2022 2023 Giant Trance Advance Pro 29 2 - Specifications, Details and Discussion

The Giant Trance model has been Giant's top selling full suspension for years. It is now split into the following subcatagories:
Trance 29 (alloy frame / 120 rear travel)
Trance Advance Pro 29 (full carbon frame / 120 rear travel)
Trance X (145mm rear / 160mm front w 27.5" wheels)
Trance X 29 (135mm rear travel, 150mm fork)
Trance X Advance Pro 29 (135mm rear travel, 150mm fork, full carbon frame)
This video looks at the lowest price point version of the carbon version of the shortest travel: Trance Adv Pro 29 2.
Parts spec is not exciting yet in practicality, everything is good enough to perform well - at almost top of the line performance - just not good enough to brag about.
Weight 31.6lbs
SizesS, M, L
ColoursMetal/Black / Chrome
FrameAdvanced-Grade Composite front and rear triangles, 120mm Maestro suspension, flip chip, 12x148mm thru-axle
ForkFox 34 Float Rhythm, 130mm, GRIP damper, Boost 15x110 Kabolt, 44mm offset, custom tuned for Giant
ShockFox Float DPS Performance, 185/50, custom tuned for Giant
HandlebarGiant Contact TR35, 780x35mm
GripsGiant Tactal Pro Single S:120mm, M:120mm, L:130mm, XL:130mm
StemGiant Contact SL 35 S:40mm, M:40mm, L:50mm, XL:50mm
SeatpostTranzX travel-adjustable dropper, remote S: 120-150mm travel / 30.9 x 459mm M: 140-170mm travel / 30.9 x 499mm L: 170-200mm travel / 30.9 x 525mm XL: 170-200mm travel / 30.9 x 525mm
SaddleGiant Romero SL
PedalsN/A
ShiftersShimano SLX SL-M7100, 1x12
Front DerailleurN/A
Rear DerailleurShimano SLX RD-M7100
BrakesShimano Deore XT BR-M6120, hydraulic, Shimano RT-56 rotors [F]180mm, [R]180mm
Brake LeversShimano Deore BL-M6100
CassetteShimano SLX, 10x51
ChainKMC X-12
CranksetShimano MT512-1, 30t S:165mm, M:170mm, L:170mm, XL:170mm
Bottom BracketShimano, press fit
RimsGiant TRX 2 Carbon 29 WheelSystem
HubsGiant TRX 2 Carbon 29 WheelSystem
SpokesGiant TRX 2 Carbon 29 WheelSystem
Tires[F] Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 WT, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO, TR [R] Maxxis Aggressor 29x2.5, EXO, TR, tubeless
Extrastubeless prepared, 2.6" max tire size, 34t max chainring size
This bike compares to:
Pivot Trail 429 (ride SLX build) , Rocky Mountain Element (C30 build), Niner Jet9 RDO (3 Star GX build), Specialized Stumpjumper Comp, Norco Optic

[@TivonSanders]

Saw one of these in my local D&D bike shop (a Giant dealer), and I instantly fell in love. It was a deep, dark purple color though, almost like the rare Midnight purple on the Nissan Skyline GTR R34.

[@JogieGlenMait16]

I like Giant. You can literally find them everywhere. Strong local riders that I know also ride Giant. I may get their budget contend road bike in the future.

[@xcsur4479]

I was able to pick up a ‘22 TAP29-2 boxing week @ 15% off! Here in Ontario. I now have about 400k on it. Other than the weight I’m super happy with it. My ‘14 trance ad 1 Large 160Fr 150Rr (Pike DPX2) eBay carbon wheels is 28lbs. I’m an XC rider who prefers a plush ride & I’m recovering from a ‘surgery’. So I just fitted a 36@ 150mm and it Butter! I run a lot of sag & flipped the chip to High; I call it DoubleDown Country. Mnt. Biker since 1986😁

[@Chan1881]

Always had a lot of respect for Giant. Value *and* quality. I also heard they are good to local bike shops, which I like to support. Question about the weight: What size for the 31.6 lbs weight? I’m wondering because my wife has a full carbon, 120mm suspension front and rear with a Fox 34, that’s 25 lbs in a size medium… but is the Trance Advanced Pro weight typical in its class because it’s downcountry or even trail and therefore burlier by design?

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

31.6 pounds was on the size large that I filmed. I'm a little baffled by the weight because no single part is exceptionally heavy. That said, the lightest bike in this category is the Rocky Mountain Element and with similar spec is only about 1lb lighter. The Pivot Trail 429 with a higher spec is just under 30 lbs... so it isn't far off.

[@timmcdermott815]

I finished building up the TAP 29 1 a few weeks ago. Overall, awesome bike, but 1 problem: the new frame storgae hatch has moved the water bottle cage bosses up so high, That even on a sized large frame that there is no way to use a water bottle!

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Hi, on my large I'm able to use a large bottle. Maybe the type of cage you're using ? I did make a point of getting a cage with a broad range on the mounting slots.

[@lee.j7077]

I’ve had this bike for about 6 months,really enjoying now but took a while to get the setup right,ended up having to put a smaller spacer in the shock to get it feeling good and put a 35mm bar on it as was feeling to low on descents.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Interesting. What size do you ride? By spacer, do you mean a volume reducer? I'm riding this in a large and at first was tempted to put on 35mm rise bars but then after a couple rides I was feeling so good I became a bit scared to change anything in fear of changing something that felt so good... 35mm riser bar is still on the top of my list of tempting changes.

[@lee.j7077]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop yeah I got a pnw 35mm bar and yeah I mean volume spacer,it came with the orange second biggest and now use the second smallest and it’s way better for me,I’m 175cm on a medium

[@armandocardenas6094]

I just got the 2022 Giant Trance X3 27.5 in aluminum ( Good grey/Glossy black ) and I love it. No carbon or 29" for me .

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Congrats! That is a great bike. If my preference was for agility and playfulness, rather than stability and speed, I'd be all over the 27.5 Trance X - it is a great bike!

[@armandocardenas6094]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop I live in Miami, Florida . Our trails are long and flowy. I'm also 60 so no jumps or air for me. I started riding in Canary Islands, Spain in 2003 and I haven't stopped eversince. I'm an average rider who always rode 26" and love long flowy trails. I had the 2021 Trance on layaway ( the matte black one) and I hated the color but when I saw the 2022 X3, I paid the difference and got the new one.

[@adamplavecz]

I'm surprised you didn't even mention the Trance X as a basis for comparison. The two even share almost the exact same specs at this level except for a few minor differences that are mostly beacuse of the different categories that these two are in. I'm happy I went with the Trance X, but I would love to hear a few words on the differences between them.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

The Standard Trance is a faster more poppy short travel bike compare to the bigger X it’s also a more efficient climber then X because of the short travel. The X is more downhill oriented then the Trance that can take bigger hits due to having more suspension. There’s trade offs for both.

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

This video seemed to go on forever and there were still things after I finished that I would have liked to discuss. The Trance X is phenomenal. The extra suspension travel is basically a bonus gift because of how efficient the Maestro suspension design is. Giant doesn't get carried away with geometry so the X may be the better option for many people, even for people who care a lot about climbing quickly.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

@@BikeBrosBikeShop What your saying is true, but everyone knows a shorter travel bike is generally a better climber then a long travel bike in most situations not to mention more poppy and lively on the trail. As they say different strokes for different folks!

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

@@joshuaallswang8016 "generally" but if bikes are similar weight with very efficient suspension climbing is very similar. Poppy and abilities in chunkier/bigger terrain becomes the trade off. I'm honestly still considering the Trance X to ride BC Bike Race because I believe so strongly in the efficiency.

[@jeffjohanson3830]

Nice video thanks! Tough finding info and videos on these without the live valve which I have no interest in. Couple things….oh I’m in Massachusetts so New England conditions which mean’s generally slow rocky and root infested trails with short technical punchy climbs with often the same on descent. Current bike a 2016 Trek Remedy 29er 140mm F/B. Nice bike and a keeper but I want something energetic, efficient and climbs tech stuff really well so a shorter travel bike with more modern geometry with nice seat tube angle for climbing. Looking at model year 24 bikes or frame only options. This Giant competes directly with Top Fuel, Ripley, Pivot 429, Yeti SB120 etc. Some of those are crazy expensive and realistically out of reach. What bugs me on almost all including this Giant (and I guess even my Remedy) are the low stack heights. I like my bars almost even with my seat height at full extension (I’m in my 60’s now) and it’s difficult with these new bikes. Even my Remedy I use a Hope 25 degree, 70mm stem with the stock flat no rise bars at 30”. I’m 5’ 10.5”. The seat/bar offset on the bike shown is crazy XC looking. That cannot be comfortable for any length of time, puts undue pressure on hands and wrists and god forbid going down something steep. Does the fork come pre-cut from Giant? Weight at 31.6 is heavy and a head scratcher for sure for a carbon bike with carbon wheels. Gotta think their own Giant branded hubs, bars, stem, seatpost, crank possibly and even their own carbon rims are all heavy components that add up to almost 32lbs. Thoughts! Hubs would absolutely have to go which would mean relacing the wheels. In my technical terrain I want high engagement hub. My Bontrager aluminum Line Elite’s have 108 POE and have been trouble free. These were not the stock Remedy 8 wheels though. Wish Giant had gone to or back to a threaded bottom bracket like many manufacturers are now doing. What’s been your experience and reliability of the press fit BB setup in these Giant bikes? Carbon related failures or ovaling out? My Remedy has press fit and not been a problem but aluminum frame. I also repacked the bearings with motorcycle waterproof wheel bearing grease when new. Original GXP BB still. Never ridden a Giant but been a huge fan of their Maestro suspension and from reading many reviews their ability to climb technical terrain which is far more important to me than downhill prowess. Especially the shorter travel version. Trance X is tempting but I think I want to try a shorter travel ripper that climbs like a goat. Definitely one of the best bangs for the money and ticks the majority of boxes. Complete bike or frame only is one decision? Size is the other? 5’ 10.5” what would you suggest? And sorry for such a long winded post 🤷‍♂️

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Hi, yes the bike is a bit heavy though except for the cranks/steel chainring there's nothing singular that contributes to the weight significantly so I think Giant deliberately added weight to the frame to make it stiffer and able to be treated like a short travel Reign. This attitude shift on stiffness/weight seems common for Giant full suspension bikes now compared to the last generation. This thing begs to be ridden aggressively. While I don't like press fit bbs, Giant's use has been as close to trouble free as anything - minimal creaking issues, haven't seen things ovalize, bearings don't wear out prematurely. For sizing, I would think you're a large and if it felt a bit long there's always the option of switching from the 50mm reach stem to a 32. 35 or 40mm. On the stack height subject, what about 35 or 40 mm rise bars? The steer tube is precut - I don't know of any of the main stream brands that send uncut steer tubes. Uncut usually only happens from high-end / lower volume brands like Pivot who sell bikes in the same color but different build kits. I'm not that concerned about engagement in hubs after having used fancy hubs and thinking it mattered then spending a couple weeks on the stock Giant hubs I realized I never even thought about the amount of engagement. I have broken 7 or 8 freehubs over the years so failure is a bigger concern to me than engagement angle. My strategy, if I wasn't a bike slut and only spending a few months on any one bike, would be to ride the stock wheels until I got some early signs of pawl wear then look at replacing the hub. The new Giant rims are quite good.

[@jeffjohanson3830]

Thank you so much for a quick reply on a Sunday no less 🙏 It’s interesting the new geometry of the medium size Trance is very close to my 2016 large Remedy in a few key areas. Stack, reach Giant is 20mm longer, top tube, head tube height. Allot closer than a large for sure. Admittedly the aluminum framed Remedy’s at that time (and I guess many Treks) ran “short” for their size so maybe a medium would be just fine. Obviously a spin on one at a dealer would be best but that could possibly be a challenge. Thanks for the info on the BB and reliability. Not a deal breaker. I would also probably try a shorter crank set at some point. Remedy is 175, Giant is 170. 160 or 165 probably. Even with 13.75” of BB height the Remedy in low position I still smack the pedals a fair bit but that’s just riding in New England. Everyone’s pedals are hammered from the unrelenting rocks. Giant is 13.5 inches so shorter crank arms would help besides other advantages to short cranks. I’m spoiled by the high POE Bontrager hubs but an certainty willing to give the Giant wheels a go. If I don’t like em they become a backup set to something else. Unfortunately the Giant USA sight is not current with 2024 bikes but the Canadian site is. Trance Advanced 1 or 2 look very appealing and in US dollars I think very reasonable for what you are getting. Guess I need to head to a Giant dealer(s) in my area for exact specs and availability. Liking this bike allot.

[@jeffjohanson3830]

So I went to my local Giant dealer and had a nice talk with the owner. Only 1 Trance on the floor but he mentioned to me they will have a release of the model year 2025’s February 17th. Head scratcher for me as it’s just January of 2024 and I see very little new on the current Giant USA site. He said he’s sworn to secrecy about revealing any info but said he’s already got some. Not sure if that was road or mtn as I forgot to inquire that. He also explained that the US and Canada are owned differently and why I’m seeing different Trance models on the Canadian site. I’m loving that Trance Advanced 29 1 in the blue on that site in the dragonfly/black/chrome combo with the GX Eagle Transmission. Wonder if we’ll see that in the US? That frame in your video though is absolutely stunning IMO.

[@ashurany]

Forget riding it. I just want to stare at it. :)

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Totally agreed. Stunning in a very stealthy way.

[@c0nr4d]

This bike doesn’t come with chain guide?

[@armandocardenas6094]

The X3 is the one that comes with chain guide ( 27.5 and 29" ) X2 or X1 don't come with chain guides.

[@tys2877]

I have the 2021 version it abousoulty rips I just bought another 10000 dollar evil offering I love that bike to but its a toss up the giant has unreal value riding it you would think it was a more expensive bike I highly recommend giant

[@ebikemike4479]

Carbon…… not for me..

[@BikeBrosBikeShop]

Curious why?

[@armandocardenas6094]

Not for me either.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

They have the aluminum version. That’s what I got. Carbon is a overrated plastic. I wouldn’t feel comfortable ripping a bike that can crack like a egg at a moments notice.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

@@BikeBrosBikeShopdurability and less worries. The trade off is weight by a pound or two. I’ll take that knowing I don’t have to treat my bike like a newborn baby.