If the price is right, and you know or sort of know its history, that's a darn good bike, with a reasonable "step" forward in geo from your current bike.

FWIW new bikes are hitting sale prices all over the place at the moment, so maybe your budget would allow that.

 

Every new "downcountry" bike is essentially cloning the geometry of this generation Trance. It was great when it came out, it's great now. The suspension is more plush than the Izzo and the Ripley. 77 STA and 65.5D HA are both worse for riding on flat ground. Any uphill steep enough to merit that STA, I'm already out of the saddle, and if you want to slack the thing out for super-steep downhills, -1.5D anglesets aren't that expensive.

 

That's what I was thinking. So these new steep seat tube angles are really for steep climbs, which I have, but also a lot of flats. I like to ride 2 or 3 hrs at a time often. Comfort is important to me. I am trying to see if the Trance had an integrated headset or a press fit. I have used the Slacker angle adjustment on my Niner but would prefer an internal angle set if I would go that route.

 

I recently sold my 2020 Trance 29 carbon. It had the NX build, was pretty light, and it felt like it had more travel than it did. I ride in TN and NC with lots of ups and downs. Even a ski area once in a while. The bike was great. You cant go wrong, especially if the price is right.

 

Is the headtube intergatred or press fit? What about the BB? Press fit or threaded?

 

I bought a '20 Trance 2 about two weeks ago, my only complaint is the weight, I'm estimating a bit over 32 pounds (with pedals), my fish scale isn't really designed for bigger fish, so it may be a little off. I'm curious what the Advanced weighs.
I would guess that the geometry is the same for the 2 and the Advanced? It took a couple of rides to get used to the geo for climbing, coming from 5+ year old xc race bikes, I'm pretty used to it now, and it climbs fine on super steep and narrow, bob is noticeable if the rear Fox is 'open'. I pretty much only ride slower speed narrow/twisty single track, with the tires at 16psi (I weigh about 180 probably right now) it's super smooth and plush, which is what I wanted: I've been having some wrist/thumb issues, and figured it would be worth trying something more plush than the xc race bikes.

 

I am waiting on the weight from the seller. He is out of town at the moment. It should be pretty light. Carbon wheels and handle bar. XT drivetrain and brakes.

 

I have found that the benefits of a slacker HTA are noticeable and beneficial for the downhills, and as I've slackened my first-generation Trance Advanced 29, I haven't noticed any downsides on the climbs. Giant's nomenclature leaves something to be desired and you may be talking about the 27.5 version, but I think it applies. I also have an SB5 that I've slackened with a "brunch ride" modification - 160 fork.

 

Giant's nomenclature leaves something to be desired

Understatement of the thread award, right there! 🙃

OP grab that bike!

 

I have (but don't use anymore) a Yeti SB5c with a 160 fork that I had down to about 26 pounds. Back in the summer of 2019 my wife and daughter went to Europe and while gone I decided on a whim to try out a Trance 29 (aluminum, about 32+ pounds).

On my demo ride, I set a PR for a 4 mile climb with about 1000' of elevation change. I then bought the carbon version and in Moab, I cleaned a downhill section of Mag-7 that I hadn't before.

I'm a believer in that bike!

Edit: I had the Trance down to under 26 lbs, but as a recovering weight weenie, I've added on weight - mostly burly tires, and it's 28 now.

 

My aluminum 2 is a lot of work for climbing, I have posted elsewhere here that it is about the same, maybe a tiny bit harder to get up the hills with a 30t front and 51 rear as compared to my fs race bike with 32front 40 rear, race bike is about 24.5 pounds ready to ride (size xl). The Trance 2 is definitely a good workout, which is not a bad thing. BB is pressfit on the 2 as well. When I bought the 2, it thought "there's no way I'll need that 30 with the 51 in the rear, I'll need to get a 32", but I'm keeping the 30.

 

Is the Alloy 2 115mm/130 or the frame with more suspension?

 

I went for a group ride last night. I looked around at everyone's bikes and then went home and looked up geo. I think a majority of peoples bikes were in the 73 to 75 STA range. Even the fasted guy at climbing, on a single speed no doubt (beast), was on a scalpel. Even the newest version is still 74.5. I believe last years was 73.5. I think I will really like the Trance. I was hoping to sell our old car to help pay for it, but the mechanic won't inspect it without some major work, so I won't be getting nearly as much out if it as I hoped. Not sure how my wife will feel about all of this...the bike has been for sale over a year, so it is what it is. I am not rushing into anything. There is always another one for sale.
Thanks for all of the advice everyone.

 

So I tried looking at the trance yesterday, but the owner wasn't available. It is about an 1hr15min drive and I was headed that way. I am really thinking this could be a great bike for me.
Flow CB7 wheels, XT drivetrain and brakes (only 2 piston), Float DPX shock, Fox transfer dropper, We are one carbon bar and stem. The fork is a Cane Helm 130mm. I am not familiar with this fork. It looks to be a highly tunable, high-end fork. Does anyone have any experience with it??

 

So I tried looking at the trance yesterday, but the owner wasn't available. It is about an 1hr15min drive and I was headed that way. I am really thinking this could be a great bike for me.
Flow CB7 wheels, XT drivetrain and brakes (only 2 piston), Float DPX shock, Fox transfer dropper, We are one carbon bar and stem. The fork is a Cane Helm 130mm. I am not familiar with this fork. It looks to be a highly tunable, high-end fork. Does anyone have any experience with it??

The Helm is a very good fork and better than the typical Fox and Rockshox. It sounds like a very well-specced bike if everything was well maintained.

 

Good to hear. I thought it looked like a decent fork from what i read. The bike looks pretty well taken care of from the pics. Just some small scratches and scuff marks. I will look over the frame and wheels real well for cracks or anything. I do most of mine own work including fork and shock maintenance so even if they need a service i should be able to handle it. Maybe invest in some ride wrap also.

 

Look up the servicing schedule for a Helm. There are no vids or info on the second level service. You have to take it off your bike and send it in. CC has been asked to make servicing something capable bike mechanics could do themselves. They ignore those requests. Be ready for that on a used fork.

 

Thanks for the warning. I will look into it.

 

The fork is the MK2 so I wouldn't feel the need to upgrade the damper or seals. I guess I can handle sending it in once a year or every 2 years. I will just keep up on the lowers at home. I was hoping to go pick the bike up this weekend, but he is out of town until after the 25th. Unless I see something cracked or blatantly worn, I and 95% sure I will buy it. I am getting stoked! He said he is even willing to let me swap out the dropper post for a longer one he has if I want to. The tires look quite heavy, but I will just most likely ride them until they are done and fit a lighter set on. Or maybe keep them for my Niner. Who knows.

 

I am finally meeting up with the seller on Friday. Hopefully everything looks good on the bike, and we can come to a deal. I will post an update (fingers crossed pics of the bike on my car rack 😎)

 

Not the best pics yet but here she is. Made a good deal on it and the seller even threw in some slightly used Maxxis Rekon Race tires for free so i can experience the bike at a low weight. Only issue so far is the Transfer dropper isn't working so well. Trying to figure that out. Might have to send it in. I could also just buy a 170mm dropper as that one is 150mm. All in all i am very happy with the deal. Can't get it into the woods today but hopefully tomorrow. I was able to get a small ride around town this morning. So plush! The shifting is so good! What an update over my Niner.

 

Absolutely loving this bike so far. I haven't even got the suspension dialed in yet and it is amazing.