Giant Trance Advanced E+: Trail e-bike under 22 kg thanks to new motor

The new Giant Trance Advanced E+ is here and aims to win over trail bikers with increased suspension travel, mullet tires, the newly introduced SyncDrive Pro 4 motor, and comprehensive electronic integration. We take a first look at the spec sheets and geometry charts and examine the e-bike's most interesting features – Giant certainly hasn't skimped on them.

Fast trail e-bike with a new motor: The Giant Trance Advanced E+ at a glance

When the world's largest bicycle manufacturer unveils a new generation of its arguably most popular MTB model, you naturally take a closer look. And there's plenty to discover. Giant has pursued a holistic development approach for the Trance Advanced E+, a full-power trail bike in the universal 150/160 mm travel category, and has coordinated the entire system – frame, drive unit, and peripherals – from the outset. First, there's the new SyncDrive Pro 4 motor, which, with 120 Nm of torque, is not only exceptionally powerful but also delivers that torque to the trail smoothly and efficiently thanks to its special Traction Control System.

Other exciting features include the tire pressure sensors, which are standard on every model, and the wireless Ride Control Ergo 5 remote, which controls both riding modes and the brand-new electronic Giant Contact Switch E+ dropper post. The dropper post is powered by the same battery that powers the motor – the newly developed EnergyPak Smart 840. Its compact size allows the removable battery to keep the trail bike compact and agile. Giant states a weight of 21,9 kg for the top-of-the-line model, which has a suggested retail price of €10.000. Three other models are also available, priced between €6.000 and €8.000.

• application Trail running
• Wheels Mullet (29″ / 27,5″)
• Travel 160 mm / 150 mm (front/rear)
• Frame Carbon
• Weight from 21,9 kg
• Sizes S / M / L / XL
• Max system weight 140kg (0, 1) / 156kg (2, SE)
• Availability From November
• www.giant-bicycles.com
• Price (RRP) 6.000-10.000 Euro

SyncDrive Pro 4: What the new drivetrain is capable of

Let's first turn to the motor, which makes its debut in the Giant Trance Advanced E+: Its key specifications are quickly listed: The unit delivers 120 Nm of torque and 850 W peak power from the new 48V architecture. In terms of torque, it's comparable to the Bosch Performance CX or CX-R, but it offers 100 W more power and, at 2,4 kg, is also said to weigh around 300 g less. The only area where the SyncDrive Pro 4 falls short is in terms of assistance: It provides 500%, while the Bosch delivers up to six times the rider's power. At least, that's what the official figures say; we hope to be able to get the SyncDrive Pro 4 on our test bench as soon as possible so we can independently verify all the specifications in the e-bike lab .

Not only is the motor brand new, but Giant is also breaking new ground with the battery: The removable Energypak Smart 840 boasts a eponymous 840 Wh battery capacity in a compact, 3,7 kg form factor. The battery is, of course, designed for the new 48V architecture of the E+ system and is intended to operate more efficiently with its higher discharge currents (36V is typically standard). The range extender (Energypak Plus 280) also operates at 48V and expands the total possible capacity to a full 1.120 Wh. Both batteries have been tested by Giant for 2.300 charge cycles.

When the Giant Trance Advanced E+ needs its batteries recharged, the new Smart Charger X comes into its own: The 4A charger features a charge indicator, so you can see at a glance how much charge the bike has. The device also has a practical mount and can be hung on the wall or the bike itself – no more tangled cables. The old charger will also remain compatible.

Traction control

For Giant, it's not just the motor's power output that counts; it's also crucial that the motor's power is actually transferred to the ground. This is where the newly developed Traction Control comes in: Sensors on board the Trance Advanced E+ measure speed, gradient, cadence, and torque, reliably detecting rear wheel slippage. Based on this information, the motor can then regulate its power output and keep the torque within the optimal traction range.

Smart Gateways

While the traction control intervenes when the rear wheel threatens to spin, the "Smart Gateway" on-board computer is responsible for preventing this from happening in the first place. Six parameters (torque, cadence, speed, gradient, power, and acceleration) are incorporated into the engine control; in addition, the rider has six riding modes and further custom profiles available to adjust the riding characteristics as desired.

• Brand new SyncDrive Pro 4 motor only installed on Trance & Intrigue
• 120 Nm torque, 850 W power, 2,4 kg weight, 500% support
• Focus particularly smooth response
• Traction control prevents the rear wheel from slipping
• RideControl Go Lux Display
• Six driving modes & custom profiles
• 48-voltarchitecture with fast response time (0,28 s)
• Output range between 0 and 140 rpm
• Removable 840 Wh Battery with 375 Wh/L energy density & 3,7 kg weight

The chassis of the Giant Trance Advanced E+ in detail

Giant describes the carbon frame of the Trance Advanced E+ as the lightest e-MTB frame they've ever produced to feature a full-power motor. Compared to its predecessor (3.073 g), the new Trance Advanced E+ has shaved 300 g off the chassis, now weighing in at 2.773 g according to the manufacturer. This brings the top-of-the-line model to a total weight of 21,9 kg, making it 1,85 kg lighter than the previous model. At the same time, the suspension travel has increased; the new Trance E+ gains 10 mm at both the front and rear, offering 150 mm at the rear and 160 mm at the front. This places the bike firmly at the downhill-oriented end of the trail bike spectrum.

The rear suspension travel is managed by Giant's well-known Maestro rear suspension system: Giant doesn't provide specific anti-squat or anti-rise values, but states that the rear suspension characteristics are specifically designed for optimal pedaling traction. According to Giant, the old Maestro system had higher anti-squat values ​​in the sag range; a lower value suggests that the rear suspension will remain pressed to the ground even under chain tension, allowing the rear tire to generate more grip.

• frame material Carbon
• Frame weight 2.773 gr
• 300 gr Weight savings compared to predecessor
• Revised kinematics optimized for propulsion
• Removable battery
• 150 mm rear suspension travel 

Components

The holistic development approach doesn't stop at the interplay between motor and chassis; considerable thought has also gone into the peripheral components, demonstrating that Giant conceives of the Trance E+ as a complete system. The new Contact Switch E+ dropper post is particularly exciting: This electronically operated dropper post is powered directly by the e-bike battery and can be controlled via the RideControl Ergo 5 remote. However, this new control unit can do much more than just activate the seatpost: It acts as a control unit for the entire E+ system, allowing riders to select riding modes, for example. An interesting feature for those who prefer customization: The RideControl Ergo 5 can also be retrofitted to the right side, where it then serves as a shifter for Shimano derailleurs.

Giant has also put a lot of thought into the analog components: All four equipment variants of the Trance E+ use the newly developed TRX and TRA HD wheelsets. The former feature carbon rims, the latter are made of aluminum; what they have in common is Wide Guard technology: The rim flanges are extra wide at 5 mm and are rounded to distribute the force of a puncture over a wider area.

Powerful e-motors demand a drivetrain that can easily handle the high torque. The challenges don't simply end with a robust cassette. Therefore, Giant incorporates titanium ratchet rings into the rear hubs, ensuring the freewheel can withstand the motor's forces. The bevel gear design further improves power transmission and minimizes wear.

trim levels

Geometrie

The flip chip, with its three settings – Low, Mid, and High – allows you to adjust the head tube angle, seat tube angle, and bottom bracket drop (not independently, of course). The slack setting is designed for riders who enjoy steep trails and are generally downhill-oriented. With a head tube angle of just under 64°, obstacles are easily rolled over, and the low bottom bracket allows for a stable, integrated riding position on descents. The high setting, on the other hand, could be suitable for those who prefer a more moderate or agile riding style, or who place great importance on a good uphill position. With the higher bottom bracket, the pedals are even less likely to strike the ground on the already very short 155mm cranks, and the steeper head tube angle allows for a better climbing position.

The four frame sizes offer reach values ​​from 425 to 510 mm (mid-setting); sizes M and L, at 460 and 480 mm respectively, are in a reasonable average range. The stack values ​​promise a comfortably high front end, which should provide plenty of stability on rough terrain. It's somewhat unfortunate that Giant has given all four frame sizes the same rear center; the chainstay length is a consistent 443 mm, which is rather short for an e-bike. The ratio of rear triangle length to front triangle length increases quite significantly between frame sizes, suggesting that riders of different heights will find their center of gravity in different positions on the bike. On the other hand, it's very commendable that Giant provides information on the maximum insertion depth of the seat tube.

Information and images: Giant press release