Yes from the what I have read about that bike I agree. They stopped making the 29 Trance after that until 2019’s redesign. I do not have any of those issues.
Quite honestly there are many bikes that would work for the OP.
I posted that one because I ride the same frame geometry(carbon tho), am...
Jmez:
The Giant Trance 29 was introduced in 2019. I am assuming you have the 27.5 wheel size. Same name, completely different bike.
If your front end wanders, try lowering your stem and/or pivot your bars forward a bit. It will put more weight forward. Also maybe slide seat forward a bit.
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/trance-29-3
For the price this is really tough to beat. Great all rounder with excellent frame and suspension design. Much better than Giant Stance for minimal $ more imho.
I was in a similar situation last year before I made my purchase, I am 48 as well...
I had the same issues with the hood as the guy in this video. So after ordering 3 different hooded 240’s at 3 different times with this issue I gave up and run the non hooded version. I added the chama to my kit for the hood.
I use my 240 as my outer layer. Have yet to feel the wind through it with a traverse zip t and Chama underneath. Wear it on every hunt here in the east. Will also use a Cabelas Berber hoodie over it on colder stand hunts. I didn’t care for the hood fit of the hooded version tho and am running...
Yes Swarovski el 8x32.
The insert spaces worked great for height adjustment. I just felt there was too much empty space around my binos. I guess I got used to how small the original Kuiu Bino holder is and prefer that size.
I have been messing with mine for a few days and I’m going to return it and continue to use my original Kuiu Bino holder. Too much added bulk for my 8x 32 swaro’s....the binos are swimming in the pocket and I feel and hear them banging around in there when walking. Perhaps if they made a medium...
I am also a big fan of the hydrapak.
https://hydrapak.com/shop/flexible-water-bottles/stash-750-ml
No sloshing like a nalgene and it compresses and packs easily when not being used so I don’t have to carry a full sized empty container around.
Buy the cabinet, only because you can add mule as a bag only purchase at any time. Pintler and mule are the only two bag only purchases you can make. All other bags need to be purchased as a bag and frame combo.
I love my pop up 18 for still hunting. Wish I got the 28 as the 18 is a little tight for northeast late season. I debated pop up vs. guide light as well....but put a priority on a shorter frame as I still hunt. My old bag with a higher frame would get hung up on branches often when ducking...