Giant has slowly been releasing details about their all new 29’er version of their popular Trance, only to release all the details just after Adam Craig won the US National Super D aboard his pre-production Trance X. Granted, Adam could probably ride the wheels off anything, but winning a National Championship on a bike just before it’s released certainly can’t hurt its street cred.
Initially, the Trance X will be offered in 3 models – all aluminum. We’re sure that there will be some carbon models in the future, just not quite yet. While the Trance X is an extension of the Trance line, the new X is more than just a Trance with some 29’s stuffed in it. Giant claims the Trance X handles exceptionally well thanks to their new “single spar rear swingarm” which allowed them to tuck the rear wheel in tighter, reducing the rear center, and overall wheelbase.
More after the break.
The National championship Super D course started off with a grueling climb, to be followed with some of Sun Valley’s typically super fast single track with a few rocky sections thrown in for good measure. On paper, it seemed like a great course for 29’ers – as for the result, you can decide for yourself. Adam’s National Championship came just a month after he won the Oregon Enduro on a prototype version of the Trance X as well.
With the addition of the geometry and rear swing arm changes, the frame sports a few other tweaks in an attempt to gain every bit of stiffness possible. As speculated, all Trance X frames will be equipped with a standard 135mm quick release rear drop out, as Giant feels the one piece swingarm would gain little by the addition of a 142×12 axle, other than weight. Perhaps more controversial than the axle choice, will be the proliferation of Giant’s Overdrive 2 tapered headset and steerer (only on the 0 and 1 models), which will leave consumers looking for compatible 1 1/4″ stems if the fit isn’t right. Adam Craig’s prototype was equipped with a PRO Tharsis stem which to our knowledge isn’t offered in 1.25″ so either Adam’s bike was equipped with a standard 1 1/8″ tapered Fox fork, or PRO is experimenting/working on producing Overdrive 2 compatible stems – we’ll keep you posted on that one.
Other bits include a wider press fit BB – how wide, we’re not sure. We dropped Giant a line to try and find out, but depending on where you look it’s either 86mm, 89.5mm, or 92mm. UPDATE: Giant confirmed that it will feature a BB86 Shimano standard bottom bracket (Sram versions also available). At least we know it will be a press fit design that will fit standard Hollowtech 2 or GXP cranks. Cabling is all external for the shifting, but offers an internal route for the rear brake and the ability to run internally routed dropper posts as well. Suspension is taken care of by Giant’s proven Maestro system providing 5 inches of travel, which all adds up to a medium frame and shock weighing in around 2,760 grams (just over 6 lbs). Geometry sits at a 69 degree head angle with a slack 73 degree seat tube angle.
The launch of the Trance X also coincides with Giant’s launch of their new 29″ trail wheels, the P-TRX 29er 1. P-TRX 29 1s will be standard equipment on the Trance X 0 and feature 28mm wide G69 tubeless ready alloy rims for a total weight of 1,795g per pair.
