New Giant Trance 29 alloy range from £2,699

Like night follows day, after the carbon Advanced Pro models launched the other week, here are the aluminium Giant Trance 29 models. Two bikes: the Trance 29 2 for £2,699 and the Trance 29 1 for £3,199.

ALUXX SL frameset. Maestro suspension. Adjustable frame geometry; rocker has a flip chip. It’s designed around a 130mm travel suspension fork and delivers 120mm at the back.

Giant Trance 29 1

• Colours: Phantom Green / Black / Chrome
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Frame: ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum front and rear triangles, 120mm Maestro suspension, flip chip, 12x148mm thru-axle
• Fork: Fox 34 Performance, 130mm, GRIP damper, Boost 15×110 Kabolt, 44mm offset, custom tuned for Giant
• Shock: Fox Float DPS Performance, 185/50, custom tuned for Giant
• Handlebar: Giant Contact TR35, 780x35mm
• Grips: Giant Tactal Pro Single S:120mm, M:120mm, L:130mm, XL:130mm
• Stem: Giant Contact SL 35 S:40mm, M:40mm, L:50mm, XL:50mm
• Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch dropper, remote S: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm M: 150mm travel / 30.9 x 440mm L: 170mm travel / 30.9 x 450mm XL: 170mm travel / 30.9 x 450mm
• Saddle: Giant Romero
• Shifters: Shimano SLX SL-M7100, 1×12
• Rear: Derailleur Shimano SLX RD-M7100
• Brakes: Shimano Deore BR-MT520, hydraulic, Shimano RT-56 rotors [F]180mm, [R]180mm
• Brake Levers: Shimano BL-MT501
• Cassette: Shimano SLX, 10×51
• Chain: KMC X-12
• Crankset: Shimano SLX, 30t S:165mm, M:170mm, L:170mm, XL:170mm
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano, press fit
• Rims: Giant AM 29 tubeless ready sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width
• Hubs: alloy, sealed
• Spokes: Sapim
• Tyres: [F] Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5 WT, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO, TR [R] Maxxis Aggressor 29×2.5, EXO, TR, tubeless
• Extras: Factory tubeless set up
• SRP: £3,199

Giant Trance 29 2

• Colours: Metallic Black / Black
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Frame: ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum front and rear triangles, 120mm Maestro suspension, flip chip, 12x148mm thru-axle
• Fork: Marzocchi Z2, 130mm, RAIL damper, Boost 15×110 Kabolt, 44mm offset, custom tuned for Giant
• Shock: Fox Float DPS Performance, 185/50, custom tuned for Giant
• Handlebar: Giant Contact TR35, 780x35mm
• Grips: Giant Tactal Pro Single S:120mm, M:120mm, L:130mm, XL:130mm
• Stem: Giant Contact SL 35 S:40mm, M:40mm, L:50mm, XL:50mm
• Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch dropper, remote S: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm M: 150mm travel / 30.9 x 440mm L: 170mm travel / 30.9 x 450mm XL: 170mm travel / 30.9 x 450mm
• Saddle: Giant Romero
• Shifters: Shimano Deore, 1×12
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M6100
• Brakes Shimano: Deore BR-MT420, hydraulic, Shimano RT-26 rotors [F]180mm, [R]180mm
• Brake Levers: Shimano BL-MT401
• Cassette: Shimano Deore, 10×51
• Chain: KMC X-12
• Crankset: Praxis Cadet M24, 30t S:165mm, M:170mm, L:170mm, XL:170mm
• Bottom Bracket: Praxis, press fit
• Rims: Giant AM 29 tubeless ready sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width
• Hubs: alloy, sealed
• Spokes: Sapim
• Tyres: [F] Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5 WT, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO, TR [R] Maxxis Aggressor 29×2.5, EXO, TR, tubeless
• Extras: Factory tubeless set up, 2.5″ max tyre size, 34t max chainring size
• SRP: £2,699

Giant Trance 29 geometry

Press Release:

THE ORIGINAL TRANCE 29 TRAIL BIKE WAS A PROGRESSIVE IDEA.

Introduced four years ago, it paired a relatively short-travel suspension system with stable, fast-rolling 29-inch wheels and geometry that made it far more confident on technical trails than its suspension data (115mm rear/130mm front) seemed to indicate. The result was a bike that proved highly capable on technical terrain and had an added degree of uphill efficiency. It was a trail bike, but faster.

This next-generation Trance 29 continues that progression, introducing an updated Maestro suspension system, new frame geometry, and a flip chip feature that makes it more adaptable to a wider variety of trail riding situations.

Similar to the pro-level Trance Advanced Pro 29 model, which is built on a full composite frameset, this series delivers just the right balance of responsiveness and control on technical singletrack—but with the versatile, high-value performance of an aluminum frameset. Its ALUXX SL tubing is engineered and produced in Giant’s industry-leading aluminum forging facility.

ADJUSTABLE FRAME GEOMETRY

One of the unique features on the new Trance 29 series is its new adjustable frame geometry. A flip chip on the Maestro suspension rocker arm lets you choose a steeper or slacker head tube and seat tube angle depending on your riding style and terrain.

There are two settings, high or low. The high position puts an emphasis on efficiency and is ideal for riding slower, tighter singletrack. A head angle of 66.2 degrees and a bottom bracket drop of 35mm produce quick handling with more pedal clearance to help avoid pedal strikes. And a steeper 77-degree seat tube angle puts the rider in a power position for pedaling up climbs with maximum efficiency.

The low setting is recommended for faster, more open terrain. Switching to low makes the head tube angle slacker (65.5 degrees), which places the front wheel a bit farther out in front of the rider. This gives it a confident feel on steeper terrain and drops. An increased bottom bracket drop (45mm) lowers the center of gravity, producing a more planted feel for confident handling on hard- charging descents.

29ER CONFIDENCE AND CONTROL

Both the geometry and suspension setup of the new Trance 29 are optimized for its 29-inch wheels. The frame has been updated with a slightly longer rear-center measurement (2mm longer than previous generation), which increases rear tire clearance to offer a maximum width of 2.5 inches.
In addition, the reach is now longer and the seat tube angle is steeper, which further improves climbing capabilities. These updates complement the stability and speed of the Trance 29’s lightweight 29-inch wheels. The result is a bike that rolls over rough terrain with balance and stability, giving you the momentum to tackle technical climbs and the confidence to fly on fast, rugged singletrack descents.

PROGRESSIVE TRAIL DESIGN

The new Trance 29 features an updated Maestro rear suspension system with 5mm more travel compared to the previous generation. The result is a smooth, active feel that gives riders 120mm of rear suspension paired with 130mm up front for maximum control on technical singletrack terrain. From chunky descents to steep, rocky climbs, it offers just the right blend of speed and control.

The frameset also has new trail-riding functionality including an on-frame tool storage interface on the bottom side of the top tube. All frames are engineered with enough space for a water bottle (650ml/21oz) inside the front triangle. They also feature new cable ports with a cleaner look and performance to eliminate any cable rattling or noise. Other trail-specific features include integrated protection on the drive-side chainstay and underside of the down tube. There’s also an ISCG-05 interface to mount a chain guide or bash guard.

While you’re here…

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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