Home > Bike Types > Mountain Bike

Giant rolls back on 29″ wheels with all new Trance Advanced Pro 29 & Trance 29

22 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

In 2012, the big news for Giant was the introduction of a 29″ wheeled Trance. In a few years though, Giant had turned their back on the big wheels while moving all of their bikes to 27.5″. However, along with a lot of the industry Giant is once again feeling the 29″ love and as a result is continuing their reintroduction of the big wheels with the all new Trance Advanced Pro 29 and Trance 29.

Giant rolls back on 29" wheels with all new Trance Advanced Pro 29 & Trance 29
Trance Advanced Pro 29 0

Trance Advanced Pro 29

Available in two frame platforms, the Trance will come in carbon form in the Trance Advanced Pro 29. Citing more than two years of product testing and development, the bike includes the latest iteration of their Maestro Suspension System built into modern 29er geometry.

Giant rolls back on 29" wheels with all new Trance Advanced Pro 29 & Trance 29

The updated Maestro system includes a trunnion mounted rear shock which helped them achieve a lower shock leverage ratio. The new bike is said to have better pedaling and braking, and thanks to a new forged composite upper rocker arm, the frame boasts increased stiffness while decreasing the weight. You’ll also find the new DVO Topaz 2 rear shock with a larger negative air volume and a redesigned reservoir to make it fit better in the Giant frames.

Suspension is dialed at 115mm in the rear with 130mm up front making this a shredable trail bike that still pedals quite well.

Giant rolls back on 29" wheels with all new Trance Advanced Pro 29 & Trance 29
Trance Advanced Pro 29 2

Also following industry trends, Giant has reduced the offset of their suspension forks going wtih a 44mm offset. That’s not quite as low as Transition’s 43mm offset, but it’s still lower to improve front end stability without effecting the head angle. The overall geometry includes 435mm chainstays, a 66.5° head tube angle, 74.5° seat tube angle, and a longer reach for fun, aggressive riding.

Of course, the frames include an army of Giant’s technology buzzwords like OverDrive, PowerCore, MegaDrive, etc. Which is to say that the Trance uses a standard 1 1/2″ to 1 1/8″ tapered steerer, PF92 bottom bracket, and frame shapes to increase stiffness. Spacing is Boost 148mm, and the Advanced Composite frame includes a carbon front triangle and rear swingarm.

Giant rolls back on 29" wheels with all new Trance Advanced Pro 29 & Trance 29
Trance Advanced Pro 29 1

Starting at $4,300 for the Trance Advanced Pro 29 2, the carbon versions range up to $8,300 for the Pro 29 0 which includes custom tuned DVO suspension and a SRAM Eagle Dub drivetrain. Giant rolls back on 29" wheels with all new Trance Advanced Pro 29 & Trance 29

Trance 29

Essentially the same bike but in ALUXX SL aluminum, the Trance 29 2 looks to be the only version we’ll get here in the states. Priced at $3,050, the build includes Fox suspension, a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, and tubeless ready wheels and tires. The frame features the same suspension updates and 29er specific trail geometry as the Advanced Pro to ensure you’re getting the same basic ride, just without the benefits of carbon fiber.

Both bikes should be available now.

giant-bicycles.com

SaveSave

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

22 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
DeafPadre
DeafPadre
5 years ago

Typical Giant cautious approach to new trends; embracing the the new school geometry with more restraint than some. They’re also getting a lot of flak for pushing 27.5 throughout their range a few years ago when 27.5 emerged (without much love). Better late than never, but how did the serving of humble pie taste?

jim rawson
jim rawson
5 years ago
Reply to  DeafPadre

Funny cause the only 29er Gint did not continue to sell the past few years was 1 single model….a Trance. They also developed a new Anthem 29, Fathom 29 and a ToughRoad during the past 3 years. Meanwhile 27.5 paid off, since they are in business to make money…they were the only major brand to grow double digits in the USA.

jim rawson
jim rawson
5 years ago
Reply to  jim rawson

and a new XTC 29

Longbeard
5 years ago
Reply to  jim rawson

True to an extent. Giant basically stopped making good kit options for their 29ers and if I remember didn’t they basically sell the same Anthem Advanced 29er for two years in a row without even changing the paint? I’m hardcore Giant through and through and still only own them (Anthem 27.5 SX, TCX Advanced, TCR Advanced Pro) but I was disappointed when it seemed they were walking away on the Anthem. I’m glad they came out with the new Anthem but feel they screwed up by not making the seat post larger thus limiting heavily the option for good droppers.

jimbo rawson
jimbo rawson
5 years ago
Reply to  Longbeard

Agreed.

Justin Walsh
Justin Walsh
5 years ago

If they drop the ‘X’ version at Interbike, I’ll surely be taking a closer look.

whatever
whatever
5 years ago

IMHO, the travel is too short and limited tire sizing are big detriments. May ride different than expected, but hard to argue for it with a Stumpjumper at the same price point, with more wheel/tire options, and significantly more travel, with the same shock and fork. So unless there is something special in the geometry or suspension that makes is ride unexpectedly well, then for most people it will be hard to choose the Trance 29 over a Stumpjumper. And if for some reason you want the shorter travel, then there is the Stumpjumper ST with the other features intact (change the yoke and the Stumpy ST becomes a Stumpy).

Anyway, IMHO, it’s a hard sell for Giant.

jim rawson
jim rawson
5 years ago
Reply to  whatever

Well Maestro certaily rides better and cost less than that outdated Horst link or the ne Epic that uses a modified single pivot design.

whatever
whatever
5 years ago
Reply to  jim rawson

I’m aware that Maestro is considered to be very good, which is why I did not count Giant out. I don’t know if it “feels” better to the majority or not. But even if we say that is is 15% better for the average rider in single pivot design, there are still at a disadvantage IMHO. Too many check marks for other brands advantage box to put them on equal ground. Not to mention things like threaded bottom brackets, ease of brake bleeds, and there are other suspension designs other than Horst or single pivot that are considered to be very very good as well. Using the Stumpjumper again, there is enormous advantage in versatility of easily changing wheels/tires for different conditions you expect to ride in, for which the Trance 29 simply has no answer.

I am no Specialized fanboi (I’ve bought Specialized, Trek, Motobecane, Lapierre, Soma and others over the years), nor do I hate Giant. Far from it. But since I have been looking at purchasing a FS MTB, I am familiar with allot of current bikes, and the Trance 29 just doesn’t measure up to my other top choices IMHO.

Loki
Loki
5 years ago
Reply to  whatever

Don’t really care if someone buys one bike over the other but in my experience Giant always wins in the value proposition. In the is case a Stumpy Expert is 5.5k for carbon main traingle, Pike and Deluxe RT3, GX drivetrain and Guide R and Roval alloy wheels. For $500 less you get full carbon frame, carbon trunion mount, Fox 34 and Float, GX drivetrain and Guide T, and TRX carbon wheels. For $500 less.

Matt
Matt
5 years ago

It really appears Giant is getting left behind in the modern, higher priced bike market. Specialized is making stuff that is much more interesting at better value, not to mention Santa Cruz, Pivot etc…. Also, they need to hire a new graphics person as paint schemes have always just sucked.

jim rawson
jim rawson
5 years ago
Reply to  Matt

How do you get more simple than these 2019 paint schemes? You got – raw carbon, non neon basic green, basic trek red, normal blue, black w/green, and a solid charcoal bike. No big logos like Transition, Kona, Trek or Specialized.

Longbeard
5 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Have you not seen the new paint schemes for their stuff online? I just ordered the TCR Advanced SL Disc because…RAINBOW BLACK!!!

Michael Clayton (@CreekerMike)

I would probably look at a Ibis Ripley LS, Pivot Trail 429, or a Niner Jet 9 RDO at that price point. Also, the DVO shock seems overkill for 115mm of travel.

NS
NS
5 years ago

If you take a closer look, Giant is actually the manufacturer of a large portion of other brands. Most of Treks bikes are made by Giant, and I could be wrong but I am pretty sure even Yeti is actually manufactured by Giant.

jen
jen
5 years ago

what’s happened to mountain bikes the sport was cool now its middle aged fat blokes that cant ride buying full suspension road bikes x

Dockboy
Dockboy
5 years ago
Reply to  jen

We got old, sorry.

GreenGiant
GreenGiant
5 years ago
Reply to  Dockboy

Yep, and you will too Jen. If you’re lucky…

jen
jen
5 years ago
Reply to  GreenGiant

i am old. lol remember purple brake boosters x

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  jen

They still make aluminum hard tails that are heavy As hell.

I know I ride a specialized Crave comp and when I first moved to Colorado I was told by everyone of my wealthy Friends in Texas “that you need a full suspension you cannot ride a 1×10 hard tail in Colorado”. One year later still having fun on a bike that cost a grand and all I had to do was change the cassette. I don’t mind what others ride I’ve been very broke and been wealthy and back again; nice bikes are just fun toys life is too short if you can afford it and aren’t an asshole than who cares what you ride you’ll still always get dropped by some overweight hippie on a rigid singlespeed.

gringo
gringo
5 years ago

I’ll take this opportunity to say ……..’Texans go home!` 😉

Vincent
Vincent
5 years ago

After demoing the new Trance Advaced 29 three times, I put a deposit on the “0” build with DVO. It climbs well, accelerates well, and rips on the descents like a 130mm travel bike. Descends better than my Hightower and previous SB 4.5. It will be my one bike that can do it all!

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.