This is no granny bike! Yes, the new Giant Anytour has a step-through frame, just like some of its road predecessors of the same name. But it also has a sporty suspension fork and ultra-thick tyres with a width of 57 millimetres. Not forgetting a motor that packs a punch with 75 or 85 Newton metres of torque. So? The developers at the world's largest bicycle manufacturer had one idea in mind: to create an e-bike that can do almost anything and everywhere, but which is also attractive to many because of its comfort. And comfort includes easy mounting and dismounting, if possible even with luggage.
Giant Anytour X E+: Beautiful, stiff, practical
Due to their design, step-through frames are not as laterally stiff as diamond frames, i.e. those with a top tube. That's why Giant developed a completely new "gooseneck". Even if the frame does not look dissimilar to its predecessor: Both the geometry and the manufacturing process of individual components are new. For example, the hydroforming process is used for the seat tube.
The down tube is equipped with a chamber system that not only provides clean channels for the integrated cables and hoses, but also makes the main tube laterally stiffer: 15 per cent more than its predecessor, and with half a kilo less frame weight. Speaking of cables: all the cables are routed directly under the stem arm into the headset and only come out again where they are needed. This also makes the bike look very tidy and clean. How useful it is for maintenance work remains to be seen. The small colour display also looks like part of the stem, it is so smoothly integrated. The design is generally impressive: Minimalism prevails, clear lines and edges do not make for an exciting, but successful appearance.
Giant's new step-through e-bike: one for everything
During the extended test ride on the edge of the Bergisches Land - Giant's German headquarters are located in Erkrath near Düsseldorf - the Anytour X E+ was able to show what it is capable of. The new step-through e-bikes were chased over tarmac, loose country lanes, bumpy paths and cobblestones. In winter, some of the paths had turned into long mud pools - perfect for testing the almost six-centimetre-wide Smart Sam tread tyres. And, of course, the new SyncDrive 2 drive. It works powerfully and convincingly dynamically, so that the mud had no chance of stopping us, even on the incline.
Perhaps it lacks that last bit of sensitivity when compared with the competition. But the motor gives you the feeling that you can get up anywhere without stress! Operation with the rather large but ergonomically sensible panel on the left-hand side of the handlebars is intuitive and simple. The harmony with which SyncDrive 2 and man interact here is great, especially with the continuously variable Enviolo hub on the top-of-the-range Giant Anytour E+ 0 model. All you have to do is set the desired cadence and the control system will keep you going, no matter what the gradient. It's like wellness.
The ergonomics of the Giant Anytour e-bike
The developers at Giant have taken care to ensure that, despite the visual and technical power of the e-bike, the whole thing does not look too sporty. The riding position on the perhaps slightly less curved, tidy handlebars could be categorised as "somewhere between a city bike and a sporty tourer". On the models without the "X" with road tyres, you sit more upright with a more pronounced bend in the handlebars. The bike is well balanced, you sit and steer calmly even in difficult situations. The wide tyres do their bit to make you feel safe in any situation.
The large disc brakes do their job as they should, but considering the weight of the bike and the application, double-piston brakes could have been used. However, they cope well with the bike weighing around 28 kilos - and a maximum additional 27 kilos on the carrier. Loaded up like this, the Giant Anytour X E+ does make you realise that it is "only" a step-through bike in terms of the frame, but the bike is much more stable than some other bikes.
Attention to detail
What impresses us particularly positively about a mass-production manufacturer is when it shows attention to detail. For example, the Giant Anytour X E+ has a halogen front light at handlebar height, which can also be positioned just above the mudguard - in case the bracket needs to accommodate a handlebar bag. Or the trailer coupling integrated into the rear triangle of some models. But also the charging socket on the headset - no more bending down and searching when connecting the cable. In addition, the self-closing cover is one of the best solutions for this usually neglected small part.
So is the "X" in the name appropriate as a generally recognised symbol for off-road? Yes, because although this Anytour is not a real MTB and is rear-heavy, especially as a top model with Enviolo, the luggage on the carrier rather than the suspension is likely to be the limiting element when riding on dirt tracks and even on the odd trail. It can do everything else anyway... Oh yes, and getting on and off the supposed "granny bike" is very comfortable.
Giant Anytour X E+ 0 in detail
- Price Anytour X E+ 0: 5699 euros. Entry-level model from 3899 euros, city models from 3299 euros
- Frame: Aluminium Aluxx SL
- Fork: Suspension fork with gas pressure system, adjustable, 100 mm travel
- Motor/battery: Giant SyncDrive 2 Pro, mid-motor/integrated battery, 800 watt hours
- System weight: 156 kilos
- Special features: Integrated trailer coupling, Gates belt drive with Enviolo hub, suspension seat post that can be lowered from the handlebars, pannier rack with MIK-HD system with 27 kg load capacity
