Giant has unveiled its latest electric mountain bikes, the Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+, both delivering 120Nm of torque and 850W of peak power while introducing a suite of cutting-edge e-bike technologies.
The updated E+ platform now incorporates traction control, support for electronic shifting, and a wirelessly controlled electronic dropper post that draws power from the bike’s primary battery. According to Giant, this dropper can complete nearly 20,000 actuations even after the main battery has been depleted to zero percent.
The brand’s proprietary RideControl application adds several security-oriented functions, including bike tracking, remote locking capabilities, and a movement alert that triggers if the bike is disturbed while locked.
At the heart of these new models is Giant’s SyncDrive Pro 4 motor, marking its first appearance on a production bike. With 120Nm of torque and 850W of peak power, it edges past Bosch’s flagship Performance Line CX (120Nm, 750W peak) but remains behind the Avinox M2S, which delivers 150Nm and 1,500W at peak. Giant reports the SyncDrive Pro 4 tips the scales at 2.4kg, making it the company’s best power-to-weight motor to date. The motor also adopts a new 48-volt architecture, which Giant says helps dissipate heat more effectively and improves overall efficiency.
Controlling the system is the RideControl Ergo 5, a wireless interface managing ride modes and various functions. On the Trance and Intrigue, the Ergo 5 handles the electronic dropper, assistance level selection, Boost mode, Walk Assist, and can even operate compatible electronic derailleurs. Unlike Orbea’s RS System, the Ergo 5 units communicate wirelessly. Riders can install a single controller or a pair—one on the left for assistance and dropper duties, and optionally another on the right for electronic shifting when paired with select derailleurs, such as the TRP unit found on the Advanced 2.
The Contact Switch E+ dropper post receives power directly from the main battery, similar in concept to Orbea’s RS post, though it lacks programmable smart-dropper features. It measures 30.9mm in diameter and comes in 100mm, 140mm, 170mm, or 200mm travel options.
Traction control, increasingly common on modern electric mountain bikes including those running Avinox motors, also features on the new Trance and Intrigue. The system continuously reads cadence and torque data during pedaling to identify rear-wheel slip. When traction loss is detected, assistance is momentarily reduced before returning to the rider’s chosen level. Giant notes that four distinct parameters are analyzed, allowing the onboard computer to recognize when the rear wheel has lost grip. This feature should prove valuable on loose, technical climbs where high torque delivery—particularly in low gears—can overwhelm rear-wheel traction.
Serving as the digital hub is Smart Gateway 2.0, which links the SyncDrive motor, EnergyPak battery, RideControl system, Go Lux display, and Aegis safety suite. This platform manages the electronic dropper, integrated shifting, Aegis tyre pressure monitoring, a real-time clock, the E-Lock function, and Aegis Radar. The Aegis Tyre Checker tracks both front and rear tire pressures, provides live readings, and warns riders when pressure hits customizable thresholds or drops suddenly. Giant claims up to 600 hours of battery life, with compatibility for both tubed and tubeless setups. Six sensors feed data into the system, and riders can choose from six modes—Eco, Tour, Active, Sport, Power, and Boost—each fully customizable.
Through the RideControl app, users can adjust assistance levels and fine-tune maximum torque, acceleration, responsiveness, and overrun within each support mode. The app also addresses security concerns with its eLock coded locking feature, which allows remote bike disabling. Additionally, riders can trigger an audible alert from the bike and use Apple’s Find My network to pinpoint its location and receive directions.
The EnergyPak Plus 280 range extender, with 280Wh capacity, ships standard on all UK and Ireland models, and on every model except the base Advanced 2 elsewhere. Mounting to bottle cage bosses and weighing a claimed 1.5kg, it combines with the main 840Wh battery to provide 1,120Wh total capacity. Giant states the extender retains 80% of peak performance beyond 800 charge cycles, with an overall lifespan of 2,300 cycles.
Both the Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ share a carbon frame with mixed wheel sizes and 150mm of rear travel through Giant’s Maestro suspension. A 160mm fork handles the front, and top-tier builds feature Giant’s composite integrated carbon handlebar and stem. Giant quotes a complete build weight of 21.9kg, comparable to other full-power eMTBs. A three-position flip chip allows the 64.5-degree head angle to shift by 0.4 degrees in either direction, while the 77-degree seat angle is adjustable by the same margin.
The range-topping Advanced 0 comes with Fox Factory suspension (36 fork and Float X shock), carbon wheels, and SRAM XX Eagle Transmission. The Advanced 1 steps down to Fox Performance suspension, alloy wheels, and SRAM GX AXS Transmission. Advanced SE variants use Crest suspension components and a TRP wireless derailleur, while the Advanced 2 features a RockShox Psylo Gold RC fork and a 12-speed Deore drivetrain.
Four models are offered for each of the Giant Trance and Liv Intrigue lines, with shipping set to begin in November. Pricing is as follows: Advanced 0 E+ at £8,999 / $11,700 / €9,999; Advanced 1 E+ at £6,999 / $9,400 / €7,999; Advanced SE E+ at £5,999 / $7,800 / €6,699; and Advanced 2 E+ at £5,499 / $NA / €5,999. While UK and Ireland customers receive the range extender with every Liv Intrigue, buyers elsewhere won’t get one included with the Advanced 2.
