Giant has launched a completely new fully range for 2019 on 27.5-inch wheels. Sporty e-mountain bikers should take a closer look at the Trance E+. Starting at 3999 euros, the top model Trance E+ 0 Pro costs 5999 euros. Giant has also added two SX versions to the range, which are all about downhill fun with coil shocks and more travel at the front (160 instead of 150 mm). In the lower price segment, there is the Stance E+ alongside the higher-end Trance E+, more on this below. Giant is also currently working on an app for the motor setup. This will allow customers to customise the individual modes. It is expected to be available for download at the beginning of 2019.
The centrepiece of the Giant Trance E+ with 150 millimetres of travel at the front and 140 at the rear is the new Yamaha Sync Drive Pro, which the Taiwanese have specially tuned for their trail bike and combined with an integrated, removable 500 watt-hour battery from Panasonic. The compact motor unit's narrow Q-factor of 168 millimetres and the overall more elegant and classic frame shape of the new bike are striking. The new Ride Control One control unit on the left-hand side of the handlebars is also elegant: the small button display has two small diode light strips for battery status and motor mode. There are now five support modes, with the first three reacting dynamically to the rider's power input. The last two always deliver full power in two different stages, regardless of the rider's input.
What has remained is the Maestro rear triangle, which is connected to the main frame via two rockers. The shock is still completely mounted on ball bearings. The spring characteristic has been revised and now has more progression in the last third. This is clearly noticeable on the trail. The battery is completely integrated into the down tube - the result is a tidy look, which also looks much more elegant than its predecessor thanks to the almost straight down tube. The only unattractive feature is the lack of an integrated speed sensor on the chainstay. Many competitors now hide it in the dropout and place the pulse-generating magnet securely on the brake disc. However, this is not possible with the Yamaha motor. So Giant has to offer this rather rustic variant, which stands out somewhat unsightly from the otherwise well-designed tube set.
The geometry is classic: a 66.5 steering angle and a 470 rear triangle should enable neutral steering behaviour and good climbing ability. Giant doesn't dare to experiment with the crank length either: 170 mm cranks are fitted from size M upwards, 165 mm cranks are only available for size S. In terms of equipment, Giant relies on powerful four-piston brakes and small MRP chain guides on all models. There are also 35 millimetre wide rims and 27.5 x 2.6 inch Maxxis tyres, which are fitted tubeless ex works.
Giant Trance E+ - The equipment
The Trance E+ 0 Pro, which costs just under 6000 euros, comes with the new Fox 36 with Grip2 cartridge, DPX2 shock and the completely new Shimano XTR 12-speed groupset including 4-piston trail brakes. For 1000 euros less (Trance E+ 1 Pro), you can downgrade to Fox Performance suspension elements and a Sram GX Eagle 12-speed groupset. The Trance E+ 2 Pro with 36 Rhythm fork and Shimano XT 11-speed drivetrain is another 600 euros cheaper. The entry-level Trance E+ 3 Pro features Suntour Aion 35 suspension at the front and Shimano SLX gears. All models roll on tubeless tyres as standard: Maxxis Rekon in 27.5 x 2.6 at the rear and Minion DHF at the front. For women, Giant offers the Trance E+ with shorter geometry specially adapted to the female anatomy, then under the sister label Liv and the name Intrigue E+.
Giant Trance E+ SX - Full on trail
With 160 millimetres of front suspension travel, steel spring dampers and a slack 66 mm steering angle, the SX is the downhill-oriented version of the new Trance E+ trail bike. The frame is identical, but is raised due to the longer-travel fork, giving it a slightly slacker geometry. At the same time, the bottom bracket is raised slightly, which gives the bike more ground clearance (-10 mm bottom bracket offset instead of -15 mm on the normal Trance E+). As Giant still uses relatively classic crank lengths (170 mm in sizes M to XL, 165 mm in sizes S), this is theoretically not a disadvantage for climbs in demanding terrain. The riding position on the SX is relaxed. The short stem and the 780 mm wide handlebars make you want to go downhill. Just like the suspension elements: A Fox DHX2 steel spring damper with adjustable high and low-speed compression and corresponding rebound was actually developed for downhill sports and works first-class. Below the SX 0 Pro, which costs just under 6000 euros, there is the SX 1 Pro, which costs 4999 euros and features performance suspension elements from Fox with reduced high-speed compression adjustment and an 11-speed Shimano, a mix of SLX and XT.
Giant Stance E+ - Full on tour
The Stance E+ is Giant's new entry-level model. With a steeper 67 mm head angle and a top tube that is ten millimetres shorter than the Trance E+, it is designed to appeal to beginners who are looking for a relaxed riding position and direct handling on easy terrain. The most striking cost-cutting feature and a fundamental difference in manufacturing costs compared to the more expensive Trance E+: The rear triangle on the Stance E+ has to make do without a Maestro link on the bottom bracket. The seat stays flex slightly during compression. The pivot point and ball bearings of the shock remain the same. The Sync Drive Sport motor installed here is slimmed down in terms of input sensitivity, but the motor and battery have the same power as the Trance E+. The slower response to rider input is not a noticeable disadvantage on flat terrain and when cranking at a more relaxed pace. However, this delay limits the bike's usability on demanding climbs. The power development of the motor is slightly decoupled from the actual input of the rider, which can lead to a loss of traction. 80 Newton metres of torque and a 500 watt-hour battery are identical to the more expensive Sync Drive Pro with the Sport motor. Three models from 3199 to 3999 euros are in the programme. There is also a corresponding women's bike for the Stance E+, the Liv Embolden E+, with customised geometry and women-specific add-on parts such as saddle and handlebar grips.
