attaches to the front of the bike, pull on the other end. Like a winch. Guiding the bike with your other hand.
I think you are going to Really enjoy your bike. Some similarities to MX bikes/riding, some differences.
EG. due the lighter weight, shorter suspension and no power - negotiating a small log can be made easier, and more controlled by pulling on the bars (“rowing action”) at the right moment. Pretty obvious and natural. Less obvious is the advantage of a strong “anti row” (push) as the wheel passes the top. For me it makes the difference from being a “passenger” momentarily, to being the “driver”. One log I always “bottomed” on, I always clear with the “anti row”. It’s actually a bit weird.
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