Dream Machine: Giant Trance 27.5 3

It’s funny how the single track seems to call to you every day. So, just like yesterday, you reach out to your buddy and tell him to meet you at Towsley Canyon in 45.

As you pull up, you notice that your heart is racing just a little. The anticipation apparently never gets old. You strap on your helmet and roll toward the hills. After a long day at work, you’re ready for some good old-fashioned gnarly climbing, and some fast and technical dusty single track downhill. And you’re going to experience it all on a dream machine, the Giant 27.5 3.

Key Features

• ALUXX SL-grade aluminum frame with 5.5 inches of smooth Maestro suspension
• RockShox Sektor Gold RL Solo Air 140mm-travel fork with 15mm thru axle
• RockShox Monarch R rear shock
• Giant S XC-2 rims, Giant Sport Tracker hubs, stainless spokes
• Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain with Shimano M396 hydraulic disc brakes

Maestro suspension

Features: Maestro’s linear spring curve allows the rear suspension to feel sensitive to small bump forces.
The floating pivot point keeps the suspension completely active while braking, and the rear tire in contact with the ground.
Benefit: When your tires have better contact with the ground, you will have better control. And sensitive suspension? Better cornering, better breaking and better acceleration. Enough said.

Click the tabs below to view the bicycle’s complete specs:

[cbtabs][cbtab title=”Drivetrain”]

Shifters: Shimano Deore

Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore

Rear Derailleuer: Shimano Deore, Shadow Plus

Brakes: Shimano M396, hydraulic disc, F: 180mm, R: 160mm

Brake levers: Shimano M396, hydraulic disc

Cassette: Shimano HG50 11×36, 10 speed

Chain: KMC X10 CRANKSET Shimano Deore, 24/38

Bottom bracket: Shimano, press fit

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[cbtabs][cbtab title=”Components”]

Handlebar: Giant Connect, low rise, 31.8mm

Stem: Giant Connect S

Seat post: Giant Connect, 30.9mm

Saddle: Giant Contact, upright

[/cbtab]

[cbtabs][cbtab title=”Wheels”]

Rims: Giant S XC-2, double wall
Hubs: Giant Sport Tracker Disc, 32h, F: 15mm axle, R: 135x5mm QR
Spokes: Stainless steel, 14 grams
Tires: Schwalbe Nobby Nic, Performance, 27.5×2.25, tubeless ready, folding[/cbtab]

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Total cost: $2,100

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the Winter 2015 issue of Tread Magazine.