Smart all-round E-MTB made of carbon: Giant Trance Advanced E+ in the first test

New product / E-MTBs: The Giant Trance E+ has established itself as a powerful E-MTB in recent years. Now the manufacturer from Taiwan presents the latest version. For the first time made of carbon and with electronic Fox Live-Valve and not only with the top version. We were able to test the top version on stony terrain in the hinterland of the Cote d'Azur.

Giant Trance Advanced E+ 2022: In a nutshell

• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 150/140 mm
• wheel size: 29 inch
• Engine: Giant Syncdrive Pro powered by Yamaha
• Battery pack: 625Wh + 250Wh range extender
• Display: Ride control Ergo 3
• Sizes: S-XL
• Price: away. 6.399 euros

Giant Trance Advanced E+: New carbon frame with geometry adjustment and Fox Live Valve

Giant is one of the largest bike manufacturers in the world - a real bicycle giant. Experience with carbon and carbon frames has been gained for many years - but not on the E-MTB so far. It's hard to believe that the new Giant Trance Advanced E+ is Giant's first carbon E-MTB. By using high-quality carbon fibers on the main frame and rear triangle, up to 900 grams can be saved compared to the aluminum version, depending on the size. In addition, the monocoque main frame makes the chassis even stiffer.

There are no surprises with the rear triangle. Here, Giant relies on its in-house Maestro technology, which has proven itself over the years. The rear end is characterized by a virtual pivot point and is therefore very active, efficient and decoupled from drive and braking influences. In the rear there is room for tires up to 2,6″ wide.

The geometry of the Trance Advanced E+ is modern and designed for all-mountain use. Means: Flat steering angle and long reach for a stable bike on fast downhills. The seat angle has been made steeper for more control on the climbs. The chainstays aren't the shortest at 473 mm, which should take away some of the bike's maneuverability, but should improve the climbing abilities on steep terrain. Furthermore, the geometry can be set flatter or steeper by 0,8° via a flip chip on the rear triangle. Depending on preference or terrain, the bike can be adjusted.

On the Giant Trance Advanced E+, the driver is not only supported electrically by the drive, but also by the chassis. Giant installs the Fox Live Valve on two equipment variants. The Fox Live Valve has sensors at the front and rear that record the current driving situation. The sensors register whether you are currently going uphill, on a traverse or downhill. Also recognize this driving situation such as curves or drops. The signals are combined at the controller and analyzed 1000 times per second. The valves on the damper and suspension fork are then opened or closed within 3 milliseconds. These impulses are calculated using complex algorithms and constantly adapt the chassis to the driving situation. The setup can be adjusted via the Fox Valve app in various presets based on different algorithms. The trigger sensitivity can also be set within these modes. If you do not want the electronics to intervene, you can simply set the system to "open" with the app. Otherwise, the suspension setup works like a normal Fox suspension without a live valve.

Giant Trance Advanced E+: Smart Syncdrive Pro motor

The new Syndrive Pro motor is already known from the already presented E-Enduro Giant Reign E+. This was developed in cooperation with Yamaha and at first glance you can see that the engine is much more compact compared to its predecessor, which was much more bulbous. In addition to the compact dimensions, the motor has also become lighter and, according to Giant, weighs 2,7 kg. At the same time, the torque has been increased to 85 Nm and the noise level has been significantly reduced. In addition to the typical support levels, Giant now also offers an intelligent support mode. The Smartassist is equipped with six sensors and uses them to analyze the current driving situation. Depending on the situation, the driver is then supported. This enables a very natural driving experience and optimizes efficiency.

A 625 Wh battery is housed in the slim carbon down tube, which can be easily removed. There is also the option of attaching a range extender in the area of ​​the bottle holder, which further increases the range with 250 Wh.

Control and display of the drive are simple and well integrated. The Ridecontrol Go is located on the top tube. There the drive can be activated with a button and the support level can be set. The Smartassist can be activated there by “double-clicking”. There are also two LED bars that show the current battery level and the support level. In addition, Trance Advanced E+ can also control the support level via the handlebars. Ridecontrol Ergo 3 is a compact control unit, which is very simply integrated into the handle. If you need more information for your trips, you can install the RideControl app on your smartphone. With the app you can connect the bike wirelessly to your smartphone and use the smartphone as a display with all important data. You can also use the app to individually configure the assignment of the buttons on the Ridecontrol Ergo 3 handlebar control unit.

Giant Trance Advanced E+: equipment variants

Giant launches three different configurations. Prices range from €6.399 to €8.499, which is definitely fair for this platform and high-quality components. It's also great that Live Valve isn't just reserved for the top version. The Trance X Advanced E+ 1 is probably one of the cheapest e-bikes with Live Valve technology.

Giant TRANCE X ADVANCED E+ 0

Loom: Advanced full carbon
Drive: SyncDrive Pro, 85 Nm powered by Yamaha
Battery pack: 625 Wh + optional 250 Wh range extender

suspension fork: Fox 36 Factory Live Valve, 150mm
Mute: Fox Float X Factory Live Valve

Circuit: Shimano Deore XT
brakes: Shimano Deore XT, 203mm
Crank: Practice Performance Carbon
impellers: Giant e-TRX 29″, 30 mm inner width
Seat post: Giant contact switch

Price: € 8.499

Giant TRANCE X ADVANCED E+ 1

Loom: Advanced full carbon
Drive: SyncDrive Pro, 85 Nm powered by Yamaha
Battery pack: 625 Wh + optional 250 Wh range extender

suspension fork: Fox 36 Live Valve, 150mm
Mute: Fox Float X LiveValve

Circuit: Shimano Deore XT
brakes: Shimano Deore/Deore XT, 203mm
impellers: Shimano XT hubs / Giant AM rims, 30 mm inner width
Seat post: Giant contact switch

Price: € 7.399

Giant TRANCE X ADVANCED E+ 2

Loom: Advanced full carbon
Drive: SyncDrive Pro, 85 Nm powered by Yamaha
Battery pack: 625 Wh + optional 250 Wh range extender

suspension fork: Fox 36 Float Performance, 150mm
Mute: Fox DPS performance

Circuit: Shimano Deore SLX
brakes: Shimano Deore, 203mm
impellers: Shimano MT410 hubs / Giant AM rims, 30 mm inner width
Seat post: Giant contact switch

Price: € 6.399

Giant TRANCE X ADVANCED E+ 0 in the first test

We've already tested Giant's new Carbon E-Allmountain. The guys from Giant fled to the Cote d'Azur in the hinterland of Nice for the performance of the beginning Central European autumn. Not only is the region known for the local jet set, but the local trails have also made a name for themselves among mountain bikers. Some of the world's best drivers grew up there, such as Loic Bruni and Nicolas Vouilloz. A great region with dream trails and pleasant temperatures offered the best conditions.

The top version TRANCE X ADVANCED E+ 0 in a beautiful blue finish was made available to us as a test object. The bike is accordingly well equipped for a fair price. Fox Factory suspension with Live Valve and complete Shimano XT group - you can't complain! The bike is supplemented with fine carbon parts, such as the Praxis Works carbon crank or the beautifully finished Giant carbon wheels with an inner width of 30 mm.

Equipment of our test bike

For the usual setup before the first ride, two apps should be installed on the smartphone. On the one hand the Giant RideControl App and on the other hand the Live Valve App from Fox, which were then paired with the bike. It may seem a bit daunting to “have to” install two apps, but the bike works without it – but if you want to get the most out of it, you should definitely deal with it.

The first endurance test was on a tour towards the foothills of the Alps. Our local guide Tito Tomasi wanted to present his homeland from the best side and we were not disappointed. After a short shuttle ride, things went steeply uphill right from the start. The perfect opportunity to test the Smart Assist mode. The motor works very quietly and unobtrusively. If you give more power to the pedals, the motor adapts in seconds and releases additional power. If it gets very steep, you can rely on the 85 Nm and the motor pulls up like a string. But it only got exciting when you started on the hiking trail to the top. Rocks, steps and switchbacks. In the strongest mode and Smartassist, the motor pushes a little further to roll over steps more easily - similar to what is also known from the current Bosch CX. This certainly helps in overcoming obstacles, but takes some getting used to. So we often went with a lower support level when things got very technical in order to have more control. But no problem so far, you can change levels quickly and intuitively using the discreet lever on the left handlebar grip.

The Fox Live-Valve also played its trump cards in this terrain. A lockout for the rear end may not be absolutely necessary on an e-bike, since the motor compensates for some things on the climb. But on the technical climbs you could definitely see the benefit of Live-Valve. With conventional chassis, the rear end with locked dampers would probably be a bit too inactive and you would lose traction. In open mode it can happen that the rear end sinks too far into the suspension travel and you shift too much weight backwards and thus lose control of the front wheel. Fox Live-Valve evaluates the situation 1000 times per second and either releases travel or leaves the chassis locked. The chassis always remains active but also inactive in the right places. In the short time we liked the sport mode with the most sensitive bump sensitivity best, but these are really preferences and everyone should find their own setup.

And you really notice it. Together with the steep seat angle, the compact seating position and the grippy Maxxis tires, the bike is a weapon on technical climbs. You can almost see rock faces in front of you, but with the Trance X Advanced E+ you simply drive up them. Rarely have we experienced such a strong overall package on a technical climb.

As technically rocky as it went up to the forerunners of the Maritime Alps, it was the same way back towards the sea. Here, too, the new Giant Carbon E-MTB was a good companion. The handling can be described as very stable and safe. The chassis also does a good job here. The response behavior is sensitive, but at the same time it can handle harder impacts. The live valve works unobtrusively and the transitions from open to closed compression can only be felt very slightly. If that bothers you, you can run the Live Valve in open mode and it works like conventional Fox suspension. The bike is not the most playful or manoeuvrable on the market, but rather as described above: a safe bet, even when you're going at high speed in a blocked rock garden. The bike also conveys enormous security over jumps and drops and you have a lot of confidence with it. We were riding the bike in low mode, which was ideal for the terrain in southern France. If that is too flat for you and you want more agility, you can switch quickly with the flip chip, which may be useful in easier terrain. This significantly expands the area of ​​use for the bike.

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