The Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 1 is the underdog of the group test. Not only does it have the least amount of travel, but it also costs almost half as much as most other bikes in the test field. Can it still keep up?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy
The question that most of you are guaranteed to ask yourselves is: why didn’t you review the Trance Advanced Pro 29 0? The answer is simple: we couldn’t, because Giant doesn’t officially offer that model in Germany. For us, the € 4,799 Trance Advanced Pro 29 1 marks the top of the flagpole. Like all Trance 29ers, it features a 130 mm travel fork combined with 115 mm of rear travel via a Maestro rear linkage. Compared to the other bikes in the test field, the componentry looks cheap. SRAM Guide T brakes and a FOX 34 Performance fork won’t exactly make your palms sweaty. It’s all the more astonishing that Giant specced the bike with its own carbon wheels. There’s nothing wrong with the SRAM GX-Eagle drivetrain and Giant’s 150 mm Contact Switch dropper seatpost. However, the seatpost clamp with its two clamping screws is strange. Despite its “low” price, the 12.82 kg Trance 29 is one of the lighter bikes in the test field.
The Giant Trance is the Vauxhall Astra among trail bikes – solid technology, but not a great image.
The Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 1 in detail
Fork FOX 34 FLOAT Performance 130 mm
Schock FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance 115 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide T 180/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost Giant Contact Switch 150 mm
Stem Giant Contact SL 55 mm
Handlebar Giant Contact SL 780 mm
Wheelset Giant TRX 1 Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II
Weight 12.82 kg
Price € 4,799
Geometry of the Giant Trance
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube | 380 mm | 431 mm | 482 mm | 507 mm |
Top tube | 592 mm | 612 mm | 632 mm | 652 mm |
Head tube | 95 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm |
Head angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
Seat angle | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
Chainstay | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
BB Drop | 35 mm | 35 mm | 35 mm | 35 mm |
Wheelbase | 1154 mm | 1176 mm | 1196 mm | 1218 mm |
Reach | 426 mm | 442 mm | 462 mm | 480 mm |
Stack | 599 mm | 613 mm | 613 mm | 622 mm |
The Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 1 on the trail
The low weight is noticeable on the climbs, the light wheels combined with the taut rear end allow the bike to accelerate very easily. The rider’s power is transferred directly into forward propulsion. If you move the saddle slightly forward, the riding position is comfortable too. However, the seat angle could be one to two degrees steeper. Going uphill, the 115 mm rear travel provides enough traction, but the progressive suspension isn’t the most comfortable. The bike’s liveliness also pays off on flat trails. Here the bike sprints forward willingly and impressed us with its firm suspension and very direct handling. Jumping or pumping through rollers – no problem! Due to the short head tube, we recommend mounting all spacers under the stem. Set up like that your position on the bike is nicely centred, making you feel integrated “into” the bike. Despite the short amount of travel, the Giant cuts a fine figure even on technically demanding and steep passages. Its handling is very predictable, always remaining easy to control, though significantly slower than the best bikes in the test field. We generally recommend closing the compression on the fork halfway to prevent excessive diving. The Trance 29 is fast through corners, the weight distribution is balanced and the bike is very easy to manoeuvre. The Guide T brakes and the small 180 mm rotor are really sketchy on long steep descents – we recommend fitting larger rotors or some SRAM CODE brakes right away.
Conclusion
The handling of the Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 1 is surprisingly balanced and fun, despite the lack of travel and comparatively low price. It climbs efficiently and handles easily on the descents. If you’re not sure exactly what you want, the Giant is a very versatile bike. However, it’s held back somewhat by ill-suited componentry.
Tops
- lots of fun on flowing trails
- good acceleration
Flops
- brakes are undersized
- suspension not very sensitive
- damage to the paint on the chainstay
Uphill
Downhill
Stability
Agility
Value for money
More info at: giant-bicycles.com
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy
All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 LTD | Evil Offering X01 | Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 | Ibis Ripmo | Pivot Mach 5.5 Pro XT | Propain Hugene Highend | Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition | Santa Cruz Bronson CC X01+ | Scott Genius 900 Ultimate | Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29 | Transition Sentinel X01 | Trek Remedy 9.9 | YT Jeffsy 29 CF Pro Race
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