2015 Giant Trance SX 27.5

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Comparisons

Giant Reign  – The new, 27.5” wheeled version of the Reign is a very long, very capable bike that would be at home on most downhill trails. But given its slacker head angle and larger sizing than in previous years, it feels like a lot of bike. The Trance SX feels lighter, shorter, and more playful.

I would own a Reign if I rode lifts frequently or raced a lot of Enduro. For all other purposes, I would vastly prefer the Trance SX.

Standard Giant Trance – If you are at all interested in what the Trance SX offers over the regular Trance, you should probably go for it. The Trance SX is a more capable bike and offers no downsides that I saw. Only the price would sway me to the standard models in the Trance line.

Santa Cruz Nomad 27.5 – The Trance SX is more playful than the Nomad, and offers more fun at lower speeds. The Nomad does have the edge in pedaling, though, and is definitely a more capable bike in rough or fast situations. And for what it’s worth, if your rides frequently feature long climbs followed by long descents, the Nomad is the quicker bike.

Santa Cruz Bronson – The Trance SX is somewhat comparable to the Bronson for ride feel, but the SX’s geometry feels a bit trendier with a slacker head angle and longer wheelbase. These characteristics help the bike feel more comfortable at speed. The Bronson does pedal better, though.

Santa Cruz 5010 – The Trance SX is more capable through the rough than the 5010, but doesn’t pedal or climb quite as well, and the Trance SX isn’t as nimble or flickable.

Specialized Enduro 27.5 – The rear suspension on the Trance SX is not quite as smooth in the rough as the very active FSR design Specialized uses, but it does pedal a bit better. The bike is slightly more playful than the Enduro 27.5.

Bottom Line

The Trance SX is a great contender in the long-legged trail bike segment. It isn’t quite as capable as other bikes with matched 160mm travel at both ends, but it is much more open to rider input and playful riding.

For the majority of people looking for a “do everything” bike (and aren’t focused on lift-accessed riding), it is a great option.

 

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4 comments on “2015 Giant Trance SX 27.5”

  1. I just pick up one of these a week ago. I think that bike pedals pretty bad mostly due to its larger air volume shocks/fork with no progression built in. It way linear which caused me at least to run to much air front and rear, still not have small bump compliance, and while still diving though its travel.

    I add some material to mostly the positive air side in the shock, and used some homemade bottomless tokens in the fork. Rockshox does not make DPA bottomless tokens.

    The bike is ton more alive now, with better small bump complaince and way better pedaling/pump.

    http://enduro-mtb.com/en/how-to-adjust-the-air-volume-of-the-rockshox-monarch-shock/ debonairs have 2 air chambers on them.

    • Josh, good point on RockShox not making bottomless tokens for the Dual Position Air spring on the Pike. I expect that problem may have presented itself more if I had the chance to take the bike on a longer, faster descent. Glad to hear that reducing the air volume in the Monarch improved suspension performance. You are hitting exactly on the reason we try to focus on doing longer tests on bikes – getting time to experiment with things like shock volume can be critical to getting the most out of a bike.

      You may have already seen this, but it is interesting information on the Trance’s suspension: http://linkagedesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/giant-trance-650b-2014.html

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