Trance Advanced 29

The Giant Trance Advanced 29 is a short-travel trail bike built around a full carbon frameset and 120mm of Maestro rear suspension. Reworked for the 2022 model year, this generation leaves behind its cross-country origins in favor of a sturdier, more aggressive chassis. Giant increased frame stiffness and added modern conveniences, most notably an integrated downtube storage compartment for stashing ride essentials.

Positioned between dedicated cross-country race machines and long-travel enduro rigs, the Trance Advanced 29 is designed for riders who want an efficient pedaling platform that can still handle rough, undulating terrain. It pairs a 130mm fork with its 120mm rear travel, creating a balanced ride that prioritizes cornering traction and responsiveness over raw descending speed. With its adjustable geometry and robust construction, it suits mountain bikers looking for a versatile, everyday trail companion rather than a specialized race bike.

Build

Size

Stack	628mm
Reach	472mm
Top tube	626mm
Headtube length	120mm
Standover height	746mm
Seat tube length	465mm

Fit and geometry

The Trance Advanced 29 utilizes a two-position flip chip at the rocker link, allowing riders to meaningfully alter the bike's fit and handling. In the Low setting, the frame features a substantial 45mm bottom bracket drop. This deep drop leaves the rider feeling exceptionally low and centered, generating massive cornering grip and high-speed stability. However, this low stance frequently leads to pedal strikes on technical climbs. Switching to the High setting raises the bottom bracket by 10mm and steepens the angles by 0.7 degrees, creating a more upright posture and sharper steering for rocky, slow-speed terrain.

Across both settings, the seat tube angle remains steep, hovering around 76 to 77 degrees. This positions the rider's hips directly over the pedals for a comfortable, efficient climbing stance. Reach figures are moderate for the category, measuring 447mm on a medium frame in the Low setting. To maximize maneuverability, Giant equips the bike with a TranzX travel-adjustable dropper post, allowing riders to fine-tune their saddle height and drop in 5mm increments to perfectly match their inseam.

Builds

The Trance Advanced 29 1 build sits in the middle of the carbon lineup, offering a high-technology component package at a competitive price. The defining feature of this specification is the Fox Live Valve 1.5 Performance Elite suspension system. Bringing automated electronic damping to this price tier is rare, making the 1 build a unique value for riders who want a self-adjusting pedaling platform without paying flagship prices.

The rest of the build focuses on durability and trail capability. It features a reliable Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain paired with powerful XT four-piston brakes. Giant provides its own TRX 2 carbon wheelset, wrapped in aggressive 2.5-inch Maxxis Minion DHF and Aggressor tires that prioritize descending grip over cross-country rolling speed.

While the overall specification is strong, the drivetrain includes a notable substitution. Giant specs a Praxis Girder carbon crankset and chainring, which multiple reviewers found prone to dropping chains on rough descents. Upgrading to a dedicated Shimano chainring is a common recommendation to match the reliability of the rest of the XT group. Additionally, the electronic suspension adds a network of external wires to the frame, requiring a bit more patience during routine maintenance.

1 (2024)

Price TBD

Reviews

Reviewers consistently note that the Trance Advanced 29 has evolved into a stout, capable machine. The increased frame stiffness translates to precise handling, transforming the bike into a "muscly little trail hustler" (Flow Mountain Bike) that excels in corners. Testers found it thrives on the "rolling, moderately technical trails most of us ride most often" (Bicycling), where its active Maestro suspension generates excellent traction.

The inclusion of Fox Live Valve electronic suspension on the 1 build dominates test feedback. Many reviewers praised the updated system for creating a firm, efficient pedaling platform that automatically opens for impacts, significantly reducing rider fatigue on long climbs. However, the automated valving proved polarizing on descents. While some appreciated the extra mid-stroke support, others found the system's sudden shifts in damping to be "predictably unpredictable" (PinkBike) when pumping through jump faces or hard compressions.

Despite the short travel bracket, testers agreed the bike feels remarkably stable at speed. The tradeoff for this burly construction and electronic integration is weight. Tipping the scales near thirty pounds, the Trance lacks the immediate acceleration of lighter downcountry competitors. Yet, reviewers largely forgave the extra mass, concluding that the robust frame and aggressive tire spec make it a highly dependable descender.