2015 Giant Trance 27.5 Review

While the new Giant Reign 27.5 is getting all the attention for 2015, the Giant Trance 27.5 is still getting some love (Bike Magazine tester Vernon Felton picked it for his dream build here), and for good reason. Web Editor Greyson has been riding a 2015 Giant Trance 27.5 since the beginning of October over a wide range of Tahoe Trails.

In its second year in the 27.5-wheeled iteration, the Trance takes a middle-of-the-road approach to not only wheel size (between 26 and 29 inch wheel) but also in suspension travel (140 mm, or 5.5 inches, front and rear) and a good all-around trail riding geometry. All that adds up to a balanced ride that strikes a compromise between uphill and downhill ability.

The Maestro suspension is plush and active through pedaling and braking, absorbing square-edge hits, stutters and g-outs without complaint or weird feedback. Pedaling is efficient, but dialing the rear shock for long climbs makes it feel a little snappier - either way, the Maestro suspension gives you gobs of traction while pedaling. Wide open, I didn't find myself wishing for more travel or a plusher feel - the wheel sticks to the ground and soaks up everything.

Likewise the fork, raked at 67 degrees, gives nothing to complain about, tracking well with a 15 mm axle and a tapered steerer. Overall the geometry hit the sweet spot - only rarely requiring extra attention on the steepest climbs or gnarliest descents. The low bottom bracket - great for a low center of gravity and amazing in-the-bike feel did mean a few more pedal strikes than I'm used to, but it's easy to adapt to.

Overall, this is the kind of bike that just disappears under you. You're just having fun riding whatever conditions you're in - I'm never wishing for more travel or more efficient pedaling, a slacker headtube or shorter chainstay.

Every detail on the bike felt dialed, from stem length to handlebar width, and the bent toptube's extra stand over height was much appreciated during mistakes in technical sections. The 2x10 drivetrain with a clutched rear derailleur has yet to miss, and the Shimano hydraulic discs are as reliable as they get.

A dropper post (included on the Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 2) is a great upgrade for this bike in the trail riding conditions it will likely find itself in. Incidentally, if you can shell out for the Advanced carbon bike, do it. Upgrade the parts as you go and you've got a world-class bike at a crazy-low entry price.

So if you're looking for a Jack of all trades that will keep you happy on everything from smooth and banked to rocky and choppy, uphill or down trails, the Trance is a bike that's tough to beat.