Two bikes in Question
* 2022 Giant Trance X 2 ($1600)
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/trance-x-2-2022
* 2022 Giant Trance 29 2 ($1400)
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/trance-29-2-2022
Main Differences:
Trance X 2 has more travel front and rear (160/145 vs 130/120)
Trance X 2 also has Fox 36 Rythm Compared to Marzocchi Z2 on Trance 29 2
Trance X 2 has Sram NX Groupset Compared to Shimano Deore On Trance 29 2
And obviously Trance X 2 is 27.5 while Trance 2 is 29
Ive owned 29 inch Hardtail before so im not sure which one to go for.
Im 6'0 without shoes on (Frame Size L)
by Brilliant-Profile49
8 Comments
In my experience the only time I’ll ride 27.5 is on a mullet (love my Nomad)
29 on the front just gives so much more freedom to enjoy, can’t see myself ever buying a full 27.5 ever again
I agree with your assessment that the Trance X 2 is better spec’ed than the Trance 2 (doesn’t mean you should only consider these 2 options)
What style of riding are you going to be doing and what type of trails are near you? More travel doesn’t always mean you’ll be happier
The real question is will the Trance X take a 29in wheel later on?
I have the homebrew Trance X from 2017 160/147mm. It’s pretty fucking amazing. Climbs well, descends better. Been to the bike park many times. Now its my buddy bike / analog trail bike.
The only better spec is the travel/suspension, IMO deore is better than NX. 29 does roll better than 27.5, I don’t think I’d go back to 27.5 now but the extra travel is tempting.
Look around, there’s plenty of good deals around at the moment you may be able to find the best of both worlds somewhere.
These bikes have pretty different intentions due to travel and geometry in addition to wheel size.
The x is intended to be more of an aggressive all mountain bike. It can probably handle some bike park days, enduro races, bigger hits and jumps compared to the 29. The x will be more comfortable on steeper, rougher terrain. A big part of that is the slacker head tube angle.
The 29 is more of a trail bike. It will be better for long days on the bike, and on less aggressive trails. However on rowdy terrain it will feel less confidence inspiring than the x.
So I think the question is more what kind of riding do you intend to do and which bike will be best for that.
I would save my money and buy the correct one
Split the difference , a mullet with average spec
I have deore on some bikes and sram as well on others, and honestly, the difference is very minimal.. I can’t tell the difference. I even ordered a knock-off temu caset to replace my sram, and it’s a lot lighter and better.
I would go with the 29er. In these options, they are good options. For that money
I have the 29 with SRAM/ Marzocchi and it’s great, no complaints, and I would argue that *for the price* the trance is one of the hardest bikes to beat. A 29 to me is much easier to get up and over technical stuff, and feels smoother in general. If I were solely at a DH park and hitting jumps I d probably go for a 27.5, but for everyday trails and Blues…. Trance 29 all day