Giant Mountain Bikes are the favorite of riders everywhere so when Giant releases a new bike, it's big news.  Giant has recently released a bike that filled a much needed gap in it's mountain bike lineup with a 5-inch-travel trail bike.  Ok new might not be the right word but updated is probably more appropriate.

Giant's Maestro suspension design remains unchanged for the simple fact that it works and it works well.  It did receive some updating and now uses a lighter and lower pivot and shock mount.  The heavy downtube and welded seat tube are out and in it's place is a lighter, single hydro formed piece. The rest of the frame received some tweaking as well with some extensive reshaping of the tubes and shorter, more compact, forgings.  All in the name of weight savings and it worked.....the frame is 244 grams lighter or a half a pound for us non metric system lunkheads.

The lighter weight is immediately noticeable if you were to ride last years model of the Trance.  The bike snaps nicely when  you mash the pedals and provides a light, agile feel when carving through singletrack.  Previous models of the Trance and the Reign were good, but this version is even better.  You will be very pleased with the way the Giant climbs, even in spite of the massive amount of rear wheel travel....it climbs as well as an average cross country style bike which is awesome.

The rear suspension responds to momentum robbing bumps when necessary and gives not even a hint of the mushy, inefficient feeling that some long travel bikes can give.  Uphill, downhill...it doesn't matter because the same outstanding performance is there no matter what.  The Giant Trance XO offers point and shoot handling and easily carves up tight singletrack.

If anything it almost handles too good, the front end was a bit "twitchy" when the going got really fast downhill but it was nothing you couldn't get used too.  If you are riding steep downhills the majority of the time then you might consider an even longer travel bike like the Reign or Reign X.

Overall I was very pleased with my time on the Trance XO.  I would expect that we will be seeing a LOT of this bike on the trails in the upcoming years.  A great balance of components and design that make it a great all around performer that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Rider Impressions

Pros: Light, responsive, great suspension, cleaner cable routing
MISSES: Grips and a crappy saddle.  No surprise and easily fixable.
PRICE: $3,500
WEIGHT: 26.02 lb. (L)
SIZES: XS, S, M, L (tested), XL
FRAME: ALUXX SL aluminum w/ Maestro suspension, 5-in. travel
FORK: FOX 32 F120RL w/ 120mm travel
COMPONENT HIGHLIGHTS: Shimano XT Rapidfire shifters, XTR rear derailleur; Avid Juicy Seven brakes; Mavic CrossMax ST wheels; Race Face Deus XC crank, handlebar, stem and seatpost; WTB Devo Carbon saddle
INFO: giantbicycle.com