Giant Trance X SE & Rockshox Flight Attendant: A Winning Combo

Today we have a RockShox Flight Attendant equipped Giant Trance X SE. So this will be part bike review and part Flight Attendant Review. Stick around to see if electronic bike suspension robots are worth it.
The two videos you should watch before you watch this one:
Giant Trance X Review - • Giant Trance X Advance...
Giant Trance X with Live Valve - • Fox Live Valve: The Br...
As always, you can find the written review on our website - bebikes.com/the-hub/flight-at...
Thanks for a great year! Looking forward to more videos in 2023.

[@davewt01]

Saw the bike on Giants website for $3500 off, now priced at $4500 then looked at your review, seems like the best price ever for a pretty amazing bike, so had to buy it, looking forward to some Desert Utah riding next month...

[@bikersedge]

Jealous! It’s a solid option for sure.

[@Affirmbuttress]

Same! It’s a better bike than I deserve but damn it’s a deal

[@kedrickperkins331]

Glad to see this! I’ve been hoping a review since I setup that first giant trance X SE. The active suspension is immediately noticeable in just the parking lot. But, it’s always nice to see what that translates to on the trails. Thanks for the review!

[@bikersedge]

It’s so solid!

[@edlorenz1552]

Great review. Thanks for pointing out the hesitancy to operate/ about battery life idea. I bet you are spot on.

[@bikersedge]

I have no idea if that’s actually the case but it would make sense. I’d be willing to plug my bike in every night if it meant the system was faster.

[@Hendricksb123]

I thought this was a well done, and really thought out, review. Thank you for this. It was informative! Before watching this review, I thought this system would’ve only been for big enduro bikes. But, your 3 types of riding this could benefit at the end sound spot on to me. Thanks again!!

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks! It’s funny, before riding it I would have thought it was only for the XC folks. Ha.

[@TheNationalTrails]

Riding a 22' Trance Advanced Pro 29 frame-up build. Started with Float X Factory rear shock and Fox 34 Factory 130mm. Went to 140mm. Found out the 34 is a noodle with the Trance's long reach and steep seattube angle. I have just tried the 150mm Lyrik Ultimate, since it's with me and I need to ride. Honestly, as far as analog riding goes, this is a serious climber for desert southwest tech. The rear suspension setup is just enough to be a mini-hover for 3-15mph riding. My brakes are Sram Guide G2 with 180/160 rotors... Frankly, it's a beast of a climber and has absolutely no geo issues riding steep tech descents at those friendly speed ranges. I do have pedal strikes from time to time with the 140mm fork as you have stated, but the bike is so light that I generally always ride out from them. I ride in the High BB setting.

[@elijahbroughton9907]

Dude, I'm so excited. This is the future of biking and I am so excited to see what you think of it

[@bikersedge]

I’m stoked to see the future of bikes. Bring it on!

[@robmanuel2104]

Ordered the XL as soon as the video ended. Thanks so much for this break down'

[@bikersedge]

Glad I could help!

[@justinabrams78]

How you liking it??

[@Jacob99174]

Excellent review, as always

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks for the kind words!

[@William.N]

Great review of this system!

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks!

[@easty-stage-4-fighter.]

great review/video, thanks

[@bikersedge]

Glad you liked it!

[@86309]

Nice review!

[@bikersedge]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@adamplavecz]

As a proud owner of a 2022 Trance X Advanced Pro 2, this paint job is awesome. But then again, so is mine. :) I was hoping you would say some more nice things about the bike itself, I just cannot justify my purchase enough. :P Anyway, your original review of the bike played an important role in my decision, so thank you a lot. It really is an awesome bike, and I also think the build kit on my model (carbon rims, FOX stuff front and back, SLX drivetrain, 4 piston Deore brakes) is absolutely spot on for $5000. They even addressed your only major gripe the next year: now they all come with adjustable travel dropper posts.

[@bikersedge]

I love the bike. It’s one of my favorite trail bikes.

[@drnovo29]

I also did the same! Great deal

[@davewt01]

It’s really an amazing bike so glad I got it setting up. The flight attendant was a little confusing but now works fine.

[@justinabrams78]

Great vid. Im really struggling with my final decision between Stumpy Pro and this SE. I love the tech on this and would help PR some climbs but in the end is the stumpjumper 3 lbs lighter and a better, simpler bike? Idk. Thanks so much for your input. I’m coming from a AF Ripley which I loved but wanted something with just slightly more travel while still climbing like a beast.

[@christianmeldgaard1407]

Have a YT Capra with FA since 1 month. Still getting used to it. I’m quite sure that I will end up running it with my own control and just using the FA for easy wireless shifting between open, pedal and closed. I like my own control better at then I’m 100% sure about the sus characteristics when hitting big jumps or tech climbs - if I remember to control😉

[@HUKIT.]

Damn, that paint job is sexy as hell!

[@bikersedge]

It's something else. Pretty noice.

[@Jacob99174]

Yes. Yes it is

[@bencox0]

Great vid! Something I don't understand: you spoke a lot about its benefit in climbing position, because it makes the rear shock sit higher. But I'd have thought that it actually wouldn't impact sag (as it only adjusts compression, not spring rate), but it would limit the shock's movement from sag. So no change in climbing position, just less bobbing? Was this your experience?

[@bikersedge]

When you you set up your sag you do it static environment. But out in the trail, how deep you sit into the travel is going to be all over the place with every bump, change in body position, pedaling forces, grade… you’ll never really be sitting at the percentage you set it up at in your garage. By locking it out you’ll be be sitting higher than with it fully open, improving your climbing position.

[@ssjj9584]

I’d be interested in the rear shock only to make a big enduro bike pedal better or test if it even WILL pedal better than a standard shock with lock-out options. Where the rear shock is appealing is it seems I can run a more downhill bias settings because it will automatically put me in a higher sag/body position on climbing?? Even if I want to run a bit extra sag?? Especially with the high pivot enduro bikes. If you could make them peddle great and fly down also that’s a great combo.

[@bikersedge]

Very interested to try just the rear too. It won’t pedal better than a regular shock with lockout. It will just be automatic rather than you having to do it manually.

[@ssjj9584]

@@bikersedge would be cool if somehow they designed a longer stroke/shaft in the shock to be only used on lockout or pedal settings. For instance with a 150 mm shock with a stroke or shaft of 170 or more. The shock would use the normal 150 travel on dh (open) but with a much longer shaft going in the internal (bigger shock body) it would electronically lock you out at 170 which would prop you up a bit more (similar to shape shifter and shock all in one) for better pedal geo while locking out.

[@cheut]

Using bluetooth instead of cables definitely introduces more latency into the system. Its probably unnoticeable when comparing di2 to axs because theyre both so much more responsive than shift cables, but with suspension where it needs to open up instantaneously, the wireless latency is probably more noticeable compared to livevalve

[@bikersedge]

That all makes sense. I’m not sure if what I am experiencing is latency but rather a bit of hesitancy to change. It takes a bigger impact or more impacts for flight attendant to decide to reopen.

[@youling1997]

@@bikersedge it opens upon impact? Not open while in the air?

[@bikersedge]

Yes. Impacts like rocks and bumpy and roots are one thing that will reopen the system. Smooth sections will close it. Other factors contribute too like pitch and if you’re pedaling.

[@MorganFreeman-69691]

So for setting up the bike, besides flight attendant calibration what were you pumping at 4:46 ? Also is there anything I have to regularly check or refill on the bike?

[@bikersedge]

Just putting air in the suspension to get my sag right. There’s a normal amount of bike maintenance involved with this thing. With the added bit of a lot of batteries to remember to charge.

[@timmcdermott815]

So, I have had the opportunity to ride this bike several times and I agree that it has some great equipment on it. That being said, the one thing that has been unexpectedly annoying is the SOUND of the solenoids opening and closing. I was used to hearing the little electric screech every time I shifted with axs, but the noise from the suspension now is constant. I liken it to a pirate walking around with a parrot on his shoulder. Every few seconds, you hear this staccato robot noises. even riding with ear buds, it is still noticeable. Idk, I just didn't expect that. MUCH more apparent than live valve. Just my thoughts...

[@bikersedge]

It is quite a bit noisier than Live Valve.

[@jamiewarren8671]

Can you guys please review the new giant reign range

[@bikersedge]

Trying to get one in for review. Doing our best.

[@enforcerx9924]

What do you think about the new flight attendant software update?, also it seems now there is an option to set a bias to the rear shock

[@bikersedge]

Haven’t been able to ride it yet. Couldn’t really say.

[@homerholland6050]

Do you have to have the fork and shock with the FLT attendant? Or could you just rock the rear shock with FLT attendant with the pedal sensor?

[@bikersedge]

Good question. The main controller is on the fork. I doubt you could run the system without it.

[@odiespankers07]

3:02 If youre riding downhill with the live valve on the pro 29 1, should you just keep the system off so that the rear shock doesn't mistakenly lock and buck you over the handlebars when hitting the lip of the takeoff?

[@bikersedge]

While live valve defaults to closed, it basically stays completely open on the downhill. It knows when the bike is pointed downhill. On flatter jumps trails it can get a little confused though. You can put it in the open setting if you’re concerned.

[@odiespankers07]

@@bikersedge awesome, thanks for the info. I'll do that this season when the lifts start spinning 🤘🤘

[@kevinmanzo862]

would you prefer FL or top of the line fox kashima shock setup?

[@bikersedge]

I’d take a non electronic RS setup over anything.

[@hyruleworrier3021]

Literally just bought this bike yesterday for 3999.

[@bikersedge]

Enjoy!

[@user-tu1le6lp7l]

I’m torn between this bike and the yeti 140, would it be fair to assume the giant is better climbing and the yeti would be better descending? Were the differences pretty drastic?

[@bikersedge]

That’s a safe assumption. It’s a pretty drastic difference too. I see the Trance X as more of a trail bike and the SB140 as an all mountain bike.

[@user-tu1le6lp7l]

Makes sense, honestly trying to find a reason not to get the giant at this point, other than all of the batteries it seems great

[@bikersedge]

@user-tu1le6lp7l they make builds without electronic suspension or drivetrains for a battery-free ride if that’s what you prefer.

[@kevinross7565]

I’ll take the Anthem version of this bike please

[@jamescederquist2507]

I'm 6'2 what size would you put me on this bike!?

[@bikersedge]

I don’t give out specific size advice over the internet. It’s a good way to get someone on the wrong size bike. I’ll refer you to giants size chart or even better a demo or test ride.

[@Casualfulltime]

I'm sure the tech is great but I prefer personal choice when it comes to suspension (and medicine ;)) . Then you worry about battery be charged? 🤣 The Maestro suspension is already super efficient so what's the point of this anyway? Fork locks out? So basically this does not work? What a waste of money.

[@josephnadherny1856]

What trail is this?

[@bikersedge]

Church rocks in St George, UT

[@MrFrescocotone]

Too much electronics deciding for you how the ride is. No thanks

[@bikersedge]

I get it. I felt the same way and still do to a degree. I will say that the robots are probably better at it than we are though. Ha.

[@MrFrescocotone]

@Bikers Edge oh that's for sure. Like driving a Porshe with a perfect PDK transmission. It will definitely make things easier, more perfect and way better than any normal drinker who's not a pilot. But I alway revert to the manual gear if I can 😊

[@MrFrescocotone]

@@janeblogs324i don't understand your point

[@MrFrescocotone]

@jane blogs that's not the only thing that an electronic system does. It also makes you ride the bike in one only way it believes its the best for you, not letting you set up in any different way

[@marklouieadame]

If you can't climb so that you ca do downhill, you are not a worthy downhill rider at all

[@bikersedge]

Not sure if that math adds up. I know some really fast dudes who only shuttle.

[@marklouieadame]

On where Whistler but if you see them on short downhill and still does shuttle then they are really not worth it lol...

[@asifitmatters1]

6k for the YT Capra with all the bling…