BENJI’S GIANT TRANCE X 29 2

MONTH 2: The sound of Rice Krispies wasn’t what Benji was expecting

If you’re interested in a Giant Trance X, chances are you’ve read some reviews of the bike already. Very probably the review is of the top-end Fox

Livevalve-equipped carbon Trance X (which is the bike that Giant supplied to us for our First Ride back in the October issue). As such, a lot of those reviews have read like reviews of Fox Livevalve and unfortunately, it seems that not everyone is a big fan of Livevalve and its firm Xc-ish vibe.

Which is particularly galling because there is a great, great bike underneath this Livevalve shadow. The Fox Float DPS Performance shock of this £3k alloy Trance X is brilliant. Pitter-patter traction. Push-against, dig-in mid-stroke. Rampy end stroke. It also has a really useful rebound range, riding on the edge of lively fun and composed competence exceptionally well. It feels fun but is fast. That’s a rare combination in my experience. Up front, the Fox 36 Float Rhythm GRIP fork is another winner. I’ve not tinkered with it much yet, to be fair, so there’s plenty to explore.

Do I have niggles? Quite a lot, but most of them minor. If this bike was mine it’d have a higher-rise bar, shorter stem, longer-drop post and a 203mm rear rotor. For once, though, I wouldn’t change the tyres nor the saddle or even the grips. All of them are surprisingly good. The Minion DHF, paired with the faster-rolling Maxxis Dissector on the rear, makes for a great combo.

The biggest issue with this bike is the SLX drivetrain. It feels rough. It sounds rough. It is rough. Increasing the B-tension gap (beyond Shimano’s recommended distance) has quietened things down a bit but I think the real issue is the KMC chain. I’ve got a proper Shimano chain on the way to me as we speak so fingers crossed it rids the bike of its snap, crackle and pop soundtrack.

JAMIE DARLOW Position

Mostly rides

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