Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 1 Review Low Weight, Big Power

#mtb #loamwolf
We were excited to include the ‪@RideGiantBicycles‬ Trance X Adv. E+ Elite in our full-power eMTB Shootout this year, following our enjoyable time testing it as part of our 2023 SL eMTB Shootout. Giant’s approach to spec a full-power drive unit with a smaller 400Wh internal battery - which can then be expanded to 600Wh with the Range Extender - is somewhat unique, and we wanted to explore how well it could hang with larger battery-equipped competitors.
2024 EMTB SHOOTOUT SERIES - The Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 1 was one of 14 eBikes that our staff thoroughly tested with absolute objectivity in mind. From different types of riders to terrain, our goal is to present the best and most honest information possible to help you make your best decision. Of course, we’d love to thank Fox Racing and Schwalbe Tires for being invaluable partners to this series and making it happen, and Howler Bike Park for hosting us for our testing.
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[@VDUBZ08]

I bought the elite 3 in December. Stick suspension was crap. Put a fox factory 36 160, a fox factory dps, e13 155mm crank arms, different stem and bar setup. Bike rips and I didn’t notice what you guys were talking about in the corners. I have no problem getting it to lean in at all. Love this bike. Nice to see more people reviewing it honestly.

[@sdtrailrider8070]

Hey, good review! Owner here with the Elite 3, but with many upgrades such as, 160 Lyrik, and Super Deluxe Ultimate. Also a 30mm stem on a regular carbon bar. So it's basically an Elite 1 with an aluminum rear end. I was sold on the poppy, playful feel, good jumping and cornering. I don't slap turns like you guys, but I didn't have issues there. Very good all around trail bike. In chunky, steep, fast trails it can feel a bit "unsettled" as you say, and it took a lot of shock tuning to get it figured out. Not sure if it's the smaller rear wheel, or that it's just 140mm of rear travel plus stiff frame and wheels. I agree on the walk mode. They should switch it to the lower button for better ergonomics. I'm very happy with the range, and have still not needed to use my extender (so I can't comment on the rattle).

[@tylermoser6706]

I want this bike with Pinion MGU motor gearbox combo. Giant can you help a guy out?

[@8664antonio]

This motor is top.

[@masonthurman]

I'm trying to do the same handlebar/stem conversion and can't figure out how to use traditional spacers on top of the integrated cable platform/base. It doesn't seem to accept traditional round spacers. Am I missing something?? There is literally nothing online and the bike shop is stumped, saying they are not familiar with the system..

[@JoeFegley]

How did you get the E+1 build with this setup? Without Live-valve and with T-Type, etc?

[@rgoring81]

2024 spec

[@imacdvman]

@@rgoring81 ? when i go to the giant page, it still has Live-Valve configuration🤔

[@speckdratz]

For 10k I'd expect not to have ANY issues, cornering, motor power or otherwise.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

I have the Trance Elite 2 (purchased at $6,100 USD), and I really don't have any of the issues these guys were talking about. Never had any trouble turning this bike to the left... or right. But mine has a regular bar and 40mm stem. As they were saying, maybe the 50mm stem they put on there is not the right choice.

[@RT-yh8pi]

I’m not sure what they’re talking about in terms of cornering? Mine corners normally on both tight climbs and decents…I have a size medium.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

@@RT-yh8pi Yeah, didn't make any sense to me. It's not like this bike's geometry or construction is anything out of the ordinary.

[@bearjewmtb4827]

I have this bike and love it. Swapped the bar and stem wasn’t a big deal. My only complaint would be needs a bit more travel especially for heavier dudes. The shock is setup with such a light tune as well.

[@fernandom6811]

Great value! Especially when they have the Giant sales! ❤

[@lHawkee]

Would be really nice if you guys could include European measurements (Kg, centimeter and such) - you could for example just blend it in, the guy that edits your videos for example. I think that would make this channel even bigger but nerveless I love you guys and this channel! Much love from Germany

[@ajwright7936]

LOVE this review! SF East Bay Giant Retailer here and I Have the Trance X Advance E 0 Elite and Ive been trying to figure out how to swap the integrated bar out for a normal stem / bar combo but im having a hard time finding any support or manual on what to do correctly or what pieces to use?! Any guidance on this?! Thank you guys for the excellent job on the review!

[@PeterMarinič-e1e]

Just order the top headset assembly from Trance E+ Adv Elite E+2 and you are good to go.

[@ajwright7936]

@@PeterMarinič-e1e Im just unsure what adapters / stem spacers out of the box

[@dkopunec]

I just got this bike and love it. I keep my Trek Slash for the bike park, and this for everything else. I recently upgraded the Fox 36 air sleeve to bring it to 160mm. FYI Giant is currently some good sales on their site.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Right on that is awesome to hear and we appreciate an owner sharing insights on the bike! Enjoy

[@dkopunec]

Thanks. It's your channels fault that I'm buying such expensive bikes !!

[@jasper_of_puppets]

I got the Trance Elite 2 late last year for a good deal (15% off MSRP at $6100 USD). I just recently threw a longer stroke DHX2 shock on it to bring rear travel up to 147mm. Holy crap, this bike absolutely riiips now! Next step is to up the fork to 160mm like you did with yours and also install a Grip2 damper. I think it will be an awesome all-mountain setup once I'm done. I love this bike!

[@sdtrailrider8070]

@@jasper_of_puppets What stroke DHX2 did you put on? Is it a coil? I wasn't sure there is room back there for an X2 air.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

@@sdtrailrider8070 55mm stroke. Yes, coil. Fits just fine. Now, I didn't test full compression of installed shock with coil and bottom-out bumper removed, but I believe there is enough clearance in the rear triangle/linkage to not hit the seat tube at full bottom out. At some point, I had let all the air out of the stock 52.5mm stroke air shock and there seemed to be plenty of clearance for the extra travel afforded by a 55mm stroke shock.

[@tomassanesson902]

awesome bike

[@TheLoamWolf]

It certainly does some stuff quite well!

[@mitchsargent5543]

Nice review. I'm still not super convinced that e-bikes are the way to go...am I being stupid lol?!

[@Nickporter17]

Yes

[@tdunster2011]

No. They are a joke. 45lb for any bike is pure madness.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

One thing I noticed in your vid, regarding range extender battery rattling: Looks like you're missing the rubber strap that cinches the battery into the cage. That might be why you experienced excessive rattling?

[@TheLoamWolf]

Good eye in that clip. We ran the rubber strap during our testing, except for that one time we were filming. We had pulled it out to quickly repeat a section with battery in and out to see if it got quieter, and when we put it back in for the repeater, we didn't strap it down.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

@@TheLoamWolf Ahhh. I own the range extender and mount for my Trance Elite, but I have yet to actually install/use it. Most of my rides have either been with non-Ebikers, or at Skypark, so I haven't needed more than the 400wh internal battery.

[@Photosbydrew]

Took a good look at the geo after everyone thought it didn’t turn. I found out what it is. The stack. It’s superr low! 605/611 on a medium. Put a super high bar and maybe it will change how it feels.

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

I tried this bike and agree about the stack being too low. Everything else I liked.

[@jokermtb]

I have a GT Sensor, which came with a very low stack. Ended up going full on Dakota Norton w/ a 60mm rise Spank bar and 35mm stem combo, and it transformed my low-stacker into a Dak Stakker! Handles marvelous now.

[@Max-ip5yb]

Was hoping you would review my bike :)

[@RT-yh8pi]

Me too! I have the exact same bike and I love it. So far, ranks miles ahead of other bikes I’ve tested including the Heckler SL and Levo SL carbon Comp.

[@masonthurman]

What stem and bar did you swap with? Does it need a bar with internal routing for the switch?

[@TheLoamWolf]

We put a OneUp E bar and stem as that's our favorite bar.

[@benjamingarrison4362]

I'm not an E-bike rider but why would you take an E-bike to a bike park? Especially a mid-travel E-bike?

[@jasper_of_puppets]

1. Some people only own one bike, and rentals are expensive 2. E-bikes are very stable in all situations, so there are benefits to riding park on an ebike, even if there's a chairlift. For example, I had a mid-travel ebike that was more stable through chunk than my non-electric enduro bike. 3. Some trails at some bike parks require some pedaling, so an ebike is nice to have in those situations.

[@youling1997]

Interesting that fox made a white mtb jersey 😂

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Along with the moterra it's probably going to be the ebike I use the most that's what you can easily rent around here. I choose not to experience ebike depreciation again 😂 The live valve thing seems like a gimmick that some boomer would think a millenial would enjoy, to me it's goofy at this level of sophistication call me when it's infinitely live adjusting LS and HS...

[@Bench_mark_113]

I expect it to be lighter. Can you really tell a difference between a 50lbs orbea and a 46lbs giant? But I guarantee you will tell a difference in battery size on more than 1 hr of riding.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

I think the 46lbs is including the ~2lb range extender which puts the Giant at 600wh. I ride my Trance Elite without the range extender all the time on longer rides. I just have to use more eco settings more often. It's the trade-off of having a lighter weight bike with full power.

[@link6032]

20.6kg isn't light by any stretch, esp running a mullet setup (which probably saves 0.5kg at least). The new rise comes in at 18kg with the big battery and full power (85Nm) and runs full 29.

[@adampalma7880]

Maestro is a more sophisticated suspension design that adds weight but having ridden both bikes I much preferred the Giant suspension and happy to cop the weight penalty for nicer feeling bike

[@chriswiles87]

I will stick with the Timp Peak

[@TheDuds33]

Good call. I'll be selling my newish Reign E+ and moving to a Timp Peak.

[@BSE75]

mention giant sync drive pro failure motor randomly shut off. flashing L2 led error and error code 6A. there is a petion going on : giant deploying software or firmware to privately-owned e-bikes, disabling them or putting them into limp mode without the owner’s consent. This forces the customer to return our bikes back to their place of purchase and pay additional fees just to restore them back into working order. . Just saying ....

[@sdtrailrider8070]

Where did you lean of this? This happened to me in fact with flashing red L2. Had to bring it in for a diagnostic and it just fixed itself. Nothing wrong with it.

[@BSE75]

@@sdtrailrider8070 my bike has l2 led error motor stop randomly working and it is still not solved. the rest you can google for more information

[@TheDuds33]

....and with each update through the app, it gets worse and worse.

[@soulzeug]

@@TheDuds33you have to stop believing in fairytales man.

[@jamesfeltham1250]

Please start giving weights in Kg too.

[@dukeandace2010]

Where is the reign E?

[@TheLoamWolf]

We didn’t get one.

[@TheDuds33]

I bought a 2023 Giant Reign E+. Yamaha motor is pretty good. Paint quality has been laughably bad and Giant has become one of the worst in the business when warranty issues arise. Their app updates seem to create issues and don't seem to solve anything. A lot of the newer Trances and Reigns are no longer charging to 100%. They'll just cycle to 85-93%. For $10k, I'd steer clear and work with a company that actually seems like they want your business.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Sorry to hear about your experience, and we appreciate you sharing.

[@sdtrailrider8070]

I don't think your problem is connected to the updates. I have had a couple rides where I thought it was at full charge and it wasn't. Now I give it some extra time on the charger and it has been at 100% and showing full health.

[@jokermtb]

most chargers only charge to 80% as that last 20% is very hard on batteries......they only go to full 100% at pre-determined charge cycles.

[@TheDuds33]

@@jokermtb that is not how Giant works. They have two charge modes. Storage: will charge to 60% Normal: charge to 100% (at least it's supposed to) There are multiple owners reporting the issue I've stated since the latest update and the workaround has been to remove the battery from the frame and then charge.

[@soulzeug]

I had that issue too, and it had been solved by update months ago… in 2023

[@tdunster2011]

45lbs lol. No amount of marketing can convince me to buy any MTB that weighs so much.

[@curtrobertson6799]

You lost me at $10,000 🤣🤣

[@bfranco1519]

Ha, yeah stupid long name and model designation…

[@TheLoamWolf]

Certainly not the easiest model to remember.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

Agreed. There's no other bike in Giant's lineup that has the 'Elite' designation - electric or otherwise. So Giant really should have just simply called this bike the 'Trance Elite.'

[@jokermtb]

kinda how Harley Davidson names their models!

[@DB-sd3cw]

Holy hell another lame ebike review 😂😂😂

[@TheLoamWolf]

Haha yessss. We were worried we didn’t see you yesterday!

[@DB-sd3cw]

@@TheLoamWolf that's weird af. Sad you expend so much energy thinking about critics instead of making good content. No wonder you're stuck reviewing ebikes

[@TheLoamWolf]

😂 look forward to triggering you again tomorrow!