Anyone looking for a bike with a powerful motor will inevitably run into the Giant Full-E + 0 SX Pro after some research. With its powerful SyncDrive Pro motor, it’s one of the most powerful bikes on the market. But does more power mean more fun riding?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2018 – 12 dream bikes go head to head
“Tell me, are you pregnant?” This question has garnered many a slap over the years. But with the Giant Full-E + it’s absolutely justified. Instead of a child being carried inside the hanging belly of the massive downtube, however, is a SyncDrive Pro motor and a 500 Wh battery. The motor is based on the well-known Yamaha PW-X, which Giant has tuned to adapt the support levels and increase the power output (80 instead of 70 Nm). Also, Giant has developed its own remote lever and display. Unfortunately, both are very exposed on the handlebars and will easily get damaged in a crash. The spec is of high quality and fits well into the overall picture. The SRAM EX1 drivetrain offers a pleasantly wide gear range and harmonises amazingly well with the powerful motor, while SRAM Guide RE brakes provide all the necessary stopping power. At the front, Giant fitted a RockShox Lyrik Dual Position fork, with travel selectable between 160 mm and 130 mm. As it turns out, this was a wise decision for the uphills.
No Surprises! The Giant Full-E + convinces with its good-natured handling
Due to the rather slack seat tube angle, combined with a short top tube, the seating position on the Full-E + is placed well behind the rear wheel, especially if you’ve got long legs. When the climbing gets steep, you’ll soon find yourself reaching for the travel adjustment lever on the fork to drop the front. In combination with the extremely powerful motor and the wide gear ratio, you will be able to conquer the steepest of climbs. Even riding up steep stuff from a stand-still is child’s play as the motor engages and assists instantaneously. Standing still, however, this can lead to nervous twitching of the motor at the slightest contact of the pedals. Despite having two centimetres less travel, the Maestro rear triangle can keep up the fork in every way. Thanks to its sensitive response, the bike is very comfortable to ride. On the descents, the Full-E + feels surefooted. It is neither the most agile nor the most composed, though it doesn’t have any real weaknesses either; the handling is very good natured and predictable. The high front end lends a lot of confidence in steep sections. Only the standard MAXXIS Rekon tires were lacking in grip, and therefore should be replaced with a knobbier alternative like the Minion DHF or the High Roller II.
The Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro in detail
Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 Dual Position 160 mm
Shock RockShox Super Deluxe RCT 140 mm
Motor/battery Giant Syncdrive PRO 500 Wh Giant Energy Pack
Drivetrain SRAM EX1
Brakes SRAM Guide RE
Seatpost Giant Contact Switch Remote
Stem Giant Contact 60 mm
Handlebar Giant Contact 800 mm
Wheelset Giant GE35 Disc E-Bike optimized
Tires Maxxis Rekon 2,8″
The Maestro rear suspension feels like it offers considerably more than 140 mm of travel and impresses with its very sensitive response.
The large gear jumps of the SRAM EX1 drivetrain don’t harmonise with all motors. Thanks to its powerful motor, however, this is not a problem on the Giant.
The big display on the handlebar is very 2015! Here we would have liked to see a smaller, leaner, and better-protected alternative.
Usually, we are not fans of adjustable forks. However, due to the slack seat angle on the Giant, it makes sense and noticeably improves the bike’s climbing performance.
The geometry of the Giant Full-E+
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 431 mm | 450 mm | 500 mm | 530 mm |
| Top tube | 565 mm | 590 mm | 610 mm | 635 mm |
| Head tube | 125 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm | 160 mm |
| Heand angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
| Seat angle | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
| Chainstays | 463 mm | 463 mm | 463 mm | 463 mm |
| BB Drop | 5 mm | 5 mm | 5 mm | 5 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1156 mm | 1181 mm | 1203 mm | 1230 mm |
| Reach | 367 mm | 392 mm | 408 mm | 427 mm |
| Stack | 621 mm | 621 mm | 635 mm | 653 mm |
Conclusion
The Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro is a down-to-earth eMTB that scores points with its good-natured handling, comfortable suspension, and high-quality spec. On top of that, the value for money is on point. There is potential for improvement regarding tires, the integration of the motor, and the motor’s display and remote.
Pros
– Comfortable suspension
– good-natured handling
– good value for money
Cons
– slack seat angle makes lowering the fork necessary
– tyres not grippy enough
– Integration looks a bit old-fashioned
Uphill | Downhill | Stability | Agility | Value for money
For more info head to giant-bicycles.com
The testfleet
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2018 – 12 dream bikes go head to head
All bikes in test: BMC Trailfox AMP LTD | BULLS E-CORE EVO EN Di2 | FANTIC XF1 Integra Enduro 160 | FOCUS SAM² PRO | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Moustache Samedi Race 11 | ROTWILD R.E+ ULTRA | SCOTT E-Genius 700 Tuned | Specialized Turbo Levo S-Works Carbon | Thömus Lightrider E1 – Team Di2 | Trek Powerfly 9 LT Plus
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Valentin Rühl
