At just short of five grand, you can get the top of the range Trance. It gets a carbon frame with a Fox 34 Performance Elite FIT 4 fork with a DPX2 Performance Elite handling the rear suspension. This bike gets a full Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes with a Shimano XT crank and 30t chainring. It too gets the Giant TRX-1 WheelSystem wheels which are wrapped with a Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.3″ 3C EXO on the front with a Maxxis Aggressor 29×2.3″ with the same specs at the rear.
It’s built on the lightest road frameset ever produced by Giant, and it boasts an unrivaled stiffness-to-weight ratio for pure speed and efficiency. The Variant integrated seatpost design delivers an improved ride quality for comfort during even the longest races. And its proven Compact Road Design gives it the perfect blend of razor-sharp handling and confident control. From the mountains to the flats, start to finish, TCR Advanced SL is a legendary all-rounder with a long list of race wins to prove it. Lightweight and trail-ready, this little dirt shredder has a wide range of gears to tackle hills and a durable build that will keep up with their adventures. Built with a lightweight aluminum frame, plenty of stand-over clearance, and easy-to-use gears, this is the rigid version of the XtC Jr. family.
Heavyweights and racers will often be better off with a Trek because of the differences in suspension. Trek is often considered like a plow bike and Giant is more playful, this also depends on how you set up your bike. The more you pay the better the performance and this goes for every reputable brand. Others find Giant’s frame angles less progressive compared to Trek.When it comes to hydraforming , Trek is doing trickier stuff to gain strength and stiffness.
Now that we’re sub 4k, carbon frame options go out of the window however, you can pick up a Reign with a coil shock. The Reign 29 SX comes with a Fox 38 Performance Elite with the GRIP2 damper paired with a Fox DHX2 Performance Elite coil shock, something that’s not seen on the spendier models. As for the drivetrain it benefits from a SRAM NX Eagle set-up with a TruVativ Descendant 6k crankset with an MRP alloy chain guide. The Reign 29 SX gets Shimano SLX stoppers and rolls on Giant AM 29 rims laced to Giant Tracker Performance Boost hubs.
It will come down to personal preference, riding style and affordability. As they prefer to go the traditional route, Giant sells their bikes in bike shops throughout the world. There are more than 12,000 retailers offering Giant bikes, so you are bound to find one close to you. Giants focus is more on the quality of their parts while Trek is more into research and development, trying to innovate and make their bikes better looking and feeling. You are more likely to get better, and sometimes more, components when purchasing a Giant Bicycle. Since Giant gets their parts cheaper, they can provide better quality parts.
The Anthem 29 1 gets a full Shimano SLX drivetrain and cranks with a 32t chainring. Brakes also come from Shimano in the form of the MT501 levers and MT500 callipers. As for wheels, this bike gets Giant XCT 29s and there are Maxxis Recon Race tyres with a 2.35″ width on the front and a 2.25″ on the rear and they come with Maxxis’ TLR, EXO compounds and casing. We’re now at the price point where the carbon frames stop coming. The Trance X 29 2 is built around Giants’ ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminium with a Fox 36 Float Rhythm fork with a GRIP damper and a Fox Float DPS Performance shock.
Seems Giant agrees with us, because no 2020 models are coming with DVO suspension. Instead, the Trance Advanced Pro 29 0 returns to RockShox for its fork and shock, which includes what might be the world’s smallest piggyback shock. Giant has lathered this model in some of SRAM’s wireless AXS goodies, which is partially responsible for that price tag.
Get your dose of singletrack on a fun hardtail that puts you in control. The combination of a lightweight hardtail frame, 130mm suspension fork and 27.5 wheels with wide rims and high-volume tires delivers loads of traction, speed and fun on the trail. With its updated giant KIDS BIKES ALUXX SL aluminum frame, quick-handling 27.5 wheels and high-volume tires, Fathom is a great choice for technical terrain and singletrack shredding. The frame is designed with trail-friendly geometry that includes a more relaxed head angle and a 130mm suspension fork.
The Giant Full-E+ SX is a more aggressive 160mm travel full suspension e-bike designed for trail use and a bit of enduro style riding. Equipped with all the giant ROAD BIKES mod cons including Boost axles and dropper seat posts. It’s an entry level full suspension trail bike with 120mm of travel and a price tag of £1,349.