Got to demo this year's Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 1 on one of my favourite local loops, a long technical climb (Tamarack) to a long and varied descent (Crown Point). I'd been told that this was one of the best priced and spec'd all-mountain rigs available right now, and it's hard to find fault. At ~ 27lbs for a size large, with stock carbon rims, aggressive rubber, and set at medium front and back this thing climbs like a fucking dream. Makes my 33lb carbon Nomad feel like a tank. Wants to accelerate everywhere on rolling terrain. Very capable on the descents, precise through technical sections, flick able, noticibly quiet and composed. Hit 3-4' drops without issue, easy to hit your lines, but definitely less forgiving when you miss them, so wouldn't feel confident going any bigger. Almost perfect spec, I would buy this bike.
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