Thinking of buying a Giant Trance E+ 1 Pro-S 2020

[LowStandards]

As the title really

I've read lots of doom and gloom on here about waterproofing, bad bearings, hubs and remotes


Is this model plagued by these issues?

Cheers

 

[Cabby.]

My ex had her second ride on her brand new Liv at the weekend, now doesn't switch off.

 

[LowStandards]

My ex had her second ride on her brand new Liv at the weekend, now doesn't switch off.

Does that mean you had an issue with it turning off, or the 2020 one is ok

 

[simonk]

Like most brands Giant suffer their fair share of issues... my 19 Trance was bulletproof for the 1500+ miles I covered during ownership however. Are there any new 2020 bikes left anywhere?

 

[argee1977]

Giant stores seem to have good stock of 2020 models, the trance is in stock across the country, but i would definitely buy local, i just bought a reign 1, works well, can't see many issues, it's basically the trance but with more travel, the hub/wheels are decent enough, bearings are bearings, same issue across all bikes with motors, waterproofing does look like it could be a pain over the next few months, but i'm just going to put some personal waterproofing on the areas i worry about, i.e. the battery and motor, you can prep the bike as well, using ebike protector on connectors and so on.

Main thing is, if you buy local, or as near as you can, any issues you just take it back and leave them to fix it, i learnt my lesson buying a cube stereo online, had it 4 weeks and the new bosch gen4 died, it was a 3 month wait of a new motor failing as well and other issues that got me a refund and now the reign e-1!

 

[Cabby.]

Does that mean you had an issue with it turning off, or the 2020 one is ok

It's a 2020 model, which is essentially a Giant under the Liv brand.

 

[LowStandards]

Main thing is, if you buy local, or as near as you can

Here lies my issue, to make it affordable I have to buy online as I get a very healthy discount

 

[1oldfart]

I bought the 2020 Stance 3 months ago i never experienced a single problem.
Usually Yamaha are great but Giant does some part so i have read that an update
might be an improvement but it could have a bug. I have no phone so i just
pedal and plug. My retailer is 11 miles away so without a car i am not planning to visit
often.

 

[Nicho]

My ex had her second ride on her brand new Liv at the weekend, now doesn't switch off.

Yes, but what about the bike?

 

[Smeer]

I had the Liv Intrigue, the women's model of the Trance. It has issues with intermittent shut off. It was in the shop quite a bit. Giant recognized the issue BUT said their factory is still working on a solution (for the past couple months). I ended up returning mine after 3 months, getting a refund. I'd skip the 2020 model.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

As the title really

I've read lots of doom and gloom on here about waterproofing, bad bearings, hubs and remotes


Is this model plagued by these issues?

Cheers

Yes there are eBikes out there (all brands) that are defective off the bat, but generally they are the exception to the rule. They appear to be so many because people rightfully express their disappointment whereas the guys with no problems don’t - they’re too busy riding.

Problems may also happen for some but not for others depending on how you ride and where you ride (mud, snow, stream crossings, salt water beach rides chasing after pretty girls riding a horses like some people insists on doing @Zimmerframe). Then there’s some people that are just hard on gear. I’ve got tools that work well for years until I lend it to someone and I get it back broken the following day. I also suspect that an awful lot of eBike failures have been caused by over washing... which is easy to deny if the LBS asks about it. I wouldn’t place even a garden hose variety jet nozzle any where near an eBike let alone a pressure washer or a water blaster. Booklet says no water jets - so only open hose for me or a bucket of water, a brush to loosen mud or dirt, a gentle rinse, and a wet rag to finish off parts that have been missed.

I’d say just go ahead and buy the bike. If all it is depends on luck of the draw then your odds aren’t gonna be worse off with a brand like Giant/Yamaha than any other.

 

[argee1977]

When i had a look at ebikes after the cube refund i was wary of failures and trends, reality is there's not any ebike motor on the market that isn't a bit of a gamble, every specialized i see secondhand appears to have a new motor/battery, i had the Gen4 bosch which failed badly, couple of others had similar, shimano EP8 is being delayed more and more and so on.

For what its worth, when i picked the reign there was talk about issues with the motor, but that an update had occurred, i have one of the 630wh models, so newer than the earlier 2020s, by the sounds of it that update is what is going into 2021 models anyway, i just think with ebikes the way they are, i'd definitely buy as close to home as i could!

As for the failure of my old Cube, and the Liv above, honestly can't see past it being a wiring issue, motors are very simple things, same with batteries, controllers are basically just on/off functions, so if diagnostics can't work out the issue, i'd say the wiring is the weak point, but they all seem to be a bit wary of touching the wiring on any bike, as if it's not a repairable or serviceable job!

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

As for the failure of my old Cube, and the Liv above, honestly can't see past it being a wiring issue, motors are very simple things, same with batteries, controllers are basically just on/off functions, so if diagnostics can't work out the issue, i'd say the wiring is the weak point, but they all seem to be a bit wary of touching the wiring on any bike, as if it's not a repairable or serviceable job!

Agree. Most LBS haven’t caught up with the times. Most staff are still bike mechanics at best or are shop sales temps. A proper eBike specialist shop would need to hire highly qualified electrical/electronic technicians but I doubt if many of those would apply considering the salaries they would expect. So off the bikes go, back to their dealerships hence even more delay.

In all honesty, the old school guys that fix things are a thing of the past now. Most products these days aren’t designed to be fixed (too costly)... products (or their subcomponents) are designed to be replaced. Sadly.

 

[1oldfart]

Yes there are eBikes out there (all brands) that are defective off the bat, but generally they are the exception to the rule. They appear to be so many because people rightfully express their disappointment whereas the guys with no problems don’t - they’re too busy riding.

Problems may also happen for some but not for others depending on how you ride and where you ride (mud, snow, stream crossings, salt water beach rides chasing after pretty girls riding a horses like some people insists on doing @Zimmerframe). Then there’s some people that are just hard on gear. I’ve got tools that work well for years until I lend it to someone and I get it back broken the following day. I also suspect that an awful lot of eBike failures have been caused by over washing... which is easy to deny if the LBS asks about it. I wouldn’t place even a garden hose variety jet nozzle any where near an eBike let alone a pressure washer or a water blaster. Booklet says no water jets - so only open hose for me or a bucket of water, a brush to loosen mud or dirt, a gentle rinse, and a wet rag to finish off parts that have been missed.

I’d say just go ahead and buy the bike. If all it is depends on luck of the draw then your odds aren’t gonna be worse off with a brand like Giant/Yamaha than any other.

I am with you. I never wash any bike. Here with 6 months of cold it generates problems so my habit is to wipe off excess with a dry clothe and lube the drivetrain. This formula has worked these last 20 years so i am sticking with it.

 

[DrStupid]

As the title really

I've read lots of doom and gloom on here about waterproofing, bad bearings, hubs and remotes


Is this model plagued by these issues?

Cheers

I bought one in 2019 (April). I've not had any major trouble, but there were problems in the beginning.

I ride in wet condidtions fairly often.

The bike did have quality control issues with battery fit, connectors not being waterproof, and the ride control one soaking up water and acting silly. All of these issues have been addressed, but (I) had to address them, and this is (not) OK for a $5600 bicycle.

If you feel you can adjust battery fitment, tape and grease electrical connectors, and silicone a ride-control one unit, then you would be capable of anything I have had do with mine, to make it bullet proof (fingers crossed).

The single most important precaution from my point of view, is keeping water out in the first place. I use either a wrap, or a gaurd to keep the battery motor interface dry.

I wash it seldom, and only rinse gently with the hose.

Would I buy another? Just recently ordered a Trance X. I've owned Focus, BMC, KHS and Gaint. I like the Giant best though I cant always figure out why.

 

[Nicho]

so only open hose for me or a bucket of water, a brush to loosen mud or dirt, a gentle rinse, and a wet rag to finish off parts that have been missed.

"so only open hose for me..........."
Do you wash your bike like this as well, or just yourself?

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

"so only open hose for me..........."
Do you wash your bike like this as well, or just yourself?

?


Anyway... eBike manufacturers have identified a particular village in Japan where 95% of the world's reported cases of eBike failures come from...

 

[Nicho]

Anyway... eBike manufacturers have identified a particular village in Japan where 95% of the world's reported cases of eBike failures come from...

I've heard of that before, I believe it's called Levo village.

 

[Stretch40]

Hi tbh I don't think giant is any worse than the others I ride in a group with all different brands specialized has major problems with the motor cube running Bosch have issues with motor locking up and been replaced Shimano new ep8 rattles like a bag of spanners the all have issues just don't jetwash the controller and take the cover off motor 4 bolts and cover the connections with waterproof grease ! I live in the north east of England where it's wet alot I've ridden through rivers and claggy mud for last winter and this it's been spot on I've greased all the bearings with marine grade grease 5min job they all have issues I think same as normal bikes you just work with them ? mines in the garage after a big crash broken shoulder,elbow and finger lol covered in mud I'll clean it give it a once over re lube it and after xmas it will get dirty again buy it and have fun there great ?

 

[Chunky]

I have a 2019 Giant trance. Like the bike, maybe a bit heavy but it rides well. I have had and still do connection issues with the phone app as it keeps saying remove battery to reset. The other issue I had was the on off button and speed select. Had to be replaced in the end under warranty. I bought online and had to persuade, as in pay extra money to get my local bike shop to undertake the repair. It was cheaper to buy online just took ages to get it fixed.

 

[Labrador29]

I have a 2019 Giant trance. Like the bike, maybe a bit heavy but it rides well. I have had and still do connection issues with the phone app as it keeps saying remove battery to reset. The other issue I had was the on off button and speed select. Had to be replaced in the end under warranty. I bought online and had to persuade, as in pay extra money to get my local bike shop to undertake the repair. It was cheaper to buy online just took ages to get it fixed.

Me too! Purchased a 2019 Giant Trance +1 pro in April 2019. Love the bike, but the Ride Control One has been replaced 3 times under warrranty, and the current RCO is playing up now. Can't be a moisture issue as I don't ride in the rain. I agree buy from LBS, as when you strike trouble, it is his responsibility to put right quickly. Buying online might save you dollars, but you pay for it with lots of downtime while you try to get the problem rectified. Incidentally, I have just completed 5,500 km, and recently replaced cassette, chain, dropper post, and disc pads. Overall pleased with the performance of the Trance, and will probably buy Giant again when this beast is due for retirement.

 

[Carol2208]

I´ve had my 2020 Liv Intrigue (the 625 battery version) for the past 2 months and no issues so far (fingers crossed). I´ve done about 800 KMs on it so far, some of it in the rain, through mud, crossed rivers and puddles... Although it´s taking me a little while to find the sweet spot in terms of cockpit adjustment, I absolutely love it!

 

[7869hodgy]

I’ve covered 1000 miles albeit mostly in the summer. Have been out a lot recently (ie in the wet and mud) and hosed the bike down after a ride with no issues to date.

Only issue I’ve had was the cabling for the dropper seat post was knackered on delivery.

In the current wet and muddy conditions it is so much fun to ride. The spirit breaking sticky mud no longer causes demoralisation.....just power on through. Leaves are a bitch in the corners.

 

[Labrador29]

Yes, but what about the bike?

Agree Nicho, if she doesn't switch off, he could be worn out well before the bike!!!!!

 

[Labrador29]

As the title really

I've read lots of doom and gloom on here about waterproofing, bad bearings, hubs and remotes


Is this model plagued by these issues?

Cheers

I can only talk as the owner of a new 2019 Giant Trance e-mtb +1 pro that has covered 7900 km ( mostly mtb trails) since new.
Have had little trouble apart from 3 RCO units which Giant have now sorted. The rest of my mtb group have Specialized mtbs of various models, and more than one has had motors that have shit themselves. Specialized replaced all under warranty. Comes down to personal preference. A retired bicycle mechanic brother of mine said that Giant give more bangs per buck. i.e. For similar spec'd bikes, you pay a lot more for Specialized. I can't speak for other Brands. Next bike, if I live long enough, will be another Giant.

 

[1oldfart]

To the OP, did you get a TRANCE E+ 1 PRO-S 2020 ?
If yes did you experienced any issue?
In 5 days my Stance E+ will be 11 months and still no issue.