New GIANT Reign Advanced E+ on Test – The Tension Rises!

New motor, new momentum! With a name like “Reign”, GIANT are clearly aiming to rule the trails – and with 180/170 mm of travel, it’s pitched as the ultimate e-mountainbike for descending. We put the new GIANT Reign Advanced E+ to the test to see if it lives up to its name.

Following the launch of their in-house E+ system – an ecosystem featuring innovations like Aegis tire pressure sensors, new displays and remotes – GIANT are now rolling out a brand-new motor as well. The SyncDrive Pro 3 makes its debut in the freshly developed flagship of their e-mountainbike range: the GIANT Reign Advanced E+. Powered by this new motor system and built around an entirely redesigned frame platform, the bike is set to fulfil GIANT’s bold ambitions. The version we tested, the Reign Advanced E+ 1, retails at € 7,999 and weighs 23.5 kg in size L. It’s no featherweight – but low weight isn’t everything. Not every gram saved makes a bike better. Instead, the GIANT Reign Advanced E+ puts its focus on capability. With 180 mm of travel up front and 170 mm at the rear, this bike doesn’t hold back. From demanding singletrack to full-on bike park laps, the Reign Advanced E+ aims to cover it all – and live up to its name in the process. But does the new SyncDrive Pro 3 motor deliver the goods? And is the Reign truly worthy of the crown? You’ll find out here.

The Tension Rises – The New GIANT SyncDrive Pro 3 Motor in the GIANT Reign Advanced E+

More voltage, more power: With the new SyncDrive Pro 3 motor, GIANT raised the system voltage from 36 V to 48 V. This boost enables higher peak output with lower current, which helps reduce heat build-up and energy loss. On top of that, GIANT promise consistent support even at high cadences – something that’s often a weak spot in e-bike motors.

Compared to its predecessor, the SyncDrive Pro 2, maximum output jumps to a hefty 800 watts. That certainly sounds powerful, though it’s not the highest figure on the market right now. Still, numbers on paper don’t always tell the full story – because the trail often speaks a very different language.

Power is split across six ride modes, all of which can be individually customised using GIANT’s in-house RideControl app: ECO, Tour, Active, Sport and Power. The sixth mode – Auto Mode – is activated by holding down the upper button on the remote. Using onboard sensors, it’s designed to automatically deliver the ideal balance between power and battery life. It’s also the only mode that can’t be manually adjusted in the app.

For all other modes, you can not only dial in the support level – up to a maximum of 400% – but also tweak both power output and torque to suit your preferences. There’s even a LaunchControl feature that lets you fine-tune the motor’s response behaviour for sharper or smoother acceleration.

The ride modes and key riding data are displayed on the RideControl Go Lux display, which is seamlessly integrated into the top tube. The 2.4-inch colour screen impresses with its sharp resolution and remains easy to read even in direct sunlight, thanks to adjustable brightness settings. Just below it, you’ll find the power button to turn the bike on and off. Control comes via the new RideControl Ergo 4 remote, which features three buttons with excellent tactile feedback. First introduced on the Explore E+, it now makes its way onto the GIANT Reign Advanced E+ as well – and it’s easy to operate even with gloves on.

ALARM! The motor can be digitally locked in addition to using a physical lock. If the bike is moved without authorisation, an alarm sounds. Admittedly, it’s not loud enough to drown out heavy traffic, but it’s likely to give any would-be thief a nasty surprise. The digital lock can be deactivated directly on the bike using a self-defined PIN code.
But what if, despite all this, someone still manages to make off with your bike? All hope is not lost – thanks to Apple’s Find My app, you can track its location and start the chase.

The Reign Advanced E+ comes equipped with the new Aegis tyre pressure sensors. These display real-time pressure readings – and send a warning if there’s a slow leak or sudden pressure drop, in case you don’t notice it right away. The batteries are rated for around 600 hours of use, and the sensors work with both tubed and tubeless setups.

For the battery, GIANT opted for a more compact concept, fitting the 560 Wh EnergyPak, which can be paired with a 280 Wh range extender. This makes for a total capacity of 840 Wh – more than enough for long days in the saddle. Rather than going for a larger battery, GIANT deliberately chose the lighter setup to strike an optimal balance between stiffness and weight – ultimately boosting the downhill performance this bike was built for. The battery is removed from the bottom of the downtube by releasing the plastic cover. You do this by sliding a plastic tab towards the bottom bracket, then unlocking the latch that holds the battery in place. It’s a tool-free process, quick and simple, with no key required. The charging port is made of hard plastic, flips up and to the side, and sits securely in place without rattling – a small detail, but a well-executed one. The 4 A charger is roughly the size of a lunchbox, making it easy to carry with you on longer rides.

If you opt for the range extender, bear in mind that it takes up the space normally reserved for a water bottle on the GIANT frame. The range extender is expected to retail for € 499, with the matching mounting kit and bracket available separately for € 100.

The New GIANT Reign Advanced E+ 1 in Detail

The new Reign Advanced E+ stays true to its classic, organic design language and continues to rely on the proven Maestro rear suspension system. The lower link has been elegantly integrated into the frame layout, ensuring a clean, streamlined look – without compromising performance, according to GIANT.

The motor is also neatly integrated and protected by a silver titanium cover. Thanks to its low friction coefficient, the cover is designed to glide more smoothly over obstacles in the event of ground contact.

For added protection, GIANT teamed up with MRP to develop the industry’s first active bashguard. It features a unique floating design with an elastomer damper that cushions impacts, helping to protect both the motor and the frame. On the seat tube, a small integrated fender prevents small rocks from getting jammed between the main frame and the swingarm. The chainstay protector might not be huge, but it covers the full length of the stay and does a solid job of keeping things quiet. Visually, the cockpit might look a little busy, but the RideControl remote blends in discreetly. And here’s a small spoiler: out on the trail, it stays pleasantly quiet – cable clutter and all.

The Spec of the New GIANT Reign Advanced E+ 1

When it comes to the suspension, GIANT rely on FOX components. Up front, the bike features a FOX 38 Performance Elite fork with 180 mm of travel and a GRIP X2 damper. While it doesn’t come with the signature Kashima coating of the Factory series, it still delivers impressive trail performance and offers a wide range of adjustments. At the rear, you’ll find a FOX FLOAT X Performance shock, which doesn’t quite match the fork when it comes to tunability.

Shifting is taken care of by a mechanical SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain – rugged, precise and built to take a beating. Braking duties are taken on by TRP DH-R EVO callipers, paired with massive 220 mm rotors front and rear. The brakes offer good modulation and solid stopping power. While they don’t quite deliver the sharp bite of a SRAM MAVEN or Shimano XT setup, it’s not something you’ll notice much in everyday trail riding.

For the wheels, GIANT use their in-house e-TRA aluminium rims with a 30 mm internal width. In testing, they proved to be solid and low-key performers. They’re paired with a tried-and-tested MAXXIS tyre combo in a mullet setup: a 29″ ASSEGAI EXO+ MaxxGrip up front and a 27.5″ Minion DHR II Doubledown MaxxGrip at the rear. It’s a strong pairing, especially when tackling technical climbs. The soft MaxxGrip compound offers excellent traction, but on the rear wheel, that grip often comes at the cost of durability. Once the tyre wears out, it’s worth considering a switch to the harder MaxxTerra compound for a longer-lasting setup.

The GIANT Contact Switch dropper post offers 200 mm of travel and performs reliably – though not without a few sound effects… but more on that later. The cockpit is rounded out with a GIANT Contact Enduro aluminium handlebar and a matching SL stem.

Spec and variants of the new GIANT Reign Advanced E+

GIANT offer the new Reign Advanced E+ in three build options. All models share the same carbon frame, the new SyncDrive Pro 3 motor, and the MAXXIS tyre combo with an ASSEGAI up front (EXO+ MaxxGrip) and a Minion DHR II at the rear (Doubledown MaxxGrip). In addition to the version we tested – the GIANT Reign Advanced E+ 1 – there are two other variants:

Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 – The entry point

With a RockShox ZEB Select fork (180 mm) and FOX FLOAT X Performance shock, the “2” model features a solid, entry-level suspension setup with limited adjustability. Shifting is handled by a mechanical 12-speed Shimano DEORE drivetrain, while braking is taken care of by Shimano SLX callipers paired with 220 mm rotors. For the wheels, the Taiwanese brand sticks with its in-house components, fitting GIANT AM30 aluminium rims. The dropper post is also a GIANT part – the Contact Switch. At € 6,999, this model is the most affordable way into the new Reign line-up. That’s reflected in the spec, which offers a solid foundation and delivers good overall value. However, riders looking for more performance-oriented components should take a closer look at the two higher-end builds.

Giant Reign Advanced E+ 0 – The top of the line

The top-spec version pulls out all the stops and showcases everything GIANT have in their arsenal: a FOX 38 Factory fork with GRIP X2 damper up front, paired with a FOX FLOAT X2 Factory shock at the rear. Shifting duties are handled by the electronic SRAM XX Eagle Transmission AXS, which allows for precise gear changes even under load.

Braking is taken care of by high-end SRAM MAVEN Ultimate brakes with 200 mm rotors – a combo that stops you like you’ve hit two flat tyres.
The top-tier Reign also rolls on GIANT TRX carbon wheels and is completed with a FOX Transfer Factory dropper and a one-piece SLR Trail carbon cockpit.

The flagship build will set you back € 12,999 – but the range extender is already included straight from the factory.

Die Geometrie des neuen GIANT Advanced Reign E+

The Reign Advanced E+ is available in four sizes, S, M, L and XL. But beyond the standard size range, GIANT offer two clever ways to tailor the geometry to your riding style and terrain: the Maestro flip chip and a modular headset cup system.

Flip-Chip Maestro 3
The flip chip on the upper rocker arm of the rear linkage has three positions: High, Mid and Low.

• High: Steeper head and seat angles with a raised bottom bracket – ideal for efficient climbing and tight, technical uphills.
• Mid: A neutral geometry that strikes a balance between uphill and downhill performance.
• Low: Slacker head and seat angles with a lower bottom bracket – perfect for high-speed stability and aggressive riding.

Steuersatzschalen-Anpassung
In addition, GIANT let you tweak the reach using two different headset cup options: Short (–5 mm), Mid (0 mm) and Long (+5 mm).

• Short (–5 mm): Brings the handlebar closer to the rider for quicker, more agile handling – ideal for tight and twisty trails.
• Mid (0 mm): Offers a neutral reach and balanced handling, great for mixed terrain with a blend of pedalling and descending.
• Long (+5 mm): Puts the handlebar further forward for added stability at speed and smoother sections. It also improves rider position for mullet setups (29” front / 27.5” rear).

With this combination of a classic size range and two modular adjustment systems, the Reign Advanced E+ gives you the flexibility to dial in geometry and handling to match your terrain – from tight home trails to high-speed lines in the bike park.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	425 mm	450 mm	475 mm
Top tube	568 mm	600 mm	623 mm	655 mm
Head tube	95 mm	105 mm	120 mm	135 mm
Head angle	64°	64°	64°	64°
Seat angle	78°	78°	78°	78°
Chainstay	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm
BB Drop	0 mm	0 mm	0 mm	0 mm
Wheelbase	1227 mm	1261 mm	1288 mm	1324 mm
Reach	435 mm	465 mm	485 mm	514 mm
Stack	642 mm	651 mm	665 mm	678 mm

*Values in the High setting.

Charged with tension – The new GIANT Reign Advanced E+ on the trail

Before swinging a leg over the new GIANT Reign Advanced E+, we fired up the RideControl app to check the motor settings. After resetting everything to factory defaults, we hit the gnarly trails and flowing sections around our home turf in Stuttgart. The perfect playground to thoroughly test the GIANT Reign and see whether it truly rules the trail – or just rolls over it.

On the bike, you sit in a sporty, well-balanced position between hands and hips. The rear suspension feels impressively pedal-neutral – there’s barely any bobbing on fireroad climbs, so a lockout isn’t really necessary. At the same time, it offers loads of traction.

In technical uphills, though, the front end does tend to lift quickly – you’ll need to stay active and keep pressure on the front wheel to hold your line. But the rear end does exactly what it’s supposed to: drive the traction straight into the ground. Nice!

And pushing it all forward is the new SyncDrive Pro 3 motor, which delivers strong and punchy support.

In Power mode, a bit of caution is advised: even a light push on the pedal and the bike surges forward. Especially in technical terrain or at traffic lights, it’s worth dialling down the LaunchControl setting in the app – otherwise, your next uphill could turn into an unintended downhill.

In Sport mode, the SyncDrive Pro 3 delivers a much smoother ride. It still pushes you up the mountain reliably – not quite with the brute force of a Bosch Performance Line CX, but it’s still plenty powerful.

On the descents, you feel well integrated into the bike. The front end of the GIANT Reign Advanced E+ feels a bit low and slack but never to the point of being a problem. The suspension setup leans towards the softer side, soaking up a lot of the trail chatter.

That plushness comes at a cost on flow trails, where it tends to mute lighter rider inputs, making it harder to generate momentum through rollers and berms. But in rock gardens and root sections, it flattens everything out like a steamroller.

When it comes to pumping for speed or popping off roots, the Reign Advanced E+ isn’t exactly in its element – it’s more about smoothing the trail than playing with it.

Handling feels intuitive right from the get go, making the bike easy to control and instantly confidence-inspiring. You’ll find yourself diving into the trail with speed and composure, blitzing through rock gardens without hesitation.

In berms, the suspension offers plenty of support, even at high speeds, catapulting you cleanly into the next turn. Landings are no problem either – the Reign has more than enough reserves to handle jumps that might not have been part of your plan, but suddenly feel way too tempting. And with 180 mm of travel up front and 170 mm at the rear, there’s a lot you can throw at this bike – especially when the shuttle is built right in.

All in all, the new GIANT Reign Advanced E+ delivers plenty of fun both uphill and down. The suspension and geometry can be fine-tuned to match your personal preferences, giving you a bike that adapts to your style.

The TRP DH-R EVO brakes offer reliable stopping power with good modulation, even if they lack the fierce bite of a SRAM MAVEN. The GIANT Contact Switch dropper post performs solidly and gives you plenty of freedom of movement on Champery-style descents – though it does make a noticeable clunk every time you hit the remote.

Also worth mentioning is the 560 Wh battery: in our test, the charge level dropped suddenly from 12% to 3%, at which point only Eco mode was available. While support levels and motor response can be adjusted via the RideControl app, this doesn’t significantly affect the bike’s actual range.

Who should take a closer look at the GIANT Reign Advanced E+?

The Reign Advanced E+ isn’t built for all-day epics – with its 560 Wh battery, it lags behind some of the competition in terms of range. But if you’re not planning a marathon in Eco mode and are instead looking for a short-time shredder for post-work laps or bike park sessions, it’s a solid and reliable choice.

With 180/170 mm of travel, the Reign has plenty of reserves when things get rough, making it an ideal option for riders who love to charge on the descents.

At the same time, it’s perfect for those who enjoy fine-tuning their setup. Thanks to the flip chip and adjustable headset cups, you can dial in the geometry and reach to suit your personal riding style.

Conclusions about the GIANT Reign Advanced E+

Out on the trails, the new GIANT Reign Advanced E+ makes a strong impression. The suspension soaks up bumps with ease, offers loads of reserves, and has more than enough capability to plough through rough lines with confidence. Bottom line: the Reign Advanced E+ is a bike that shines on the descents and performs solidly on the climbs. The new SyncDrive Pro 3 motor blends in seamlessly with the overall concept, delivering punchy power, while its smart connectivity features are a definite bonus. The battery setup, however, isn’t ideal for long-distance missions. So while the Reign shows its strengths both uphill and down, it doesn’t quite take the crown. Still, if you’re looking for a next-generation trail shredder, this is a very promising contender for the throne.

More info at GIANT.com

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Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Benedikt Schmidt