E-mountain bikes: First Ride: Giant Trance E+ Pro, Trance E+ SX Pro and Stance E+

[tps_title][/tps_title]

Product News / First Ride: Giant is expanding its portfolio of full-suspension e-bikes with three new models – the Giant Trance E + Pro, Trance E + SX Pro and Stance E+. The motor technology, control buttons and the battery system have also been revised. 

With its three new e-mountain bikes, Giant presents powerful trail bikes that offer plenty of reserves. Giant's press launch took place in the beautiful Vinschgau under ideal conditions. The new e-trail bikes from Giant were developed and constructed for adventurous trail descents. I was able to test the Trance E + SX Pro and the Stance E + for you.

Giant Trance E + SX 0 Pro

The Trance E + SX Pro is a trail bike that is suitable for trail and enduro riders who like to let it rip. It features 140mm Maestro rear suspension technology plus 160mm of travel up front. The Yamaha SyncDrive Pro motor provides 360% assistance with 80 Nm of torque. Thanks to a narrow Q-factor, the pedaling feel should be very natural on steep climbs. The Trance E+ Pro offers the same technology but with a slightly shorter fork at 150mm.

Ride Control One

Ride Control One is a control used in the Trance E+ Pro, Trance E+ SX Pro and Stance E+. It offers integrated button controls and a clean handlebar layout, devoid of any display. The small, integrated buttons can be used to conveniently switch through the support modes. The knobs are patterned for extra grip, giving the rider full control in all conditions. LED lighting shows the battery level and the support mode. The Ride Control One has a minimalist design and displays the essential information that is needed. Five LED dots are displayed for battery and support modes.

Geometrie

The geometry of the Trance models was designed in such a way that the bike delivers good performance both uphill and downhill. The steering angle is flat at 65° and perfect for downhill. The seat angle of 73,5° is steep enough not to have the feeling that the center of gravity is shifting too far back on climbs. The reach of the XL frame is relatively short at 472mm.

Equipment

A Fox 36 Factory 160 mm suspension fork is installed on the Giant Trance E+ SX Pro. With the Trance E+ Pro a Fox 36 Factory 150 mm. The Fox Factory DHX 2 coil is installed on the rear triangle, which in combination with the Maestro rear triangle system promises plenty of traction. The Trance E + models are braked by a Sram Code 200/200 mm. Seat post, saddle, handlebars, stem and grips come from Giant. It is shifted with a Sram XO 12-speed E-MTB Eagle. The wheels also come from Giant themselves and are delivered on Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR 2.6 inch wide tires. With the sizes L and XL, bottle holders can currently be mounted without further ado. With the smaller models, this is not yet possible due to the Fox Coil damper. There will be two equipment variants at EUR 6299 and EUR 4599 respectively.

The motor is powered by Yamaha and comes with Giant SyncDrive Pro technology, which ensures finer response. The speed sensor is not protected from stone impacts or branches due to this mounting on the rear triangle. Unfortunately, the chainstay protector is a bit short. Small paint damage is quickly visible.

Energy saving downtube

Giant's new trail e-bikes feature an updated battery pack that is mounted in the down tube. Compared to SidePower and TopPull Energy Paks, this new version features a minimalist downtube design integrated into the frame. With a push of a button, it detaches from the down tube and is ready for loading. The battery pack is equipped with highly innovative cells that charge more than 90% within 60 minutes.

Giant Stance E+

The Stance E+ is aimed at beginners or intermediate riders who want to gain trail experience. The Stance is built on a light, strong and stiff ALUXX SL aluminum frame with FlexPoint rear suspension. With 120mm rear travel and 130mm front travel combined with the 27.5+ wheels and tires, the Stance E+ offers a smooth, confident ride quality. Its Yamaha SyncDrive Sport motor with a 350% assistance ratio helps the rider tackle steep climbs with ease.

Geometrie

The head angle and seat angle are much more moderate on the Stance E+ than on the Trance E+ or Trance E+ SX Pro. The Stance E+ is designed to provide a comfortable and upright riding experience. That's why the reach is a bit shorter.

Equipment

There are four trim levels for the Stance E+. The models range in price from 3099 euros to the top model tested at 3999 euros. The top model comes with a Fox 34 Performance 130 mm travel and a Fox Float DPS Performance. Attachments such as handlebars, grips, seat posts, stems and rims come directly from Giant. The Stance E + is delivered in the so-called 27,5 + version. However, you have the option of converting this model to 29 inches. It is shifted with a Shimano XT, 11-speed with Shadow Plus function. The brakes are Shimano BR-MT520 with four-piston calipers and 200 mm brake discs.

In order to offer the bikes at a reasonable price, Giant does without a chain guide and a thru axle. Instead, a quick release is installed in all models. With the small black cover in the picture on the right you have the option of mounting a bicycle stand. The Stance E + model also uses 2.6 wide Maxxis tires with the EXO carcass. All three models come on the market in five different frame sizes. Children also have the opportunity to enjoy e-biking here.

On the trail

Giant Trance E + SX 0 Pro

The e-mountain bikes were tested in the beautiful Vinschgau under varied conditions. A day earlier, the Trance E + SX Pro was tuned to our needs. Fox's Chris Trojer took care of the perfect setup. So we could start right away the next day. The Yamaha engine hums loudly on the climbs. But you quickly switch off this noise and concentrate on the trail. Most of the time I rode in first or second gear because the motor has enough power and reacts immediately when the pedal is pushed.

During the climb, the front wheel only climbed the last steep meters to the summit. Previously, the front wheel always had noticeable contact with the ground. Going downhill, I quickly realized that the Trance E + SX Pro is an e-mountain bike for rough things. The Fox chassis in combination with the Maestro rear triangle system literally sticks to the ground. The tires offer sufficient grip. From previous experiences with the Maxxis 2.6 inches in the EXO carcass, I pumped some more air in the morning because I wanted to avoid punctures and flat tires. Luckily this also worked. Nevertheless, I would like Giant to install a reinforced carcass on the rear wheel.

Giant Stance E+

With the steeper seat and steering angle, the Giant Stance E + offers a comfortable, upright sitting position. The difference to the Yamaha SyncDrive Pro motor was also clearly noticeable. The sports motor installed here reacts much more slowly when starting, which should not be a disadvantage. For beginners, this is a plus and brings security when starting. On rough trail passages, the chain often fell off the chain ring, since the Stance E + does not have a chain guide. So if you also want to ride the Giant Stance E + in rough terrain, you should retrofit a chain guide.

Web

www.giant-bicycles.com