Just bought a trance x3 29 xl. I'm 6'3" and 300 lbs so the long wheelbase and slacker angle were just what I was looking for . Plus my old Giant held up so well. Only thing that ever happened was breaking a pedal on a rock and the chain snapped 2 weeks ago. Not bad for a 15yr old bike with a Ckysdale rider. Been riding a 2005 Giant Rincon 26 hardtail since 05. Always felt I was about to go over the bars in technical stuff though . Our trails have relentless roots and rocks. First ride is tomorrow. It feels so much better even just playing around at the house, and the head tube angle and 29s make me feel like roots will be much easier and rising much more enjoyable. Another reason I bought it. Found out Giant makes frames for many other bikes including Trek.
Nice video. I bought this bike about a month ago and I am loving this bike. I am playing with it because it has so much adjustability and posting what I am finding.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop i agree, the Stance is a stellar entry level and a lot of bike for the $$. But after a year and over 500 trail miles, i have progressed and wanted something better. I'm very happy with the choice and the option of the flip chip is just too awesome to pass. Thanks for this review 🤙
thanks for the information on how to ride with these new geometries. i am an old school rider, and old techniques are out the window with these new bikes.
Just got mine and it’s perfect. Switches the grips to Ergon EVO factory and I’ve ridden the same trail twice with high and low setting on the flip chip. Much more responsive in high. Pretty amazing for the price. Soaks up decent bumps. Can’t fault it
Giant doesn't get as much love as direct to consumer brands do but it is a really a good bike and well specced. Plus buying Giant at the LBS is great for service, and dealing with Giant's customer service has always been awesome.
It’s just not boutique enough for some people, I guess a little status can be fun but for pure performance it’s head to head with just about anything out there, I’m on my second one since ‘09
I ride Giants, several in my stable at the moment including a one off custom built unit from Giant. This Trance X is the best valued trail bike on the market. Your getting excellent spec and its a seriously hard charger. I just ordered one to add to my collection. Not to mention Giant reliability is top notch.
I bought this two weeks ago. I love the bike but it’s 3-4 pounds heavier than my stance. It’s a bulldozer though! The Fox fork is amazing. Going to Bentonville this weekend and going to see how well I like the flip chip.
If you're sure about this bike, I would suggest putting some money down to make sure it is reserved for you. I anticipate this will be a popular bike and will sell out in many regions.
Just bought a higher spec version (1) with a complete XT set and a Float 36 Performance Elite fork (Float X shock) a month ago. Having owned a "regular" 2019 Trance 27,5 prior, I can easily say Trance X is far superior in every aspect. Amazingly efficient climber (Maestro on regular Trance is just too active and sensitive) with virtually no pedal bob, fast as hell on smooth, flowy trails and thanks to it's slackened geometry, beefier fork and bigger wheels, a bomber down the technical trails too. Really pleased with this bike. As for the comment regarding a bit more strain on your wrists when casual / flat terrain riding - yeah, it's true, but far from terrible. Yesterday I easily completed a 40 mile ride (4000 ft of climbing) and have only started feeling my wrists going numb towards the end of a relatively long tour on a pretty rough gravel. Mind you, my stem is 35 instead of 55 (6,2 here, riding the XL version). But man, efficiency is on another level.
I have been riding a my giant trance for 7 years wanted to upgrade couldn’t get much that was in stock, plus bike is in mint shape just older. I hesitated on pulling the trigger on this bike in the summer cause the family likes to kayak and camp and figured if it’s there I will pick it up and she gone. The bike is such a great value and the crank was a slx at my local shop too.
im glad you mentioned about getting used riding this transitioning from a 26er. i just did this i was riding a 2011 giant trance advance in carbon, and this trance x2 is a big girl! this is my second 29 i had a niner wfo 9 she was also a big girl, hopefully the geometry is better on the x2.
i got lucky and picked on up at my LBS. Simply put, you can't beat this thing for the price. It just bombs down hill and soaks of the rough stuff beautifully. The flip chips makes a noticeable difference. In the high position it steers quicker and you feel more centered over the bike, but it does make it a bit less stable. I prefer the low setting. All in all, I really can't say many bad things about this bike. I'm not a fan of the grips, they are a bit squishy for my taste and will be replacing them with ODI's with a double lock on. The bike feels heavier than my old Devinci Atlas XP but that just means I'm gonna have to loose a couple pounds cause I would never give up the fast stable downhill that this things provides! Truly, the only thing i would like to see is a little more branding on Giant's part. The only place you see it is on the head tube. I, personally, would like to see it emblazoned on the front of the down tube like last years models.
Thanks for your review. I love to bomb downhill on rooty and chundery terrain and take the occasional jump or drop. How do you find this performs on that sort of stuff? This will be my first 29r and at 6'3" (220lb) I think I'll enjoy this wheelsize better. Used to freeride bikes for the last 20 years, so I'm looking forward to something I can actually enjoy climbing up the mountain on. lol
If I get a chance I will. As you may be able to tell, my camera setup and lighting isn't great, so it may depend on whether I can get ok quality video.
I tried to buy one but the shop owner says he does not have the floor room to assembling the one he has in the back due to ski and snowboard season... I have a feeling the bike was already promised to someone else. He was happy to try and sell me 5k bike though. I got excited when you guys were in Cochran, then I realized you were in AB, not ON.
Devin, I'd try pretty hard to get him to build that and sell it to you asap. We're starting to recognize just how many bikes are going to be completely sold out next year and this model is one of those.
I am so excited for this bike. Hopefully getting it this week! I have a 2020 Giant Trance 3. My plan was to take my wheelset (upgraded to Stan's MKR rims and DT Swiss 350) and switch those on to the bike. Will that be possible? Now I'm worried. Spent some good money for that wheelset and seems like they are way better than these stock wheels.
In general, Giant's alloy Trance frames are very high quality alloy so their weights tend to be only about 1lb (or less) heavier than to the equivalent carbon frame.
I am looking at selling my 2019 Trance 29er 1 to buy this bike. I plan to keep the carbon wheels and put them on this bike. Will the rear hub on this bike take an XD free hub body? I want to put these wheels on the Trance 29er 1 if I buy it.
Unfortunately the stock wheels on the TranceX use Shimano hubs and Shimano doesn't offer different freehub options. Same goes for the carbon wheels - no microspline freehub option to be able to install the Shimano 12 speed cassette off this bike.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop Thanks. I am going to put new hubs in the carbon wheels. That's a shame about the wheels as the bike looks good in all other aspects but the wheels are very heavy.
I didnt watch full video but im wondering how sizing feels like. If people that have one can post their height and inseam and their chosen frame size. Thank you.
Great review. How does this do with fast twisty stuff? That's my only concern coming from 2 previous Anthems with smaller wheels. I love the spec but I really don't need all the travel for my trails. Really miss the Anthem SX series.
If you like the Anthem SX, the Trance 29 (not the X version) is pretty close. You save some weight and get a bit more of a nimble bike. Within the category of bikes with similar travel to the Trance X, I think it would be relatively good in fast twisty, but really hard to compare to an older Anthem as they are so different. Demos are probably going to be hard to find with the bike shortage, but I'd suggest that if you can find one - and definitely try a non-X Trance 29 too.
I don't think you will find any at less than MSRP. most bike shops will only receive half the bikes they need this season so will not be discounting at all.
Being close to your height I'd personally get a large and put a slightly longer stem on if it felt too compressed. The large in this bike is bigger than most brands so works well for riders who'd usually be stuck unsure of L or XL
@@BikeBrosBikeShop I'm 190.5cm (6'2.5") and this reply is making me nervous about ordering the XL. I've heard the reach is long. I've been riding large Norco's since 01.. Decided to give this a go after watching this video and I'm not really doing park or large drops/burly stuff any more. I guess I'll check it out when I'm there and have a sit on it before putting the credit card down.
I don't think it would be a noticable difference in climbing efficiency. The TranceX has a steeper seat tube angle which should more than make up for having more suspension.
Yes, pricing on all bikes has gone up a fair bit since filming. The 10x cost of ocean freight is the primary cause but increased component pricing and cost of doing business during these times is also noteworthy.
I guess the official answer would be no... but the functional answer would be, "seems to work just fine with the KMC chain". All the brands try to push their story that you have to keep all drivetrain components in their brand family but I purposefully try many different combinations and many of them work with no noticeable difference - you have a keen eye to notice that ;)
tricktrick82 I believe SC specs their base models with SRAM components so I would say Giant because of the Shimano components. Not a fan a SRAM components but that is just my opinion.
@@BikeBrosBikeShop wow man it's really crazy! Keep up the great reviews! At least for those who can't get a bike your super detailed reviews help us get through this drought.
Specialized status is a mullet (29/27.5) and more oriented for bike park use. This giant bike is a full 29er and is a trail bike. You could push it at a bike park. I just find that 135mm rear travel finding it’s limit when doing jumps at bike park. Depending on which status you are going for. 160vs 140. Both maybe better suited for bike park. Especially the 160. I went with the giant because I don’t live near bike parks or do bike parks regularly. Let me know how it works out for you.
I'd love to see that too... unfortunately we didn't receive any on the first shipment of bikes. Our shipment of TranceX 29 3 is only scheduled to arrive late 2020 when we will hopefully see a pile more of the TranceX 29 2 again.
I think this bike sits right in the trail bike category. The non X version of the Trance 29 is a great example of downcountry - that bike rips for 115mm/130mm travel.
It's basically the same bike but with shimano xt components. Deore crank and slr cassette for savings. But everything else is xt. Forks and rear shock, wheels are same.
All the videos and reviews, and comparisons, are in the west and or at ski resorts. I live in the Northern Virginia area. I need a bike for the true tight single track and switch backs, along with the multiple types of terrain and soil we have in this region. I do not I do not want a bike that is a pedal and Crankset DESTROYER!!!! I like a bike that does not dictate to me all the many places it will not allow pedaling! A bike that performs well at: sprints, Climbs, descents, flat areas, roots, ruts, really rocky, loose soil, loose on hard, mud, sand, loam... Our Appalachian mountains are older and not as peaked as the Rockies, or as tall. NOT DOING GAP JUMPS AND BIKE PARKS. Any of you able to ride and compare the other 12x-14x travel, brands/bikes to INTENSE, GIANT TRANCE X pro, PIVOT 429, or maybe too much bike for here the SWITCHBLADE? Is it true that the NEW redesigned SWITCHBLADE is such a better pedaling and handling magician that it is as good or better than a smaller travel bike like the 429 or Scott whatever model, etc.? Are most of the bikes to long and slack to ride the tighter switchbacks? Looking for a great all around MIDATLANTIC, totally different environment of riding. Will the new Geometry of the LOW, long and slack, be harder on the knees since I assume the knee will be more in front of the pedal spindle vs traditional? Is the Intense geometry a little behind, in reality? Is this good or bad for a pedal everywhere bike? Not just descending! How about the LIVE VALVE, is it just a way to Separate A fool from his money? Or does it truly make it like owning two or three different bikes? Does it make it a cross country bike and a trail bike and a enduro bike? Does it add in a lot of problems in cost and time and maintenance? Or does it just make the bike a lot better? How good is the basic peddling platform and suspension on the Trance X? Without the Live Wire magic, is it as good or better than a DW link? Is it smooth or harsh? What are the differences in sprinting, climbing, ascending tech/rocky and loose or roots, and tight switchbacks? Descending same? WOW what horrible wheels the Trance X pro comes with! Do you have to pedal a quarter of the way around before the hub engages? What are the specs on rim internal and ext.? Spokes? Nipples? Is the hub upgradable? carbon quality? Do they crack easy? Will a 2.6 fit well in the back? What is the quality of the frame carbon? Will it take a dpx2 shock? I do not want to get beat up or jack hammered, but I don’t want a wet noodle. I am 6 foot 1 inch tall and 165 pounds naked. A bike and manufacture I can count on In the backcountry, and to have to have quality support post sale!!!! Thank you, and good riding to you all!
Hi. Your mountains may be different shapes but the realistic slope that a bike can climb or descend on dictates most trails so I don't think things are that different (we don't ride over those sharp peaks / we ride at the base of the mountains where the grades are more trail appropriate.) Yes, too many bikes have excessively low bbs so smashing pedals and cranks is a thing but it seems between using shorter cranks and designing suspension to be more supportive in the mid-stroke that pedal strikes are reducing (from my personal riding experience) on many modern bikes. Steep seat tube angles can make a slack bike much better on climbs than older (slack seat-tube) geometries. The hubs on this particular bike are Shimano so not as big an engagement gap as previous hubs (though still not quick engagement compared to I9 or other upgrades). There's no Fox Live Valve on this bike but they do make the Advanced Pro 0 version with that feature - if you have the money and like that sort of technology then it is great - I personally love Maestro suspension for its ability to be ridden in trail/open mode on the shock so don't feel any personal attraction to electro-shocks. Happy Trails!