First Look: 2022 Giant Trance X Advanced E+
The 2022 Trance X Advanced E+ is the newest addition to Giant's electric lineup, with 29” wheels, a carbon frame, and 140mm of rear wheel travel. It also has Yamaha's new SyncDrive Pro motor, which is lighter and smaller than the previous version, and now delivers 85Nm of torque (5Nm more than before).
All of the models in the Trance X E+ lineup are equipped with 625 Wh batteries, and there's an optional 250 Wh range extender available that bolts on top of the downtube to increase the bike's run time. Switching between the motor's five modes (Power, Sport, Active, Basic, or Eco) is done via a remote that can be positioned on either side of the handlebar. There's also the option to enable SmartAssist, which automatically determines the amount of pedalling support to provide based on input from six sensors.
All of the models in the Trance X E+ lineup are equipped with 625 Wh batteries, and there's an optional 250 Wh range extender available that bolts on top of the downtube to increase the bike's run time. Switching between the motor's five modes (Power, Sport, Active, Basic, or Eco) is done via a remote that can be positioned on either side of the handlebar. There's also the option to enable SmartAssist, which automatically determines the amount of pedalling support to provide based on input from six sensors.
Details
• Wheel size: 29"
• Travel: 140mm rear, 150mm fork
• Carbon frame
• 65.8º or 66.5º head angle
• Motor: Yamaha SyncDrive Pro, 85Nm torque
625 Wh battery, optional 250Wh range extender compatible
• Sizes: S-XL
• Price: $6,800 - $9,300 USD
• www.giant-bicycles.com
• Wheel size: 29"
• Travel: 140mm rear, 150mm fork
• Carbon frame
• 65.8º or 66.5º head angle
• Motor: Yamaha SyncDrive Pro, 85Nm torque
625 Wh battery, optional 250Wh range extender compatible
• Sizes: S-XL
• Price: $6,800 - $9,300 USD
• www.giant-bicycles.com
The Trance X's geometry reflects its trail-oriented intentions. With a 150mm fork the head angle sits at 65.8-degrees in the low position, and the seat angle measures 76-degrees. Reach measurements range from 439mm on a size small all the way up to 510mm on an XL. Even with the smaller motor the chainstay lengths are on the longer side of the spectrum, coming in at 473mm for all sizes. A flip chip on the seatstays makes it possible to adjust the head angle by .7-degrees, a change that also alters the bottom bracket height by 10mm.
Spec Notes
It's interesting to see that two of the three models use Fox's Live Valve suspension, which automatically changes the fork and shock's compression settings to adapt to the terrain. Personally, I've found that I'm much less concerned with how efficient a bike feels when it has a motor attached to it, but maybe that's just me. It's also curious that there aren't currently any Live Valve versions of the longer travel Reign E+. If anything, that's where a system that automatically firms up the suspension seems like it would makes the most sense.
Another spec choice that stands out is the decision to go with lighter casing tires. Typically, e-bikes receive heavier duty tires than their non-motorized counterparts due to the higher weight of the bike. That extra heft means that riders are often smashing into obstacles faster and harder than they would on a 'regular' bike, making punctures and pinch flats more likely if measures aren't taken to prevent them. Plus, when there's a motor added to the equation the extra grams those meaty tires add isn't really anything to worry about. In any case, if the spec sheet is correct those lighter tires are something to keep in mind.
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Sometimes my dog vomits, eats it, and then vomits again and sniffs that with interest.
No judgement.
My attitude to ebikes has changed. My attitude to the price has not.
yep.. they are simply charging a lot of money for, basically, no reason. Even worse, they have already increse the recommend retail prices for normal bikes as well. I do not blame the industry, I blame us and our stupidity and greed.
The Tenere also has 10x the moving parts, and Yamaha has to pay organizations like the EPA a hefty fee in every country the bike is sold for the privilege to sell the bike. MTB's are overpriced because it's a preppy sport and people pay way too much to be brand whores, or to be seen on new technologies.
However, I don’t actually own an ebike yet. My time on them has been on my west coast trips and business trips with a certain manufacturer. Getting in twice the laps in Demo is fantastic. Back home in NE I worry any ebike might quickly make things boring, not enough vert. Well, except maybe for North Conway. I could have some serious fun not needing to do vehicle shuttles at Hurricane.
Rise has regular (let's say heavy) motor with limiter so you don't get to enjoy power and drain small battery fast.
They saved weight on extra small battery and flimsy components.
Levo SL at least has significantly lighter motor but still, I'm currently building Levo Expert carbon (gen2) and it will weigh 19kg which is very close to similarly speced Rise and bit heavier than the SL which is expected since the frame weighs almost the same (2.8kg for size XL) and 500wh battery is around 3.2kg with motor coming at about 2.9kg.
Can you really say 1-2kg more is going to be detrimental to the handling while having 50-200% more power and 50% battery with option of having 100% more with 700wh battery?
Ultimately I'm trying to improve my riding skills for a normal MTB, so I want something that rides as similarly as possible to a normal enduro bike, so the half-fat approach would work for me (I think).
I had a 30 second ride on a Rise the other day, it was surprisingly powerful uphill and didn't feel awful to bunnyhop.
(and also, Shimano and Bosch, please develop a lighter half-fat motor)
What a sales slogan. You have missed a calling there. This explains the fall of the West in general.
Hey did you watch the Kendall-Weed piece on the Rise he just posted? Interesting take that the more consistent yet lower heart rate with an E actually burns more calories. That would track with a lot of the science on the subject. The SL and mission control app actually lets you set a target heart rate and the bike will provide or reduce boost to keep you in that zone. Not sure if Orbea has something similar, but you could just get good chest band sensor and taylor your favorite ride yourself. Still way more fun than Zwift or road biking. Or just push the plates away? (I kid!)
Agree tho that if you're going motorized you could as well just go for more travel as the drawbacks are very small.
Hopefully you reported the dad on the FS MTB with a child in a bike trailer, that sound like child endangerment.
I think you bring up a good point as Pinkbike should have two websites, one for MTB and another for eMTB this would keep everyone happy.
I’d rather have 20 mm more travel that always open
Why is bike industry so focused on big, heavy, and powerful e-bikes instead of light nimble e-bikes which could add on some power to your legs instead off replacing your leg power completely?
Giant e-bikes are allergic to anything except dry conditions.
I am speaking from 1st hand, wallet emptying experience.
They are Sh*%!!