Publication-Mountain Biking

Date-April 2004

Title-Mountain Biking 4" 2005 BIKE OF THE YEAR

Findings:

• "This year at interbike, Giant showed up with ten new bikes belonging to a family they dubbed "Maestro." This family of bikes was so named because they were designed to turn the bike and the pilot into one harmonious wheel-bound being. We got to test several of the Maestro bikes this fall to our pleasure and were happy to find that in addition to riding well they also offered a lot of value to the rider."
• "Frame and Fork-What sets the Maestro bikes apart from all the other designs that Giant has thus far produced is the use of a floating pivot rear suspension design. Basically, this suspension design looks like a bell linkage (similar to the Giant AC1), but there is an extra dogbone linkage between the pivot at the bottom bracket and the rear swingarm. The special geometry of the pivot points combined with this linkage creates a floating pivot point that increases pedal efficiency by counteracting pedaling forces which would otherwise create suspension compression, or pedal-bob. At the same time, suspension sensitivity is increased even under harsh breaking so there is no loss in braking power. The bike is also built with the suspension components placed as low as possible for a low center of gravity."
• "The rear shock is a new Fox Float R with adjustable rebound. This is the new and revised Float shock with the lightened black alloy body and re-tuned Pro-Pedal damping. It also has an increased air volume over previous Float models for a more linear stroke and a weight under 200 grams."
• "The Rock Shock Reba SL suspension fork has 100mm of travel via Dual Air chambers of 100% tunable positive and negative air springs. You also get adjustable rebound on the bottom of the right fork leg, and a compression lever that gives you a soft lock out in its fully clock-wise position. This fork has Rock Shox's new Motion Control Damping but its floodgate is not adjustable and is preset at a medium platform setting. The fork weighs 3.53 lbs and can be modified by changing internal travel spacers (85/100/115mm options), Floodgate damper valves, or adding a Poplock Remote option if you wish."
• "SPEC-The Trance's component spec has very few weaknesses, it includes top quality parts from end to end. Most notable are the Race Face Evolve components found throughout, including the handlebar, stem, seatpost, and Evolve XC LP two-piece cranks. Other choice tibits worth mentioning are the Hayes HFX-9 hydraulic brakes, Shimano XT derailleurs, LX shifters, Mavic XM 317 rims, DT Cerit disc hubs, Time ATAC Alium pedals, and WTB Rocket V saddle."
• "The Ride-Our initial impression of the Trance is very positive. We've grown accustomed to the firm feel of platform damped suspension systems, but the Trance is different. The bike has a very supple feeling rear end that's much more sensitive to small bumps than a lot of the platform damped bikes on the market. The travel is also very usable without any harsh bottoming or progressive ramp-up."
• "The Trance bikes were meant to be used in aggressive cross-country conditions, so they are very flexible machines on a wide range of terrain. The geometry and handling of the Trance is very neutral and comfortable to ride. It doesn't need your undivided attention like a race bike, not does it feel sluggish like a freeride bike. The Trance is a comfortable happy medium that inspires confidence on most any trail. The frame is constructed with Giant's own heavily manipulated ALUXX SL aluminum including tubes specially formed and manipulated to optimize strength, weight, and stiffness. Additionally, the pivot section of the frame is CNC'd and forged with a "wider is better" theme leading to a very solid and stiff feeling rear end. The added girth of the bottom bracket/pivot area thankfully never had any clearance issues with other components or our feet and ankles."
• "The components included on the Trance worked excellently. Particulary noteworthy are the X-Type cranks with outboard bearing that really give the bike a solid feel. If we changed anything it would be swapping the tires out for something with more volume, although the Hutchinson Bulldogs are fast and light."
• "The fork also worked well even though it lacked the on-the-fly adjustable Floodgate we felt the stock settings worked really well especially for people who prefer to set it and forget it. The stiffness of the fork mated nicely with the frame and the lock out was always appreciated, especially on boring paved climbs."
• "Short Cut-The Trance 2 may be a brand new design but we think Giant has hit a home run with this new aggressive cross-country machine. Supple suspension, neutral handling, and a solid chassis topped off with a great mix of parts leave little to argue about on this "Bike Of The Year."