Freerider 2023: Giant Reign SX on test - the change of government

Team FREERIDE

· 11.06.2023

A matter of taste: The Reign SX is only available in this somewhat unconventional colour combination.

Giant describes its Reign SX as a hardcore enduro bike. We couldn't find much "enduro" in the bike.

Steam hammer: The head tube of the Giant is fitted with a Fox 40 travelled to 190 millimetres, giving the bike guidance and a big boost to the rider's confidence.

Tight rear end: The thick steel spring damper squeezes only 165 millimetres out of the enduro frame. This creates a somewhat unbalanced chassis and reduces the big bike feeling.

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Photo: Dimitri Lehner

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The Giant Reign SX is completely new after a year of development work. New features, new geometry data and more suspension travel are just some of the points of the update.

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Hossa, a big bike? The Giant Glory? No, the bike giant from Taiwan has actually taken its winning downhill bike out of the programme. The bike that Danny Hart used in 2011 to put in perhaps the most spectacular run in the history of downhill sport and become world champion. The Enduro Giant Reign has to step into the breach for the Glory. The Giant engineers put a Fox 40 in the head tube and a steel spring damper in the rear; the big bike is ready. The DH fork with 29er front wheel in combination with a small rear wheel creates a very slack 62.4 steering angle (in the slack flip-chip setting) and trims the downhill bike fully for downhill riding. For our height (1.78 m), Giant still recommends medium (reach 446 mm).

But our test bike felt cramped. We recommend Large. Unsurprisingly, the weighty downhill bike with the heavy tyres needs gradients to get up to speed. When things get fast and rough, the thick fork boosts your confidence. Landing on the flat? Drop ripped? Steered into a rock face? No problem, the Fox 40 irons out your mistakes. The rear (165 mm) can't keep up.

Photo: Lars ScharlGiant describes its Reign SX as a hardcore enduro bike. We couldn't find much "enduro" in the bike.

And that brings us to the problem: the upgraded Giant Enduro looks a little inconsistent. Not fish, not meat. Not downhill bike, not enduro. And somehow not a freerider either. The MTB is too unwieldy for that. In short: okay as a temporary solution, but not as a Glory replacement. We've heard that Giant will soon be presenting its new big bike - and until then, we're happy to ride the Reign SX.

Conclusion on the Giant Reign SX from Team FREERIDE:

The Reign SX* was fun for us as park shredders, without question. But unfortunately, the upgraded enduro doesn't look quite right. If we had the choice, we'd rather go for the big bike.

Commentary by Dimitri Lehner, FREERIDE editor-in-chief:

Although the Fox 40 stabilises very well and clears the trail like a snowplough, I would have expected more of a big bike feeling from the Giant Reign SX. In terms of handling and manoeuvrability, the downhill bike couldn't keep up with the competition, that was clear.

Photo: Andreas ViglDimitri Lehner, FREERIDE Editor-in-Chief

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Technical data and notes on the Giant Reign SX

Manufacturer information

Material / Sizes: Aluminium / M (tested size), L, XL
Price: 4699 Euro >> available here
Weight without pedals: 17.4 kg

Measurement data

Front / rear suspension travel: 190 mm / 165 mm
Rear suspension system: VPP
Reach: 446 mm
Stack: 636 mm
BB drop: -31 mm

Equipment

Fork / shock: Fox 40 Float Performance / Fox 40 DHX2 Performance Elite Coil (400 lbs)
Cranks / gears: Praxis Cadet HD / Shimano Deore
Brake system: Sram Code R (220/200 mm)
Wheels: Giant Boost hub / Giant AM 29 rim
Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra Exo+ Pr. TR 29 x 2.5 | Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip TR DD 27.5 x 2.45