Second-hand Giant Trance: price and what to check

If you're looking for a second-hand Giant Trance, here's what people ask for one on bicis.net, how to tell its generations apart and what to check before you pay. The Trance is Giant's full-suspension trail bike: the bike for pedalling up and riding down mountain singletrack with gusto, without going full enduro.

It's been one of the best-selling full-sussers in Spain for years, so there are lots on the second-hand market and in every condition. The key to getting it right is knowing which generation you have in front of you and how the suspension has been looked after.

How much a used Giant Trance is worth

There aren't yet enough Trance listings on bicis.net to give it its own median, so the reference is its category: mountain bikes. These are the prices sellers ask (not the final price), with data as of 31 October 2026:

Source: Ciclismo en cifras, n = 219 active "For sale" listings, data as of 31 October 2026.

An early-generation aluminium Trance, with some use, usually falls in the lower or middle part of that range. A carbon Trance X 29 or Trance Advanced Pro 29, serviced and with good components, goes to the top end or above. Before you decide, run its details through the bike valuer and compare it with the mountain bike listings available right now.

The Trance generations

They all share Giant's Maestro suspension, with its virtual pivot point, but they've changed a lot in wheel size and character. These are the ones you'll see most in listings:

27.5-wheel Trance

The classic Trance of the last decade. It comes in aluminium (ALUXX SL) and carbon (Advanced). It's a playful trail bike and the most affordable to buy used. Giant dropped it to keep only the 29-wheel versions.

Trance 29 and Trance Advanced Pro 29

The Trance moved to 29-inch wheels and, from 2022, the standard version became lighter and faster, along the lines of "downcountry" bikes. The carbon Advanced Pro 29 adds a storage compartment inside the frame. It's a good option if you like long routes with lots of pedalling.

Trance X 29

It arrived in 2021 as the Trance with more travel and more appetite for descending. It comes in aluminium and carbon (Trance X Advanced Pro 29), and has a flip chip in the linkage to change the geometry. The top versions came with Fox Live Valve electronic suspension. If you're after an all-round trail bike, it's the most sought-after.

To confirm the exact year and model, check the serial number under the bottom bracket and ask at an official Giant shop. Each version's spec sheet is on the official Giant website.

What to check before you buy it

The Maestro suspension

It's the most important thing. Move the rear wheel with the bike on the ground and no weight on it: there should be no play in the linkage. Ask when the suspension bearings were last changed: with mud and pressure washing they wear, and they're a normal wear part on any full-susser.

Fork and shock

Ask for the invoices for the last service. Clean the fork stanchions and check they have no scratches and aren't leaking oil. Compress the shock fully: it should come back up smoothly and quietly. On a Live Valve, check that the system switches on and the battery charges.

Frame

On carbon ones, check the underside of the down tube and the stays in good light, as these are the areas that take most hits from stones. On aluminium ones, check the welds. Cracks, no; paint scratches, normal.

Drivetrain, brakes and seatpost

A worn chain, cassette and chainring are a cost you can knock off the price. Check that the disc brakes don't rub and the pads have life left. Almost all have a dropper post: it should go all the way down and up without stopping halfway.

Known issues

We're not aware of any official recall affecting the Trance. If you have doubts about a specific frame, an official Giant shop can look it up with its serial number.

Size and a test on dirt

Trances go from size S to XL, and the geometry changes quite a bit between generations. Don't rely only on the size you ride with another brand: check Giant's size chart for its year and, if you can, try it on a dirt track with a descent. Listen for creaks when braking and pedalling out of the saddle.

Keep looking

If you're torn between brands, read how much a used Giant is worth and the guide to buying a second-hand mountain bike, with the full list of what to check.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a second-hand Giant Trance cost?

It depends on the generation, the material and the condition. As a reference, on bicis.net a used mountain bike asks a median of €825, and one in four asks more than €1,400 (99 listings, data as of 31 October 2026). Carbon Trance X 29s usually sit at the top of that range.

What's the difference between the Trance and the Trance X?

The Trance X has more travel and a slacker geometry for descending, with a flip chip to adjust it. The standard 29-wheel Trance is lighter and faster when pedalling.

Is aluminium or carbon better?

Carbon weighs less and costs more. Aluminium takes knocks well and is cheaper to buy used. To get started in trail riding, a well-kept aluminium one is a very sensible buy.

What maintenance does the suspension need?

The fork and shock need regular servicing according to each manufacturer, and the linkage bearings are changed when play appears. Always ask for the invoices.