Love mine. Bought it and parted the whole thing out besides the frame/shock/headset. Got a Pike Ultimate, full XT drivetrain/brakes, Nobl TR32 wheels, PNW dropper, Enve bars, Thomson stem/clamp. It's a beast. It's my 4th T29. They are great bikes.
Bought it in 2024 April...huge difference after my 2010 Merida one twenty 26". Geometry, suspension, handle...its a WAY different world..and there is a big sale at the moment for the bike in the giant webshops (Europe market) Some upgrade in the last months.... after the personal favourite grip, seat change the "weakest" point is the factory brake disc (I'm 100+ kg)...change for 203mm/180mm shimano RT86 XT ice tech rotors with metal pads...the original deore/alivio 4 piston brakes working way much better for me :) Brutal bike ;)
Considering you sell these (among others) this sounded like a very honest presentation. Esp. for people who are new to the sport this kind of approach is very helpful. I had a hard time making my mind about my first bike 15yrs ago, now I would be completely lost with all the avaliable options and sub-genres. Kudos for pointing out the low spec points as well.
Thanks for the feedback and watching. You're right, there is so much segmentation it must be bewildering for many and the marketing jargon only helps to confuse potential buyers. This was part of the motivation doing these videos. Your feedback is really appreciated!
Those changes are what made me pull the trigger on one. The previous version was knocked a bit for having a front end that wanted to lift due to the slacker seat tube angle. The geometry changes put it right in line with the X model and the travel suits my terrain very well. Looking forward to getting it.
I watched 40 plus bike reviews, looking for a new mtn bike, and I really appreciated this one. Prolly gonna go with a different bike, but great review on the trance
My 2022 Giant Trance 2 (29er) has Fox 34 Rhythm with FIT GRIP damper, a Fox DPS shock, SLX cassette and cranks and Shimano 4 piston brakes (MT520 and MT501 levers). Same AM rims (heavy side in my opinion, definitley the upgradable part of the bike to lighter wheels).Maxxis rubber, minion DHF and rear is Aggressor set up tubeless out of the box (although pitiful amount of sealant so squirted in 100ml each end of Stans). I live in UK and just took it out on a gnarly red trail with sag at 30%. Mainly rocks and small drops and lots of loose, rocky berms. High speed and comfort are my words of the day. My Rocky Mountain Altitude (27.5" Alloy, similar weight 33lbs bike in Medium), feels more playful but gets knocked off line a lot easier than the Trance on this same trail. Horses for courses...I would still take my Altitude to Bike Park Wales to descend more roudier lines with large drops (the Altitude has 150mm Fox 34 FIT 4 damper and 135 rear travel with a Fox Float).
Wow, the UK build is pretty impressive then - eliminating some of the issues on the Canadian version. What you say about the Altitude comparison sounds like what I've experienced too - with a fair bit more suspension but shorter reach, the Altitude would be a bit more manoeuvrable and better suited to drops.
Your spec sounds like the 2021 bike, are you able to check whether you've go the 2021 or 2021? I'm looking at these and am draw to the 2021 "2" spec which matches what you describe, but the 2022 "2" is essentially the same spec as the 2021 "3" - i.e. M420 brakes, Deore rather than SLX drivetrain etc. I'm trying to figure out whether the 2021-2022 frame has changed in any meaningful way.
Great review. I just moved to an area with a lot of fun trails and am looking to upgrade from my 1997 Specialized Ground Control A1 I've had since brand new. After several yr of road only riding, I rented a 29" Troy in Park City on vacation last summer and was amazed at the changes technology and geometry. Thanks for helping me decide which one to go with.
Great detail and description last week I was at my local GIANT Dealer here in the states and he was doing the same description but sadly didn’t have a bike on the floor. I knew the next best thing to do is to go to your video and watch 👍🚵🏻♀️
The 2021 model I have is almost identical. The only difference is the flip chip. Added tool carrier on the frame..added frame protection and grommets at the cable through frame ports. Can I order the new frame protectors and grommets from Giant?
I'm in the US and Giant's website is only showing the 2021 model. Biggest changes are the new geo and the flip chip. Otherwise, pretty much the same. Great review BTW. This seems like a great bike for the money.
That is a tough one. Firstly I would compare the Trance 29 to the Rocky Mountain Element as more similar bikes. Comparing the Trance 29 to the Instinct: Trance 29 if you want that zippy feeling when pedalling, the Instinct more so if the terrain is rougher and descents get a bit steeper/rockier. If you do drops, the extra travel on the Instinct will be appreciated. If you love crushing your riding buddies on climbs or undulating terrain, the Trance 29 is the winner.
Thanks for the review! I'm looking at one of these. just curious on what frame size to go with? im 188cm with longer legs. having a bit of a fight with myself over the large or xl frame size. Due to shortages there are none of these to try on for size in my local area. any insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
The easy answer is XL and shortening the stem to a 32 to 35mm length option. The alternative, of going with a large would almost certainly involve increasing the length of the stem to not feel too tight in the cockpit which might detract from the bike's handling.
They're 2 of my favorite bikes, sharing many similar attributes and similar value story. I would probably be looking at availability and which one's color was more appealing.
I have this bike on order and I hear in your review that there are some reports of chain's falling off the chain ring. I understand it's down to the wrong offset of the front chain ring, should be 3mm rather than 0mm. I see this bike has a 0mm chain ring, do you know if this the wrong offset? Thanks.
Great question. They're both great options. If I was interested in longer days of pedalling, crushing climbs, traditional trail riding I'd be slightly more inclined to choose the Giant. If I were going to be riding aggressively (jumping and generally givin' 'er) I'd lean towards the Marin. I actually spent some time on carbon versions of both bikes I liked them equally but their manners did make me crave different styles of riding and trails.
So what would be the best choice for upgrading brakes on this one?and what is the difference between this 120 travel and a more travel rear shock And what would you you consider the best one to be between trance 29 2, x29 2 or the x 3?
I'm personally a fan of Shimano brakes: all models from m6000 level and up (Deore or better). Between the two models, I think there's piles of crossover of suitability. If you enjoy chunky, steeper terrain and drops over 4 feet, the longer travel TranceX is perhaps the better option
I am torn between this bike and a Polygon Susiku T8. I like the giant suspension design Maestro.. but I'm not happy with the shorter travel or the front shock not being a Fox rhythm 34. What advice can you offer me between the two? I also don't want to upgrade a ton of stuff. I really want the best spec and lightest bike I can get for a full suspension in this price range. I need a Large as I'm 5'10-5'11 with a long wingspan. My wingspan is greater than my height.
I personally wouldn't be too concerned between the Marzocchi and a Fox Rhythm fork... Fox owns Marzocchi and at this level it is where the two brands almost cross over. I have never seen a Polygon in person but seen many reviews. The big differences seem like, 1)weight - Polygon likely about 1lb heavier frame, 2)suspension - Maestro is a bit more sophisticated, though not necessarily a game changer, 3)dealer support. I still think there is too much chance for a really bad experience when buying direct online. During the assembly process, we see 10-20% of bikes that have some sort of issue from the factory - things like brake mounts that need machining to align brakes perfectly, contaminated brake pads, leaking pistons, bent hangers, kinked brake lines, poorly trued/tensioned wheels, hub bearings requiring adjustment to name a few. On direct-to-consumer bikes, these items may be small enough that they aren't noticed but they do prevent the bike from working as well as it should and could create nagging issues down the road
Great review .. I have the 2021 trance 3 ..and its very similar but without he flip chip and those bakes ..2.3 tires and a couple minor things ... Question ... can the rear shock on the 2021 trance 3 be upgraded to something with more travel ??
You could try taking that travel limit shim out of it but you most likely need to take the shock apart and i don't know what kind of work that would be
Joe, that will be a long, long, long wait (at least for when we're scheduled to get our first - in a year). Other shops may have gotten luckier with the availability lottery. For bikes like these, it seems 2022 is going to be even worse than the last 2 years for shortages.
Giant Trance 29 2, Marin Rift Zone 3, or Trek Fuel EX7? They're all around the same price (except the Trek with a little higher-end drivetrain). Recommendations for which bike? I suppose fit is the determining factor? I'd be looking at XL or XXL for the Trek. 6'5" tall. The Rift Zone seems a little on the smaller side of XL. (PS Great reviews!)
I think starting by eliminating anything that doesn't fit your sizing needs is smart. Given your height, the Trek XXL might be the best choice for fit followed very closely by the Giant Trance 29 XL (I primarily look at reach measurement). You're probably right that you're pushing the limits of the Marin Rift Zone size xl. For suspension performance I am a big fan of Giant's Maestro suspension design for efficient, supple suspension. I'm honestly not a fan of Trek's suspension performance (just so you know my preference) but obviously there must be people out there who like it. I also prefer Shimano Deore over Sram NX - once you are at or above GX in the Sram line up I'm indifferent whether a bike is Sram or Shimano, but since the release of Deore 12 speed I think it is the benchmark for value/performance 1x drivetrains.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop Thank you for the speedy reply! I have to say that I do prefer Shimano if nothing else but the shifters. I find the ergonomics of the Shimano shifters nice -- thumb and index finger, versus thumb for up and down shift with SRAM. I haven't had a mountain bike for about 15 years and just looking to get back into it. I have a Giant gravel bike now that I love -- had good experience with Giant and the local Giant store.
They have different frames as far as I know. Unfortunately with the bike shortage I don't think we've ever had the two at the same time to compare details to see if maybe there are shared parts of the frame.
I did a deposit same day was released on customer on a Trance X 29 1 “Chameleon Blue” Large size.. but with date keep being pushed (now week 35)!!! And the X 29 1 i’ve seen lately have Praxis crank and those same brakes on this bike you reviewed.. kinda disappointed!! So with that I’m tempted getting this T 29 2 instead.. cheaper and got same crank/brakes!!! And way cheaper!! I could upgrade crank & brakes to XT and still cheaper bike.. and upgrade the fork in a year or 2!! Ahhh I’m torn hahahah i so want that Lovely Chameleon Blue X 29 1, but the lower end crank/brakes is disappointing especially price went up 200$ more now :(
Unfortunately, those interesting colorways were not a big success and I think many shops begged Giant to tone it down after that (passing along what they were hearing from customers). I agree that they've perhaps gone too conservative but it has meant the bikes are a bit of a blank canvas allowing customers to personalize with pedals and grips.
if you are looking for parts, then polygon is the best choice for the same price (even cheaper). People tends to look and be subjective about frame brand most of the time.
I think it is a mistake to treat the frame as a commodity item. In this case, Giant is well known for producing some of the highest quality aluminum frames (they're lighter than most) as well as having Giant's Maestro suspension design which is among the best suspension platforms available. Also, for many I think the consumer-direct model sees the consumer saving a small amount of money relative to the value of the bike, its initial quality of assembly, assistance with sizing and fine-tuning of fit, suspension set up guidance and follow-up service.
If you wanted a playful all rounder, for PNW trails primarily, would you suggest the trance 29 or the trance x 27.5? My dilemma is I feel I might want the extra travel sometimes but I don’t want to take away from the playful nature of the trance.
If playful means air time and style, that'd be 27.5 territory (unemployment line type trails). My personal version of playing is riding quickly up and down, some airtime and I'd probably go Trance 29.
I don't know of any of these being available. Giant's website (in Canada at least) will show the nearest dealers with stock if there are any. The next of these we will see are months away... any of these new Trance 29 models have a very limited supply and long waits before we see them.
Theirs people that say that the Giant trance x has a bad geometry but, I disagree with that I think it has a great geometry but, I would want you to comment on that.
While geometry preferences are somewhat personal, I personally think the Trance 29, Trance X29 and Trance X each have really good geometry. Now that so many bike brands have updated their geometry to what is considered, "modern", and Giant's geometry looking pretty average amongst all the Modern bikes (no wacky angles or measurements), to criticize their geometry is basically only possible for people who don't like modern bike geometry in general.
Yes. One thing with Giant is that they often change the number of spec levels offered for a model from year to year, so last year's 3 may be most similar to this year's 2 or vice versa
I'm sorry but I just don't agree with some of these specs. Maybe they're completely different in Canada. But the US site shows it has 115mm of rear travel. Bearings do not last long in Maestro suspension (never on any of my 3 Anthems and other's have experienced the same), the X means it has the flip chip (which this bike has so it's a Trance X 29 2), there is no Trance X in a 27.5 wheel size. I guess Giant does different things in each country.
The 115mm Trance 29 you're seeing is the 2021 model. The 2022 Trance 29 is offered Globally - someone is just asleep at the wheel at Giant in the USA and isn't updating their website - perhaps because they're all sold out already. If the Trance X 27.5 isn't showing up on the Giant website, same story. It has been reviewed by countless US online MTB media sources and released worldwide (just in limited numbers because of the Covid component shortages). Our shop has been around for 20 years and I can't even imagine how many Giants, especially Trances, we've sold and serviced in that time. All full suspension bikes wear on bearings, just like all wheels do at some point - in my opinion (having witnessed tens of thousands of service bikes), the bearings in Maestro suspension are among the longer lasting ones. That doesn't mean they don't wear, just that it isn't premature or catastrophic.
Must be talking previous yrs. There's no '22 29 2 being offered/listed yet on the sight. Nor a '21. The 29 2 I remember was 2020 and in the price range you quoted.
I hope for the sake of interested US riders that Giant USA will be allocated many more of these than we got/will get in Canada. We're receiving about 5% the quantity of Trance 29 of what we wanted and many of those arrive late next summer into the fall. Supply is so challenging!
Agree !! This is perfect for my area. Groomed and natural trails. Lots of shorter punchy ups and downs. Having enough for an intermediate (rider and age :)) to go take it easy at a park occasionally. I could grab a 2021 Trance 29 3 today but I like these new numbers as I think they give just that much more to hit my sweet spot. I also wouldn't be out looking to upgrade the 25mm wheels immediately either.
@@jeffloucks2120 Still haven't seen a newer 2022 Trance 29 2 on the US site yet. Wonder if they were referring to the Trance X 29 2? Giant did just increase the price of the Trance 29 3 by about $160
@@chrisbalser3808 Did see the slight price increase on the 3. I can get a '21 29 3 for $2416 cash OTD today which is tempting. I'm still liking this geo/shock/5mm wider rim change though. Again, just enough extra. If they do bring the bike here it could be a very long wait.
Giant developed their own aluminum alloy ? for easier forming ? or save money ? new riders trust Giant , more people doing drops at parks on used bikes. 4130 chrome molybdenum is king . lugged mild steel, but Airplanes are high tech and beer cans are light …right….? Those welds on PK rippers , Race Inc , FMF and GT in the early 80s were done by guys who learned in the US Navy. GT made some mountain bikes from aluminum in the late 80s and now Taiwan imports as much as she can. High Travel E -bikes made of carbon fiber in Viet Nam ? Cambodia ? with no inspections , then going 45 mph up and down bike parks ? this won’t end well.
Giant makes their own alloy to achieve a better price for the same quality as manufacturers who use a third party to supply aluminum tube sets. Giant is a funny company because they're modest about things like their tubing - they just call it Aluxx, Aluxx SL, Aluxx SLR. From all the bikes I've seen over the years, Aluxx appears to be the equivalent of either T6 6061 or 7005 (similar to virtually every other quality/pricepoint alloy frame), then Aluxx SL gets a bit fancier with tubing profiles/butting and maybe the addition of an extra additive to achieve better strength to weight ratio and finally Aluxx SLR which I've always considered to rival the strength to weight of Scandium enriched alloys (look up bikes with "Scandium" - expensive, and light) . The point is, Giant's massive size and vertical integration means they can offer a better product at a reduced price without having to cut corners - the value is purely a result of Giant passing along the savings of controlling much more of their own production than other brands. Shops that don't sell Giant will often make up BS stories to imply that Giant's aren't good and there isn't truth to that - just an indication that Giant is offering an excellent product at a better price and the only thing shops can do to sell their overpriced bikes is to make up stories about Giant. I have worked in shops for years selling against Giant and all I could do when customers mentioned they were comparing to a Giant was recommend that the customer go buy the Giant. This is why, once I opened my own shop I moved to a different city to be in a location that I could sell Giant and not have to sell against them.
Hi again Erik, Yes, definitely recommended. You also asked about the Stance. In comparison, I think you would find the Maestro suspension on the Trance to be a bit more supple on smaller bumps and resists bottom out a bit more too - these two things will help with traction, especially on loose bumpy climbs as well as confidence if your ever start pushing the bike to its limits.
The best review I’ve seen on any of the trance bikes, I appreciate it👍
Wow. Thank you... I hope to keep the reviews coming and improve them as I learn the art of audio and video better.
Great verbage. Just nailed it. Visuals followed descriptions. Really enjoyed the realism.
Thanks, I really appreciate that.
Love mine. Bought it and parted the whole thing out besides the frame/shock/headset. Got a Pike Ultimate, full XT drivetrain/brakes, Nobl TR32 wheels, PNW dropper, Enve bars, Thomson stem/clamp. It's a beast. It's my 4th T29. They are great bikes.
what's the weight now?
Bought it in 2024 April...huge difference after my 2010 Merida one twenty 26". Geometry, suspension, handle...its a WAY different world..and there is a big sale at the moment for the bike in the giant webshops (Europe market) Some upgrade in the last months.... after the personal favourite grip, seat change the "weakest" point is the factory brake disc (I'm 100+ kg)...change for 203mm/180mm shimano RT86 XT ice tech rotors with metal pads...the original deore/alivio 4 piston brakes working way much better for me :) Brutal bike ;)
Considering you sell these (among others) this sounded like a very honest presentation. Esp. for people who are new to the sport this kind of approach is very helpful. I had a hard time making my mind about my first bike 15yrs ago, now I would be completely lost with all the avaliable options and sub-genres. Kudos for pointing out the low spec points as well.
Thanks for the feedback and watching. You're right, there is so much segmentation it must be bewildering for many and the marketing jargon only helps to confuse potential buyers. This was part of the motivation doing these videos. Your feedback is really appreciated!
Those changes are what made me pull the trigger on one. The previous version was knocked a bit for having a front end that wanted to lift due to the slacker seat tube angle. The geometry changes put it right in line with the X model and the travel suits my terrain very well. Looking forward to getting it.
I watched 40 plus bike reviews, looking for a new mtn bike, and I really appreciated this one. Prolly gonna go with a different bike, but great review on the trance
Did you ever end up getting a new bike?
Buying my first entry level full suspension and this helped me narrow it down to this or a Rocky Mountain Element. Thanks for the review!
Those are both great options. I'm on an Element but would have happily taken one of these if they weren't so hard to track down.
Rocky Mountain element is entry level?
My 2022 Giant Trance 2 (29er) has Fox 34 Rhythm with FIT GRIP damper, a Fox DPS shock, SLX cassette and cranks and Shimano 4 piston brakes (MT520 and MT501 levers). Same AM rims (heavy side in my opinion, definitley the upgradable part of the bike to lighter wheels).Maxxis rubber, minion DHF and rear is Aggressor set up tubeless out of the box (although pitiful amount of sealant so squirted in 100ml each end of Stans). I live in UK and just took it out on a gnarly red trail with sag at 30%. Mainly rocks and small drops and lots of loose, rocky berms. High speed and comfort are my words of the day. My Rocky Mountain Altitude (27.5" Alloy, similar weight 33lbs bike in Medium), feels more playful but gets knocked off line a lot easier than the Trance on this same trail. Horses for courses...I would still take my Altitude to Bike Park Wales to descend more roudier lines with large drops (the Altitude has 150mm Fox 34 FIT 4 damper and 135 rear travel with a Fox Float).
Wow, the UK build is pretty impressive then - eliminating some of the issues on the Canadian version. What you say about the Altitude comparison sounds like what I've experienced too - with a fair bit more suspension but shorter reach, the Altitude would be a bit more manoeuvrable and better suited to drops.
Your spec sounds like the 2021 bike, are you able to check whether you've go the 2021 or 2021? I'm looking at these and am draw to the 2021 "2" spec which matches what you describe, but the 2022 "2" is essentially the same spec as the 2021 "3" - i.e. M420 brakes, Deore rather than SLX drivetrain etc. I'm trying to figure out whether the 2021-2022 frame has changed in any meaningful way.
just got one this past weekend , one hell of a difference from my 2002 Cannondale jeykll , so far I love how it handles single track
Congrats. Keep us posted with future thoughts about the bike.
I have chain dropping issues. Which update to the Praxis chainring would you guys recommend?
Would you recommend me this one for 8 miles total 16miles daily for mix road? Mostly road ground. :)
Nice bike , love the color fading to black from metallic grey and probably all u need for trailriding 👍
Bike Bros, do you have a comparison of the 29 2 vs the 29 1?
Great review. I just moved to an area with a lot of fun trails and am looking to upgrade from my 1997 Specialized Ground Control A1 I've had since brand new. After several yr of road only riding, I rented a 29" Troy in Park City on vacation last summer and was amazed at the changes technology and geometry. Thanks for helping me decide which one to go with.
Great detail and description last week I was at my local GIANT Dealer here in the states and he was doing the same description but sadly didn’t have a bike on the floor.
I knew the next best thing to do is to go to your video and watch 👍🚵🏻♀️
The 2021 model I have is almost identical. The only difference is the flip chip. Added tool carrier on the frame..added frame protection and grommets at the cable through frame ports. Can I order the new frame protectors and grommets from Giant?
I'm in the US and Giant's website is only showing the 2021 model. Biggest changes are the new geo and the flip chip. Otherwise, pretty much the same. Great review BTW. This seems like a great bike for the money.
Would you reccomended this bike or a rocky mountian instinct alloy 10?
That is a tough one. Firstly I would compare the Trance 29 to the Rocky Mountain Element as more similar bikes. Comparing the Trance 29 to the Instinct: Trance 29 if you want that zippy feeling when pedalling, the Instinct more so if the terrain is rougher and descents get a bit steeper/rockier. If you do drops, the extra travel on the Instinct will be appreciated. If you love crushing your riding buddies on climbs or undulating terrain, the Trance 29 is the winner.
I’m riding drops and techy trails on my talon 4 so I think this would be a definite upgrade! Lol
this would feel like a magic carpet ride!
Great review!
Thank you.
Thanks for the review! I'm looking at one of these.
just curious on what frame size to go with?
im 188cm with longer legs. having a bit of a fight with myself over the large or xl frame size.
Due to shortages there are none of these to try on for size in my local area.
any insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
The easy answer is XL and shortening the stem to a 32 to 35mm length option. The alternative, of going with a large would almost certainly involve increasing the length of the stem to not feel too tight in the cockpit which might detract from the bike's handling.
I've got a Trance 2 from 2017 and I am looking to upgrade. Considering another Trance but. Do you have any recommendations?
Either the Trance 29 or Trance X 29 would be great... maybe if your local terrain is smoother go Trance, if it is rooty and Rocky go go Trance x
2022 trance or Marin rift zone? Which would you choose and why? Trying to decide between these two bikes thank you!
They're 2 of my favorite bikes, sharing many similar attributes and similar value story. I would probably be looking at availability and which one's color was more appealing.
I have this bike on order and I hear in your review that there are some reports of chain's falling off the chain ring. I understand it's down to the wrong offset of the front chain ring, should be 3mm rather than 0mm. I see this bike has a 0mm chain ring, do you know if this the wrong offset? Thanks.
Would you recommend this vs a 2022 Marin rift zone 3 if priced similarly? Thanks
Great question. They're both great options. If I was interested in longer days of pedalling, crushing climbs, traditional trail riding I'd be slightly more inclined to choose the Giant. If I were going to be riding aggressively (jumping and generally givin' 'er) I'd lean towards the Marin. I actually spent some time on carbon versions of both bikes I liked them equally but their manners did make me crave different styles of riding and trails.
So what would be the best choice for upgrading brakes on this one?and what is the difference between this 120 travel and a more travel rear shock
And what would you you consider the best one to be between trance 29 2, x29 2 or the x 3?
I'm personally a fan of Shimano brakes: all models from m6000 level and up (Deore or better). Between the two models, I think there's piles of crossover of suitability. If you enjoy chunky, steeper terrain and drops over 4 feet, the longer travel TranceX is perhaps the better option
I am torn between this bike and a Polygon Susiku T8. I like the giant suspension design Maestro.. but I'm not happy with the shorter travel or the front shock not being a Fox rhythm 34. What advice can you offer me between the two? I also don't want to upgrade a ton of stuff. I really want the best spec and lightest bike I can get for a full suspension in this price range. I need a Large as I'm 5'10-5'11 with a long wingspan. My wingspan is greater than my height.
I personally wouldn't be too concerned between the Marzocchi and a Fox Rhythm fork... Fox owns Marzocchi and at this level it is where the two brands almost cross over. I have never seen a Polygon in person but seen many reviews. The big differences seem like, 1)weight - Polygon likely about 1lb heavier frame, 2)suspension - Maestro is a bit more sophisticated, though not necessarily a game changer, 3)dealer support. I still think there is too much chance for a really bad experience when buying direct online. During the assembly process, we see 10-20% of bikes that have some sort of issue from the factory - things like brake mounts that need machining to align brakes perfectly, contaminated brake pads, leaking pistons, bent hangers, kinked brake lines, poorly trued/tensioned wheels, hub bearings requiring adjustment to name a few. On direct-to-consumer bikes, these items may be small enough that they aren't noticed but they do prevent the bike from working as well as it should and could create nagging issues down the road
@@BikeBrosBikeShop Thanks so much! is a size Large my best bet?
@@amw4736 Yes, I think large is probably best. Good luck tracking one of these bikes down.
Man, that was a on point review dude, thank you.
Great review .. I have the 2021 trance 3 ..and its very similar but without he flip chip and those bakes ..2.3 tires and a couple minor things ... Question ... can the rear shock on the 2021 trance 3 be upgraded to something with more travel ??
You could try taking that travel limit shim out of it but you most likely need to take the shock apart and i don't know what kind of work that would be
@@plottipaa_hauki95 ok cool...
When will we see the Trance X 29 1? Would love to see a video when you get one.
Joe, that will be a long, long, long wait (at least for when we're scheduled to get our first - in a year). Other shops may have gotten luckier with the availability lottery. For bikes like these, it seems 2022 is going to be even worse than the last 2 years for shortages.
Giant Trance 29 2, Marin Rift Zone 3, or Trek Fuel EX7? They're all around the same price (except the Trek with a little higher-end drivetrain). Recommendations for which bike? I suppose fit is the determining factor? I'd be looking at XL or XXL for the Trek. 6'5" tall. The Rift Zone seems a little on the smaller side of XL. (PS Great reviews!)
I think starting by eliminating anything that doesn't fit your sizing needs is smart. Given your height, the Trek XXL might be the best choice for fit followed very closely by the Giant Trance 29 XL (I primarily look at reach measurement). You're probably right that you're pushing the limits of the Marin Rift Zone size xl. For suspension performance I am a big fan of Giant's Maestro suspension design for efficient, supple suspension. I'm honestly not a fan of Trek's suspension performance (just so you know my preference) but obviously there must be people out there who like it. I also prefer Shimano Deore over Sram NX - once you are at or above GX in the Sram line up I'm indifferent whether a bike is Sram or Shimano, but since the release of Deore 12 speed I think it is the benchmark for value/performance 1x drivetrains.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop Thank you for the speedy reply! I have to say that I do prefer Shimano if nothing else but the shifters. I find the ergonomics of the Shimano shifters nice -- thumb and index finger, versus thumb for up and down shift with SRAM. I haven't had a mountain bike for about 15 years and just looking to get back into it. I have a Giant gravel bike now that I love -- had good experience with Giant and the local Giant store.
thank you for pointing out how bike reviewers always have the same stupid gripes (live valve, tire casing, brakes, blah blah).
Quick question. Frame wise, do the Trance and Trance X share the same frame? Is one beefier than the other? Any help is greatly appreciated.
They have different frames as far as I know. Unfortunately with the bike shortage I don't think we've ever had the two at the same time to compare details to see if maybe there are shared parts of the frame.
How much more capable is the trance x 2 29er?
Are those chain links wrong on that chainring and wearing it?
Recommended
Hi boys,rear shock on trance 2 2022 Fox float DPS is max 110kg or?
Sorry, we don't have any of these to verify
I did a deposit same day was released on customer on a Trance X 29 1 “Chameleon Blue” Large size.. but with date keep being pushed (now week 35)!!! And the X 29 1 i’ve seen lately have Praxis crank and those same brakes on this bike you reviewed.. kinda disappointed!!
So with that I’m tempted getting this T 29 2 instead.. cheaper and got same crank/brakes!!! And way cheaper!! I could upgrade crank & brakes to XT and still cheaper bike.. and upgrade the fork in a year or 2!! Ahhh I’m torn hahahah i so want that Lovely Chameleon Blue X 29 1, but the lower end crank/brakes is disappointing especially price went up 200$ more now :(
Wish Giant would go back to interesting colorways from 5 years ago
Unfortunately, those interesting colorways were not a big success and I think many shops begged Giant to tone it down after that (passing along what they were hearing from customers). I agree that they've perhaps gone too conservative but it has meant the bikes are a bit of a blank canvas allowing customers to personalize with pedals and grips.
if you are looking for parts, then polygon is the best choice for the same price (even cheaper).
People tends to look and be subjective about frame brand most of the time.
I think it is a mistake to treat the frame as a commodity item. In this case, Giant is well known for producing some of the highest quality aluminum frames (they're lighter than most) as well as having Giant's Maestro suspension design which is among the best suspension platforms available. Also, for many I think the consumer-direct model sees the consumer saving a small amount of money relative to the value of the bike, its initial quality of assembly, assistance with sizing and fine-tuning of fit, suspension set up guidance and follow-up service.
The thing is that in the UK the bike comes with tektro pro brakes and sram gears with rockshox and fox suspension !!!!!!
I just looked up the specs for this bike in UK. Looks like the same spec as this one to me. Just a different colour option.
If you wanted a playful all rounder, for PNW trails primarily, would you suggest the trance 29 or the trance x 27.5? My dilemma is I feel I might want the extra travel sometimes but I don’t want to take away from the playful nature of the trance.
If playful means air time and style, that'd be 27.5 territory (unemployment line type trails). My personal version of playing is riding quickly up and down, some airtime and I'd probably go Trance 29.
Excellent review. Thank you 😊
I have those grips on my anthem they r great
I can't find this bike anywhere. The bike shortage sucks. Do you know of any shops that are carrying this?
I don't know of any of these being available. Giant's website (in Canada at least) will show the nearest dealers with stock if there are any. The next of these we will see are months away... any of these new Trance 29 models have a very limited supply and long waits before we see them.
Theirs people that say that the Giant trance x has a bad geometry but, I disagree with that I think it has a great geometry but, I would want you to comment on that.
While geometry preferences are somewhat personal, I personally think the Trance 29, Trance X29 and Trance X each have really good geometry. Now that so many bike brands have updated their geometry to what is considered, "modern", and Giant's geometry looking pretty average amongst all the Modern bikes (no wacky angles or measurements), to criticize their geometry is basically only possible for people who don't like modern bike geometry in general.
Seems like an updated 2021 Trance 29 3 to me.
Yes. One thing with Giant is that they often change the number of spec levels offered for a model from year to year, so last year's 3 may be most similar to this year's 2 or vice versa
I'm sorry but I just don't agree with some of these specs. Maybe they're completely different in Canada. But the US site shows it has 115mm of rear travel. Bearings do not last long in Maestro suspension (never on any of my 3 Anthems and other's have experienced the same), the X means it has the flip chip (which this bike has so it's a Trance X 29 2), there is no Trance X in a 27.5 wheel size. I guess Giant does different things in each country.
The 115mm Trance 29 you're seeing is the 2021 model. The 2022 Trance 29 is offered Globally - someone is just asleep at the wheel at Giant in the USA and isn't updating their website - perhaps because they're all sold out already. If the Trance X 27.5 isn't showing up on the Giant website, same story. It has been reviewed by countless US online MTB media sources and released worldwide (just in limited numbers because of the Covid component shortages). Our shop has been around for 20 years and I can't even imagine how many Giants, especially Trances, we've sold and serviced in that time. All full suspension bikes wear on bearings, just like all wheels do at some point - in my opinion (having witnessed tens of thousands of service bikes), the bearings in Maestro suspension are among the longer lasting ones. That doesn't mean they don't wear, just that it isn't premature or catastrophic.
The Trance 29 x 2 is going for $3550 in the US.
Must be talking previous yrs. There's no '22 29 2 being offered/listed yet on the sight. Nor a '21. The 29 2 I remember was 2020 and in the price range you quoted.
This bike is 130 mm in front n 120 in rear
Interesting the aluminium version looks more like last years trance and the carbon looks a lot different
Very true.
Haven't seen any info for the US yet but I want one. Would be perfect for the local singletrack trails.
I hope for the sake of interested US riders that Giant USA will be allocated many more of these than we got/will get in Canada. We're receiving about 5% the quantity of Trance 29 of what we wanted and many of those arrive late next summer into the fall. Supply is so challenging!
Agree !! This is perfect for my area. Groomed and natural trails. Lots of shorter punchy ups and downs. Having enough for an intermediate (rider and age :)) to go take it easy at a park occasionally. I could grab a 2021 Trance 29 3 today but I like these new numbers as I think they give just that much more to hit my sweet spot. I also wouldn't be out looking to upgrade the 25mm wheels immediately either.
@@jeffloucks2120 Still haven't seen a newer 2022 Trance 29 2 on the US site yet. Wonder if they were referring to the Trance X 29 2? Giant did just increase the price of the Trance 29 3 by about $160
@@chrisbalser3808 Did see the slight price increase on the 3. I can get a '21 29 3 for $2416 cash OTD today which is tempting. I'm still liking this geo/shock/5mm wider rim change though. Again, just enough extra. If they do bring the bike here it could be a very long wait.
@@jeffloucks2120 WOW That is tempting! Hard to beat the overall value. Let me know what you do.
Will this be coming to the UK?
Not sure. We are getting far less than we need in Canada, so if you do het them in UK it may be in small quantities.
Giant developed their own aluminum alloy ? for easier forming ? or save money ? new riders trust Giant , more people doing drops at parks on used bikes. 4130 chrome molybdenum is king . lugged mild steel, but Airplanes are high tech and beer cans are light …right….? Those welds on PK rippers , Race Inc , FMF and GT in the early 80s were done by guys who learned in the US Navy. GT made some mountain bikes from aluminum in the late 80s and now Taiwan imports as much as she can. High Travel E -bikes made of carbon fiber in Viet Nam ? Cambodia ? with no inspections , then going 45 mph up and down bike parks ? this won’t end well.
Giant makes their own alloy to achieve a better price for the same quality as manufacturers who use a third party to supply aluminum tube sets. Giant is a funny company because they're modest about things like their tubing - they just call it Aluxx, Aluxx SL, Aluxx SLR. From all the bikes I've seen over the years, Aluxx appears to be the equivalent of either T6 6061 or 7005 (similar to virtually every other quality/pricepoint alloy frame), then Aluxx SL gets a bit fancier with tubing profiles/butting and maybe the addition of an extra additive to achieve better strength to weight ratio and finally Aluxx SLR which I've always considered to rival the strength to weight of Scandium enriched alloys (look up bikes with "Scandium" - expensive, and light) . The point is, Giant's massive size and vertical integration means they can offer a better product at a reduced price without having to cut corners - the value is purely a result of Giant passing along the savings of controlling much more of their own production than other brands. Shops that don't sell Giant will often make up BS stories to imply that Giant's aren't good and there isn't truth to that - just an indication that Giant is offering an excellent product at a better price and the only thing shops can do to sell their overpriced bikes is to make up stories about Giant. I have worked in shops for years selling against Giant and all I could do when customers mentioned they were comparing to a Giant was recommend that the customer go buy the Giant. This is why, once I opened my own shop I moved to a different city to be in a location that I could sell Giant and not have to sell against them.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop great info .
yes 👍
The fact that $3k gets you a entry level bike is sad as it gets. The price to performance in bicycles is purely abysmal.
The brakes are horrible, prepare to spend another couple of $$ for an upgrade
This is an awesome review, would you recommend this bike for trail/xc riding? Why or why not? If not which bike would you recommend for trail/xc?
Hi again Erik, Yes, definitely recommended. You also asked about the Stance. In comparison, I think you would find the Maestro suspension on the Trance to be a bit more supple on smaller bumps and resists bottom out a bit more too - these two things will help with traction, especially on loose bumpy climbs as well as confidence if your ever start pushing the bike to its limits.
Great review!
which one is a best buy for regular trail biking with occasional climbing and drops giant trance or trance x?
While the answer could go either way, I think the answer that fits the most numbers of riders is Trance X.