Photo by Tyler Frasca.

This article is part of the Mtbr's Enduro Compare-O. See all the stories in this special section here--https://reviews.mtbr.com/category/enduro-compare-o-2014

The $7725 Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 0 may well posses the most versatile frame in our test-no minor accomplishment in a group crowded with bikes purpose-built for versatility. We say "frame" because out-of-the-box our Trance Advanced came spec'd more like a cross country bike, and climbed like one too. But as we learned by taking a ride on local shredder Allan Cooke's enduro-spec'd version, just a swap of fork and tires can significantly push this bike up the aggro scale, further proving its breadth of capability.

This fact is not lost on Giant who offer the Advanced in a cheaper ($6,400), slightly heavier "SX" version that goes with a longer, burlier Fox 34 Talas 140-160mm fork instead of the 120-140mm RockShox Revelation found on this bike. The SX also comes with the piggy back-equipped Fox Float-X CTD rear shock instead of the RockShox Monarch spec'd on our non-SX version. For once in our lives we sort of wished the manufacturer sent us the cheaper version of their bike, but more on that later.



Giant's Maestro suspension is used across their entire line of full-suspension bikes. Consistent with our past experience, it did not disappoint on the Trance Advanced. Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Maestro, Please!

For now, let's talk about how the Trance Advanced's Maestro suspension performed as a platform. In a word, incredibly. Giant's done nothing but improve and refine Maestro over the years, which was pretty darn good when it debuted nearly a decade ago. Used across Giant's full line of dualies, it may well work best on the Trance, through their XC-tuned Anthem version and DH iteration seen on the world championship-winning Glory are no slouches either. In its current, more tidy format, the system has been optimized and seems to compliment the 27.5-inch Trance perfectly.

It was a foregone conclusion that this bike could climb-at a feathery sub-25-pound curb weight, the Trance Advance ascended well with the shock in pedal mode, even up techy, rock-strewn slopes. When locked out, the TA felt like a hardtail, making short work of fire road climbs and would-be transfer stages.

"The Giant felt so fast uphill I was looking down to see if there was a hidden motor somewhere," raved one test rider. "An absolute rocket. Hands down the fastest climber I rode in the entire test. Zero pedal induced bob. Zippy out of the saddle acceleration."



Long climbs were light on the legs thanks to the TA's efficient pedaling and sub-25-pound weight. In its stock form, test rider Jason (pictured) thought the Trance Advanced 27.5 0 would be a good choice for a multi-day endurance race like the Brec Epic. Photo by Tyler Frasca.

That enthusiasm, however, began to wane both on downhills, and when we pushed the TA hard in corners.

One tester noted that descending was "not the Giant's strong suit," and that the Trance Advanced "was capable enough to deal with the obstacles, but far from being confidence-inspiring or feeling as bottomless as many of the other bikes with comparable wheel travel."

Almost every rider complained about the stock 2.25-inch wide Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires' lack of cornering grip-on this and every other bike they were on-and one rider even tried to swap wheels with another test bike to avoid them (we didn't let him).



The stock Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo 2.25-inch-wide tires had many riders standing up the bike in corners to find traction. They were quick to break loose and inspired no confidence. Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Adding to the anemia was the the flexy-for-the-sitiuation RockShox Revelation up front. Though perfectly acceptable for some bikes, we found the Rev' under-gunned when the going got rough and rocky. Combined with the aforementioned tires, one might assume this review would start getting ugly, but it doesn't…it just gets a little intentionally convoluted.

Continue to Page 2 for more on the Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 0 and full photo gallery »

He's a Cowboy, On a Carbon Horse He Rides

Our test crew spanned the gamut, from weekend warriors to pro racers, but only one reached the level of having an X Games gold medal hung 'round his neck. Former pro BMX dirt and park rider-and sometimes current pro-class downhill and enduro racer-Allan Cooke escaped his desk job at Bell Helmets on day three to help with our test session. He brought along his personal whip-a brand new Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 0, much like our test bike-but with a few key upgrades.

Up front, Cooke swapped in a new RockShox Pike with its buttery, stiction free trombone-action and flex-fighting 35mm stanchions. As his employer is part of the Easton-Bell Sports empire, he changed the stock handlebars and stem to Easton Carbon Haven equivalents, and rocked a pair of alloy Haven 27.5-inch wheels shod with 2.3-inch-wide WTB Vigilante tires. Though the stock Giant adjustable post worked just fine, he pitched the 100mm dropper in favor RockShox's 125mm-travel Reverb Stealth.



With bigger tires and a better fork-like those spec'd on the less-costly Trance Advanced SX 27.5-the bike comes alive with only a slight weight penalty in exchange. Photo by Tyler Frasca.

While his changes bumped up the overall weight of the bike slightly, its capabilities went up significantly. Gone was the flexy front end feel and washy tires. In their place, a bike with a more confident, settled character, and actual grip in the corners. Rather than hedging our bets going downhill, we let it rip, and the Giant rewarded us.

Now normally we'd balk at the prospect of adding $2,000 in upgrades to any new bike, let alone one that already costs $8K, but the fact that Giant offers the SX with a spec very similar to Cooke's for $1,300 less, has us doing something even more unusual-recommending a bike we didn't get to ride.



The less expensive but more rugged Trance Advanced SX 27.5 speaks to the versatility of the TA platform. Photo courtesy Giant Bicycles.

We're not really faulting Giant for the bike they sent us-it's an awesome rig for someone making the switch from feathery cross country bikes to something more substantial, particularly if they ride on mostly smooth trails. But the stock version we got had our crew unanimously pining for the more aggro SX version.

That out of the way, what follows here should give you a good primer on both bikes.

A Handsome, Well-Mannered Frame

Most test riders liked the Trance's clean lines which look even sharper thanks to internally-routed cables which are actually easy to thread and change thanks to clever internal guides and snap-in frame caps. While most liked Giant's blue, white and black flagship graphics, one called it "meh-worthy."

Universally liked, however, was the bike's geometry with its stable-handling 67-degree headtube angle and well-behaved 73.5-degree seat tube angle. No complaints on standover, which was ample, nor the great handling-with cooperative tires-as the result of a 12.5-inch BB height and 17.3-inch chainstays.

SRAM XX1 Highlights Parts Mix

As it's been on everything we've ridden-and as we suspected in our First Look a couple weeks ago-SRAM's XX1 drivetrain performed magically. And on a sub-25 pound bike we only got on the 42-tooth cog to see how well it shifted-we never actually needed a gear that low.

Avid's XO Trail Carbon disc brakes modulated well and provided plenty of braking force, though they often asked too much of the tires. The Giant Contact SLR composite cockpit was dutifully up to the task, even if the 730mm bars were a tad shorter than what we've grown accustom to. And while perhaps lacking the panache of an Enve or Easton, the Giant-branded composite wheels are noticeably light and smooth rolling, though one rider did perceive "some subtle wheel flex."

Like Cooke, we'd probably swap out the Giant ContactR adjustable seatpost before too long. It worked fine throughout the test period, and we liked its actuation lever, but 100mm is just not enough drop.



Most riders liked the sleek lines and simple graphics of the Trance Advanced. As for the proprietary OverDrive2 fork steerer taper, not so much. Photo by Tyler Frasca.

OverDrive 2-We've Got a Beef with the Beef

Giant specs a proprietary headtube taper called OverDrive 2 on the Trance which transitions down from 1.5-inches at the base to 1.25-inches at the top. Problem is, everyone else in the world tapers to 1-1/8-inches. The result is very few stem choices and none-too-easy fork swaps with anything not coming off another Giant. The company claims it's 15% stiffer, but we say it's 90% more of a pain in the ass.

While you can, thankfully, use a stem cap reducer to fit a standard tapered fork on the bike-Cooke did just that to get his Pike installed-selling an old fork like the stock Revelation is much more difficult given the only people who can use it are other Giant riders. We're all for more stiffness where it makes sense, but feel such small incremental gain isn't worth the kind of complication and lack of choice it leaves the customer with.

Epic-Worthy Trance a Fantastic Chameleon

If you're the kind of rider who does epic all-day rides on medium rough stuff, maybe a few 24-hour races and even a straight-up cross country race every now and then, this configuration might be just fine. But Demo forest tends to get a little rowdy and we'd prefer the more planted feeling of a bigger stanchion fork like the Fox 34 or RockShox's excellent new Pike. The Nobby Nick tires are certainly light, but we'd swap 'em for more durable, grippy meats on day one if we owned the bike.

Despite all these caveats, we think the Trance should be on the consideration list of anyone looking for maximum versatility in a platform that can be skinnied-down to XC race weight, or burlied-up for challenging all-mountain adventures. Not only does Giant make five other versions of the bike, it can also be had as a frame set-only and built to your exact specification.

Video: Giant's video on 27.5-inch wheeled bikes includes some footage and commentary from enduro team riders Adam Craig and Josh Carlson. Video courtesy of Giant Bicycles.

Price and Trickle Down Versions

Trance Advanced 27.5 0 as tested: $7725
Trance Advanced carbon/alloy frame set: $3150
Trance Advanced SX 27.5: $6400
Trance SX 27.5: $4050
Trance 27.5 1: $3500

2014 Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 0 Key Specs

  • MRSP: $7725 US
  • Weight: 24.16 pounds (size large)
  • Wheel size: 27.5 inches
  • Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
  • Color: Satin Composite/Blue
  • Frame Material: Composite main frame with alloy rear triangle
  • Fork: RockShox Revelation RLT3, 120-140mm, OverDrive 2 steerer
  • Rear Travel: 140mm
  • Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch RT3
  • Headset: Giant OverDrive 2
  • Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR Composite, Low Rise, 730mm
  • Stem: Giant Contact SLR, Composite with Titanium Hardware
  • Grips: Giant
  • Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch-R, 30.9mm, 100mm travel
  • Brakes: Avid XO Trail, Hydraulic Disc, 170mm Front, 160mm Rear
  • Brake Levers: Avid XO Trail Carbon
  • Shifters: SRAM XX1, Trigger Shift
  • Front Derailleur: N/A
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM XX1, Type-2
  • Cassette: SRAM XX1 10x42, 11-speed
  • Crankset: SRAM XX1, 32T
  • Rims: Giant P-TRX0 Composite WheelSystem
  • Hubs: Giant P-TRX0 Composite WheelSystem
  • Spokes: Giant P-TRX0 Composite WheelSystem
  • Tires: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo, tubeless ready, 27.5x2.25, folding
  • Bottom Bracket Type: Shimano Press Fit
  • ISCG Tabs: No
  • Chainguide: No
  • Head Tube Angle: 67 degrees (fork at 140mm)
  • Seat Tube Angle: 73.5 degrees
  • Chainstay Length: 17.3 inches
  • Bottom Bracket Height: 12.5 inches
For more information visit www.giant-bicycles.com.

This story is part of Mtbr's 2014 Enduro Compare-O. Check out our intro story here for all the ground rules and goings ons.