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2019 Trance 29

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#1,881 ·
minimusprime said:
Just when I feel like it's time to tear this thing down to sell the frame and move on... I seem to fall back in love with it again. I've been tempted to replace this with a transition spur or even the new trance 29 frame. We'll see. This one keeps treating me really well and it will largely be up to the regional giant dealer if they feel like throwing me another frame/bike.

I just put a Wolftooth -1 shape shift headset on it for this up coming riding season. With my 36 @ 130mm having a 7mm taller axle to crown, and the -1 degree headset, the head tube angle ends up right at 65 degrees when measured using an angle finder. Overall, the bike feels great with that geometry. I don't think it would be the best change for every riding area/terrain. For example, even with the 7mm taller axle to crown, I never really noticed any wheel flop with this bike which there is a small amount of now. Not detrimental, but it's there. It's certainly not going to be the best for the XCO events and the pedaly races that I may end up doing this year. However, I do tend to take this bike on some pretty stupid adventures with steeps in excess of -25% and being under biked is sorta a theme of my ownership of this bike.

Currently running it in a traditional trail bike type of setup. Current build, and likely final build for this frame is as follows:
-2019 Advanced Pro 29 - Size XL - Weight 29.7lbs ready to ride (pedals, bottle cage, garmin mount etc)
-165x45 long shocked (120mm travel) custom tuned DPX2
-Fox 36 Performance Elite with custom 130mm travel air spring w/vorsprung luftkappe and wolftooth components -1 degree headset
-X01 Eagle Shifter, Derailleur, Cassette, Chain, crankset
-Guide Ultimate Brakes with 200mm rotors front/rear
-Giant TRX-1 Carbon - 30mm IW wheels - 2.4 Dissector in front, 2.4 rekon in back with cushcore xc.
-One up - 180mm dropper post & One up 35mm carbon bars - 35mm rise, 780mm width, raceface turbine 35mm clamp 40mm stem
-Ergon GFR1 Grips and SM Pro Saddle (wide)
-Wolftooth Dropper leaver, chain guide, front fork axle
-Ground Keeper Frame Wrap, Fender, Fork Decals
-Giant Contact bottom bracket tool storage, K-edge garmin mount, fork cork steer tube storage
-Rider weight - 175lbs, 6'3"
-Riding style - questionable life choices

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SWEEEEEEET! Nice ride.
 
#1,882 ·
Any of you guys buy a second wheelset for a different set of tyres? The Trance 29 is my only mountain bike and I use it mainly for downcountry/trail riding but occasionally use it for shuttle days. My main area where I do most of my cross country riding is mostly rock so my back tire is a harder, two compound tire to be able to withstand some of the more rapid wear and tear. It's a pain to switch out tires to put on some bigger stickier tyres for downhill days, so I'm thinking of getting a second wheelset. I should probably just get another bike, haha, but in the meantime this is the cheaper option. Thinking about getting the WeAreOne Union wheelset.
 
Discussion starter · #1,883 ·
DocFPV said:
Any of you guys buy a second wheelset for a different set of tyres? The Trance 29 is my only mountain bike and I use it mainly for downcountry/trail riding but occasionally use it for shuttle days. My main area where I do most of my cross country riding is mostly rock so my back tire is a harder, two compound tire to be able to withstand some of the more rapid wear and tear. It's a pain to switch out tires to put on some bigger stickier tyres for downhill days, so I'm thinking of getting a second wheelset. I should probably just get another bike, haha, but in the meantime this is the cheaper option. Thinking about getting the WeAreOne Union wheelset.
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I bought a lighter, quicker engaging wheelset thinking I'd put XC tires on it and beefier tires on the original for big days. Given the need to tweak the shifting just a little when swapping, I just swap tires instead. But, since you may be doing it more frequently it makes sense. I also went to AXS and the app on the phone might make the small adjustments easier. For example, I go with "20" as the fine tune on one wheelset. If the other is "18' that would make it very simple. There's still the issue of fine tuning the brakes, but that's not a huge deal.
 
#1,884 ·
MSU Alum said:
I bought a lighter, quicker engaging wheelset thinking I'd put XC tires on it and beefier tires on the original for big days. Given the need to tweak the shifting just a little when swapping, I just swap tires instead. But, since you may be doing it more frequently it makes sense. I also went to AXS and the app on the phone might make the small adjustments easier. For example, I go with "20" as the fine tune on one wheelset. If the other is "18' that would make it very simple. There's still the issue of fine tuning the brakes, but that's not a huge deal.
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Even with the same cassette do you think you still need to make small adjustments to the derailleur?
 
#1,887 ·
I purchased my 2019 trance 29er" in 8/2019 and broke my 1st rear triangle in 12/2019. I got a replacement in a few weeks ( $425.00 crash replacement price i think). My next rear triangle broke in 10/2021 and have not been able to get a replacement. During my search several shops mentioned that rear triangle breaking where the derailleur cable is routed internally was well known issue with this bike (that's where both mine broke), but not covered by warranty. I was wondering if anyone else has broken one or more. In case anyone wants to know I am 64 yo and weigh 145 lbs, I have never broken another frame and while I like to think I'm a hard chargin bad ass I ride with a few people who are so I know that's not true.
 
#1,888 ·
donutnational said:
I purchased my 2019 trance 29er" in 8/2019 and broke my 1st rear triangle in 12/2019. I got a replacement in a few weeks ( $425.00 crash replacement price i think). My next rear triangle broke in 10/2021 and have not been able to get a replacement. During my search several shops mentioned that rear triangle breaking where the derailleur cable is routed internally was well known issue with this bike (that's where both mine broke), but not covered by warranty. I was wondering if anyone else has broken one or more. In case anyone wants to know I am 64 yo and weigh 145 lbs, I have never broken another frame and while I like to think I'm a hard chargin bad ass I ride with a few people who are so I know that's not true.
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Was the rear triangle made of aluminum or carbon?
 
#1,891 ·
coach22 said:
Anyone ever break a frame like this? 2021 advanced pro. It broke on both sides where the rear shock attaches to the frame
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I have not seen that in any of the trances that go through my LBS. Disclaimer for what I'm about to ask, I'm not blaming you for the failure... it shouldnt' fail like that no matter what the reason. However, what are the condition of the bearings for your lower link. Maestro suspended bikes are notorious for trashing those bearings frequently as they experience a lot of load due to the lever arm of the bottom maestro link. In addition, they typically see a lot of moisture, mud and dust that cause them to seize. For example, I'm on my fourth set of those bearings since I got this bike 3 years ago, despite only being on my second set of bearings for everything else.

Either way, I'd still expect giant to take care of us. Not sure what their customer service is like in your home country, but if this were local to southern california, the local giant rep would for sure sort this out and make it right.
 
#1,892 ·
The bearings seem fine, the bike was only 10 months old when this happened. I’ll make sure to get them changed often in the future then.

Living in Europe I bought the bike mail order from a shop in Germany. Thankfully they are sorting me out with a new frame!

It was talking some time to get an answer from them so I brought it to the Giant shop in Ireland and they refused the warranty. They must have different standards!

Just wanted to see if anyone else had experienced this. I’m a light rider, rest of the bike is 100% ok
 
#1,894 ·
I own a Trance Advanced 29 Pro 1 circa 2019. Despite owning a few other bikes the Trance 29 is currently my weapon of choice.

However extensive modifications were made to this bike : New brakes (Shimano Saint) and a new fork and a new shock.

I think the stock fork and shock let this bike down. I was never able to get the Fox 34 GRIP working welling. It was either too soft or too hard although I did settle on two tokens for the fork. However it just wasn't a pleasant bike to ride.

However after I put on the 2023 Pike Ultimate the front end felt much better. I found the Pike to be far more supportive than the stock Fox 34 GRIP. The Pike was both supple and supportive.

The rear still felt nervous so I switched out the DPX2 for a 2023 Superdeluxe in 165x45 and wow what difference. I immediately noticed an improvement in efficiency and pedal performance despite initially setting up the rear shock at much air pressure level. The backend stiffed up quite a bit. Of course the pedaling performance on this bike was improved with the new shock and the Trance actually feels zippier than my Rocky Mountain Growler hardtail.

On high speed descents the rear end felt much more confident with the new shock; I could carve turns quickly and was still able to maintain my speed. At no point did I feel the rear end kick out if I were to go faster,unlike the DPX2/Pike combo. With the Pike/DPX2 combo I maxed out at understeer while the Pike/Superdeluxe combo made the bike feel limitless and controlled. The bike was begging me for more speed.

Brakes are of course I subjective issue but I never rode the bike with the stock brakes.

Overall the Trance 29 Advanced frame was slightly ahead of its time because the stock fork and shock fail this bike miserably. If you come across a Giant Trance Advanced 29 a new fork and shock can help you unlock the frame's potential as envisioned Giant.

Compared to the latest Trance Advanced 29 I feel that my modded bike is Frost's road not taken.
 
#1,895 ·
I'm rebuilding the rear TRX-1 wheel (29) on my 2019 Advanced Pro 2 and couldn't find much info on the specs so I'm posting them here in case anybody else needs the info in the future.

Bare rim weight: 514 g (measured on my kitchen scale)
ERD: 591 mm (measured)
Spokes are Sapim Race 2.0/1.5/2.0.
Nipples are 12 mm Sapim alloy secure lock with HM cupped washers.

The straight pull DT Swiss 360 hub actually requires 3 different spoke lengths because of the 360's hub flange pattern. I hadn't noticed that fact until I had all the spokes out so I hadn't been paying attention to which side the spokes came from but I can tell you that there are 7x 290 mm, 14x 294 mm, and 7x 298 mm. For what it's worth, I had changed a few spokes on these wheels in the past and had recorded that the 290s were DS and the 298s NDS. It stands to reason then that the 294s would be 7 per side.
 
#1,896 ·
Thanks for this. Just waiting for a new rim to rebuild the rear wheel from my Giant Trance 29 1 2019 (same TRX-1 wheelset) and what you have noted is bang on... just my wheel did not have the HM cupped washers... I am not sure those are a must...

The hub is a Giant contraption with DT internals... the flanges have different heights for the puling and pushing spokes - I think they call it Dynamic Balanced Lacing or something... the DT original hubs have the same spoke lengths.

Stefan

abcyclist said:
I'm rebuilding the rear TRX-1 wheel (29) on my 2019 Advanced Pro 2 and couldn't find much info on the specs so I'm posting them here in case anybody else needs the info in the future.

Bare rim weight: 514 g (measured on my kitchen scale)
ERD: 591 mm (measured)
Spokes are Sapim Race 2.0/1.5/2.0.
Nipples are 12 mm Sapim alloy secure lock with HM cupped washers.

The straight pull DT Swiss 360 hub actually requires 3 different spoke lengths because of the 360's hub flange pattern. I hadn't noticed that fact until I had all the spokes out so I hadn't been paying attention to which side the spokes came from but I can tell you that there are 7x 290 mm, 14x 294 mm, and 7x 298 mm. For what it's worth, I had changed a few spokes on these wheels in the past and had recorded that the 290s were DS and the 298s NDS. It stands to reason then that the 294s would be 7 per side.
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#1,897 ·
Welp, it appears that my run with my 19' trance advanced 29 is coming to an end. My local giant dealer and lbs made me a deal on a 2022 trance x 29 frame that I could not turn down, so I'll be tearing down my t29 frame/shock and either selling it (provided I can get 1k for it) or just hanging it up in the rafters of the garage for a future boredom project.

This frame has been great and has exceeded my expectations for the price. Might be one of the best price/performance bikes I've ever owned (save maybe a handful of kona's from 5-7+ years ago). My only complaint is that my stupid size XL frame is going to be so hard to sell.

I'm going to be picking up the new frame from the shop thursday and starting to tear down my trance 29 to swap the parts over this weekend. Looking forward to the new build/bike, but sad to see this one's run come to an end.
 
#1,900 · (Edited)
coach22 said:
Anyone ever break a frame like this? 2021 advanced pro. It broke on both sides where the rear shock attaches to the frame

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Before tightening the lower shock bolt, my Trance Advanced has play between the eyelet and aluminum spacers. I don't know if yours did also, but 0.004" of shims closed the gap on mine. I would think too much play could put undue inward stress on the bearing carriers and possibly lead to failure like yours.
 
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