Update 20th January 2023
Giant and trekking bike – these two terms have been combined into one for many years: Explore E+. This model series is probably one of the most popular and therefore also the best-selling of the manufacturer. So that the old love does not die, the bike has received a retread for the current season. In terms of character, it can only be compared with its predecessors to a limited extent. This is mainly due to the new direction that Giant has given the ebike. Which one this is and what exactly has been changed, you can read here.
Update 9th November 2022
Until now, the SUV ebike category has been a blank spot in Giant’s range. Behind the scenes, however, the manufacturer has been working diligently for several years to change this. The time has now come for the 2023 season. The Stormguard E+ fills the gap – and definitely causes a stir. We took an in-depth look at the full-suspension bike with its belt drive and futuristic-looking rear carrier. Find out more here.
Original post 26th August 2022
Almost unnoticed, Giant has now also started to show its new products for the 2023 season. The new ebikes for children, the Giant Talon E+ 24/26 and the Liv Talon E+ 24/26, kicked things off. Now the manufacturer is adding a luxury version to its Trance X Advanced E+ model range.
The Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD cannot be called anything else at a price of 12,799 euros. The previous top model in the range, the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ 0, costs an even 4,000 euros less. Based on a carbon frame, the Trance X Advanced E+ have only been part of Giant’s range for a year. They are the sportier counterpart to the Giant Trance X E+, whose frame is made of aluminium.
Full of energy
So, the question is, what arguments does the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD use to justify its lavish additional charge? The first thing that stands out is its completely new battery. The EnergyPak 800 will be the manufacturer’s new flagship battery for the 2023 season. For the further development, previously used cells of the 21700 size were exchanged for the 227000 size. The newly used generation still comes from Panasonic. According to Giant, it is superior to its predecessor in terms of heat management and resistance. Thanks to its more compact design, the weight of 4.4 kilograms could be kept comparatively low. Tests by Giant have shown that under optimal conditions, ranges of 280, 290 kilometres can be achieved with one battery charge. That is a good 100 kilometres more than with the EnergyPak 625, which is installed in the other bikes in the model series.
Only the best
The next convenient, but also rather expensive extra is the built-in electronic shifting. For the other models, Giant uses the Shimano range. On the new top model, the choice is Sram instead. Its AXS version ensures optimum precision and speed when shifting gears. At the same time, it reduces the amount of maintenance required in everyday use. In return, you only have to charge the batteries for the rear derailleur and shifters. Experience shows that this should be sufficient once a year.
With the sleek integrated handlebar/stem unit, Giant also significantly upgrades the cockpit. Due to the few cables that still run there, everything appears to be made of one piece. The sporty look is enhanced by a few grams of weight saved because the unit is also made of carbon.
Kashima on the frame
The seatpost and wheelset from Zipp are also a step above the existing models. From our point of view, the paintwork of the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD deserves a special mention. A black metallic paint finish is provided with bronze-coloured sprinkles. As the colour is reminiscent of the Kashima coating of suspension elements from Fox, Giant calls the colour variant Kashima Flake. The cassette and chain also shimmer in a similar tone, creating a beautiful, coherent overall appearance.
Apart from that, you will of course find the technologies on this trail bike that are standard on a Trance X Advanced E+ from Giant, i.e. the flip chip function for changing the frame geometry, the Fox E-Live Valve suspension system, with which the suspension fork and rear triangle shock automatically adjust to the terrain you are riding on, or the Giant SyncDrive Pro2 motor with its torque of 85 Newton metres.
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD at a glance
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Motor: SyncDrive Pro2
- Battery: EnergyPak Smart 800
- Control unit: RideControl Ergo 3
- Display: RideControl GO
- Suspension fork: Fox 36 Factory E-Live Valve
- Drivetrain: Sram XO1 Eagle AXS
- Brakes: Sram Code RSC
- Weight: 23 kg (frame size L)
- Maximum permitted total weight: 156 kg
- Price: 12,799 euros
Pictures: Giant Germany GmbH
