Orbea Occam vs Giant Trance X: Trail Bike Showdown

Occam vs Trance X - Never in the history of bikes have two bikes been more similar than the Orbea Occam and Giant Trance X. Alright, that’s a bit of a stretch. Either way, the Orbea Occam and Giant Trance X are two peas in a pod. They both live in the “bikes that climb way better than they should” category while being very well-rounded descenders. Their travel numbers, geometry, weight, price, and target riders are nearly identical. So what separates these two? Stick around to find out.

0:00 Intro
1:28 Ride Impressions - Trance X
8:55 Ride Impressions - Occam
17:11 Conclusion

[lailer]

Wanted an Occam, website said they wouldn’t have them till July 2021.Went to my Giant store and they actually had a Trance X in my size. Glad I went with the Trance X, perfect for Arkansas riding!

[mendiesel]

That trance X caught my eye when it came out, but I got a 2020 Occam before the trance released. Couldn’t be more stoked and happy with my bike. Handles everything I throw at it no problems!

[ronhau]

Yep awesome review! Glad you’re not reviewing the trance x 0. Seams like that’s the only bike Giant makes lately.

[johnpooley]

@bikersedge these are the kind of reviews many of us are looking for. No halo bikes just the work horse models. Keep up the great work reviewing these and lower price point bikes. I’m stuck between trading my 2019 Fuel Ex and getting this model trance x or keeping the trek and adding a alloy reign 2. You’ve been helpful having reviewed both!

If you have any advice I’d take it!

[hesc]

Awesome review/comparison video! Really appreciate the content you put out. Your first Occam review was super helpful, and played a large factor when purchasing my M10. What a bike! Your comments on the Occam in this video describe exactly what I was looking for in a bike. I’m sure this will help others like me get in the right bike. Keep the videos coming!

[bike_somm]

Cool to see how far the trance x has come!!! My first MTB was a 2012 trance x3 26” bike.. times have changed for the better! 🕶✨🚲💨✌🏼

[skyworks]

I took a look at the same Giant Trance X1 in my local shop (Slovenia-Europe), and it costs currenty for 2021 model 3.299 € with Shimano XT. I find that an amazing price for what you get. Thanks for the video.

[Ceriva]

well if you consider upgrading your bike into the future its worth mentioning that if you buy a 140mm Occam (front and rear) for your home trails.. but you want something that got a little bit more travel for your next all mountain session .. the Occam can swap its 210x50mm shock for a 210x55mm shock which ups the travel by 10mm (leverage ratio is 2:1 here btw).. buying a shock is cheaper then just buying a whole new bike and also if something is wrong with one of them you got one in the backpocket.

[jonas]

The content on your channel is really top notch! Keep up the good work. 👍

[Mr.Fox]

Hi Connor, rode an Occam and liked it, lovely bike but having ridden a Trance 27.5 for the last 3 years I got smitten by a Trance X Advanced Pro 29 1. Funny thing is I neither wanted to go 29 nor to SRAM brakes (which I consider a pain in comparison with Saints on my Trance). Great review and I hope my new bike lives up to its' reputation!

[dundundata]

Just picked up my M10 (with Fox 36) I ordered at the end of August, sweet ride very happy with it. Love that you can customize the build and even the paint. You can choose Minion DHF/DHR tires and that should help with better traction. Other option was Fox transfer factory dropper.

[tgtech]

This is perfect timing for me. I’ve been debating between these two bikes since I’m getting back into mountain biking after learning I’ll be moving to St George this spring! So excited to ride down there. Thanks for the video!

[creepylavalamp]

What a video!! Because of this I just picked up the Occam. Keep up the good work!!

[rogerb]

Another awesome bike preview. I bought an Occam because of your review of that bike. Nice to see a good comparison between these two bikes

[buttmanjenkins]

I just called 10 different bike stores with everyone saying they're out of the Occam until next year. Finally I called one more and the guy gave me the number of his "Orbea guy" who had ONE H20 in my size and lucky me it was the orange one. I've never put down a deposit so fast.

[jdwells]

Hard to beat the good old trance. Great bike with great range of bikes for the guy on a budget...

[sven-vucic]

Again - you killed it. Wouldn't change a word you said! I've gone from Reign to the Occam and yeah - Maestro is extra plush and has great traction. Occam is sporty, poppy, fast and it really is a great and top pedaler! After 6 months with it, my main culprit is the Fox Factory suspension. The front dives if you want soft and plush (and with carbon handlebars you feel each bump), and the DPX2 is poppy to get it in the air, but dead when thinking of bump absorption. DVO Topaz retains the pedal efficiency but greatly improves the bump absorption and plush feeling. My 2 cents. I'd probably go Trance X if it was out when I bought an Occam (just because the giant experience was great and LBS is great and didn't know a thing about Orbea). But the Occam is still bringing smiles after 6 months... probably the best proof of its character is that I bought an Thule roof rack and never used it in 6 months to get to the trails. Just hop on the bike and enjoying riding to the trails...

[TheJo]

Excellent comparison and very good video!

[kruuuber]

Great video. Your aesthetics and especially graphics are beautiful. I've used them for referance to show clients how to keep things sleek yet informative. Tho the graphics are quite bold :)

I've got the Occam m30 (fox 34) where I changed the stem for a Renthal 33mm and fitted two offset bushings to slacken it out a bit. I don't have too much trouble with pedal strokes, albeit the bb is even lower now. Well happy with how that all turned out. Imho you're correct about the back wheel getting caught up a bit when the terrain gets rocky and rowdier. Feels like I have to be light on my feet to ride on top of it. I haven't seen a review touch on this subject with the Occam before, good call.

Keep up the great work!

[richardanderson]

Fair review. Nice job brother. My compliments.