With the new GIANT Explore E+, the world’s biggest bike manufacturer isn’t just unveiling the latest generation of its trekking hardtail first introduced in 2011, but an entirely new ecosystem: the new E+ System built around the proven SyncDrive Pro2 motor. The goal is clear: one bike for everything. From gravel roads to light trails to city traffic, the Explore is designed to handle every scenario while combining comfort, range, and everyday practicality. But does it truly pull off this balancing act, or does it remain just a claim on paper?
The sturdy alloy frame and different spec options are meant to turn this versatile concept into reality, making every outing an “exploring ride.” GIANT itself can point to a bit of heritage with the Explore: the first generation launched in 2011 with an external battery, while the second generation introduced a semi-integrated solution. Now, with the fourth generation, GIANT aim to redefine e-trekking – with more integration, smarter interaction, and the new E+ System at its core.
The Explore E+ is available with a classic diamond frame in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL, as well as with a trapeze frame with a lowered top tube in sizes S to XL. With this range, GIANT aim to cater to as many riders as possible – from commuters to adventurers. The top-spec version we tested retails at €5,799.
Integration and User-Friendliness – The E+ System of the New GIANT Explore E+
Integration and user-friendliness – nothing less is the ambition behind the new E+ System in the GIANT Explore E+. Borrowing from the term “infotainment,” more familiar from car design, GIANT now bring the concept to the bike world – but not with an oversized Tesla-style screen. Instead, it’s minimalist and neatly integrated into the cockpit. On the left and right sit the new RideControl Ergo 4 remotes, complemented by the fresh RideDash EVO 2.0, a 3″ LCD display positioned right on the stem.
The remotes are identical in design and feature three buttons with solid tactile feedback. The left unit lets you navigate the menu and change the motor’s support levels. Press and hold the top button, and the SyncDrive Pro2 motor switches to Auto mode – confirmed by a symbol on the display. The right remote handles shifting control and, depending on the spec, also operates the automatic mode, such as with the Enviolo Automatiq trekking hub.
The real work is done by the GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 motor, which has been in use for several years now. With 85 Nm of torque, it has plenty of oomph for a trekking bike. The system draws its power from the removable 800 Wh GIANT EnergyPak Smart 800 battery. For even longer tours, a 250 Wh range extender can be added to the diamond frame version. Due to the frame design, however, the step-through version has to do without the extra juice.
From the cockpit, we move to the new PowerButton GO2, which is meant not only to turn on and off the motor, but also to display the battery level – though that feature didn’t work on our test bike. Once the GIANT Explore E+ is registered in the GIANT RideControl app, you can secure it with E-Lock using a four-digit PIN code in addition to a physical lock. The motor remains inactive if the bike is moved – and an alarm goes off. Admittedly, it won’t drown out a JBL speaker in the park, but it’s enough of a deterrent. On top of that, there’s GPS tracking via Apple “Find My,” so you can locate your bike at any time. Nice!
Greek Mythology and Bikes
But that’s not all: with the new Explore E+, GIANT are also launching Aegis Safety Technology. The name comes from Greek mythology: the “Aegis” was the shield of Zeus and his daughter Athena – and in the same way, this technology is now designed to protect riders.
The Aegis radar: a sensor mounted on the underside of the rear rack scans up to 120 meters behind and detects approaching vehicles when you’re cruising in traffic. If a car comes up from behind, a green dot appears on the RideDash display, moving steadily closer. If a speeder approaches at more than 100 km/h, the entire display subtly turns red and an acoustic signal sounds. This way, you’re warned even if you’re daydreaming while rolling through the landscape. Whether the car is directly behind you or slightly offset, the radar is designed to pick it up.
Above the sensor, integrated into the strut of the rear rack, sits the taillight: a continuous LED strip that’s visible not only from the rear but also from the sides – perfect for city traffic. During braking, the strip is designed to glow brighter. Why GIANT don’t just call it a brake light remains their secret. Visually, the whole setup is reminiscent of the taillights on modern Porsche models.
The system is rounded off by the Aegis tire pressure sensors inside the tires. They measure pressure in real time and display whether everything is in the green zone – with or without inner tubes. This way, you’ll immediately notice both a slow puncture and a sudden loss of pressure. Just in case you didn’t catch it yourself 😉 The integrated batteries in the sensors are rated to last around 600 hours.
The New GIANT Explore E+ in Detail
GIANT’s design goal with the Explore E+ is clear: full integration and full control. And with the new E+ System, they’ve visibly achieved it. After our big SUV group test this summer – where hardly a bike escaped a messy cockpit of cables – the tidy cockpit of the Explore E+ feels almost liberating. The new remotes ensure clear, straightforward operation, cables are largely hidden – with only the brake lines left visible, and those are hard to make disappear. The dropper cable is also still visible, though that too could be tucked away in the future – one step at a time.
Integration has also been carried through consistently in the frame design. Instead of visible bolts or mounting points for the motor, the bike presents itself with clean aesthetics. Also striking are the “elevated chainstays”: the raised stays allow the bike to be run with a Gates belt drive – like our test bike – or with a chain. Normally, this would only be possible with a split frame, since otherwise you couldn’t fit the closed belt onto the chainring. At the same time, the design gives the bike a dynamic look.
To make sure the Explore E+ delivers not only on tours but also in everyday use, GIANT built in some practical features. There’s a threaded mount on the chainstay where a trailer hitch can be attached – for example, for child or dog trailers. The advantage: unlike typical trailer approvals, no special thru-axle is needed. There’s also an integrated kickstand mount. The sturdy rear rack is MIK HD-compatible, allowing it to carry child seats as well. The maximum system weight is rated at 150 kg, bike included.
The Specs of the GIANT Explore E+ 0 Trekking Bike
Our test bike came in the 0 spec, the flagship model in the GIANT Explore E+ range. Here, in addition to the motor, the Enviolo trekking hub provides an automatic shifting function, paired with a low-maintenance Gates CDX belt. Shifting is stepless with a gear range of 380%. While that doesn’t quite match the roughly 520% range of a modern 12-speed derailleur setup, it still covers a wide spectrum of use cases.
Braking is taken care of by Shimano XT four-piston brakes, with a 200 mm rotor up front and a 180 mm disc at the rear. In practice, they work reliably and offer good modulation. For suspension, GIANT spec an SR Suntour XCR34 2CR fork with 100 mm of travel. While this clearly slots into the entry-level category, it can be fully locked out. For the wheels, GIANT relies on their in-house, 27.5″ aluminum rims, fitted with Crosscut Gravel 1 tires. At 57 mm wide, they’re the only real comfort factor at the rear. Our top-spec build also came with a dropper post offering 100 mm of travel.
The build is rounded off with aluminum fenders and a high-quality Supernova front light.
Other spec options for the GIANT Explore E+
As already mentioned, the elevated chainstay allows the use of either a chain or a belt on the same frame. The Explore E+ is offered in four variants in total – our top-spec plus three. Only the flagship model comes with the Aegis radar as standard, while all the other versions are equipped with the tire pressure sensors.
The entry point into the Explore universe starts at €3,499. The GIANT Explore E+ 3, along with the GIANT Explore 2 (with Enviolo Pure hub gearing), runs with 75 Nm of torque, while the other variants deliver the full punch of the SyncDrive Pro2 with 85 Nm. Beyond that, the versions mainly differ in braking systems and drivetrain choice – available either with a traditional chain or a belt drive.
GIANT Explore E+ 0
€ 5,799
Specifications
Motor GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 85 Nm
Battery GIANT EnergyPak 800 Wh
Display RideDash EVO 2.0
Fork SR Suntour XCR 34 100 mm
Rear Shock - mm
Seatpost GIANT Contact Switch 100 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Enviolo Trekking AUTOMATIQ 380%
Stem GIANT Contour, EVO integrated 100 mm
Handlebar GIANT Contour Comfort Riser 720 mm
Wheelset GIANT eX25 27.5"
Tires Crosscut Gravel 1/Crosscut Gravel 1/ 2.2"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 29,9 kg
Perm. total weight 150 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
Specific Features
electronic auto radar
electronic tire pressure sensor
removable battery
The New GIANT Explore E+ First Ride Review
GIANT invited us to Bavaria for the presentation of the new E+ System and the Explore E+ – in a picturesque region between the foothills of the Alps, lakes, and quiet gravel roads. Naturally, we jumped straight onto the Explore to “explore” where we had landed. Don’t worry: we didn’t forget to pay attention to the bike along the way.
Getting on the bike is easy, thanks to the dropper post that lowers the saddle, combined with the already accessible trapeze frame design. Once seated, you’re in an upright, comfortable pedalling position that keeps pressure off your hands and makes longer rides enjoyable. From the first pedal strokes, the GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 motor provides smooth support in the lower assist modes – or a brisk push in the highest setting if you’re in a hurry. For trekking use, we mostly rode in Auto mode, as the motor responds more sensitively here and is easier to control. Noise levels remain discreet: if you listen closely, you’ll notice it – but nothing more.
On the first gravel tracks, the Explore E+ revealed a surprisingly comfortable side. The Suntour suspension fork responds sensitively, filtering out impacts that would otherwise travel straight into your hands. At the rear, the 57 mm-wide tires ensure an unexpected amount of comfort for a hardtail, even if curbs and bigger rocks are still clearly noticeable. When you need to dodge curbs or big stones on the trail, the Explore E+ steers intuitively and directly. The handling isn’t twitchy and inspires confidence – nice! The only drawback we noticed: where the rear rack connects to the frame, your leg can easily brush against it. In this case, making the rack that massive didn’t really pay off.
The new E+ System rides intuitively and reliably. Both remotes provide satisfying haptic feedback across all three buttons – top, bottom, and center. The Aegis radar also impressed during testing. When a car approaches from behind, a subtle warning tone sounds and a green dot appears on the display, moving upward as the vehicle gets closer. And when GIANT’s managing director blasted past in his RS6 at 100 km/h, the display lit up red. On the trail, that delivers a clear sense of added safety, even if the system wasn’t always perfectly reliable and sometimes misjudged speeds. A bit more precision here would be welcome.
Overall, the ride was smooth and pleasant: the Explore E+ runs quietly, with no rattling from the kickstand. Only the Enviolo hub made a slight noise when shifting manually – but nothing louder than a standard derailleur drivetrain. In Automatiq mode, everything worked flawlessly, and you can even use the remote to set your preferred cadence to spin at.
Who Should Take a Closer Look at the GIANT Explore E+?
The GIANT Explore E+ is aimed at e-bike fans looking for a versatile bike for both everyday use and touring. In our view, it doesn’t belong on the trails – the hardtail rear end and touring-focused tires lack the reserves needed for rougher scenarios. But for long-distance rides, daily commuting, and family outings, it’s a reliable companion. Thanks to the MIK HD rack, the bike is even compatible with child seats.
The safety features are another plus: the Aegis radar and tire pressure sensors may seem like small gimmicks, but they offer real added value. Especially riders who tend to get startled by cars suddenly passing close by will benefit here.
Conclusion on the GIANT Explore E+
The GIANT Explore E+ is definitely well equipped for epic adventures. It rides comfortably on gravel and tarmac, and the integration of the new E+ System is a clear success. A tidy cockpit and intuitive controls make you want to keep riding. The Aegis radar could be a bit more precise, but it’s still an impressive innovation. Especially on country roads, it adds a noticeable sense of safety. The real question is how the Explore will perform in city traffic, and whether features like the Aegis radar will bring tangible benefits in the urban jungle.
Tops
- Removable battery
- Cool features like tire pressure sensors and auto radar
Flops
- Leg can easily brush against the rack’s frame connection
More info a GIANT.com
Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: GIANT
