GIANT FULL-E+ PRO
BECOME A TRAIL GOD
WE TESTED THE GIANT Full-E+ Pro late last year in Stellenbosch, at the local launch of the all-new Giant Anthem 29er, and were blown away by its trail manners and ease of use. While many of the testers were reluctant to take it for a spin initially, those that eventually succumbed to the beer pressure returned with massive smiles on their faces. And that’s precisely what these machines do – they make you smile. It truly is an amazing bicycle.
The test route was the tricky and technical black route of the Delvera Estate – a tough trail that zigzags up a steep and exposed climb, before a series of rocky switchbacks tests both your mettle and bravery. The Full-E+ Pro made this trail feel like manicured cement, the huge dollops of torque allowing testers to punch their way over the rocky slabs, ruts and lips with ease. The Plus-sized 650b 2.6-inch Maxxis Rekon tyres are good at taking abuse, and handled everything the gnarly trail threw at them.
On climbs, you can feel – and hear – the powerful motor winding up through the cranks, even when riding at low cadence. Power is transmitted directly and instantly, a boon for nasty gradients. Dial in too much, however, and you may land up arse-over-face; but you slowly learn how to modulate the power delivery.
Fox Factory suspension and a complete Shimano XT groupset round off the componentry. Power is supplied by a new SyncDrive Pro motor, which distributes the power smoothly and progressively between the five different modes.
This bike is suited more to mountain bikers who enjoy hammering the downhills without the hassle of having to lug their bikes up to the trailhead. An N+1 scenario if ever there was one...