If the price has you stymied, consider this: Of the ten categories in which we scored, the Trance had the highest marks in six (descending, suspension design, comfort, fork performance, component spec, and aesthetics). The three-position Fox Talas fork can be adjusted on the fly between four and 5.5 inches of travel, and the Pro Pedal setting on the rear shock firms up the plush five-inch rear end for climbs. The stiff carbon-fiber frame simply dives through corners, and with a mix of Shimano XTR and Avid Elixer components, it hits a very respectable racing weight. "If I could have only one bike," read a typical tester evaluation, "I'd be more than happy with this one." 24.5 lbs (medium); giant-bicycles.com
CLIMBING: 4.5 DESCENDING: 4.9
Giant Trance X Advanced SL 0 Photographer: Photograph by Inga Hendrickson
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