Issue #046, Review - January 15, 2021

Reviewing the GIANT Trance X Advanced PRO 1 – An eXtra helping of fun!

The X in the GIANT Trance X Advanced stands for an extra portion of travel, which should make it extra fun to ride. The all new frame features a new design and is full of exciting details but can the bike deliver on the trail?

**GIANT** Trance X Advanced | 150/135 mm (f/r) | 13.2 kg | € 4.678 | manufacturer’s website

At first glance, the GIANT Trance X adds a breath of fresh air to the bicycle behemoth’s portfolio. Amongst other things, that’s due to a significantly cleaner look with a lower-slung top tube and the position it takes up in the range. Until now, GIANT haven’t had a proper do-it-all bike. The Trance, which we’ve tested several times previously, is best suited to riders who ride a lot of flat and mellow trails. On the other hand, the Reign is a capable enduro bike that demands the steepest terrain and feels most comfortable at speed. The new Trance X bridges this gap, offering 150 mm travel up front and 135 mm at the rear. It rolls on 29″ wheels and uses GIANT’s proprietary, virtual pivot point, Maestro suspension design. However, a new feature of the Trance X is the flip chip in the rocker link, giving you two geometry positions with a difference of 0.7° in the head and seat tube angles. With the Trance X, GIANT are also debuting a new and improved chainstay protector, which is something we’ve often found lacking on previous models. The new Trance X is compatible with FOX’s Live Valve system, as specced on the flagship model.

The components of the new GIANT Trance X Advanced Pro 1

GIANT are offering a total of six builds of the Trance X. Three of them come with an aluminium frame while the others rely on carbon fibre. The prices vary between € 2,436 and € 7,797. The Trance X Advanced Pro 1 we tested is the second most expensive model available, priced at a reasonable € 4,678. For this price, you get a full carbon frame paired with FOX Performance Elite suspension consisting of a 36 GRIP2 fork and DPX2 shock, which both deliver nigh-on the same performance as the gold Kashima-coated Factory models. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM GX drivetrain featuring a large 10–52 t cassette, and MAXXIS supply the tires with a 2.5″ Minion DHF WT up front and a 2.4″ DISSECTOR WT providing grip at the rear. The cockpit, seatpost and carbon wheels come from GIANT themselves and gave us no reason for complaint. Unfortunately, the SRAM G2 R brake combined with the small 180 mm rear rotor isn’t on par with the rest of the build. It lacks braking power and reliability. Moreover, its modulation is mediocre without the SwingLink lever. With a weight of 13.2 kg, the size M bike is pleasantly light despite the aggressive tires.

Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 1

€ 4,678

Specifications

Fork FOX 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance 135 mm
Seatpost GIANT Contact Switch mm150
Brakes SRAM G2 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle 30 (10-52)
Stem GIANT Contact SL 35 35 mm
Handlebar GIANT Contact SLR TR35 Carbon 780 mm
Wheelset GIANT TRX 2 29 Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF MaxxTerra EXO/MAXXIS Dissector MaxxTerra EXO 2,5 WT/2,4WT

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 13,20 kg
Wheelsize 29

**Quick acceleration**
The light carbon wheels noticeably improve the handling of the Trance X and it’s great to have them at this price. They offer quick acceleration and make the handling even more agile.

**Cherry on top**
The FOX 36 Performance Elite might look inconspicuous but it’s one of the highlights of the Trance X. With the GRIP2 damper, its performance is outstanding.

**Up to date**
GIANT have made some significant improvements to the details, including the Trance X’s new and improved chainstay protector.

**Unnecessary**
GIANT have put a flip chip on the Trance X, though we don’t know what for. We would always ride the bike in the low setting, where it still climbs brilliantly and is a lot more fun on the descents, no matter the trail. Adjustment? Superfluous!

**Too bad**
Manufacturers are increasingly returning to the use of threaded bottom brackets. GIANT, on the other hand, are sticking with a press fit solution. It is stiffer but it makes replacing a bearing much more complicated when you eventually have to do so!

**A classic**
GIANT and Maestro, they simply belong together. The linkage performed as convincingly as always on the rear of the Trance X.

The geometry of the 2021 GIANT Trance X Advanced

GIANT offer the new Trance X in four sizes from S–XL. All sizes use 29″ wheels and combine a moderately slack head angle of 65.5° with a pleasantly steep seat tube angle of 77.2° (both in the low setting). The seat tube length is identical in sizes S and M. For the smallest size, 430 mm is rather long, as is the 496 mm seat tube in size XL. The bottom bracket is super low with a drop of 40 mm, which should pay off on the trail. The chainstay length doesn’t vary between sizes and at 438 mm it is neither super short nor particularly long. Along with the bottom bracket drop, another striking feature of the geometry is the 486 mm reach in size L. Also, there’s a substantial 30 mm difference in reach between sizes S, M and L. More on that in a moment.

The geometry of the GIANT Trance X at a glance

Size	S (Low/High)	M (Low/High)	L (Low/High)	XL (Low/High)
Top tube lenght	566/564 mm	597/595 mm	629/627 mm	656/654 mm
Seat tube lenght	430 mm	430 mm	465 mm	496 mm
Head tube lenght	95 mm	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm
Head tube angle	65.5°/66.2°	65.5°/66.2°	65.5°/66.2°	65.5°/66.2°
Seat tube angle	77.2°/77.9°	77.2°/77.9°	77.2°/77.9°	77.2°/77.9°
BB Drop	40/30 mm	40/30 mm	40/30 mm	40/30 mm
Chainstay lenght	438/435 mm	438/435 mm	438/435 mm	438/435 mm
Wheelbase	1,173/1,171 mm	1,205/1,203 mm	1,239/1,238 mm	1,268/1,266 mm
Reach	426/434 mm	456/464 mm	486/494 mm	510/519 mm
Stack	617/611 mm	621/615 mm	631/624 mm	640/634 mm

The 2021 Trance X on the climbs
Light-footed, efficient and comfortable

First off, GIANT sent us the size medium Trance X to review. With our test riders measuring between 178 and 185 cm tall, the website clearly recommends a size large. And, to be honest, the 456 mm reach of the medium Trance X is somewhat compact for our liking, though conversely, the 486 mm of the large would be very long. We would prefer the gaps between sizes to be smaller or an intermediate size to be offered. For riders that are 175 cm or 185 cm tall, the decision is much more clear cut between medium and large respectively.

If you’re 180 cm tall, the riding position on the bike in size medium is relatively upright but by no means cramped or uncomfortable. Thanks to the steep seat tube angle, you remain comfortably centred on the bike even with the dropper post fully extended. With just 135 mm travel, the rear end is pleasantly efficient and doesn’t wallow, so you never feel the need to reach for the climb switch. That said, it’s active enough to offer a lot of traction through technical terrain. Paired with the light carbon wheels, the Trance X accelerates willingly and doesn’t show any weaknesses on the climbs – thumbs up!

**Helmet** iXS Trigger AM | **Glasses** Oakley Flightjacket | **Jersey** Fox Ranger | **Shorts** POC Essential Enduro | **Knee pads** POC Joint VPD | **Shoes** Bontrager Rally

The Trance X on the trail
Fast through corners and lots of fun

It was clear from the start that the size medium Trance X wouldn’t be the most composed bike for our 178–185 cm tall test riders. Nevertheless, the bike wasn’t excessively nervous nor overly small. You feel nicely integrated between the wheels thanks to the super low bottom bracket, giving you a lot of control and grip, especially through corners. The handling is well balanced, and the Trance X mutates into a proper hooligan when it comes to quick direction changes. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bike that can go from left to right as fast as this. The chassis also plays a crucial role here, offering plenty of support and allowing you to pump through corners and carry a lot of speed. At the same time, it also provides a lot of traction and control. Despite the 15 mm difference in travel, the fork harmonises perfectly with the rear end.

Tuning Tips:upgrade brakes & fit a higher quality dropper remote

It’s not uncommon for you to feel like you’ve got significantly more travel at the rear than just 135 mm – brilliant! The Trance X only reaches its limits on really hard hits combined with big compressions. For example, it demands more from the rider in rough berms compared to a longer travel bike. However, thanks to the well-tuned progression, you won’t break your ankles on hard hits. In steep terrain, the Trance X performs well with its low bottom bracket, though you might want to add some spacers under the stem to compensate for the short head tube. The only thing limiting the Trance X is its weak brakes – it’s worthwhile having these upgraded by your local dealer.

Our conclusion on the 2021 GIANT Trance X Advanced Pro 1

The GIANT Trance X Advanced Pro 1 is a great all-rounder at a fair price. The bike impressed us with its excellent climbing capabilities, fun yet balanced handling and top-class suspension. However, you should budget for a brake upgrade. The only deal-breaker could be the sizing, as many riders will find themselves between sizes due to the long reach and the big gaps between sizes.