Comfort and control: Anywhere, anytime and for anyone! That’s the idea behind the new GIANT AnyTour X E+ off-road step-through bike that is aimed at a wide audience of adventurous ebikers. We tested the € 5,699 trekking ebike “almost anywhere, at almost any time of day” and tell you what it is capable of.
If you think that off-road step-through bikes have only just recently become the hottest trend in trekking ebikes, you are seriously wide off the mark. We launched our first off-road step-through group test back in 2020, followed by our full suspension off-road step-through group test and our SUV ebike group test. Off-road step-through bikes are taking the trekking segment by storm and are here to stay.
So why have GIANT – one of the world’s biggest bike manufacturers – waited until 2024 to launch a true off-road step-through bike, even inviting the European press to a big presentation at the company’s German headquarters? Perhaps there is more to the new GIANT AnyTour X E+ than meets the eye.
29.6 kg in size L | € 5,699 | Manufacturer’s website
At first glance, the AnyTour X E+ appears to be a traditional off-road step-through ebike made of aluminium. Only the front is suspended, the rear triangle is rigid. The AnyTour rides on 27.5″ wheels and has 100 mm of front travel. The bike is powered by GIANT’s proprietary SyncDrive motor system, with different battery capacities and motors available depending on the model variant.
The adventurous range of four test bikes starts at € 3,699. Our top-of-the-range test bike, the GIANT AnyTour X E+ 0, is listed at € 5,699. It is powered by a GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 motor with an 800 Wh battery. In size L, the adventure vehicle weighs 29.6 kg. We’ll look at what is behind these figures in a moment.
Not just for anyone, but also AnyTour! – What makes the GIANT AnyTour X E+ so special?
The trekking ebike segment isn’t new territory for GIANT. With the Stormguard E+, GIANT already have another iron in the fire. However, GIANT claim that the full suspension Stormguard is more inspired by sportier eMTBs. Whereas the AnyTour X E+, on the other hand, has been designed with comfort and control in mind. It is a beautiful trekking ebike on which you can collect equally beautiful memories – but you are less likely to push yourself to the limit on endless explorations.
The AnyTour X E+ is also important to GIANT because, with its pioneering technology, it combines many of the virtues and innovations that are intended to characterise GIANT ebikes. Take the aluminium frame, for example. The frame of the AnyTour X is manufactured using several different processes to combine design, functionality and robustness. The head tube is cast and is a single, beautifully shaped piece.
The double-walled down tube is made from aluminium extrusion. This multi-walled structure not only increases stability but also acts as a duct for the cables that run through the headset into the frame.
The motor mount, a critical point on step-through bikes, is forged. According to GIANT, this forging process allows it to withstand higher forces than, for example, bent and welded aluminium plates of an equivalent wall thickness. Because step-through bikes have no top tube, the motor mount absorbs the torsional forces of the front frame and rear triangle all by itself. If it fails to do so, it could result in unstable handling and handlebar wobble. The motor mount is also aesthetically pleasing, seamlessly integrating the lines of the down tube and chainstays into the motor cover.
Last but not least, hydroforming is also used. This process makes it possible to create tubes with varying cross-sections, such as the seat tube. According to GIANT, the AnyTour X E+ could be approved for a total weight of 180 kg if the frame were the only criterion. However, the permissible total weight (GVW) is determined by the weakest link in the chain, which in the case of the AnyTour is the various add-on parts. The trekking ebike therefore has a GVW of 156 kg. After deducting the weight of the ebike, which is just under 30 kg, there remains a payload of 126 kg for the rider and luggage.
GIANT have invested considerable effort not only in the frame but also in its proprietary motor system. The top model, the AnyTour X E+ 0, features the pinnacle of the GIANT ecosystem.
The motor system of the GIANT AnyTour X E+ in detail
Depending on which variant of the GIANT Anytour X E+ trekking ebike you choose, you will also get different motor system elements with different levels of performance. In the entry-level variants E+ 3 and E+ 2, GIANT use the SyncDrive Sport2 motor with 75 Nm torque and combine it with a 625 WH capacity battery. The higher spec levels, E+ 0 and E+ 1, come with GIANT’s top-of-the-range beast, the 85 Nm SyncDrive Pro2 motor, as standard.
The SyncDrive Pro2 motor provides enough power to push a fully loaded AnyTour with a dog trailer up a hill. However, ebike beginners should turn down the launch setting in the GIANT RideControl app for the high motor support modes, such as Power. Otherwise, the motor reacts quite violently to pedal pressure and sprints away rather abruptly.
The 800 Wh EnergyPak Smart battery pack contains an innovation that we have so far only found in GIANT’s ebike batteries: The battery pack uses so-called 22700 cells. They are slightly larger and have a higher capacity than the 21700 cells usually used. What makes them unique, as the manufacturer explain, is their stability at high discharge currents. According to GIANT, they discharge cooler and therefore more gently. This has two advantages and is reflected, among other things, in a longer service life. GIANT claim that an 800 Wh EnergyPak still retains 50% of its residual capacity after 2,300 charge cycles. In a purely mathematical sense (and probably extrapolated under optimal riding and charging conditions), 2,300 charge cycles correspond to a distance of 200,000 km. In practical terms, GIANT estimate that an 800 Wh battery will last the lifetime of the bike, making the question of a replacement battery unnecessary.
The second advantage of high discharge stability is that you can design a battery with fewer cells that still delivers enough power for a full-power motor. For example, GIANT’s Trance X Advanced E+ Elite manages to power the SyncDrive Pro2 motor with a 400 Wh battery.
The 800 Wh battery is cross-compatible with other GIANT ebikes and retains the same shape as GIANT’s older 625 and 500 Wh batteries. If you have either of these batteries, they can be used to power the AnyTour X E+. Another innovation within the system is hidden in the form factor. GIANT batteries are comparatively bulky due to the presence of plastic elements that separate all the cells inside. In the event of an accident where a cell becomes overheated and potentially damaged, the plastic separator melts, isolating the affected cell from the rest. GIANT’s concept is that this will prevent a catastrophic chain reaction, which is more likely to happen in extreme situations when cells are closely packed together.
The combination of the GIANT RideDash Evo display and RideControl Ergo 2 remote control is used to control the motor system and display information. The display is nicely integrated into the stem and shows all the usual suspects such as speed, percentage of battery life, remaining range etc. If you have your smartphone at hand, you can also show navigation arrows on the display screen. But you will need to activate a route in the GIANT RideControl app.
A new feature is the integration of the Enviolo Trekking AUTOMATIQ control in the display. The desired cadence can be set between 30 and 120 rpm in increments of 5 using the handlebar remote control and the display. The motor and the stepless hub gear will then do their best to maintain the target cadence without you having to intervene during the ride.
We’ll let you know how well this works in our riding impressions, but what we can tell you is that we left the cadence menu on the display permanently open while riding through hilly terrain, to be able to quickly change gears manually on the move.
The service structures for the GIANT motor system
Servicing an ebike, including the motor system, can be quite complex. According to GIANT, it is now more like servicing a car than an analogue bike that could be dropped off at a workshop in the morning and picked up a few hours later, ready to ride. Traditional bike dealers, says Giant, can’t handle the entire customer journey on their own these days but need the support of the manufacturer.
That is why GIANT took the launch of the AnyTour X E+ trekking bike as an opportunity to introduce us to the company’s own service centre in Erkrath. In addition to a classic workshop and a wheel service centre, it also has ebike-specific stations such as a Motor Repair Center (MRC) and an EnergyPak Service Center (EPSC) for ebike batteries.
The aim of the centre is to create a paradigm shift in the ebike industry. Too many defective motors and batteries are simply replaced rather than repaired. According to GIANT, even the most complex motor repair they offer is still cheaper than a replacement motor. Repairing motors is not only good for the environment, it is also a benefit for customers with motor problems who are out of warranty.
There is also a solution for old batteries. At the EnergyPak Service Centre, battery storage systems that have already lost much of their capacity can be recalibrated through targeted charging and discharging, which can restore up to 20% of their original battery capacity.
The spec variants of the GIANT AnyTour X E+ in detail
The new GIANT AnyTour X E+ is available in four spec variants and four sizes. Sizes S, M, L and XL are designed for riders from 154 cm to 206 cm. For a rider 206 cm tall, the seat post on the XL bike must be extended to the maximum saddle extension.
The spec variants ascend in reverse numerical order. The entry-level AnyTour X E+3 model starts at € 3,699. It shares the slightly less powerful 75 Nm SyncDrive Sport 2 motor and a 625 Wh EnergyPak battery with the E+ 2 available for € 4,199. The biggest difference between the two entry-level models is that the E+ 3 uses a conventional chain and 10-speed Deore drivetrain, while the E+ 2 uses a GATES carbon belt combined with a Shimano NEXUS 5-speed hub.
The AnyTour E+ 1 (€ 4,599) and the top model E+ 0 (€ 5,699) are both equipped with the powerful GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 motor and 800 Wh battery. The biggest difference between these models also lies in the drivetrain. The slightly cheaper E+ 1 uses a Shimano XT LINKGLIDE 11-speed derailleur for power transmission, while the E+ 0 uses a GATES carbon belt and an Enviolo Trekking AUTOMATIQ stepless gear hub with automatic mode. Both drivetrain options have their advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of the belt drive is that it requires very little maintenance. The belt does not need to be lubricated, nor does it need to be cleaned immediately after every rainy or muddy ride..
GIANT AnyTour X E+ 0
€ 5,699
Specifications
Motor GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 85 Nm
Battery GIANT EnergyPak 800 Wh
Display RideDash EVO
Fork SR Suntour MOBIE 34 100 mm
Seatpost Suspension Dropper 70 mm
Brakes Shimano BR-MT420 203/180 mm
Drivetrain Enviolo Trekking AUTOMATIQ 380%
Stem GIANT Contour, EVO integrated 90 – 110 mm
Handlebar GIANT Contour Comfort Riser 690 mm
Wheelset GIANT eX25 27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Smart Sam Plus 2.25"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 29.6 kg
Perm. total weight 156 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 126 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount yes
Specific Features
ABUS ring lock
automatic transmission
belt drive
GIANT and AXA lights
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 340 mm | 410 mm | 480 mm | 550 mm |
| Tob tube | 570 mm | 590 mm | 610 mm | 630 mm |
| Head tube | 130 mm | 130 mm | 170 mm | 170 mm |
| Head angle | 69.5° | 69.5° | 69.5° | 69.5° |
| Seat angle | 74° | 73° | 72° | 72° |
| Chain stays | 470 mm | 470 mm | 470 mm | 470 mm |
| BB Drop | 50 mm | 50 mm | 50 mm | 50 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,120 mm | 1,128 mm | 1,138 mm | 1,158 mm |
| Reach | 391 mm | 399 mm | 395 mm | 415 mm |
| Stack | 625 mm | 625 mm | 662 mm | 662 mm |
How does the GIANT AnyTour X E+ ride?
Mounting the AnyTour is child’s play thanks to the low step-through, which is just 40 cm high at its lowest point. Right after getting on the bike for the first time, we made use of the angle-adjustable stem and locked the handlebar in a high position close to the body. This allows you to sit on the trekking ebike in an upright and very relaxed position that’s good for your back. There is little pressure on your hands and the upright posture allows you a good all-round view.
Double-tapping the “i” button on the somewhat spongy remote brings up the cadence setting. The 65 crank revolutions per minute setting makes for a relaxed ride. The powerful motor helps you reach the 25 km/h limit on flat terrain, even at a leisurely pedalling pace. If you decide to take your hands off the handlebar at this speed, perhaps to adjust the ends of your moustache, you won’t suffer from handlebar wobble – a common problem with many other step-through bikes.
If you are waiting at a traffic light, you can lower the dropper post to reach the ground with both legs without dismounting. The seat post lever is located above the remote control and can be difficult to reach due to the lack of space underneath. However, this inconvenience is forgivable on the AnyTour because the lever is rarely used during touring. Despite the appearance of considerable travel, the seat post in size L can only be lowered by 7 cm, just enough to reach the ground with your feet. This leaves about 4 cm of seat post travel protruding from the seat tube, providing suspension travel via the dropper post’s internal air spring.
The combination of dropper post, SR Suntour MOBIE34 suspension fork with 100 mm travel and Schwalbe Smart Sam 2.25″ tires really pays off on rough forest paths. The AnyTour X E+ 0 absorbs small bumps and is very stable when rolling over the odd root or pothole. The comfort over long-distances leaves nothing to be desired.
The suspension and tires provide solid traction, even on gravel roads. However, the AnyTour isn’t really designed for the occasional detour onto a trail. If you’re looking for a trekking ebike that can also satisfy your sporty ambitions from time to time, check out our SUV ebike group test.
The AnyTour is more of a good-natured packhorse than a sporty racehorse. The rear carrier with MIK HD interface is capable of carrying a load of up to 27 kg, for example a child seat. The side bars are a bit thick and therefore not compatible with all panniers with narrower clamps. A quick test is recommended.
A small transport highlight is the M10 mounting thread in the left dropout, allowing you to attach a variety of tow bars. Our team dog, Henry, enthusiastically ran around in circles when he discovered he could join in on the photo shoot. Check out our sister magazine DOWNTOWN for a review of the Croozer Dog Enna trailer.
The biggest drawback of the transport concept is the lack of a bottle cage, so drinks have to be carried either in your backpack or in the panniers.
Even with a full load, the AnyTour X E+ 0 rides smoothly and remains easy to control. Powerful Shimano BR MT-420 four-piston brakes bring you and your load to a stop safely. The small 180 mm rear brake disc can get a bit hot on long descents, though.
The Enviolo trekking AUTOMATIQ hub gear is effective in maintaining a constant cadence even on uneven terrain. However, when you are fully loaded and climbing a very steep hill, the hub gear reaches its limit. When the cadence drops and you pedal forcefully while out of the saddle, the hub gear makes an unpleasant cracking sound. So we adopted the practice of leaving the cadence setting permanently open on the road. This allows you to increase the cadence in advance of climbs, which helps you to gain momentum at a higher frequency and tackle steep ascents.
If you finish your trekking tour late in the evening, the GIANT Recon E HL 150 STVZO front light with high beam function safely illuminates the road. The handlebar-mounted remote control for the front light also activates a daytime running light controlled by a light sensor. However, we were unable to activate this clever feature on our test bike. The AXA Juno rear light in the rear rack draws the attention of following traffic with a brake light function.
If you park the AnyTour in your garage after a ride, an ABUS ring lock on the rear frame provides an extra layer of security. It shares the key with the ABUS battery lock. Cleaning and lubricating the chain is a thing of the past thanks to the GATES carbon belt, while the high position of the charging port and its intuitive cover make charging a breeze.
Conclusion on the GIANT AnyTour X E+
The GIANT AnyTour X E+ is a good-natured trekking ebike that offers a great level of comfort over long distances and is equipped with high-quality features. The motor concept with the powerful SyncDrive Pro2 motor in combination with the low-maintenance belt and the stepless hub gear make for relaxed rides. From daily commuting to long trekking trips with luggage and dog trailer, the AnyTour X E+ can handle it all. The only time the trekking ebike leaves its comfort zone is on sporty rides and routes with steep climbs.
Tops
- great comfort over long distances
- low maintenance
- easy handling
- stylish frame with high quality workmanship
Flops
- spongy remote control buttons
- gear hub makes cracking noise under heavy load
- no water bottle holder
For more information, visit giant-bicycles.com
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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Mike Hunger
