By David Gould 2 weeks ago 5
After heading to the south of France, Sanny got the premium riding experience of Giant's latest electric bicycle product. Is this a love affair from the first ride or a polite and unkind one? There is only one way to find.
Image taken by Sanny and Damien Rosso
For full suspension electric bicycles, it can be said that the methods adopted by manufacturers can be divided into two different camps. On the one hand, there is a school of thought that lighter is better, in which the power of the motor is reduced, allowing the use of smaller, lighter batteries. In theory, reducing the weight you carry should bring a more natural riding experience. Specialized and Orbea have adopted this approach in some of their model series. On the other hand, focusing on more powerful motors and larger capacity batteries can bring different types of eMTB experiences. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.
As a rider, I am always looking for a happy medium; to give me enough extra charm and enough battery capacity when I need it to make it possible for hours of epic riding on the mountain without affecting the bike The control ability and overall feeling. The eMTB treated like a ship anchor can have the most powerful engine and the largest battery ever, but if the ride does not meet the requirements, the entire experience becomes meaningless.
To be honest, I am a Goldilocks riding a bicycle; although I have no criminal record of breaking into and cruelty to animals. I hope my electric bike is just right. Anything that deviates slightly will eventually distract me; this fact is exacerbated when considering the price premium that even mid-range eMTB can pay today. When you start adding an extra zero to the price, the flaws of the 500 pounds hard tail that I can accept may become unforgivable.
With this in mind, when I had the opportunity to test Giant’s latest products in the following form, I pushed myself to the forefront of Singletrack Towers (just like Hogwarts, no fancy uniforms, no magic, but more Muggle) Their Trance X Advanced E+. At least on paper, it promises to combine power and performance into a package that is lighter than the previous generations of electric bikes of the brand. After testing Reign E+'s 2020 eMTB product as a long-term test, I really want to know how Trance E (I will call it a little less from now on) build and improve its harder siblings.
My experience with the eMTB model of Reign E+ has been mixed-it offers a long battery life, Giant’s proven and trustworthy Maestro suspension system, and comes in the form of a fully reliable motor system than ever before. Need power and combine it with a very neat control system. However, the high overall weight combined with the long rear end and low front end I found meant that I never felt as comfortable as I hoped. Putting in a low-suspension motor that is susceptible to ground impact, I think this is a bicycle that adds up to less than the sum of its parts.
The secret test site specially selected somewhere in the south of France is wobbly. In the preliminary inspection, it is clear that Trance E is completely different from the Reign E + I have completed. Although the 29er wheels are moving instead of the 650B, the difference is amazing. The redesigned linkage system makes it more compact, which means that the rear wheels no longer need a taxi to get anywhere near the riser. Use the completely unscientific "stand in the parking lot with your legs apart aaaaand...LIFT!" for a quick weight check. The method failed to induce a hernia in a way that my control sample Reign E + always seems to be a threat.
When talking with Giant's engineers, part of the weight reduction was achieved by converting from alloy to composite carbon fiber, where the front triangle is molded as a continuous part. Saving a few pounds makes them eligible for Weightwatcher’s "Slimline of the Year Award" for Electric Bikes in my book.
When it comes to motors, Giant continues to work with Yamaha to jointly develop their Syncdrive Pro system. Although lighter than the previous generation of motors, the important news is that it is more compact and also increases the torque output to 85Nm. I have to admit that when I saw it for the first time, I almost happily made a small jig. I really like the previous iteration, but it has a fairly basic flaw, that is, the motor is located under the sprocket. Compared with similar products from Shimano and Bosch, the lower suspension position on the frame makes it susceptible to impacts from rocks, roots and trails.
During a special technical ride on 2020 Reign E +, I found that I reduced the sagging of the front and rear shock absorbers to prevent serious damage to the motor. I am not a heavy rider, but I like steep, rugged and technical routes. Worrying about damaging your motor will not bring the best off-road riding experience. However, as you can see from the picture, Giant has tried its best to solve this problem and increased the ground clearance by 34 mm. How this translates to the feeling of riding a bicycle, you can read below (spoiler: massive improvement!) But from a purely practical point of view, in my experience, any platinum-plated that better protects the motor from damage All are very good.
Providing up to 400% assistance, Giant continues to provide riders with the option to optimize power output settings using their "RideControl App". When riding, you can use the integrated RideControl three-button control unit to change the power output. Such a slender line is hardly noticeable, it is installed inconspicuously between the handle and the brake bracket. You can even choose to install a second control unit on the other side.
Giant does not have a fragile LCD power display, but integrates the power display and power button into the top tube of the frame. Colored LED lights indicate the power mode and remaining available power. Smart assist is a standard configuration. It is Giant's method of providing an automatic power supply system that changes with the terrain. It is designed to help the rider optimize efficiency without drawing unnecessary power from the battery.
From an environmental point of view, the cooperation with Yamaha marks a warranty and repair method that I would love to see adopted across the industry. As consumers, we are almost accustomed to assuming that if a motor fails, we will either replace it with a brand new motor or buy a new one. Maintenance does not seem to be taken into account. To me, it doesn't make sense. If something like the starter motor breaks, we don't expect to replace the car engine. We just need to replace the parts, test, and then start the pleasant journey again. The default position of motor replacement is not environmentally sustainable.
Recognizing this, Giant has developed an internal service facility where its engineers and Yamaha are closely involved in the collaborative design of the motor system, and they are now teaching Yamaha personnel how to diagnose and repair any motor failures. As a result, this reduces the need to ship motors all over the world, thereby reducing waste. For electric bicycles, consumer support is an important consideration in the purchase process. I appreciate that the company you are buying has the skills, knowledge, experience and desire to get you back on track.
In terms of suspension, Giant has improved their Maestro suspension system to reduce the length of the rear end (more on this later). Trance E retains the dual-link and four-pivot design, which has been successfully serving the creation of a single floating pivot setup for many years, aiming to provide an active and efficient suspension system at the same time. This is definitely revolution rather than evolution, but when you have an effective system, it's hard to disagree with this approach.
As an industry, we experienced some very bad designs in the early years, but at the time, experimentation was the key to finally reaching the answers we were looking for. The designer is not always right (Orange’s X1 URT suspension bike or Trek’s full susser based on an elastomer doughnut is like a spring bar, and the wheels "bounce" in their minds-ahem!) but they Learned lessons from experience and finally succeeded. We are now in a stage of continuous design improvement, which is not a bad thing for consumers. It’s reassuring to buy a product that is so well designed that you can track its progress. The Maestro system is a good example in my opinion. The 140 mm rear stroke matches the front 150 mm stroke. Not long ago, this will be eligible to approach the 29er field of ultra-long travel. Now this seems to be the norm for cross-country bikes.
In the spirit of greater power, the better, Giant has increased the capacity of the integrated battery system to 625Wh; up to 125Wh (or an additional 25% for math enthusiasts). Using Panasonic battery technology, when the battery inevitably reaches the end of its life, the battery can be returned for recycling. To my untrained eyes, the battery pack does not look bigger than the previous model, although I did not ask for confirmation, so don't take it as a boon. If 625Wh is not enough for you, then you can add an Energypack Plus range extender to provide you with an additional 250Wh of power.
Giant advertises Trance E as their off-road vehicle, which combines performance, power and fun. To this end, in the spirit of multi-function, they use flip chip, which allows you to adjust the angle of the head tube and seat tube and the height of the bottom bracket. The low position is designed for fast, aggressive terrain, while the high position is designed for riding positions that are more inclined to XC. I was riding a large size, and when moving between a low stack position and a high stack position, this gave the following numbers.
You will be very excited by leaving enough room for 29 x 2.6 inch tires and Giant's integrated tubeless wheel system.
As far as the available models are concerned, there are three models in this series to choose from. They all have the same composite chassis, and Fox is responsible for the front fork and rear suspension tasks. Motor and battery technology are the same throughout the entire range, so your choice depends on your budget and how well you want your components to be. Oh, of course there are colors! The standard Giant Contact Switch lift seat, where the drop varies with the frame size-S 125mm, M 150mm and L / XL 170mm) and Maxxis provides tires-Assegai 29 x 2.6 foldable, tubeless, EXO, 3c Max Terra front And Dissector 29 x 2.6 foldable, tubeless, EXO+, 120tpi, 3C rear.
The basic model of Trance X Advanced E+2 (seeing it on the body, it really isn't) has a starry night color, in my opinion, it looks like a dark blue with subtle shiny highlights throughout the process . Fox 36 Float Performance is equipped with Fox DPS Performance EVOL high volume rear shock. The transmission system is a Shimano SLX 12 speed setting, the brakes are Deore 4 pistons, and the wheels are a Giant AM 29 tubeless model. The finishing kit takes the form of Giant's own internal components.
Panther Green is used in the middle of the X Advanced E +1 range. I don't know that Panthers are green, but every day is a day of learning. Fox 36 and Float X shock absorbers use Fox's live valve technology, and the suspension technology has been greatly improved. In the simplest terms, the system actively monitors the terrain a thousand times per second and automatically adjusts the suspension within 3 milliseconds.
I don’t even pretend that I know how it works, but like someone who owns a sausage factory, I don’t need (probably best not to know!) how they are made, but just make them to make sausages. Thing.
The transmission system is provided by the Shimano couple, equipped with 12-speed XT gears and brakes (the lever is Deore), and the wheels are also Giant’s own AM 29 30mm inner width numbers.
The top of the tree and I spent a day and a half hammering Trance X Advanced E+ 0. It may be my magpie, but it is the best looking in my money range. Two shades of blue look very cute. I do have the ability to be attracted by the most expensive bicycles.
By specifications, the front fork is a Fox 36 factory Live Valve model with 44 mm offset and 110mm Boost 15mm QR, and the rear shock is Fox Float X Factory Live Valve. The shift lever, rear mechanism and brake are from Shimano XT series, while the flywheel is the SLX number.
When I questioned this, Giant engineers (from the company, apparently not in their identity-I am not Xiaorenguo) told me that based on their experience, SLX flywheels are better able to handle the extra torque generated by electric bicycles. Using SLX tapes for many years, I can personally prove their longevity, so this seems to be a very wise move.
The wheel is Giant's e-TRX 29er, tubeless preparation, 30 mm carbon fiber, and the crank arm is also carbon fiber, which is different from the other two models in the series, which are made of 4130 steel.
When it comes to finishing kits, as you might expect from a successful company like Giant, internal does not mean that it is inferior to branded components in any respect. The handlebar is 780 mm carbon fiber, and the stem is Contact SL 35 mm. The grip is Giant’s Tactal Pro-E single-lock design, and the saddle is Giant’s Romero SL. In order to make things more complete, the standard provides a complete tubeless kit.
When riding any new bike for the first time, it can be the smallest detail, can set the tone from the beginning, and color your judgment, be it positive or negative. Indulge me for a while, but I want to start with the saddle. Just as every child who sees a child in a TV commercial buys a bicycle through the Yellow Pages just to get his father to declare that "I am right with that saddle" can prove that a comfortable saddle can make or break a bicycle. I don't know how many times I took out a test bike and just went home with chalfonts. After a single ride, I put the so-called ergonomic saddle into the round file, which is no stranger to me. Carefully placing my buhoochie on Giant Romero SL, I was immediately attracted by its shape. There are no obvious pressure points, everything feels like a saddle of my own choice. "I think I might just like this" I meditated, and it proved it. Speaking with Joe from Giant about saddle design, he told me how he participated in its development for most of the two years. Obviously, two years passed very well.
Since the shock master and the all-around good egg Chris from Fox set the sagging for me, as part of a larger steering group, I started the afternoon calm on the woodland trail. The hybrid of on-road and off-road passing through dense and mature woodland on dry, dusty trails, alongside fertile soil, hidden roots, and exposed limestone, is a perfect introduction to Trance E. By clicking up and down through the power settings, I like how close the controller is to the hand and how neat the bars feel. This is actually just a slight movement of my left thumb. With a light press, the power change is instantaneous. As someone who likes to power technical climbing and occasionally use the Vulcan Death Grip to hold the bar, to all of you Trekkies, I'm sorry, I do find myself accidentally pressing a button occasionally. However, after a few hours, I have adapted to this position, so it has never been a problem.
There is a simple power display on the top tube that can change the color to match the power setting. I never want a more beautiful LED display to tell me the tempo, speed, watt-hours or any other mainly unnecessary information, which will only scatter The attention experience of cycling. For me, riding is about feeling and the surrounding environment. I don't need a small screen to dictate to me. If I want them, I can install the app, but I don't have one, so I don't. In this case, the simpler is definitely better. This also means that if you turn the bike upside down to repair the perforation, you won't damage the expensive electronic screen gubbins. Go ahead, admit it. You know who you are.
Through cooperation with Yamaha, Giant has adopted a different approach to most industries by developing its own motor system. Different does not always mean better, but in this case, I think it does. The improved design makes the motor system smaller and lighter than the previous generation. I think Giant has a very viable alternative to Shimano, Bosch and Specialized systems. Power transmission is instant. As long as you step on the pedal, you can feel the assistance moving forward smoothly. I still had slight pedal feedback in the previous version, but it didn't feel any disturbing when standing on the track. When pedaling on an off-road trail, the whine of the engine is barely noticeable. Giants claim that the system is quieter than before, and I tend to believe them.
Through the power setting cycle, I found that I quickly set to Eco or the second power setting in almost all riding. It's great to have power at hand, but in fact, even in steep and rocky climbs that require maximum attention, I don't feel any need to use it. Maybe this is the frugal Scot in my mind, but less power means longer running time means less battery charging costs! For testing purposes, I did use the SmartAssist mode, which fits exactly what it said on the tin, but I ended up returning to a fixed power setting because this is my preferred way of riding an electric bike.
The only time I felt any hesitation in the motor was when powering a particularly steep climb and applying a lot of power through the pedals in an excessively high gear. Push the button to increase the power, and the motor didn't change until I stepped back a little. This is a one-off, but it did not cause me any worries. Frankly speaking, if my gear is too high and I don't pedal at a reasonable leg speed, I don't want the motor to change under such a high load to avoid damage.
After several steep steps, I did notice that once I stopped pedaling, the bike felt a bit slowed down and lost a bit of power. I suspect that compared with ordinary bicycles, this is more of a feature of the extra wood carried by electric bicycles, and I can adapt to it quickly. In terms of climbing ability, I think Giant's performance is a bit blind. Although the old Reign+ is a stable climber, Trance E feels more capable of overcoming obstacles and changing direction drastically. The shorter bracket and significantly lighter front end help offset the extra weight of the motor and battery setup. During the test, I set the bike to a high XC flip chip setting, and it felt absolutely right to me. I feel centered on the bike and not too low in the front. Being able to manually operate with relative ease is a particularly good feeling, which means I don't feel that I have to compromise my riding style to a large extent. I did not plan ahead for the next technical action, but was able to focus on enjoying the ride without having to think about how I would get up, cross or bypass any trail features that I faced next.
In the longer, flatter XC section, the bike feels comfortable all day long. Having a saddle that doesn't feel like a blade is undoubtedly helpful, but the neutral riding posture combined with the immediately comfortable grip makes for a very pleasant experience. Although fashion is long, low and loose, what I value most is comfort. A bicycle may be great in a particular area, but if it’s uncomfortable to ride, it’s hard for me to see the meaning of this trade-off. Fortunately, Giant has solved this problem.
When going downhill, fast and smooth, coupled with the combination of narrow, steep and tree-lined, I found Goldilocks in a good position. No weird processing quirks. I can ride with pressure on the front wheel without feeling like I'm leaning forward. A sharp change in direction is achieved through subtle changes in body position and weight. The lack of weight means I can brake later than some electric bikes I have ridden in the past. It is not normal that the bike is late but closer to it than I expected. It is very easy to lighten the front end. Oops, I can even bunny jump. As a whole package, Trance E's processing is in full compliance with my hopes. I liken it to the Subaru Impreza Turbo, because it can be said to be more capable than most drivers, they will put a leg on it, and will not punish them for not having the processing power of Fabien Barel. It does not have any annoying surprises, and almost anyone can ride it. In my experience, this is usually easy to claim, but it is much more difficult to implement.
On the second day of the ride, we headed to the hills above Nice and spent a proper XC day in the saddle. Stopped for lunch after about three hours of riding. It felt like it was mainly on top. I still have more than 60% battery life. When I munched on the very delicious outdoor pizza, my bike was already charging me. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed because I wanted to see how long the battery lasted, but I lost the opportunity to do so. However, based on my previous experience with Reign E, I have no doubt that Trance E will beat the already impressive battery life of the previous generation.
When it comes to the first cycling test, I have to admit that I was a little disturbed. My previous experience with Giant Reign E was not the completely positive experience I had hoped. What I care most about is whether Giant will learn from the knowledge they learned from the previous generation of electric bicycles and solve these problems. It turns out that I don’t have to worry about it. Trance E is a completely different bike, and I dare say it is much more powerful than I thought. The riding position is definitely spot. After a long day in the saddle, it immediately became comfortable and proved its worth. The power output of Yamaha motors is stable and consistent. It definitely feels best to pedal at a reasonable rhythm. In terms of handling, Trance E feels light and balanced. There is no need to have the power of an East German powerlifter to lift it up, over, around, and down obstacles. The geometrical position and reduced weight bring a truly enjoyable ride experience.
As for Fox Live, I am not sure what to do. During the entire ride, I never felt that there was any need and did not want to mess up the shock settings. The suspension movement feels as smooth and subtle as I would expect from the Maestro system. For me, it is still my favorite suspended platform and has withstood the test of time. Whether Fox Live has contributed to this, I don't want to say. It's not that I am sitting on a fence or trying to become dull. I am an evidence-oriented person, and I prefer to compare two identical bicycles side by side and path by path, one with the other without the Fox Live system. Maybe this is evidence that the fact that I never noticed and don't have to think about the suspension working is the system working exactly as expected? It is luxurious when I want it, and efficient when I need it. Shouldn't the suspension be like this? Not paying attention to it means it is doing its best.
As far as everything else (wheels, drivetrain, brakes, etc.) is concerned, I hardly mention them. You just need to know that they are all flawless in a day and a half of testing. There is no creaking, groaning or crunching sound. The gears change quickly and efficiently, and I never want stronger brakes. The dropper moves up and down easily, with zero side-to-side clearance, and the tires seem to be very suitable for the terrain I encounter. Naf said.
Yamaha Motor-smooth, quiet and efficient.
Handling-a comfortable bicycle that can handle almost any terrain all day long and is very interesting.
Saddle-finally an OEM saddle, you can ride it all day with a smile.
Well, except that I only rode for a day and a half, and the model name is a bit ugly. This bike needs a long-term review, because I would like to see if it can deliver on its impressive promises.
So you have it. Electric bicycles that have reached the peak of Goldilocks are not too hot, not too cold, just right. Good job, giant. Your Trance X Advanced E + is a weird thing that should be on a very short list of electric bikes for the discerning trail rider looking for the next ride. Due to the slight disappointment of 2020 Reign E+, Trance X is a very different product, in my opinion, it is far superior to the beast. To my delight, all my problems have been systematically resolved. It easily matches with Canyon Spectral ON, my current favorite electric bike. I really didn't expect it, but sometimes in life, surprises can be a good thing.
It is really bad to have Giant E-Reign 2020 and the bad situation you said, but not sure if this can solve any problems with its sound, there is still a long chainstay (think it is longer than the predecessor?! ) And the battery is already 625Wh.
It’s great to see if they have improved the router and wiring, which is a big problem for many electric bikes, they just continue to build them with junk connectors, and the wiring is "pushed back inside" to keep it tidy, not to mention Talk about areas that lack water resistance, let alone water resistance.
If there is no real focus on improving the actual ebike bit, I think I will stay away from Giant next.
This is the first giant that I think "looks good" in years. The bicycle seems to be riding well. If it were me, I think I would choose the basic, unless it turns out that Live Valve is indeed a necessary condition for the suspension to work well.
I also like the low-key remote and top tube mounted lights/displays.
These days @argee Giant seals the connections on their electric bikes better, which hopefully means fewer water problems.
I definitely hear what you are talking about. After riding two bikes, to be honest, Trance is a very different beast. My criticisms of Reign were all resolved by the new Trance. Everything about it is better, not only insignificant, but quite remarkable. The handling takes several years, and the weight reduction is definitely obvious, both on and off the bike. It also has a poppy, playful feel, which makes manual operation and driving a technical rock garden a real pleasure. The Reign I tested has only a 500Wh battery, and the new Trance has a larger capacity in a lighter bike. On steep descents, I feel controlled and confident in a way I don’t have on Reign.
I reviewed Yamaha engines and liked the range of the old Reign. Trance not only retains this point, but it is also equipped with a significantly more compact motor with a larger overall range.
I didn't get along with the old Reign as well as I hoped. In other words, I know people who absolutely love them. At least for me, the new Trance is simply a better bike. If the test is to ask if I would consider buying, then I definitely will.
I would say try a new bike before deciding what the next electric bike will be. I think you will be impressed with the significant improvement.
sorry. Forgot to tag you @argee