Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE Review And Specification: A Trail Beast Unleashed
The Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE is the ultimate expression of modern trail bike engineering, with advanced carbon construction and cutting-edge suspension technology. Extensive testing and analysis have been conducted to find out why this bike has become a favorite among serious trail riders.
Detailed Review
The Advanced-Grade Composite frame of the Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE is immediately impressive, with both front and rear triangles made from high-quality carbon fiber. The Maestro Suspension system offers 135mm of travel, providing great performance over varied terrain. SRAM’s innovative Flight Attendant components are added to this bike to elevate its capabilities to new heights.
The flip-chip design gives the bike impressive geometry between aggressive trail riding and climbing efficiency. Its head tube angles range from 65.5° to 66.2°, ensuring stability at high speeds while still being nimble enough for technical climbs. The seat tube angle positions riders optimally for efficient pedaling, ranging from 77.2° to 77.9°.
A lot of premium product selection is incorporated, such as the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant fork, and SRAM RockShox Super DLX Ultimate Flight Attendant shock to create a real-time responsive suspension system that acts intelligently by adapting to changes in terrain.
Complete Specifications: Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Available Sizes | S (5’4″ – 5’8″), M (5’7″ – 5’11”), L (5’10” – 6’2″), XL (6’2″ – 6’5″) |
| Frame Material | Advanced-Grade Composite front and rear triangles |
| Suspension System | Maestro Suspension with flip chip, 135mm travel |
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant, 44mm offset, 150mm travel |
| Rear Shock | SRAM RockShox Super DLX Ultimate Flight Attendant, Trunnion 185×55 |
| Handlebar | Giant Contact SLR TR35, 780x35mm, 20mm rise, Carbon |
| Stem | Giant Contact SL 35, Diameter 35mm |
| Seatpost | TranzX travel-adjustable dropper (S: 120-150mm, M: 140-170mm, L/XL: 170-200mm) |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle AXS controller |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle AXS |
| Brakes | TRP Trail EVO, 4 piston, Hydraulic Disc [F] 200mm [R] 180mm |
| Cassette | SRAM GX, XG1275 10-52t |
| Crankset | SRAM XO1 Eagle Flight Attendant, 30T (S:165mm, M,L,XL:170mm) |
| Wheels | TRX 2 29 hookless carbon wheelsystem, 30mm rim inner width |
| Tires | [F] Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5WT, [R] Maxxis Dissector 29×2.4WT |
| Color Options | Messier Gold / Black |
| Geometry (Head Tube Angle) | 65.5° – 66.2° (adjustable via flip chip) |
| Geometry (Seat Tube Angle) | 77.2° – 77.9° (adjustable via flip chip) |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB PressFit |
| Additional Features | Tubeless Prepared, max tire size 2.5″, max chainring 34T, 3M clear tailgate protector |
Overall Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5 Stars)
Customer Feedback Reviews
| Aspect | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Build Quality | 5/5 | “Exceptional carbon construction and attention to detail” |
| Suspension | 4.5/5 | “Flight Attendant system is revolutionary, though takes time to dial in” |
| Component Quality | 4.5/5 | “Premium spec list with reliable performance” |
| Value for Money | 4/5 | “Premium price point but justified by technology and performance” |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Advanced-Grade Composite frame offers superior stiffness-to-weight ratio
- Innovative Flight Attendant suspension system provides intelligent adaptation
- TRX 2 carbon wheelset with 30mm internal width offers excellent trail performance
- Versatile geometry with flip-chip adjustment
- Premium component specification throughout
Cons:
- High price point may be prohibitive for some riders
- Complex electronic systems require more maintenance
- Limited color options (Messier Gold / Black only)
- Learning curve for Flight Attendant system optimization
The bike is built for riders between 5’4″ and 6’5″.
There are four sizes: S, M, L, and XL, which will fit most cyclists. The TRX 2 29 hookless carbon wheels mounted with the Maxxis Minion DHF and Dissector tires ensure maximum grip and durability to go aggressively fast and deep on technical trails.
The drivetrain features SRAM’s GX Eagle AXS wireless shifting system, offering precise gear changes and eliminating cable maintenance. TRP Trail EVO brakes with 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors deliver confident stopping power in all conditions.
High-tech trail performance
High-tech trail performance was the objective and the Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE truly fulfilled its promise for hard-core trail cyclists. If paid, indeed priced at its market level, still, what that package comes across makes quite a statement at the point in question—materials, latest advanced suspension, smartly picked bits and bobs.
But there’s a twist: this model is particularly apt for technical trails, where a smart suspension setup and balanced geometry allow riders to push their own limits with that much more assurance. Whether battling tough descents or grinding up impossible climbs, Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE shows this is a truly flagship model on Giant’s series.
Frequently Asked Questions: Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 29 SE
Q: Is the Flight Attendant system worth the extra cost?
A: The Flight Attendant system has huge benefits for frequent climbers and descenders. It adjusts suspension in real time to make the bike more efficient and perform better. Casual riders might find the standard suspension version to be more affordable.
Q: How does the bike handle technical climbs?
A: The Trance X excels at technical climbs thanks to its 77.2°-77.9° seat tube angle and efficient Maestro suspension system. The Flight Attendant system further enhances climbing performance by automatically adjusting suspension compression when needed.
Q: What maintenance is required for the electronic components?
A: There are electronic components that need to be charged regularly (Flight Attendant system and AXS drivetrain), typically every 20-40 hours of riding. Consider checking battery levels before long rides, and keeping components clean and free from excessive moisture.
Q: Can I convert the bike to tubeless?
A: The bike comes tubeless-ready, and the compatible rims and tires will only require tubeless valves and sealant for conversion. Most dealers can perform this service during initial setup.
Q: How does the flip-chip affect riding characteristics?
A: The flip-chip enables the head tube and seat tube angles to be altered by approximately 0.7 degrees. LOW offers increased stability for aggressive descending. HIGH offers improved climbing characteristics and is best for less aggressive terrain.
Q: What’s the tire pressure recommendation for trail riding?
A: Stock Maxxis tires are 29×2.5WT for the front, and 29×2.4WT for the rear. Typical recommended pressures fall within the following ranges:
Front: 19-23 PSI (depending on rider weight)
Rear: 21-25 PSI (depending on rider weight)
Adjust according to terrain and riding style.
Q: Is the bike suitable for bike park use?
A: The Trance X can take the occasional bike park session, but it is a trail bike at heart. For regular bike park use, look for a bike with more travel, such as the Giant Reign series.
Q: What is the real-world battery life of the Flight Attendant system?
A: Users generally report:
Fork/shock module: 20-30 hours
Pedal sensor: 200+ hours
Controller: 200+ hours
Actual battery life depends on riding conditions and temperature.
Q: Can I upgrade to a larger front chainring?
A: The frame can fit up to a 34T chainring. Larger than that isn’t recommended as it will likely cause clearance issues with the frame.
Q: How does sizing compare to other brands?
A: Giant’s sizing runs fairly true to size, but some riders prefer to size up for more stability and reach. It is recommended to test ride different sizes if possible, especially if you are between sizes on the chart.
Q: Is the internal cable routing noisy?
A: The bike features very well-designed internal cable routing with good retention points that minimize cable rattle. However, adding internal foam housing will further reduce any minimal noise.
Q: How frequently should the service of suspension parts be carried out?
A: For daily commutators:
Lower leg servicing: 50hr
Fork full servicing: 200hr
Shock servicing: 200hr
Flight Attendant calibration check: every 100 hours
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