Trance

mtb2399–11999 EUR

Origin

Middle child of the original Maestro trio (Anthem XC / Trance trail / Reign all-mountain). Designed as Giant's everyman trail bike — tough, versatile, comfortable for long-distance riding across mixed terrain. Not the lightest, not the slackest — the do-it-all bike. Giant Bicycles R&D (Taiwan) 26 inch Trance — a state of focused absorption. Evokes the meditative flow of long trail rides. Together with Anthem (XC anthem) and Reign (all-mountain reign) forms Giant's MTB naming trilogy. Trek Fuel EX, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Santa Cruz Heckler — early-generation trail full-sus bikes

Specifications

Frame: ALUXX SL-Grade aluminium (Trance/Trance X alloy) or Advanced-grade composite carbon (Advanced/Advanced Pro); Maestro twin-link, threaded BSA BB, Boost 148x12, down-tube storage on Trance X 2024+
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle T-Type AXS 1×12 (Trance X Advanced 1); Shimano Deore/SLX/XT 1×12 or SRAM GX Eagle by trim
Brakes: Shimano Deore XT 4-pot M8120, 203/180 mm (Trance X Advanced 1); SLX/Deore 4-pot on lower trims
Wheels: Giant TRX Carbon 29" hookless, 30 mm IW (Trance X Advanced 1); alloy on lower trims

The verdict

+Strengths

MBR 2025: 'Agile trail bike remit with lightning acceleration' — Maestro efficient pedalling lives up to legacy
MBR 2025: Carbon frame delivers smooth, comfortable rides with excellent rolling and responsive handling
Pinkbike: Excellent climbing tracking and efficiency under power surges
Pinkbike: Updated Maestro 3 active on technical descents while maintaining efficiency
BikeRadar: Long-term reliability and serviceability — threaded BSA BB, no proprietary parts
Down tube storage on Trance X Advanced (2024+) is genuinely useful — Giant joined the integrated storage trend with quality execution
Giant TRX Carbon wheels stock spec at GBP 5999 is excellent value — comparable bikes ship with alloy
13.4-13.9kg weight is competitive with carbon trail bikes from premium brands
Maestro twin-link is dealer-serviceable — bearings widely available, less proprietary than VPP/DW-Link competitors
Singletracks: Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE delivers USD 8000 spec at USD 4500 — Giant's vertical integration pays off
Flow MTB: '27 different configurations' on 2024 Trance X — flip chip, mullet, wheel/shock options give versatility
Cable routing NOT through headset — mechanics appreciate, no fork-removal-to-service nonsense

−Weaknesses

MBR 2025: Maxxis Minion DHF front tire 'tyre technology has moved on' — feels dated vs newer Assegai/DHRII
MBR 2025: Recurring Shimano XT brake inconsistency (well-known industry issue, not Giant-specific)
MBR 2025: Frame 'might not be stiff enough for heavier/harder charging riders' — leans toward agility over plough
Pinkbike: Advanced riders find bottom of travel before installing volume reducers — recommended bottom-out setup adjustment
Pinkbike: 40mm BB drop in low flip-chip mode = pedal strikes for taller riders / aggressive pedalling
Pinkbike: 'Doesn't feel quite as planted when charging descents' as Stumpjumper 15 or Canyon Spectral — trail-leaning rather than enduro-leaning
BikeRadar: Fox Live Valve added complexity and weight to Trance Advanced Pro 29 1 — most riders don't need it
Singletracks: SE variant has US-only availability — EU buyers must look at standard Trance X Advanced Pro 29
Naming nomenclature is confusing — Trance 29 vs Trance X 29 vs Trance Advanced Pro 29 vs Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE; buyers easily mix tiers
Maestro mid-stroke is 'vague' (Pinkbike) — feature for small-bump compliance, weakness for big-hit support
No size XS — frame size range starts at S, taller petite or smaller riders excluded

Did you know

01Trance has been continuously in production for 20+ years (2005-2025+) — one of the longest-running MTB nameplates
02The Trance launched the Maestro suspension system, which has appeared on every Giant FS MTB since (Anthem, Reign, Trance, Stance, e-MTBs)
0320-year retrospective: MBR 2025 reviewer tested the original 2005 Trance and the 2025 Trance X Advanced — 'same peppy feel' but dramatically more capable
04Advanced Forged Composite (AFC) upper rocker arm — 3D-forged carbon, claimed 50% lighter and 50% stronger than welded alloy
05Cable routing NOT through headset — Giant deliberately avoids this trend, mechanics appreciate it
06Fox Live Valve electronic suspension was offered exclusively on Trance Advanced Pro 29 1 (2022) — Giant was an early adopter
07Down tube storage compartment on Trance X Advanced (2024+) — joins the trend of integrated storage that Specialized SWAT popularised
08Trance X 29 was first Maestro bike with flip chip geometry adjust (2021) — Giant traditionally resisted adjustable geometry
09MBR 2025 review: 'lightning acceleration' + 'pedals and climbs superbly' — Maestro's signature efficient pedalling personality preserved
1013.4-13.9kg weight (carbon variants) is competitive with carbon trail bikes from Trek/Specialized at similar price points
11Trance X Advanced E+ Elite uses the same Yamaha-Giant SyncDrive Pro 85Nm motor as Reign E+ — a proven full-power motor with 400% support ratio

Who it’s for

intermediate to advanced trail ridersweekend trail-and-enduro hobbyistsXC riders upgrading to full-suspension trailtrail riders who climb as much as descendriders preferring efficient pedalling over plush descendingBaltic forest trail riders (mixed terrain, technical singletrack, moderate descents)