LONG TERM REVIEW: GIANT TRANCE X – 27.5″ WHEELS BRING THE FUN

Fun never goes out of style

On Dec 22, 2022

When we first saw Giant’s all-new, 27.5-inch-wheeled Trance X, we briefly felt like we had been transported back to around 2013 (give or take a year) when Giant went all in on the wheel-size platform. Back then, Giant claimed that 27.5-inch wheels were lighter, stronger, quicker and, in most circumstances, simply better than 29-inch wheels. Fast-forward to current times, and most of Giant’s line is now 29-inch-wheel-based; however, this all-new Trance X is a dedicated 27.5-inch-wheeled, long-travel trail bike that’s designed to party. Giant built this bike not to win an enduro race but to be agile, poppy and fun.

With its subtle logos and graphics, many riders asked us what brand and model we were riding out on the trail.

FRAME

Both the front triangle and swingarm on the Trance X are made from Giant’s ALUXX SL-Grade aluminum. Geometry is 27.5-inch-wheel-specific, and flip chips in the upper rocker link let you quickly adjust the geometry for personal preference or terrain. In the high setting, the Trance X has a 64.5-degree head angle, 77-degree seat angle, and 20mm of bottom-bracket drop. The low setting changes these numbers to a 63.8-degree head angle, 76.3 seat angle, and 30mm of bottom-bracket drop. Reach is a roomy 480mm in high, and the chainstays come in at a short 430mm for snappy handling.

Other notable features include an extra set of bosses under the downtube for another water-bottle cage or accessory mount. Cables are internally routed, and low-durometer chainstay guards protect the frame and keep things quiet.

Flip chips in the upper rocker link can change the character of the bike in about a minute.

COMPONENTS

Giant offers three models ranging in price from $300 for the Trance X3 with a Shimano Deore build to $4,500 for the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain-equipped Trance X1 that we tested. The drivetrain shifted without a hiccup, and even its Code R brakes performed admirably. Even though we threw it down some really long and steep descents, the lower leverage created by the smaller wheels kept our SRAM complaints at bay. The real spec star on this bike is the TranzX travel-adjustable dropper that on our size large test bike ranges from 170–200mm. This allows you to run the post right up against the collar for maximum drop in many cases. All builds include the awesome Maxxis Assegai front and Minion DHRII rear tire combo in a meaty 2.6-inch width, and they are mounted to aluminum, tubeless-prepared Giant TR-1 wheels. The tires have tons of grip across an incredibly wide range of conditions, and the wheels took a beating, seemingly begging for more. The Giant-branded cockpit components worked well and proved comfortable, even the grips. The icing on the cake of this excellent build is an MRP AMG CS chainguide with bash guard.

SUSPENSION

The new Trance X has 145mm of rear-wheel travel with Giant’s Maestro suspension system. Updates to Maestro on this bike include a trunnion-mount Fox Float X Performance Elite shock with a longer stroke and a lower leverage ratio than previous versions for a claimed smoother feel. Some test riders who like the idea of a bike made entirely of aluminum were a little disapointed to find that the rocker link is not aluminum but carbon. The only carbon part of the whole bicycle is made with what Giant calls a state-of-the-art, high-pressure molding process to produce the complex-shaped, carbon-fiber upper rocker arm that is lighter, stiffer and stronger than an aluminum version.

This model is spec’d with a 160mm-travel Fox 36 Performance Elite fork with GRIP 2 damper. You get most of the same features as the Factory-level fork except for the Kashima upper leg coating and push-button pressure relief valves. You have to crack open small aluminum bolts to relieve the pressure. One interesting spec is the 37mm offset. Most 29-inch forks are utilizing 44mm offset these days. Why the difference? Smaller wheels reduce trail, and the smaller offset compensates for that and makes the bike steer and handle more like a 29-incher.

The Giant is a low-feeling bike that can be made ground-hugging low with the flip-chip adjustment.

CLIMBING

True to Giant’s claims, this is a quick and exciting bike to ride, even on the climbs. Even though ascending is not this bike’s primary mission, the smaller wheels spool up quickly and give the bike lighter, faster acceleration than a comparable 29er. Climbing is very efficient and particularly good in tighter technical terrain. The smaller wheel feels like it accelerates a touch faster when powering up ledges where it’s hard to power across the top of the pedal stroke. The seat angle is steep enough in the bike’s slack setting to keep you over the pedals in a powerful position in the steeps.

DESCENDING

The 27.5-inch wheels have a unique feel compared to 29ers. The corner turn-in response is quicker and requires less input. Even jumping and throwing the bike around in the air feels different. It’s more agile. The bike came with the flip chips in the high setting, and that’s where we rode it at first. Although it was good, we wanted a little more stability in the steeps, so the flip chips were swapped midway through the second ride and left there. For our higher-speed Southern California trails, this low setting was spot-on.

The bike’s Performance Elite-level Fox 36 with GRIP2 damper and Float X shock offers a high level of performance and a plush-yet-controlled feel on the trail. If blindfolded, it would be easy to think you were riding a bike costing thousands of dollars more with Factory-level suspension. It feels that good. As with just about everything, there is a trade-off for that lively ride. One rider’s “responsive” is another rider’s “twitchy.” On fast, chunky trails, the front end feels a bit nervous at first. And even with its long reach, the bike has a short-feeling wheelbase. We learned that we could trust the bike’s excellent suspension and geometry, but it doesn’t have the locomotive-like “on rails” feel of many 29ers in its class.

Smaller wheels may not carry speed through chunky rocks like bigger ones can, but excellent suspension minimizes the performance gap.

COMPARISONS

One might wonder how the Trance X compares to Pivot’s Shadowcat, which we just reviewed a few issues back. They are similar in a lot of ways, but the Pivot is the better climber of the two. It’s lighter and a bit crisper feeling at the pedals. On the flip side, the Trance is more composed on the descents. We have also ridden Pivot’s 27.5-inch-wheeled Mach 6, and it descends even better than the Giant. Overall, the Giant splits the difference between the two Pivot models and costs less than either one.

MODS AND UPGRADES

We didn’t feel the need to change a single part on the Trance X. Right out of the box, it is ready for anything. All we did was trim the 800mm-wide aluminum handlebars down to our preferred 770mm width, set up the suspension, and ride.

BOTTOM LINE

Every now and then we get on a bike that just feels right, and the Trance X is one of them. In fact, one wrecking crew member kept returning to it after testing other bikes. Giant was not wrong about some of the advantages of 27.5-inch-wheeled bikes all those years ago. There is no doubt that 29-inch wheels are faster and better in most situations, but when it comes to maneuverability and fun, this just might be the go-to wheel size. On a bike like this, 27.5 inches makes perfect sense. Throw in a relatively reasonable price, and the Trance X might just have one of the best fun-to-dollar ratios out there.

CATEGORY: Trail

SUSPENSION: 160mm (front), 145mm (rear)

TIRE SIZE: 27.5″