Giant Reign Advanced E+ 1 review: A grey mouse or the happy medium?
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 19.03.2026
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Verdict on the GIANT Reign Advanced E+ 1 test
With the in-house Syncdrive drive, Giant has a personalised touch. The system also shines with smart networking, including theft protection and tyre pressure sensors. Off-road, the Reign is really powerful, tracks well and rides safely. It can't quite keep up when it comes to playfulness; sporty, fast enduro lines are more its thing.
Test result
| Property | Grade |
|---|---|
| Riding behavior | 2,2 |
| Lab | 3,1 |
| Equipment | 2,1 |
| Motor | 2,0 |
| Final grade | 2,3 |
You can find the full bike rating here
Data and facts about the GIANT Reign Advanced E+ 1
| Preis | 7.999,00 €>> hier erhältlich |
| Wheel size | 29"/ 27,5" |
| Weight | 23.33 kg |
| Motor | Giant Syncdrive Pro III |
| Battery | 560 Wh |
| Fork | Fox 38 Float Performance Elite |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X |
| Drivetrain | SRAM Eagle 70 |
| Front brake | TRP Evo DH-R |
Giants E-Enduro Reign E+ has a long history and was one of the very first e-bikes designed specifically for off-road use. The latest version is no longer quite as aggressively designed; it aims to deliver a balanced mix of durability and riding enjoyment, and also boasts a number of technical features.
Industry giant Giant has made great strides in recent years, particularly in the e-bike sector. Traditionally, the Taiwanese manufacturer’s e-bikes have been fitted with in-house motors based on Yamaha hardware.
A stylish top-tube display that even shows the tyre pressure is one example of these successful efforts. Always having an automatic overview of the tyre pressure – that’s real added value. However, one sensor failed on several occasions during the test.
Unfortunately, with its full-carbon chassis, the Reign Advanced E+ isn’t available at a bargain price. Our test bike is the mid-range model of the three trim levels and costs 7,999 euros >> available here. The entry-level model with a more basic specification costs 6,499 euros. This makes it clear, if it wasn’t already: we’re talking about a high-quality sports bike here, not an everyday ride. With 180/170 mm of suspension travel, the bike is definitely designed for tough terrain and use on enduro trails or in bike parks. This is also the aim of the relatively small 560 watt-hour battery, which prioritises weight over maximum range.
Climbing as if on rails
The Reign E+ is traditionally a powerhouse on the climbs. The riding position is central and control over the bike is excellent. The rear suspension generates a great deal of traction and, on top of that, the soft MaxxGrip compound tyres grip firmly onto roots and obstacles. The front wheel shows hardly any tendency to lift, so even extremely steep sections are no problem. Whilst the motor isn’t exactly a powerhouse, its power and torque are of an exceptionally high standard and more than adequate. Only the short trail hinders its climbing prowess at certain key points.
Fast and secure
Even on the descents, the Reign is a haven of calm. Traction is exceptionally strong in all situations, which instils a great sense of safety and confidence. The suspension responds very sensitively, but then provides a good amount of feedback. Great traction and controlled? Yes! Soft and super comfortable? No! So you do need a fair bit of self-confidence and riding skill to really open the throttle on the Reign. This gives it a race-inspired character. The advantage is that the bike doesn’t sink into its suspension travel, but remains active. It’s still easy to get airborne off jumps, but bunny hops and wheelies are a bit of a struggle.
In a direct comparison with other bikes in this class, one thing stands out: the Giant Enduro isn’t exactly the most nimble or agile on the trail. On flow trails or on flat terrain, it lacks a bit of liveliness, and in tight bends – particularly when riding slowly – it requires more effort. Another thing that stands out is that the motor and battery rattle when rolling over obstacles. In our range test, the Reign fell well short of expectations. The reasons for this are the small battery and the very soft rubber compound on both tyres. At least you have complete flexibility for long days: you can pop in a second battery in a jiffy or slot a range extender into the frame triangle – both options are possible.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- A very strong climber
- Plenty of traction and good road holding
- Quick-release battery
Weaknesses
- A little sluggish to handle
- The engine is rattling
- small battery with a short range
This test was carried out as part of a comparison of several high-end e-enduro bikes. You can find all the articles in the series via the links below:
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD