Giant is the latest brand to enter the lightweight e-MTB market, releasing its lightest-ever e-MTB, the Trance X Advanced E+ Elite. Liv has also got in on the action, releasing the Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite. It features all the same tech as the unisex Trance X Advanced E+ but with women's specific geometry and components.
However behind its fly-weight and slim exterior, Giant has packed a punch. Most of the best electric mountain bikes spec lightweight but lower powered motors from the likes of TQ and Fazua, Giant has specced their SyncDrive Pro system.
So while the Trance X Advanced E+ might not be the lightest e-MTB in the growing featherweight e-MTB category, it is by far the most powerful with Giant claiming it to be the lightest full-power E-bike in the world.
Rather than skimp on the e-MTB motor power output, which was co-developed with Yamaha and delivers 85Nm of torque, Giant says they saved a whopping 4kg by using a breakthrough battery cell technology that was co-developed with Panasonic specifically for E-bike usage.
The new EnergyPak 400 uses a higher volume new 22700 cell type which is said to have a higher discharge capacity, stay cooler, and have a longer lifecycle. It's the higher discharge capacity that Giant says allows them to run a full-power motor from a 400Wh battery, there will also be a 200Wh range extender available. The new EnergyPak 400 battery is said to be half the size of Giant's previous battery packs, weighing in at just 2.7kg.
The new battery system also marks the launch of Giant’s new CO2-neutral battery production. As part of their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of battery usage and production, Giant will only be using E-bike batteries from a CO2-neutral plant.
To save further weight, Giant used its advanced-grade composite material to build the frame and the bike features an integrated bar and stem, although we will talk about that more later.
All in this aggressive 140mm mullet trail bike weighs an impressive 18.8kg in its top-of-the-range Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 garb.
So while it might carry a little more around the waist than the lightest e-MTBs of Scott's Lumen (130mm, 15.5kg), BMC Fourstroke AMP LT (120mm, 15.9kg), and Pivot Shuttle SL (132mm,16.5kg) the Trance X Advanced E+ should be considerably more capable. It's not far off the weight of the longer travel lightweight e-MTBs like Trek's Fuel EXe (140mm, 17.47kg), Haibike Lyke SE (140mm, 18.5kg), and Forestal Cyon (150mm, 17.1kg), but with the advantages of a full power 85Nm motor.
The Trance X Advanced E+ doesn't just boast some fancy new battery tech either as Giant has loaded the Trance X Advanced E+ with features. As with all of Giant's Maestro full-suspension bikes, there's a flip chip to adjust the head angle between 65.8 and 66.5 degrees and the seat angle between the seat tube between 76.0 and 76.7 degrees.
There are new motor controls too, with a multi-function on/off button and battery/mode indicator integrated into the top tube and a new Ridecontrol Ergo 3 handlebar remote which is integrated into the handlebar grip or used with any replacement grip. The Ridecontrol Ergo 3 can be mounted on either side of the handlebars and features three customizable buttons.
Many top-end bikes are being specced with integrated handlebars due to their lower weights however these come at the sacrifice of adjustability. Giant's all-new Contact SLR Trail integrated bar/stem weighs a claimed 255 grams but still offers customization using swappable steerer spacers. These spacers give options for adjusting stem length (40mm, 45mm, or 50mm) and bar rotation to adjust the angle by 3 degrees, giving an effective back sweep of 7, 8, or 9 degrees. The top cap can also be replaced to mount accessories like a GPS bike computer, GoPro camera, or lights.
The top two models also feature Fox's Live Valve electronic suspension, which automatically adjusts the fork and rear shock while you ride.
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ specifications and pricing
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0
- Suspension: Fox 36 Factory Live Valve (150mm) / Fox Float Factory Live Valve (140mm)
- Drive Unit: Giant SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, Giant EnergyPak 400Wh battery
- Groupset: SRAM XO1 Eagle AXS drivetrain, 12sp
- Cranks: Praxis Performance Carbon e-crank, 36t
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC (220mm, 200mm)
- Wheelset: Zipp 3MOTO 29in [F] /27.5in [R], with Quarq Tyrewiz
- Tires: Maxxis Dissector 29X2.40 [F], Maxxis Rekon 27.5x2.4 [R]
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR Trail Integrated
- Seatpost: Fox Transfer Factory (S:125, M:175, L:150, XL:200)
- Saddle: Giant Romero SL
- Price: $16,000 / £12,999
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 1
- Suspension: Fox 36 Performance Elite Live Valve (150mm) / Fox Float Performance Elite Live Valve (140mm)
- Drive Unit: Giant SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, Giant EnergyPak 400Wh battery
- Groupset: SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain, 12sp
- Cranks: Praxis Performance Carbon e-crank, 36t
- Brakes: SRAM Code R (220mm, 200mm)
- Wheelset: Giant TRX 2
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29X2.40 [F], Maxxis Dissector 27.5x2.4 [R]
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR Trail Integrated
- Seatpost: Tranz-X Rad+ dropper, 30mm travel adjustable (S:120-150mm, M:140-170mm, L/XL:170-200mm)
- Saddle: Giant Romero
- Price: $10,000 / £8,999
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 2
- Suspension: Fox 36 Float Performance (150mm) / Fox DPS Performance (140mm)
- Drive Unit: Giant SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, Giant EnergyPak 400Wh battery
- Groupset: Shimano Deore SLX drivetrain, 12sp
- Cranks: Praxis Wavetm e-crank, 36t
- Brakes: Shimano SLX (203mm)
- Wheelset: Giant AM
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29X2.40 [F], Maxxis Dissector 27.5x2.4 [R]
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL 35 Trail
- Stem: Giant Contact SL 35
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch, dropper, (S:125/M:150/ L and XL:170)
- Saddle: Giant Romero
- Price: $7,200 / £6,499
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 3
- Suspension: RockShox 35 Gold RL DebonAir (150mm) / Rock Shox Deluxe Select R (140mm)
- Drive Unit: Giant SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, Giant EnergyPak 400Wh battery
- Groupset: Shimano Deore drivetrain, 12sp
- Cranks: Praxis Wavetm e-crank, 36t
- Brakes: Shimano Deore (203mm)
- Wheelset: Giant AM
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29X2.40 [F], Maxxis Dissector 27.5x2.4 [R]
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL 35 Trail
- Stem: Giant Contact SL 35
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch, dropper, (S:125/M:150/ L and XL:170)
- Saddle: Giant Romero
- Price: $6,000 / £5,499
Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ 1
- Suspension: Fox 36 Performance Elite Live Valve (150mm) / Fox Float Performance Elite Live Valve (140mm)
- Drive Unit: Giant SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, Giant EnergyPak 400Wh battery
- Groupset: SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain, 12sp
- Cranks: Praxis Performance Carbon e-crank, 36t
- Brakes: SRAM Code R (220mm, 200mm)
- Wheelset: Giant TRX 2
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29X2.40 [F], Maxxis Dissector 27.5x2.4 [R]
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR Trail Integrated
- Seatpost: Tranz-X Rad+ dropper, 30mm travel adjustable (S:120-150mm, M:140-170mm, L/XL:170-200mm)
- Saddle: Liv Sylvia E+
- Price: $10,000 / £8,999
Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ 2
- Suspension: Fox 36 Float Performance (150mm) / Fox DPS Performance (140mm)
- Drive Unit: Giant SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, Giant EnergyPak 400Wh battery
- Groupset: Shimano Deore SLX drivetrain, 12sp
- Cranks: Praxis Wavetm e-crank, 36t
- Brakes: Shimano SLX (203mm)
- Wheelset: Giant AM
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29X2.40 [F], Maxxis Dissector 27.5x2.4 [R]
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL 35 Trail
- Stem: Giant Contact SL 35
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch, dropper, (S:125/M:150/ L and XL:170)
- Saddle: Liv Sylvia E+
- Price: $7,200 / £6,499
Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ 3
- Suspension: RockShox 35 Gold RL DebonAir (150mm) / Rock Shox Deluxe Select R (140mm)
- Drive Unit: Giant SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, Giant EnergyPak 400Wh battery
- Groupset: Shimano Deore drivetrain, 12sp
- Cranks: Praxis Wavetm e-crank, 36t
- Brakes: Shimano Deore (203mm)
- Wheelset: Giant AM
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29X2.40 [F], Maxxis Dissector 27.5x2.4 [R]
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL 35 Trail
- Stem: Giant Contact SL 35
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch, dropper, (XS-S: 100/ M:125)
- Saddle: Liv Sylvia E+
- Price: $6,000 / £5,499
