Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er Review
- Price: $6300
- Frame: Aluminum Alloy
- Tires: 29″
- Gear: 1×12
What we like about it: Fully built-in electrical system, adjustable frame geometry, comfortable cushioning travel.
What we don’t like about it: The weight may be a little high.
Rating (4.9/5)
Who doesn’t like faster climbs, longer loops, and more single-track fun? But most people may not be physically capable of completing a long string of mountain trails, so this Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er may be able to help. Unleash your freedom with this powerful, fun, and smooth-riding e-bike that will help you take your off-road game to the next level.
The full suspension frame design allows it to handle downhill with ease, and uphill with aplomb. And that’s thanks to the “muscular” SyncDrive Pro’s pedal-assist motor with five output settings.
Below we analyze the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er’s climbing performance, descent performance, key features, components, and specifications, as well as other versions.
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Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er Climbing Performance
Butter-smooth shocks are the hallmark of this bike. I’m a descending enthusiast, but the uphills have always felt tough for me, so I chose this electric-powered Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro. Because the electric power drive gives me extra help on the uphills. There is no doubt that this is a comfortable and efficient uphill bike.
The fast uphill ability is mainly due to its powerful pedal-assisted drive, but that’s not the only thing. I think a good seat tube angle and a comfortable pedal position also play an indelible role when climbing a long slope. Before setting off, I also booked accommodation through IHG Hotels & Resorts to give myself ample space to rest and prepare.
I experienced a variety of mountainous terrain along the way, and as long as it wasn’t too tight around corners or very technically demanding, it was well up to the task. And it can charge ahead on very smooth trails and cross technical sections with ease.
During the ride, I felt the head tube angle was very slack and the front tire guided me forward. This was especially noticeable at low speeds, in sharp turns, and on steep hills where I had to meander forward.
It is worth mentioning that the power drive system is remarkable when climbing hills. Because I didn’t feel like I was riding a regular full-suspension bike when going uphill, once I started pedaling, I could feel the power delivery was smooth and strong. And when I stopped pedaling, the power would still maintain a constant and slight drivetrain. This was very helpful in keeping me motivated on the uphill sections, and it made me feel like the uphill would be the other half of my ride.
Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er Downhill Performance
The Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro’s climbing performance is very similar to most of the e-bikes we tested, but they don’t have rear cushioning. And that means it may not be very suitable for descending. However, the bike is big and heavy and seems to have a lot of inertia for descending.
Experience
The surprise is the excellent downhill performance, thanks to its strong geometry and premium suspension package. It has a versatile modern geometry that allows this bike to feel comfortable at all speeds and on all terrains. Plus, Giant fitted it with Maestro suspension and a sturdy fork that makes it feel very stable to me. And, the chassis is wide enough and solid enough to carry the entire weight of the bike, making it very soft for me to ride.
The best word to describe the suspension on the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro is “silky”. Because the Fox suspension is so comfortable, and the Maestro design helps the bike float over those exposed rock walls and dirt roads as if the drag was never there. In addition, the Fox fork has a 36mm strut, which is very strong for a bike of this weight.
Even with a very large number of spacers, its handlebar is still in a relatively low position, and with the bulky body, it puts the whole bike in more of a crushing stance. When going downhill, I often toggle the left-hand dropper adjustment button to lower the seat to the lowest level, otherwise, it will hinder my change of direction operation for a while.
Overall, the descending experience was very smooth. Because the overweight body brought me more inertia, it became too fast at times in terms of speed. But the excellent Shimano four-piston brake system provided me with assured braking power, so I could enjoy the whole descent without worrying.
Main Features
Frame Group
The frame as a whole is very thick, Giant uses an inline design to place a whole battery inside the downtube. As a result, the simplicity and beauty of the lower tube greatly improve its rigidity of lower tube, and also achieve battery protection measures. The new motor is smaller and lighter than its predecessor but has more power than you can imagine. And, the smaller size also allows the whole bike to have better ground clearance, which has no small role in the technical climb.
The RideControl GO display mounted on the front of the top tube provides riding data on support modes and charging status, rarely seen in an e-bike with an inline display that is embedded in the frame.
Geometry
In terms of geometry, the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro makes longer, lower, and looser changes.
The rear of the frame is fitted with Giant’s exclusive flip chip, which allows the entire frame geometry to be fine-tuned by changing the top and bottom positions of the two screws. This design allows for changes in BB height, head tube angle, and seat tube angle.
From the numbers, we can see the use of a 65.8° head tube angle, a 76° seat tube angle, and a range from 439mm on the smallest bike to 517mm on the largest. while these numbers aren’t as extreme as those of some of the bikes on the market, it does represent a significant leap forward for Giant’s cross-country mountain bikes.
Components and Specifications
Shimano SLX/XT 1×12 Drivetrain
The drivetrain is a hybrid solution. But they are also from Shimano component drivetrains, so we do not have to worry about compatibility problems.
Needless to say, we do prefer the optimized drivetrain components of the e-bike, so we can’t complain about the performance of this setup. In addition, they have developed a sturdy crank (Q-factor=168, S:160, M/L:165, XL:170) paired with a 36T crankset. so if you’re not using electric power going forward, the front 36 gearing paired with an 11-46T cassette also offers a pretty good range of gearing for traditional off-road use.
Shimano Deore BR-M6120 Hydraulic Disc Brake
Giant crafted a set of rugged 4-piston Shimano Deore BR-M6120 brakes for this bike, with oversized 203mm rotors front and rear. These brakes do a great job of stopping as well as slowing down this heavy tank.
SyncDrive Pro motor/EnergyPak Smart 625Wh battery
For the electric drivetrain, the motor is using the SyncDrive Pro. This is provided by the famous brand YAMAHA, which has a long history of motorcycle development. This motor is responsive to the rider’s torque input, which makes it perfect for quickly adjusting the amount of pedal support required by the rider and the terrain. Incredibly, at just 2.75kg, it is YAMAHA’s lightest ever e-bike motor with a powerful 85Nm of torque.
In addition, the EnergyPak Smart 625Wh battery is a fully integrated lithium battery. It is a true masterpiece, it is completely housed inside the frame, the bottom can be easily opened using a quick key, and you get the protection of the frame. With its lightweight and high density and capacity, this is indeed a very good battery design.
Maxxis 29×2.6″ Tires
The bike’s tires are a collapsible tubeless design, and like many e-bikes, the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro has 27.5-inch tires. And, GiANT has developed the eTracker e-bike optimized tire pair hub for its AM 27.5+ rims.
In addition, the internal width of 35mm is perfect for the 2.6-inch rubber on which it is mounted. The front and rear tires are not the same, with the front using Maxxis Assegai tires and the rear using Maxxis Dissector tires. And the Assegai series tires are among the most popular mountain bike tires ever made, prized for their excellent and predictable cornering traction.
Fox 36 Float Rhythm Front Fork / Fox Float DPS Performance Rear Shock
The bike has 140mm of rear suspension and 150mm of front suspension. And the Maestro suspension platform is so luxurious that it is obvious that the whole bike feels very balanced front and rear while riding. Meanwhile, the Fox Float DPS Performance rear shock is height adjustable and has a three-position compression damping switch.
Not only that, but the Fox 36 Float Rhythm fork has a sturdy 36mm strut that feels very stout in the hand and holds the weight of that forklift very well.
Other versions of Giant Trance X E+
In this test, we tested Giant’s electric full-suspension bike. It’s a bike that allows you to keep riding fun even when going uphill. It’s a bike that allows you to descend with the same comfortable cushioning as a regular full-suspension bike, perfect for those who feel miserable going uphill.
To address these points, I also found another version of this bike, the Giant Trance X E+ 3. There is a $700 difference in price between the two bikes, so let’s see what the differences are. There’s not much of a difference in most components, but the main drivetrain brake package is a mix of XT and SLX components, while the Giant Trance X E+ 3 uses a lower-end Deore mix of Praxis components. A better drivetrain and braking package will naturally bring a better riding experience.
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What we like about it
- Fully built-in battery system.
- Lighter motor weight than the previous generation, but increased torque.
- Flip chip of the frame allows fine-tuning of the geometry.
- Intuitive power display mounted at the front of the top tube.
- Easy-to-adjust booster mode and dropper lift.
- Reassuring front and rear shock absorbing system.
What we don’t like about it
- Weight may be a little high.
FAQs
- What is the weight of the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er?
Weighing in at a whopping 53 pounds, you have to realize that it’s far more than the weight of the standard bike with the extra battery and power systems like the motor.
- What kind of bike is the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er?
It is a cross-country bike and provides the rider with a powerful drivetrain, equipped with a battery and motor to provide good support for the power when riding.
- What heights do the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er fit?
The size chart for the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er is as follows.
(These sizes are only a general guide, the true fit may vary from person to person and the easiest way to find your size is best to go for a test ride.)
| Rider height (cm) | Frame size |
| 163cm – 174cm | SM |
| 171cm – 182cm | MD |
| 179cm – 190cm | LG |
| 187cm – 198cm | XL |
Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er Specs
Build
| Frame | ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum, Advanced Forged Composite linkage, 140mm Maestro Suspension System, ‘Boost’ 148×12 UDH derrailleur hanger, Giant EnergyPak Plus Range Extender Compatible Color: Sapphire |
| Fork | Fox 36 Float Rhythm, 150mm travel, 44mm offset, EVOL, Grip Damper, Sweep adjust, Boost 110x15QR, e-optimized |
| Rear Shock | Fox Float DPS Performance, EVOL Large Volume sleeve, 3-position Lever, 185×52.5mm Trunnion mount, custom tuned |
| Bottom Bracket | – |
| Stem | Giant Contact SL 35 |
| Handlebar | Giant Contact 35 Trail, 35x780mm |
| Saddle | Giant Romero Trail |
| Seatpost | Giant Contact Switch, dropper, 30,9mm (S:125, M: 150, L/XL:170) |
| Pedals | Flat pedal |
| Grips | Giant Tactal Pro-E, single lock-on |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore XT, 12-speed, Shadow+ |
| Front Derailleur | MRP HD2 co-moulded chain guide |
| Crank | Praxis Wavetm 36T Cold Forged 4130 premium steel Praxis e-Cadet+ custom forged crankarm set (Q-factor=168, S:160, M/L:165, XL:170) |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-M6100-12, 10-51T, 12-speed |
| Chain | KMC e.12 Turbo, EcoProteq, e-bike optimized |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore BR-M6120, 4-piston, hydraulic disc, 203mm |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Deore BL-M6100, I-spec EV |
Wheels
| Rims | Giant AM 29″, Tubeless ready, 30mm inner width |
| Spokes | Sapim E-Lite [R] Race [F] |
| Front Hub | Shimano MT410 Boost, Center-Lock, [F] 110×15 [R] 148x12mm Micro-Spline Drive Body Thru-axle |
| Rear Hub | Shimano MT410 Boost, Center-Lock, [F] 110×15 [R] 148x12mm Micro-Spline Drive Body Thru-axle |
| Tires | Maxxis Assegai 29×2.6″ foldable, Tubeless, EXO [F]Maxxis Dissector 29×2.6″ Foldable, Tubeless, EXO+ [R] |
Electric Components
| Motor | SyncDrive Pro, 85Nm, powered by Yamaha |
| Battery | EnergyPak Smart 625Wh, EnergyPak Plus range extender compatible |
| Remote | RideControl GO, frame integrated LED displayANT+ Wireless display compatible |
Video
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes | Tires | Click view |
| Trek Fuel EXe 9.5 | $6499 | 1×12 | Shimano MT4100 Hydro Disc | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue 29×2.5″ | Click View |
| BMC Fourstroke AMP LT THREE USA | $7299 | 1×12 | Shimano M7000 Hydro Disc | Maxxis Rekon 29 x 2.4″ | Click View |
| CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC ACTIONTEAM 625 KIOX | $6485 | 1×12 | Shimano XT BR-M8120 Hydro Disc | Schwalbe Magic Mary 29 x 2.4″ | Click View |
| Kona Remote 130 | $6399 | 1×12 | Shimano Deore Hydro Disc | Maxxis Minion DHF EXO+ TR 3C 29×2.5″ | Click View |
Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er VS Trek Fuel EXe 9.5
There doesn’t seem to be much price difference when comparing the two bikes, but they seem to arrange the cost in different places. In terms of frame, the Trek Fuel EXe 9.5 uses a lighter carbon frame, which brings the weight of the whole bike down significantly. The Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er, on the other hand, uses an aluminum frame, which has better durability.
Component-wise, the Trek Fuel EXe 9.5 uses a lower-level Deore kit with e*thirteen components, while the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er uses XT; SLX components. This will work better, even though they are both 1×12 shifting systems.
Geometrically, the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er has a very high BB drop, which gives the bike a more stable ride. With the lower overall geometry, it’s very much like a heavy tank running over its target.
learn more：Is Trek Fuel EX 9 Worth Buying? [Trek Fuel EX 9 Review]
Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er VS BMC Fourstroke AMP LT THREE USA
This bike is one of the most expensive bikes on the table and uses a full carbon frame. The same SLX components as the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er are used for the components, which are perfect for an electric mountain bike.
In terms of cushioning travel, the bike doesn’t have too much travel and only comes with 120mm of damping travel front and rear. The Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er, however, uses the same component configuration, even though it only has an aluminum frame. It also comes with a higher cushioning travel of 150mm front and 140mm rear and is unexpectedly equipped with dropper mounts, both of which are very high.
As for the battery, the BMC Fourstroke AMP LT THREE USA has a modest battery capacity of 360Wh, which may not be suitable for long endurance rides in the mountains. But the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er has a battery of 625Wh, which can accompany you for longer distances in the mountains.
learn more：Is BMC Fourstroke 01 LT TWO Worth Buying? [BMC Fourstroke 01 LT TWO Review]
Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er VS CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC ACTIONTEAM 625 KIOX
The price of the two bikes is similar and there is not much difference in terms of configuration. However, the CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC ACTIONTEAM 625 KIOX uses a carbon frame, which reduces the weight of the whole bike. But in my experience, I found that there is not much difference in their weight, the same 24kg.
The cushioning travel is also very similar, with 150mm front and 140mm rear, and both are equipped with droppers.
Geometrically, the CUBE STEREO HYBRID 140 HPC ACTIONTEAM 625 KIOX has a higher head tube angle that allows the rider to maintain a more upright position. But with that, this bike also has a very high stand-up height. In addition, the larger size, 77mm, may allow for limited leg movement during fast descents.
Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er VS Kona Remote 130
Both bikes use the same brand but have different travel forks. Moreover, the Kona Remote 130 uses a shorter cushioning travel, which may be more suitable for fast-impact landings to rebound from a quick fall down the hill. The Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er, on the other hand, uses a 150mm front cushion with a 140mm rear cushion, giving the bike plenty of cushioning and smooth descent.
As for the battery, the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er uses an extra-large inline 625Wh battery to provide a long power life for the mountain bike. The Kona Remote 130 has a smaller battery of 504Wh, but it also provides a good power range.
There is not much difference between the two components, both use 36T cranksets with 12-speed cassettes (10-51T). Such a combination can get a good riding experience.
If you’re more concerned about range, I think the Giant Trance X E+ 2 Pro 29er would be a worthwhile option to try.
Learn more : Is Kona Hei Hei CR/DL Worth Buying? – [Kona Hei Hei CR/DLReview]
