Giant's 2022 Reign E enduro e-MTB gets a number of updates that aim to improve ride quality and motor performance, as well as a new look and user interface.
The latest bike has the same travel as the previous Reign E – 170mm at the front and 160mm at the rear – but has been overhauled virtually everywhere else.
One of the biggest changes is to the motor. Giant says that the new SynDrive Pro motor, developed in collaboration with Yamaha, has a compact shape that has been optimised for the Reign’s chassis.
At 2.7kg, it is lighter than the previous motor and is Giant’s most powerful to date, delivering 85Nm of torque output and a 400 per cent additional pedal assist – up from the previous Reign E 's 80Nm of torque output and 360 per cent additional pedal assist.
Giant also says the motor has six sensors and “advanced algorithms” that work to determine the optimum amount of power support needed across different terrains. This tech is also said to maximise efficiency by not using unnecessary power.
The battery has also been updated, increasing from a 500Wh battery pack to 750Wh on the top-flight model and 625Wh on the other three. This sits in the down tube and is said to reach 80 per cent of its charge in just over three hours.
There are now two ways to control the Regin E : an integrated unit called the RideControl Go, which is fitted to the top tube and features an on/off button as well as LED lights to show battery level and the support mode; and a handlebar control that can be mounted on the left- or right-hand side, which has three buttons with functions that can be determined via an app.
New Giant Reign E geometry
When we reviewed the 2019 Giant Reign E 0 Pro, we found that the long rear centre of the bike meant it wasn’t as manoeuvrable as some other e-MTBs. The new version of the bike looks to rectify that with shorter chainstays, which on paper should make the bike more agile.
Giant has taken other steps to improve the ride of the Reign, too, with the Maestro dual-link suspension system now featuring a flip-chip that allows you to raise or lower the chassis by 10mm, depending on the terrain being tackled.
The high position is intended for technical, winding terrain that puts the rider in a more aggressive climbing position, while the lower position is suited to fast and flowing trails because it lowers the bike’s centre of gravity and puts the rider in a more stable position.
The bottom bracket height has also been increased by 37mm. The previous Reign E got around the issue of a relatively low bottom bracket by using 160mm cranks, but some extra clearance is certainly welcome.
One of the most notable differences is the change in wheel diameters. The previous version used 27.5in wheels front and rear while the new version has moved to a mullet design, with a 27.5in rear wheel and 29in front wheel.
These are said to “work together to offer superior handling and agility”, and the smaller rear wheel size is what helped Giant decrease chainstay length.
| Frame size | Small (low) | Small (high) | Medium (low) | Medium (high) | Large (low) | Large (high) | Extra-large (low) | Extra-large (high) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube length (mm) | 400 | 400 | 425 | 425 | 450 | 450 | 475 | 475 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 76.7 | 77.5 | 76.7 | 77.5 | 76.7 | 77.5 | 76.7 | 77.5 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 569 | 568 | 595 | 594 | 622 | 621 | 649 | 648 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 110 | 110 | 120 | 120 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 63.7 | 64.5 | 63.7 | 64.5 | 63.7 | 64.5 | 63.7 | 64.5 |
| Fork rake (mm) | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| Trail (mm) | 136 | 132 | 135 | 132 | 135 | 132 | 136 | 132 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,209 | 1,210 | 1,236 | 1,237 | 1,265 | 1,266 | 1,295 | 1,296 |
| Chain stay length (mm) | 457 | 455 | 454 | 454 | 454 | 454 | 454 | 454 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 25 | 15 | 25 | 15 | 25 | 15 | 25 | 15 |
| Stack (mm) | 636 | 632 | 635 | 632 | 645 | 641 | 654 | 650 |
| Reach (mm) | 425 | 430 | 450 | 455 | 475 | 480 | 500 | 505 |
| Stand over height (mm) | 785 | 789 | 772 | 776 | 771 | 775 | 768 | 772 |
| Handlebar width (mm) | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Stem length (mm) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Crank length (mm) | 160 | 160 | 160 | 160 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 |
2022 Giant Reign E models, prices and availability
The 2022 Reign E will be available in four models. UK pricing is still TBC and Giant is also yet to confirm when the bikes will be available to buy.
2022 Giant E Reign 0
- Frame: ALUXX SL-grade aluminium, Advanced Forged Composite Upper Rocker, 160mm Maestro suspension system
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
- Fork: Fox 38 Float Factory 29er
- Motor: SyncDrive Pro
- Battery pack: 750Wh
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO1 Eagle
- Crankset: Praxis e-Carbon custom carbon crankarm set
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch dropper post
- Finishing kit: Giant
- Wheels and tyres: Giant wheels and Maxxis tyres
2022 Giant E Reign 1
- Frame: ALUXX SL-grade aluminium, Advanced Forged Composite Upper Rocker, 160mm Maestro suspension system
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance Elite
- Fork: Fox 38 Float Performance Elite
- Motor: SyncDrive Pro
- Battery pack: 625Wh
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT
- Crankset: Praxis Wave and e-Cadet
- Brakes: Shimano Deore XT
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch dropper post
- Finishing kit: Giant
- Wheels and tyres: Giant wheels and Maxxis tyres
2022 Giant E Reign 2
- Frame: ALUXX SL-grade aluminium, Advanced Forged Composite Upper Rocker, 160mm Maestro suspension system
- Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Performance
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Select 29er
- Motor: SyncDrive Pro
- Battery pack: 625Wh
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX/NX
- Crankset: Praxis e-Cadet+
- Brakes: SRAM Code R
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch dropper post
- Finishing kit: Giant
- Wheels and tyres: Giant wheels and Maxxis tyres
2022 Giant E+ Reign 3
- Frame: ALUXX SL-grade aluminium, Advanced Forged Composite Upper Rocker
- Shock: Fox Float DPS Performance
- Fork: RockShox Domain 29er
- Motor: SyncDrive Pro
- Battery pack: 625Wh
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore
- Crankset: Praxis Wave and e-Cadet+
- Brakes: Shimano Deora
- Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch dropper post
- Finishing kit: Giant
- Wheels and tyres: Giant rims with Shimano hubs and Maxxis tyres
