Issue #011, Review - December 18, 2014

Back Issue | Group Test: Giant Trance Advanced Review

The Trance Advanced, from the Taiwanese bike powerhouse Giant, is the only 27.5″ bike in the whole group test. With 140mm travel, it offers 1cm more than the competition, which combined with the smaller wheels should be a fun package on the trails. Does the concept work out?

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The € 4,199 Giant is noticeably understated; not only the black finish of the carbon front triangle and aluminium rear looks clean and cool, but the component choice has also clearly been made for functionality. Giant relies on the precise and high quality Shimano XT group for shifting and braking. The suspension is composed of a Fox 32 TALAS 120 -140 mm adjustable fork and a Fox Float CTD shock which provides 140 mm of travel at the rear. Whilst the 2-ring MRP chainguide was positively received by every tester, the Giant Contact Switch dropper post met with criticism: the 100 mm available travel was insufficient, and the rear layback of the post too large.

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During set-up we also noticed the very short steerer and seat tubes. Even for a rider of 1.76m height using the medium test bike (& 2 stem spacers), the result was a big height drop from saddle to bars.
Combined with the layback seat post, the rider’s position on the bike felt like we were pedalling from behind. This was unpleasant and inefficient on long climbs. In addition, the selectable compression damping in the climb mode of the Fox shock was very mild so that we could never completely eliminate pedal bobbing.

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As we hadn’t reached the top of the climb in record time aboard the Giant, we were anxious to see if it could turn the page on the downhill. Indeed, this is just where the Giant revealed its fun potential. The lively and playful handling allows the bike to be manoeuvred through even the tightest trail sections, yet with the comparatively long top tube (600mm size medium) and long-ish 440mm chainstays the bike was still stable. Giant’s proven Maestro rear suspension system also performed brilliantly on our test bike with plush actuation and plenty of feedback, especially in the mid-travel range. With a healthy portion of end-progression, bottom-out was never a problem. The Fox 32 fork also worked well and harmonised with the rear suspension, resulting in a well-balanced overall ride with plenty of traction.

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Everything under control – The standard spec MRP 2-ring chainguide paired with the Shimano XT Shadow+ rear mech keep the chain under complete control even on the roughest trails.

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strong>Plush – The Giant Maestro rear suspension on the Trance Advanced was a dream downhill with super-plush initial travel and a balanced, comfortable spring rate. Unfortunately the CTD function on the Fox shock was too weak to completely eliminate drivetrain bob on the climbs.

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Not up-to-date – The testers criticised the Contact Switch seatpost both for the too-short 100mm drop and for the excessive layback. Even pushing the saddle all way the forward didn’t resolve the problem.

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Super short – At just 100mm, the steerer tube on the Giant Trance Advanced is really short, and even with 2cm of spacers the front was too low for the test crew. Only a bar with more rise (approx. 30mm) will help out here.

Conclusion:

the Giant Trance Advanced is one of the most fun bikes in the test group and was a real weapon downhill with great suspension and a very balanced ride. The overall picture was slightly spoiled with the low front end and excessive seat post layback.

Both factors can be cheaply and easily negated at the dealer with different parts (new dropper post and riser-bars). With these modifications, the Giant Trance Advanced would deliver a very good package.

Price: € 4,199

Weight: 12.55 kg

Specifications

Fork: Fox 32 Talas 120-140mm
Rear Shock: Fox Float CTD
Drivetrain: Shimano XT
Brakes: Shimano XT
Handlebars: Giant Contact TR Riser Bar, 730 mm
Stem: Giant Contact Overdrive, 70 mm
Tires: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evolution, 2.35″
Wheels: Giant P-TRX1
Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch, 100 mm

Geometry

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Back Issue | Group Test: Giant Trance Advanced Review

Conclusion:

Specifications

Geometry

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