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Giant Reign 1 in the test

Dimitri Lehner

 · 21.02.2016

Giant Reign 1 in the testPhoto: Franz Faltermaier
Giant Reign 1 on test
The Giant took first place in the downhill classification with its plush suspension, but at the same time proved to be playful and manoeuvrable.
Test 2015 Enduro bikes: Giant Reign 1Photo: Franz Faltermaier Test 2015 Enduro bikes: Giant Reign 1

Our sister magazine BIKE proclaimed the expensive carbon version of the "Reign" a must-have enduro bike and crowned it with the test victory (BIKE 12/14). Nevertheless, the aluminium model didn't receive any premature praise in our test, the FREERIDE testers are too serene for that. "Bring on the canary!" - Chief tester Chris Schleker grabbed the signal-coloured bike with the curved frame to really get to grips with it. The "Tschilli" trail in Latsch is perfect for this. The upper section with its boulders and steep steps has already torn the enduro mask off many a bike and exposed an all-mountain face. But the Giant, knowing its own body dimensions, could only smile about the junk ordeal: slackest head angle in the test, super low bottom bracket, stately wheelbase, flat front. In fact, the suspension is plush and develops a lot of composure and confidence. This is where the Maestro rear suspension really comes into its own. Even fat rocks don't upset it. At first, the rear end seems soft, but then - on the move - it harmonises very well with the "Pike" fork. As a result, the Giant quickly won the downhill test. Nevertheless, the "Reign 1" is not a track-true armoured train. The second lightest bike also impressed with its agile handling (only the Kona is more playful), could be flipped over at lightning speed and was a joy to fire into the air for off-road jumps. As long as gravity is in charge, the Giant is hard to beat. On undulating trails and tours, however, it becomes apparent that the Maestro rear suspension is not quite as bob-neutral and propulsive. Without compression damping, it bottoms out when pedalling.


ConclusionThe Giant took first place in the downhill classification with its plush suspension, but at the same time proved to be playful and manoeuvrable. This brings it damn close to the ideal enduro bike.


STRENGTHS Chassis, DH performance, equipment
WEAKNESSES Rear suspension sags slightly when pedalling out of the saddle

Nothing left to chance: Giant reinforced the single chainring with a massive MRP chain guide - and there are hardly any problems with 1x11 even without a guide.Photo: Franz Faltermaier Nothing left to chance: Giant reinforced the single chainring with a massive MRP chain guide - and there are hardly any problems with 1x11 even without a guide. Striking front end on the Giant Reign: the top tube and down tube run fused together for a long time from the head tube until the down tube branches off. We were happy to leave the spacers under the stem with the already flat front.Photo: Franz Faltermaier Striking front end on the Giant Reign: the top tube and down tube run fused together for a long time from the head tube until the down tube branches off. We were happy to leave the spacers under the stem with the already flat front. Test 2015 Enduro bikes: Giant Reign 1Photo: FREERIDE Magazin Test 2015 Enduro bikes: Giant Reign 1 Test 2015 Enduro bikes: Giant Reign 1Photo: FREERIDE Magazin Test 2015 Enduro bikes: Giant Reign 1
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The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of downhill and uphill points.Photo: FREERIDE Magazin The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of downhill and uphill points.


Manufacturer information


Distribution Giant Germany GmbH www.giant-bicycles.de
Material/sizes Aluminium/M, L
Price/weight without pedals* 4299 Euro/13.4 kg


Measurement data


Front/rear suspension travel160 mm/160 mm
Rear suspension system Maestro


Equipment


Fork/damper RockShox Pike RC/RockShox Monarch RC3 Debon Air
Cranks/gears SRAM X1 1000 X-Sync/SRAM X1
Brake system SRAM Guide RS
Impellers DT-Swiss XM 1501 Spline system wheelset, Maxxis Minion DHF Exo. 2,3

You can find this article in FREERIDE 2/2015 - you can order the magazine here > FREERIDE IOS App (iPad) FREERIDE Android AppPhoto: Lars Scharl You can find this article in FREERIDE 2/2015 - you can order the magazine here > FREERIDE IOS App (iPad) FREERIDE Android App
Dimitri Lehner

Dimitri Lehner is a qualified sports scientist. He studied at the German Sport University Cologne. He is fascinated by almost every discipline of fun sports - besides biking, his favourites are windsurfing, skiing and skydiving. His latest passion: the gravel bike. He recently rode it from Munich to the Baltic Sea - and found it marvellous. And exhausting. Wonderfully exhausting!

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