Nevertheless, you immediately feel more comfortable on the new model. Recently, the old Giant Advanced has repeatedly struggled in our comparison tests. The chassis, whether carbon or aluminium, was getting on in years. The geometry was no longer up to date and the equipment was a little weak. The world's largest bike manufacturer, according to its own information, takes the criticism in good humour and shows with the new Advanced that it can do better. The simplest changes up front: the wider handlebars and a shorter stem ensure better handling. That's it? A comparison of the two geometry tables reveals a clear difference that can also be felt on the trail. Hardly one dimension is the same as the other.
During the test ride on the discontinued model, all the riders criticised the squat, slightly forward sitting position. In 2017, Giant countered this with a reach that was only six millimetres longer, but flattened the seat angle by 1.6 degrees, positioning the rider much more centrally between the two wheels. Together with wider rims, a guard for the chainring and larger brake discs, the steering angle, which has been slackened by one degree, lays the foundation for better downhill handling. The suspension with ten millimetres more travel at the front and an additional five millimetres at the rear underlines the new orientation of the Trance in favour of downhill riding. Rock Shox's new Super Deluxe rear shock with reservoir works in the Maestro rear triangle. While we don't think you need the reservoir on an all-mountain bike, the new suspension feels much more lively than that of the 2016 Giant. Not only the suspension, but also the five millimetre shorter chainstays contribute to the more playful handling.
The criticised imbalances between the fork and shock in the old chassis are no longer noticeable in the new chassis, but the slight bobbing during the climb remains. The downside of the new downhill-orientated alignment: the Advanced 0 is over half a kilo heavier. The new shock alone adds 120 grams, while the wheels with wider rims, wider front tyres and Boost hubs add 180 grams. However, the new twelve-speed groupset also provides a lighter climbing gear, giving the 2017 model the touring capability of its predecessor. Despite the initial twin theory, we found major differences between the pairing during our test. None of the other heirs to the throne distanced their ancestor as clearly as the 2017 Giant Trance Advanced 0, which is also reflected in the scoring. The Trance twins are therefore identical twins at best.
Conclusion Stefan Frey, BIKE test editor
The old Trance is getting on in years, but with the 2017 model, Giant has created a worthy successor to its all-mountain classic. The new Trance is clearly superior to its predecessor on the trail, and it really comes into its own on the descents. The extra half a kilo in weight will annoy some touring riders, although the overall weight remains very good.
Giant Trance Advanced 0 2016
Giant Trance Advanced 0 2017
Stefan Frey
Editor
