Giant Trance X 2 2025: Review, Test, Pros, Cons, Issues, Performance, Opinions – Everything You Need To Know (Really)

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Review, Test, Pros, Cons, Issues, Performance, Opinions – Everything You Need To Know (Really)

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Review, Test, Pros, Cons, Performance, Opinions – Everything You Need To Know

The Giant Trance X 2 2025 is a full-suspension mountain bike belonging to the Trail/All-Mountain segment, engineered to offer a balance between climbing capability and descending performance. The 2025 model, in line with industry evolution, features significant updates in terms of geometry and versatility. The designation "2" refers to the mid-range build with an aluminum frame.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Build Quality

The Trance X 2 2025 utilizes ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum technology, Giant's high-quality aluminum alloy known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. The frame features front and rear triangles constructed from this alloy, ensuring the robustness and durability necessary for intensive Trail use.

The build quality is defined by Giant's signature Maestro suspension system. This system, which employs a virtual pivot design, is optimized to separate pedaling, braking, and bump forces, guaranteeing high efficiency on climbs and an active, progressive response on descents.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Frame

The Trance X 2 2025 frame is the core of its versatility and performance.

Travel: The model offers 140 mm of rear travel (Maestro system) paired with a 150 mm fork up front. This configuration firmly places it in the aggressive Trail segment.

Adjustable Geometry (Flip Chip): The frame is equipped with two distinct Flip Chip systems, significantly increasing customization capability:

Maestro Link Flip Chip (Maestro 3): Allows adjustment of the seat tube angle, head tube angle, and bottom bracket height. This enables the rider to adapt the bike to various conditions ("High" position for steep climbs, "Low" position for aggressive descents).

Headset Flip Chip: Allows for further fine-tuning of the head tube angle (often ±0.5∘), without the need to replace components.

Wheel Compatibility: The rear triangle is designed to be compatible with both 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheels (Mullet setup), offering additional tuning freedom to the rider.

Integrated Storage: The frame includes an integrated storage compartment in the down tube and mounting points for gear under the top tube, enhancing practicality for long rides.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Components

The Trance X 2 2025 build is typically the sweet spot in the aluminum range, offering robust and high-performing components with excellent value for money.

Suspension: Generally features a Fox 36 Float Rhythm 150 mm fork with a GRIP damper and a Fox Float Performance rear shock (or equivalents), both custom-tuned for the Maestro system. These are high-quality units that offer essential basic adjustments (compression and rebound) and reliable performance.

Drivetrain: The groupset is typically Shimano Deore/SLX 12-speed (e.g., M6100/M7100) with a 10-51T cassette, a choice that ensures precise and durable shifting with a wide range to tackle any gradient.

Brakes: The braking system is usually Shimano BR-MT420 hydraulic 4-piston (or equivalent like Tektro Orion), with 203 mm rotors up front and 180 mm in the rear, providing adequate stopping power for its Trail/All-Mountain intended use.

Wheels and Tires: The bike is equipped with 29-inch wheels (e.g., Giant TRA 2, tubeless ready) with a 30 mm internal width. Tires are usually an aggressive and versatile mix, such as Maxxis Minion DHF (front) and Maxxis Dissector (rear), optimized for grip and rolling speed.

Dropper Post: Features a Giant Contact Switch AT dropper post with generous travel (up to 170-200 mm in larger sizes), essential for descending control.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Comfort

Comfort on the Trance X 2 2025 stems from the combination of modern geometry and suspension performance.

Riding Position: The steep effective seat tube angle (around 77∘ in the neutral/high position) favors a central and efficient pedaling position for climbing, reducing fatigue.

Maestro Suspension: The Maestro design is renowned for its sensitivity to small bumps, keeping the wheel in contact with the ground and increasing comfort on rough terrain without sacrificing mid-stroke support.

Tires: The large volume of the 2.5′′/2.4′′ tires contributes to vibration absorption and overall ride comfort.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Handling

The Trance X 2 is designed to be the single quiver bike for the rider seeking performance across a wide variety of trails.

Climbing: The efficiency of the Maestro system (with a good level of initial anti-squat) and the upright pedaling position make it a capable climber, minimizing unwanted suspension movement (bobbing). On technical climbs, traction is maintained thanks to the sensitivity of the rear suspension.

Descending (Trail/All-Mountain): The aggressive geometry (slack head angle, generous reach) and the 150/140 mm travel provide great stability and confidence at high speeds and on technical sections. The geometry customization capability allows optimizing the bike's behavior for steeper descents ("Low" position) or for faster, smoother trails. The progressivity of the Maestro suspension handles big impacts well.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Performance

The performance of the Trance X 2 is defined by its high versatility.

Pedaling Efficiency: The optimization of the Maestro system and the steep seat angle make it one of the most pedaling-efficient bikes in the Trail/All-Mountain segment with 140 mm of travel.

Descending Capability: With the 150 mm fork and robust components, the bike is capable of tackling trails that were once the domain of Enduro bikes, yet it retains the agility and contained weight of a Trail bike.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Pros and Cons

Pros

Excellent Versatility: The ability to adjust geometry via dual Flip Chips and Mullet compatibility allows for deep customization based on the trail and riding style.

Maestro System: Highly efficient suspension, offering a great balance between pedaling efficiency and descending responsiveness.

Value for Money (Build Kit): The aluminum "2" build offers high-quality components (Fox suspension, 12-speed Shimano drivetrain, 4-piston brakes) at a competitive price for the category.

Integrated Storage: Adds functionality and practicality for long rides without a backpack.

Cons

Weight (Aluminum): Being an aluminum frame with a robust, oversized build for versatility, the overall weight is higher than the Advanced (carbon) versions and some aluminum rivals more oriented towards light trail.

Maneuverability on Tight Trails: The 29-inch wheels and modern geometry, while excellent for stability, can make the bike less agile than the previous version (or 27.5′′ bikes) on tight switchbacks. The Mullet configuration can mitigate this aspect.

Build Details: Some demanding riders might find Giant's aluminum build components and the MT420 brakes (depending on the exact year) to be adequate, but not as premium as those found on higher-tier builds.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Recommendations

Geometry Experimentation: It is recommended to test the different configurations offered by the Flip Chips. The "Low" position is generally preferred for All-Mountain use and descending stability, while the "High" position is optimal for technical climbing or smoother trails.

Tire Protection: If regularly riding rocky trails, the use of tire inserts is recommended to protect the rims, given the 30 mm internal width, and one can consider upgrading the tire casing to EXO+ or DoubleDown for the rear for greater pinch flat resistance.

Maestro Maintenance: Keeping the Maestro system pivots clean and in good condition is essential to ensure the suspension's fluidity and effectiveness over time.

Giant Trance X 2 2025: Alternatives

In the market for full-suspension aluminum Trail/All-Mountain bikes with 140/150 mm travel, the Giant Trance X 2 competes with models such as:

Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy: Offers similar adjustable geometry and a focus on versatility.

Trek Fuel EX 8 XT/GX: A Trail riding icon, known for its balanced geometry and effective suspension.

Cannondale Habit / Transition Sentinel (Aluminum): Offer alternatives with slightly different focuses, but fall into the same category of aggressive and versatile Trail use.

Cube Stereo 140 HPC SL: For those seeking a slightly better compromise in terms of weight (carbon), but with similar travel and comprehensive build kits.

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Note: The photo does not refer to the specific bike under review.