Giant launches new Trance X with 27.5in wheels and adjustable geometry for 2022 – BikeRadar.com

It was just over a year ago that Giant launched the new Trance X 29er, which was followed shortly by the pricier carbon-framed Giant Trance X Advanced 29.

While both the alloy and carbon Trance X 29 models were aimed at being the ultimate do-it-all trail bikes, it seems, according to Giants marketing material at least, that the new Trance X is here to shake things up a bit.

The new bike rolls on 27.5in wheels, offers more travel than its 29er counterparts and boasts the kind of numbers youd expect to see on the geometry chart of a full-blown enduro racer.

Although the numbers might suggest otherwise, Giant still classes the new Trance X as a trail bike, stating: Its not a race bike, but it can help you ride faster. Its not a pure DH or enduro bike, but it can give you the confidence to charge harder. Its smooth, its quick, and most of all, its fun.

That certainly gives you some indication of what Giant had in mind when creating the new Trance X.

The adjustable geometry was the big news last time around when Giant launched the Trance X 29 and its definitely worth a mention here, too.

Thanks to flip chips located in the rocker link/seatstay pivot, you can easily tweak the new Trance Xs geometry.

Flipping these oval inserts allows you to adjust the head and seat tube angles by 0.7 degrees (or 0.8 degrees on the size small) as well as raise or lower the bottom bracket by a significant 10mm.

Whats really noteworthy though, is just how relaxed Giant has made the head angle. In the low setting, Giant claims the new Trance X sits at a super-slack 63.8 degrees (or 63.7 degrees on the size small), which is close to downhill bike territory.

This can be changed to 64.5 degrees in the high setting if youre looking for a slightly more agile feel up front.

The upper rocker arm of the Maestro suspension system has a flip-chip that lets you choose a steeper or slacker head and seat tube angle, depending on your riding style and the terrain. Giant

Compared to the big-wheeler version, the new Trance Xs seat tube angle isnt quite as steep at 76.3 degrees in the low setting (on the size small its 77.2 degrees ) but can be steepened to 77 degrees in the high setting.

Giant is offering four frame sizes (small to extra-large) with reach measurements varying from 427 to 497mm in the low setting or 435 to 505mm in the high setting.

For reference, a medium frame has a reach of 447mm (low setting), which is roughly in line with many other brands out there.

All Trance X models come with the new Giant Romero trail saddle, purpose-built for trail and enduro riding. Ryan Cleek Photo

Unlike a lot of bikes that have launched more recently, the Trance Xs rear centre/effective chainstay length remains at 430mm across all frame sizes.

This could potentially mean that while small or medium riders may feel well-centred between the wheels, taller riders on large or extra-large frames may feel too far over the back wheel, especially when climbing sat down.

Giving a clear nod to the Trance X intentions, a 160mm-travel fork with a 37mm offset sits up front ready to do battle.

The new Trance X is currently only offered in Giants ALUXX SL aluminium a 6061 alloy which Giant claims provides best in class stiffness-to-weight ratio.

However, Giant does use a forged composite carbon fibre upper rocker link, which it claims to be lighter, stiffer and stronger than the aluminium equivalent.

At the rear, Giants tried and trusted Maestro twin-link suspension platform delivers 145mm of rear-wheel travel thats just 1mm less than the Reign 29, Giants enduro bike.

The updated Maestro rear suspension system delivers 145mm of smooth, active rear-wheel travel. The Advanced Forged Composite upper rocker arm reduces weight and boosts overall frame stiffness. Giant

That said, the Reign SX, which also sports 27.5in wheels, offers up 160mm of travel (and comes with a 180mm travel fork), so the new Trance X isnt exactly treading on toes just yet.

Giant says that the Maestro system is able to produce a neat vertical rear-axle path (most single pivot bikes arc forwards for the most part while high-pivot bikes arc rearwards for a portion of the bikes travel) and a linear spring curve.

Giant claims this makes the Trance Xs suspension sensitive enough to absorb any impact big or small, no matter how repetitive, without packing up.

The underside of the top tube includes mounts that can be used for additional carrying capacity. Riders can mount an additional bottle cage or other accessories, including tool wraps or bags. Giant

Managing the 145mm of rear-wheel travel and soaking up the bumps is a 18555mm trunnion-mounted rear shock.

Theres plenty of integrated, rubberised frame protection on the underbelly of the Trance X to help protect the frame against rock strikes and trail debris, and on the chainstay to ward off irritating chainslap and keep the bike nice and quiet.

Not everyone will be a fan of the press-fit bottom bracket, though.

In a world where were seeing more and more brands shift to either bigger 29in wheels at the front and rear, or even offer a mixture of both, known as a mullet setup (with a 29in wheel up front and a 27.5in wheel at the rear), it seems were seeing fewer and fewer bikes with two 27.5in wheels.

Thats not to say the Trance X will enter the market without any competition. In fact, bikes of this ilk currently out there are seriously good and the fight for the top spot will be fiercely contended.

First off, theres the Transition Scout, which we had a short spell with last year. It may have a little less travel than the new Trance X, but its geometry and character on the trail won us over instantly.

Then, of course, theres the Santa Cruz 5010. Again, while the 5010 only boasts 130mm of rear-wheel travel, its playful nature and solid build make it a real riot on the trail.

Well keep you posted on just how well the new Trance X stacks up against these two heavy hitters in the coming months.

The new Giany Trance X range consists of three different builds, all of which use the same ALUXX SL aluminium frame, complete with geometry adjusting flip-chips.

Scan the spec sheet in detail and youll notice some nice touches from Giant as you move up the frame sizes.

From backcountry trails to backyard dirt jumps, the new Trance X helps trail riders push new limits in whatever way they wish Giant Factory Off-Road Team DH racer Matthew Sterling enjoys some playtime away from the racetrack. Ryan Cleek Photo

Giant offers different length grips depending on what size Trance X you opt for (120mm on the small and medium, 130mm on the large and extra-large) as well as different length stems (40mm on the small and medium, 50mm large and extra-large).

Giant doesnt spec its own dropper post, though, instead opting to use the TranzX dropperwhich can be altered to change how much drop is available.

Cleverly, Giant also offers different posts across the different frame sizes (the post used on the small can be changed from 120 to 150mm of travel, the medium offers 140 to 170mm of travel and the post on the large and extra-large can be altered between 170 to 200mm of drop), which should allow riders to better tailor the bike to their specific needs.

First-year elite DH racer Matthew Sterling uses the new Trance X to have some fun with friends on local trails near his home in Santa Cruz, California. Ryan Cleek Photo

All Trance X models use the same wide Maxxis tyres, front and rear.

Up front sits a Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO 27.52.6in, while at the back theres a Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO 27.52.6in tyre, both of which will be set up tubeless by Giant.

Heres how the 2022 Giant Trance X range looks:

The Trance X 1 is built up with a Fox 36 Performance Elite 160mm suspension fork, Fox Float X Performance Elite rear shock and a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain. Availability varies by country. Giant

The Trance X 2 features a Fox 36 Rhythm 160mm suspension fork and Fox Float DPS Performance rear shock. Availability varies by country. Giant

The Trance X 3 features a RockShox Yari RC 160mm suspension fork and Fox Float Performance rear shock. Availability varies by country. Giant

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Giant launches new Trance X with 27.5in wheels and adjustable geometry for 2022 - BikeRadar.com