The patented Maestro rear suspension, Giant's trademark, also impresses on the Trance X2 with very good values in terms of suspension efficiency and high sensitivity. The slight pumping of the shock when pedalling comes from the rider's shift in centre of gravity and not from power-sapping drive influences. At just under 130 millimetres, the rear suspension offers a lot of comfort and feels plush, even if the compression damping is a little undefined. In size L, the riding position is long and with little saddle rise. You sit comfortably. The wheels with inexpensive Schwalbe performance tyres weigh the bike down and limit the propulsion. However, with a few tuning measures, the cheapest bike on test can be quickly put on a diet. The very light aluminium frame offers a good basis, even if the wild cable routing with interrupted outer sleeves doesn't quite fit into the tidy picture.
ConclusionHonest comfort tourer with simple equipment; reserves downhill. The cheapest bike in the test for 2200 euros.
PLUS Comfortable, drive-neutral chassis, lightweight frame
MINUS Simple equipment
