Earlier this year brought back the Trance X, a platform we haven’t seen since around about 2013. This new version shares almost nothing with its namesake and is a longer travel, more capable version of the uber-popular trail platform. Now the Taiwanese brand has lifted the veil on the pedal-assist version, the Trance X E+ Pro 29.
Rolling on 29in wheels and tires, the Trance X E+ 29 mainframe and rear triangle are made with Giant’s top-end ALUXX , and the bike sports the brand’s own Sync Drive Pro drive system at the cranks. Giant has employed its Maestro suspension layout with 135mm of rear travel, mated to a 150mm fork.
- Shimano release the new EP8 eMTB motor for 2021
- Merida eONE-SIXTY Limited Edition review
- The best MTB flat pedal shoes in 2020
According to Giant, the trunnion mounted rear shock produces a lower leverage ratio which keeps the rear end active for improved pedaling and braking efficiency. Giant also say the new layout lowers the center of gravity allowing for shorter chainstays and better climbing and cornering, however the motor looks quite a bit bigger than the Bosch, Specialized or newly announced Shimano EP8. With quite a lot of energy and weight going through the frame pivots and rocker Giant has opted for double sealed bearings and hardware so stave of creaks extend bearing life.
The new Trance X E+ Pro 29 also sees a flip-chip allowing for an adjustable geometry. Placed on the upper rocker arm, similar to Trek’s Mino Link, a few turns of an Allen key allows you to adjust the geometry; the head angle can be snapped between 66.2-degrees and 65.5 degrees, and the seat tube from 77.9-degrees to 77.2-degrees. The low setting also shaves 10mm off the bottom bracket drop and makes for a slacker overall geometry suited to terrain designed to be ridden at the speed of light, while the high setting is better for techy trails that crawled over at low speed.
In a size medium, the new Giant eMTB sees a 461mm reach, 606.8mm stack, and 1236mm wheelbase in the low setting.
The bike itself is based around boost hub spacing, and there is room between the rear stays for a 29x2.6in tire. As with all Giant bikes, the Trance X E+ Pro 29 will come with the rims set up for tubeless, including valves and sealant straight from the factory. Giant also spec its own Contact Switch dropper post and new Romero MTB saddle
Giant has been using its own Sync Drive eBike system, which is manufactured by Yamaha, for a while now, and the Transe X E+ Pro 29 sees the ‘Pro’ motor, which creates 80nm of torque and 360-percent pedal assist. As with the Bosch and Shimano systems, the Sync Drive Pro system has a ‘Smart’ setting to tailor the level of assist based on the terrain to maximize battery life and prevent uphill spin-outs that can happen when the drive unit turns the power up to 11 in the wrong place.
Launched alongside the new Giant eMTB, or rather on the handlebars, is the new RideControl Ergo remote. The compact remote is designed to be intuitive with only two buttons and LED’s which show battery life and assist level, without taking up too much handlebar real estate. The Sync Drive motor system can be paired to Giant’s Ride Control E-Bike app to customize the motor tunning and assist levels, as well as fitness data and navigation.
Giant also opted for its EnergyPak Smart 625 battery, which is integrated into the downtube and can be charged to 80-percent in just two hours — at launch, Giant doesn’t make any claims about range.
The Trance X E+ Pro 29 will be available in three builds at launch, the Trance X E+ 1 Pro 29, which has a Shimano XT/XTR 12-speed build for AU $ $9,499, the Trance X E+ Pro 29, which as an XT. Deore SLX 12speed build costing AU$8,299, and a Trance X E+ Pro 3 29 with a Shimano Deore 12-speed build for AU $7,499. International pricing and availability are to be confirmed.
