2022 Giant Trance 29 Review | A Muscly Little Trail Hustler That’s Low, Slack & Ready To Rip

All-new for 2022, the Giant Trance 29 features a redesigned frame with in-built storage, updated geometry and Fox Live Valve integration. Given its claims of improved capability and versatility however, has the new bike maintained all that we loved about the OG?
Read on for our Giant Trance review: flowmountainbike.com/tests/gi...
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Giant Trance Video Review
0:00​​​​ - Intro
0:56 - Giant Trance 29 Overview
1:28 - Giant Trance 29 Price & Specs
2:00 - Giant Trance 29 Weight
2:42 - New Frame & Internal Storage
3:49 - Geometry & Sizing
5:11 - New Live Valve Integration
7:08 - Flow's Verdict
8:34 - Giant Trance 29 vs Trance X
10:33 - Live Valve Discussion
14:14 - Live Valve Demonstration
16:54 - Who's The Trance 29 For?
19:59 - To The Pub!
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[@jamlee344]

Great review as always. The open discussion over a cold ale are top notch. Keep it up lads👍

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks for the feedback mate, we're glad you enjoyed the review! This was the last of our planned Ride High Country Test Sessions, but we're hoping to do some more through 2022. [Wil]

[@trailtalkmtb6603]

New dream bike for 2022!

[@tcv-tv5313]

Great review! Easy format to watch.

[@floydthomas5415]

Excellent review! Well done.

[@Johndolk]

Got the 2018 29 - 2.....Brilliant bike

[@RubenNG3]

¡Me he comprado la nueva Giant Trance Advanced PRO 2 2023, es fantástica, un todoterreno! Gracias a vuestro video, me habéis ayudado mucho en mi decisión de comprar esta bicicleta.

[@IADMTB]

Great review!

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Cheers Eric, glad you liked it! [Wil]

[@johnbell4176]

Good review 👍

[@davidlee4609]

Great video guys. Really enjoyed it. Isn't Yack great. Im lucky enough to ride there every weekend. love the place.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Cheers David, glad you enjoyed the review mate! [Wil]

[@gtidrive]

These reviews are so, so good. Lucky to have such great content coming out of Australia. Question for Wil: If you could only choose between Trance 29 and Trance X for Spring Gully and Harcourt which would get your money??

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Cheers mate, much appreciated! Good question on the Trance 29 vs Trance X, a tough one indeed as I've thoroughly enjoyed testing both of them. If it was my own money (which is somewhat limited 😂), I'd go for the alloy Trance 29 1 - that looks like a solid build and I really dig the handling of the short travel package. I think the Trance X is the better option for some of the bigger Harcourt trails, but the Trance 29 will handle everything there fine, while also being faster and more engaging to ride around Bendigo. A set of XC tyres would give it more zip for the Spring Gully trails for sure. [Wil]

[@lee.j7077]

I have this bike in the advanced 2 and an a previous owner of the 2020 trance and find this bike much stiffer in the rear,played with pressure and compression but can’t get it as plush as the previous trance

[@indybikereview-bicyclesgea2428]

Wow, such a great review. Your discussion of the Live Valve has, for the first time ever, actually made me curious about it rather than being annoyed by its existence. That said, I find it a shame how much Giant seems to be pushing Live Valve given how well Maestro suspension works. Some other brands might use things like Live Valve to hide inefficiency. The number of tests that exist of Giant bikes where the discussion is largely about the Live Valve is a disservice to Giant and Maestro Suspension (and their fault because they're the ones, I imagine, who decide what to sent to media for testing). Ironically, the Scott you mentioned sounds like the perfect candidate for Live Valve as it seems to require some extra technology to pedal really efficiently - and anything to rid the world of Twin Lock would be appreciated.

[@bigboibeluga5033]

I have sat in those chairs you guys sat in at the pie shop

[@TheSouthpawSoldier]

Can't get over how many wires and cables are required for live valve. Flight Attendant is looking like the cleaner solution now (although it's more enduro focused). Wonder if Fox will update their design now.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Yep, for something that's meant to eliminate a remove lockout system and the cables associated with it, it certainly adds its fair share of wires back! That said, I believe the reason Fox has stuck with a wired system for Live Valve is speed - the valve opens almost instantly with this system, so the response time is incredibly fast. We've got a Flight Attendant bike on test at the moment, and early testing indicates the response time isn't as fast as Live Valve. The motors used in the fork and shock modules are also quite noisy. While the wireless system is very appealing, the way the system operates on the trail is quite different to Live Valve - we'll have a more detailed comparison between the two coming to flowmountainbike.com in the near future - stay tuned! [Wil]

[@mazulauf]

Late to the game, but I just ordered a Trance. But aside from that, I'd really love to ride and drink with y'all. And drink.

[@GFClocked]

Thank you and I appreciate this content, but if I may suggest one improvement - please upgrade the video quality to 4k. Even if the source is 1080p just set render resolution to 4k, this will enable much much higher bitrate on youtube. It's a big shame this [1080p low bitrate] quality is not up to par with the video content. Just my 2cents. Thanks again though.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Cheers for watching and for the feedback mate, appreciate it! I didn't know that about the 4K render resolution, though I'm definitely no tech guru when it comes to video production 😂 I'll pass that onto the team and we'll see if we can elevate the video quality. [Wil]

[@Jam3s08]

Hi, Top notch review! Would you recommend the cheaper alloy version for all day trail rides? Thanks

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks for watching and for the question mate! Yep, I'd wholeheartedly recommend the alloy model - the spec looks great for the money, and the alloy frame is only 500g heavier than the carbon frame. The Trance 29 is a great all-round trail bike - I've been doing some XC racing on our test bike lately (with the help of some faster tyres and lighter wheels), and I've also gone out on bigger rides with 150/160mm travel enduro bikes and have kept up without drama. It's an impressive bike! [Wil]

[@rdelao]

Nice looking bike! Would be great if they had different variations for those that do not want or need live valve. Do you think an updated Trance X Advance Pro 29 will be out soon?

[@lee.j7077]

They do have different variations

[@user-rj9ui3sz8u]

Hi all I need your help please! Just ordered the longer suspension version of this bike the Trance X advanced pro 29 1. Does this one implement live valve better for some reason? If so I will change my order, thanks in advance.

[@tomaszwelerowicz1367]

Great reviews - as all from FMB. How does it compares to the Scott Spark 910 seen in ths video (and previous test), which would you pick for light-trials with uphills?

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks Tomasz! We've actually got a detailed Trance 29 vs Spark 910 comparison in the full review; flowmountainbike.com/tests/giant-trance-29-review-2022/ If you get the chance to check that out, let me know if that helps answer your question mate! [Wil]

[@tomaszwelerowicz1367]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin That is great - thank you so much for the link to comparison of both bikes.

[@brettclark3885]

Any idea when you will be able to complete the 2022 Giant Anthem Pro 1 review (and hopefully video)? I understand there was an issue with the flexpoint pro, but a final view would be really desireable! Love your work.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Hey there Brett! We're in full test mode with the new Anthem, with a couple of races under its belt already - I'm hoping to get the review up on the website in the next week or two. Stay tuned! [Wil]

[@brettclark3885]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin Fantastic, extremely keen to hear about this. Also when you write, could you perhaps comment further upon the delay/feedback that Mick was implying on the Trance with the Live Valve. That is, the extent to which it's a good or bad thing.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

For sure Brett, there'll be plenty of detail on the Live Valve system on the Anthem, as it behaves quite differently to the Trance 29. Regarding the feedback that Mick was describing with the fork on the Trance 29, much of this is to do with the FIT4 damper used inside that Fox 34, as oppose to the GRIP2 damper inside the Fox 34 that Mick has on his personal Tallboy. That GRIP2 fork is insanely plush and very reactive, and in direct comparison, there's a little more feedback from the FIT4 damper used in the Live Valve fork, as it's just not quite as plush. The other aspect is the threshold set for the Live Valve system. The valve will only open once it hits a bump that's big enough to trip the sensor. How big that bump is can be adjusted through the Live Valve Bike app, but whatever the setting, it does mean that the fork (and shock) will remain in the Firm setting up until you hit a big enough bump. That means there is more feedback compared to a fully open setting, and I've personally found this something that takes a couple of rides to get used to. In the case of the Trance 29, those big 2.5in tyres typically soak up a lot of that smaller chatter, and it's worth noting that the suspension isn't totally locked out in that Firm position - it still moves and helps to soften off harsher edges even before the valve opens up. As for the setting of the Live Valve system itself, Mick much preferred the 'Comfort' mode, which lowers a lot of the thresholds and makes it easier for the suspension to open up on smaller impacts. That sees it behaving closer to a fully open system. I preferred the 'Sport' mode, as I quite liked the stronger platform on the trail. Either way, the speed the valve flips from Firm to Open is insanely quick - it's basically instantaneous with no delay whatsoever, which is really impressive. Hope that helps explain Brett! [Wil]

[@brettclark3885]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin ah yep, that helps heaps thanks Wil for your reply mate.

[@brettclark3885]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin any further updates?

[@sanjibsharmadas790]

very nice

[@monesabsolut]

Does this fit on a bike rack?

[@georgiaguardian4696]

This looks like the BEST bike for the price range and it outperforms many higher priced bikes.

[@lee.j7077]

Shame the alloy model doesn’t have the straight top tube like the carbon model it looks so much better

[@Riccotorres86]

Trails with restaurants and distilleries? Wow

[@lee.j7077]

How did it compare to the spark in terms of efficiency?

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Good question Lee! It's slightly complicated because the Spark has the TwinLoc system, and the Trance 29 we tested has Fox Live Valve. In general they're both quite efficient, though if we're talking in the full-open mode on the rear shock (Descend on the Spark, and Live Valve switched off on the Trance), the Trance is a little more stable under pedalling. With the Spark set to Traction Control mode though, it limits the rear travel to 80mm and provides a much firmer pedalling platform that feels more like an Epic or Supercaliber. It's a really responsive bike, and it feels a little snappier and sharper than the Trance. But with Live Valve engaged on the Trance, it's amazingly efficient and really stable on steep climbs. The difference being that the shock will open up when the climb gets technical, giving you a fully automated system. If you fancy checking it out, we have a more detailed comparison between the two bikes in the full review: flowmountainbike.com/tests/giant-trance-29-review-2022/ [Wil]

[@lee.j7077]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin ok I’ll have a look thanks I will be more interested in the trance without live valve hopefully that climbs as well as my current trance 29er thanks

[@01nmuskier]

This bike is over tired. Lighter, faster tread makes this bike a weekend race rocket that is still fun to ride during the week. The Minion/Aggressor is perfect for the Trance X or even a lighter Reign setup.

[@normanmommu1]

I thought this all my life, why do I need such heavy and heavily treaded tires. Then I put a DHR II up front, and started thinking, where the hell had I been living? So no, I don't think these bikes are over tired.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

It really depends on how you're going to ride the bike and on what trails. I initially thought exactly the same - that the tyres and build kit in general were a bit over the top for a 120mm bike. The thing is, the Trance 29 is a remarkably capable trail bike and you can ride some pretty wild terrain on it. It's also an amazing cornering bike, and the burly rubber allows you to make the most of it. That said, I did try out a set of lighter wheels and tyres on it, and I also tested out the geometry chip in the High position. There's a bit more detail about that in the full review if you fancy checking it out: flowmountainbike.com/tests/giant-trance-29-review-2022/ [Wil]

[@01nmuskier]

@@normanmommu1 having ridden the Trance and Reign for 8 years now, including the Trance 29 for 3 years, the Reign 29 for 2 years and the Trance X for a year, I am confident in saying something like a 2.6 Maxxis Rekon in front and 2.4 Rekon in back bring out the best of the Trance 29. Having played with lighter and heavier tire sets on the Trance X, I think the Minion/Aggressor or Dissector (stock) are a great match for that bike.

[@marksandoval5361]

Of course, it's all a matter of what you like and where you ride. However, for myself, a set of the lightest 2.4 Maxxis Dissectors or a set of the lightest 2.6 Maxxis Rekons might be ideal.

[@01nmuskier]

@@marksandoval5361 those are both really good all around choices!

[@31acruz]

This competes with the Specialized Stumpjumper.

[@01nmuskier]

This outshines the ST Stumpy. But the Stumpy frame is purrrrdy!

[@pepeanza6187]

Why all the mtb chanels do the same thing review the most expensive version? Most want to see the aluminium version

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Actually, the bike we tested is the second tier option - it's over $5,000 cheaper than the top-of-the-range model. That's been the same for the last two bike reviews - the Scott Spark and the Trek Top Fuel, which were both second tier models, and significantly cheaper than the top-end models tested by other media around the world. Often what bike we're able to test simply boils down to availability. When we're able to test out bikes prior to the official launch, the choice is extremely limited (or non-existent) as to which model we can get our hands on. Sometimes a bike brand like Giant will have chosen a specific model that they want media to test, and in this case it was the Live Valve model. If we wanted to test out the alloy model, we (and our readers & viewers) would have had to wait months for us to get one. That all being said, you'll have probably noticed that we don't spend a lot of time in our bike reviews going into heaps of detail about the spec. We prefer to discuss our experience of the overall frame design, geometry, suspension quality and handling, since that experience often translates to cheaper and more expensive models. You'll also see that we test quite a wide variety of bikes at Flow (XC bikes, enduro bikes, bikes made from carbon, alloy & steel, e-MTBs, entry-level bikes etc), and not all of those reviews end up on KZbin. Feel free to check them out here if you fancy: flowmountainbike.com/reviews/ Hope that helps explain Pepe! [Wil]

[@marksandoval5361]

That's a lot of heavy slow-rolling rubber for a Downcountry bike!

[@TheNationalTrails]

Zero commitment to illustrating the technical specs. No mention of seattube diameter, bottom bracket side-to-side play under a firm side-load from one foot on one pedal, no mention of rear shock size... Its like a, "Hey we reached a trail and did a 50/50 drink/ride for a review." Only saying that as you've set the bar for reviews in the past.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Hey Levi, thanks for watching and for the feedback! We don't make a habit of rattling off specs like seatpost diameter or shock size in a video review, unless they're unusual and stand out in a particular way. Even still, we sometimes get feedback from viewers that we have TOO many specs and technical details in our videos! It's certainly a bit of a balancing act trying to provide useful info, while recognising that a lot of those specs can be easily found both in our written review, and on the bike manufacturer's website. Regarding bottom bracket side-to-side play, I think we discussed frame stiffness quite a lot in the video, particularly compared to the previous generation frame. The old bike had quite a light chassis and the back end in particular could be a little 'soft' when loading it up into hard and fast corners. The new bike is considerably beefier, and it's very solid for such a short travel bike, and that increased stiffness has helped elevate its capability to make better use of its aggressive geometry. That aside, it sounds like you'd appreciate the extra detail in the full review - there's a deeper discussion there on the revised kinematics, suspension setup, adjustable flip chip, components, and comparisons with both the Trance X and Spark 910. If you get the chance to check it out, let me know if it helps to answer your questions: flowmountainbike.com/tests/giant-trance-29-review-2022/ [Wil]

[@sebgamer6512]

First

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Second

[@paulwilberforce9115]

Giant colours are boring as fook lately

[@lattina62]

Nice looking bike but poor quality control or poor transport.Rear wheel has major issues right out of the box. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Rear axle is bent! Derailleur is misaligned.Since the rear wheel comes assembled I would have expected better.Assembly instructions poorly written, but that was not unexpected...just annoying.I just had the bike checked at a shop and was told that I should contact the seller about getting a whole rear wheel assembly with cartridge. (The bike shop could not do anything to help me).Not a good experience with this bike, so lesson learned.Added 3 stars for excellent customer serviceUpdate Sept 8 2020Just received a complete replacement wheel for free. Great service and an otherwise fine bike.