Montra Trance Women (2016) : ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

Made using a 6061 alloy frame, the Montra Trance Woman is light weighted and strong. The frame is designed specifically for women, with a downward sloping top tube. This makes it easy to mount and dismount. The geometry of the bicycle ensures a comfortable riding position, without the rider feeling too 'stretched out' while on the saddle.

Being a rigid bicycle, in terms of suspension, the test ride was surprisingly smooth. When tested on bumpy roads, the bicycle responded with very little shock felt on the saddle, owing to most of it being absorbed by the frame itself.

Montra doesn't fall short when it comes to designing good-looking bicycles. The Trance Woman is available in one colour variant _ a black and pink colour combination. The bulky part of the seat tube where the •Trance” inscribed catches your attention, and is something new on the bicycle design front. The glossy finish is sure to make you stand out in group rides.

The Trance Woman (2016) comes equipped with Shimano Tourney Front and Rear derailleurs. The shifting is controlled by Shimano Altus 21 speed shifters. The shifting was smooth, however there was a slight noticeable lag between shifts which was evident a few times during the ride. This isn't a hindrance or downside in the cycle's performance when it comes to commuter usage. The shifters are well placed and shifting is comfortable on the hands.

The Trance Woman uses V-Brakes, like most hybrid bicycles. The braking was powerful and effective. However, there was a slight noise from the braking system on the bicycle I tested. The braking responsiveness maybe slower on wet surfaces. The Shimano ST-EF51 Brake levers were well placed and I found the braking comfortable. However, it may be a bit of a reach for cyclists with smaller hands.

The Alloy 620mm handlebar on the Trance W is quite commendable. The length of it ensures a comfortable, relaxed riding position and eases pressure on the wrists and shoulders while on the saddle. The Montra comfort grips used on the handlebar ensure a comfortable, pain-free grip for your ride.

The Montra Trance Woman comes with 700_35C tires fitted on XMR rims. The rims hold the tires well and are light weight, helping keep the bicycle on the lighter side. The tires were fast rolling and smooth, which was quite impressive. However, they may not have too much traction, especially in wet conditions.

The Montra comfort saddle is ergonomically designed, for a comfortable and slightly upright riding position. However, it may get slightly uncomfortable on long rides, over an hour or two.