PB’S GIANT REIGN E+ 1
MONTH 13: Improved geometry lured PB back to his old ride but could the new Reign erase his unhappy memories of its predecessor?
£63,1299 ••
29i/n27•.5fioncu•sg-ibainkte-sb.cicoymcles.com
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What attracted you to the Giant Reign E+ 1? Oddly, it was the fact that the previous Giant Reign e-bike I tested was so bad, that made me want to ride the new one. The old bike had a Yamaha-made motor, a solid build and was wellpriced but it was short, high and steep compared to other bikes around at the time. When Giant said it’d changed the geometry, it wasn’t some idle boast, the new Reign E+ 1 was totally different – longer, lower and slacker – and I was excited to ride it.
Did you change anything straightaway? Usually, I fit Maxxis 3C Maxx Terra tyres and a wider 800mm handlebar but the Reign E+ already came with those.
So I didn’t change a thing in the first few rides.
Was the bike easy to set up?
For me, no. I went round the houses for several months trying to get it dialled. On my first few rides the bike felt really nervous on flat turns, and I must admit, I binned it more than once due to the front end washing out. The Giant has a long front centre and a slack head angle, so to try and get my weight forward I ran the bike in the high geometry setting, stiffened up the rear suspension and tweaked the bar height. This helped with the weight distribution, but what really sorted it was fitting a Cane Creek Viscoset, which slowed down the steering response and eliminated all that nervousness.
How did it ride?
With these tweaks the
Reign E+ 1 is an absolute weapon. At 25.5kg (56.22lb) it’s not the lightest e-bike out there, so it’s quite physically demanding in tight singletrack, but it feels so capable. I’m totally confident now hitting an offcamber turn at high speed, and even when it’s slippery the bike feels sure-footed and inspiring.
The rear suspension can feel a bit choppy in the rough, but with that 170mm-travel Fox 38 fork up front you can really plough through stuff.
WHY IT’S HERE Race-ready e-bike with alternative motor & battery technology
Did anything break or wear out?
Two Shimano rear mechs, a UDH hanger, and a rear wheel. And there would have been more rear mechs in the bin,
■ Reliable drive system and pokey Yamaha-made motor ■ Excellent build and good value for money
■ Geometry is fully adjustable by flip-chip
LOWS
■ Shimano XT rear mech is easily damaged
■ The remote switch needs a better clamp where the bolt doesn’t fall out ■ One of the heavier e-bikes on the market