The Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro, hailing from the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world relies on Yamaha’s know-how for its motor. The Giant SyncDrive Pro is based on the Yamaha PW-X2, making it the only Yamaha equipped bike in the test field. But it isn’t all about the motor.

Click here for an overview of the best eMTB 2020 group test.

Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Giant SyncDrive Pro/500 Wh | 170/160 mm (f/r) | 24.38 kg (size L)
€ 7,499 | manufacturer website

Giant released the latest iteration of their flagship eMTB, the € 7,499 Reign E+ 0 Pro in August 2019. Visually, the bike is distinctly Giant: the 160 mm Maestro rear linkage, the low front end and, apart from the bulky down tube, the shape is unmistakable. Compared to the rest of the bike,the down tube looks disproportionately large but it houses the 500 Wh battery that feeds the 80 Nm SyncDrive Pro motor. Despite the lightweight eTRX carbon wheelset and the relatively small battery, the Reign E+ 0 Pro tops the scales at a whopping 24.38 kg. However, thanks to the robust spec, it’s rated up to a permissible gross weight of 156 kg.

Components, weight and technical details of the Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro

The wireless SRAM/RockShox AXS shifter and dropper post remote keep the cockpit extremely tidy. The tubeless repair kit hidden inside the handlebar ends is a handy bonus in the event of a flat tire. However, thanks to the Doubledown casing of the MAXXIS HighRoller II on the rear, this should be a rare occurrence. For the brakes, Giant rely on more affordable SRAM CODE R brakes but combines these with a 220 mm rotor up front. The speed sensor of the Reign E+ is hidden in the dropout where it is well protected, leaving nothing to be desired in terms of componentry.

Impressively unimpressed
The new Giant SyncDrive Pro motor is based on the Yamaha PW-X2 and is unfazed by varied cadences in the lower and middle range. No other motor offers as much support at slow cadences.
No cables – no rattling
The wireless SRAM X01 Eagle AXS and RockShox Reverb AXS remotes make for a super clean cockpit with no cable clutter or rattling. The only downside is having to charge the battery now and then but we don’t mind.
Chameleon
Depending on the angle of the sun’s rays, the colour of the high-quality paint job on the Reign E+ changes from shimmering gold to forest green.

Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro

€ 7,499

Specifications

Motor Giant SyncDrive Pro 80Nm
Battery Giant EnergyPak Smart 500Wh
Display Giant RideControl ONE
Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 100 – 170 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE R 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 1x12
Stem Giant Contact SL 35 40 mm
Handlebar Giant Contact Sl 35 Trail 800 mm
Wheelset Giant e-TRX Carbon 27.5"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 24.38 kg
Perm. total weight 156 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 131 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

tire repair kit in bar end plugs
optional Battery-Pack (250 Wh)


Integration doesn’t stop at the speed sensor
Giant include a tubeless repair kit hidden inside the handlebar ends where it is always within reach. That way you can have the hole plugged before the tire has completely deflated – as long as you’re set up tubeless.
Anchor
Even with 220 mm rotors, the SRAM CODE R brakes remain easy to modulate and offer reliable braking power. How good would that size rotor be in combination with a CODE RSC?
Endless grip
Giant’s proprietary Maestro linkage together with the sensitive FOX FLOAT X2 shock generate enormous amounts of traction. You’ll be hard pushed to spin the wheel on the climbs.
Lifesavers
The EXO+ casing was too thin for Giant to use on the rear wheel, which is why they spec MAXXIS’ heavier and more durable Doubledown casing to protect the eTRX carbon wheelset.
Powerbank
You have the option of mounting an additional battery in the front triangle instead of a water bottle. The Giant EnergyPak Plus delivers 250 Wh and costs an additional € 400.

Geometry and size of the Giant

With a reach figure of 475 in size L, the Reign E+ 0 Pro is the longest eMTB in Giant’s current line-up. The front end is typically low (611 mm stack) which, in combination with the long front triangle, pulls the rider forward.

Size S M L XL
Seat tube 406 mm 445 mm 482 mm 507 mm
Top tube 595 mm 620 mm 645 mm 670 mm
Head tube 100 mm 110 mm 120 mm 130 mm
Head angle 64.5° 64.5° 64.5° 64.5°
Seat angle 76.0° 76.0° 76.0° 76.0°
Chainstays 470 mm 470 mm 470 mm 470 mm
BB Drop 15 mm 15 mm 15 mm 15 mm
Wheelbase 1,223 mm 1,249 mm 1,276 mm 1,303 mm
Reach 430 mm 452 mm 475 mm 497 mm
Stack 592 mm 602 mm 611 mm 620 mm
Helmet Oakley DRT5 | Glasses Oakley Jawbreaker Prizm Trail | Shirt ION Traze Amp | Shorts ION Traze Amp | Shoes ION Scrub Amp

The Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro on the trail

The SyncDrive Pro motor in the Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro provides powerful assistance even at a very low cadence and it struggles less at higher cadences than its predecessor. From standstill, the motor engages as soon as you touch the pedals, giving a powerful jolt and surging forward. This can be challenging for beginners but it does make it easier to get going on a steep incline. Thanks to the excellent suspension and the durable MAXXIS High Roller tire allowing you to ride with low pressures, the rear wheel of the Reign E+ 0 Pro sticks to the ground and easily converts the motor’s 80 Nm torque into forward propulsion. That’s also helped by the system’s smart Automatic mode. However, operating the remote is anything but intuitive. If you want to switch from Automatic to any other mode, you’ll often inadvertently switch the system off first. The long reach and Giant’s idiosyncratically low stack height keep the front wheel on the ground when climbing. Once you’ve become accustomed to the feel of the motor on the Reign E+ 0 Pro, you’ll get up steep and long climbs without breaking a sweat.

Shift modes, not gears: the SyncDrive Pro assists powerfully at almost any cadence.

Despite the low cockpit on the Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro, you never feel as though you might go over the bars on the descents. Instead, it offers a lot of precision and tons of grip on both tires, opening up lines previously unimaginable. The high top tube and long seat tube only limit your freedom of movement on the steepest terrain. However, more critically most riders will face one big problem on the Reign E+ 0 Pro: it’s extremely tiring to ride. A lot of your weight is on the bars, so your shoulders, arms and chest soon start to burn on the descents. Even fast direction changes and jumping at slow speeds takes a lot of effort. You have to use speed and momentum to your advantage when riding the Reign E+. When you do, the weight on the front wheel helps it corner excellently and if you encounter a big jump, it remains very stable in the air.

Tuning tip: soft chainstay protector | longer travel dropper post if possible

Riding Characteristics

7

Agility

  1. sluggish
  2. playful

Stability

  1. nervous
  2. stable

Handling

  1. demanding
  2. balanced

Riding fun

  1. boring
  2. lively

Motor feeling

  1. digital
  2. natural

Motor power

  1. weak
  2. strong

Value for money

  1. poor
  2. top

Application

Forest road

1

Flow trail uphill

2

Flow trail downhill

3

Technical single trail uphill

4

Technical single trail downhill

5

Downhill tracks

6

Conclusion

The Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro is a good bike for powerful riders looking to go fast. It’s one of only two bikes in the test field that can handle a rider weight far above 100 kg, but you’ll need a lot of muscle to control it. The feel of the SyncDrive motor is unique and takes getting used to, but it makes the Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro a powerful climber.

Tops

  • one of the highest weight ratings in the group test
  • smart Automatic support mode
  • excellent suspension offering a lot of traction

Flops

  • energy-robbing on the descents
  • too little dropper travel/long seat tube
  • counterintuitive remote sequence

You can find out more about the Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro at giant-bicycles.com.

The test field

You can find everything you need to know about our test for the best eMTB of 2020 right here!

All bikes in test: BULLS SONIC EVO AM 6 | Cannondale Moterra 1 | Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 | COMMENCAL META POWER 29 TEAM 2020 | CONWAY XYRON 927 Carbon | CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC | FANTIC XF1 180 Race | FOCUS JAM² 9.9 DRIFTER | Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Liteville 301 CE MK1 | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Moustache Samedi 27 Trail | Norco Range VLT C1 | NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 | Orbea WILD FS M-LTD | Pivot Shuttle 29 | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition | ROTWILD R.X750 ULTRA | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax | Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo | Trek Rail 9.9 | Whyte E-180 RS V1 | YT DECOY CF Pro Race


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Words: Felix Stix, Robin Schmitt, Jonas Müssig Photos: Finlay Anderson, Robin Schmitt, Felix Stix, Markus Frühmann