Giant is another major manufacturer turning on the electric gas tap and presenting two e-mountainbikes - a fully with Maestro rear suspension and 140 millimetres of travel as well as a hardtail from their 2017 range. The new pedelecs are equipped with Yamaha motors, which are integrated into the frame shape on all models.

In Episode 03, we set off on the historic Stockalperweg. This historically significant north-south route was once a lucrative trade route. Instead of using mules as we did back then, we set off on this impressive single trail tour on our bikes.

The Giant Trance is ideally designed for singletrack fun thanks to its equipment and 27.5-inch tires. But how does it actually perform on the trails, uphill and downhill?

The Giant Reign "Advanced 27.5 1" is a great enduro bike. However, at a good 14 kilograms and with its downhill-oriented geometry, it is less ideal for long climbs. If you can combine the climbs with mountain railroads, the Reign will provide you with continuous downhill fun over countless meters of altitude. Its equipment doesn't let up either.

At the Enduro World Series in Chile, the riders of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team could be seen riding the prototype of the Reign 27.5.

After an interim year, the "Giant Swiss SR-Suntour Team" will position itself again in cross-country with a national team in addition to enduro. Former national coach Beat Stirnemann will take over the management.

The carbon pioneer Giant is offering a very extensive 27.5-inch range for 2014. With one exception, all 26-inch bikes are being replaced by 27.5s. There is also a new women's line of Giant bikes. The successfully introduced twentyniners will remain.

After seven years as a successful cross-country team, "Giant Swiss" is reorienting itself. The team under the leadership of Roland Abächerli was a solid value in the Swiss mountain bike scene. In future, Giant will focus on mass sports and enduro and freeride competitions.

Jolanda Neff is the great hope in Swiss mountain biking. This year, she became world champion, European champion and Swiss champion in the U23 class. Now the Rheintaler is switching to the professional camp and has signed a two-year contract with Team Rabobank-Giant.

After a hardtail and a race bike, Giant is now also launching an all-mountain fully on large wheels. The kinematics of the "Trance X 29er" are based on the tried-and-tested "Maestro" rear triangle with 127 millimetres of suspension travel. The fork has 120 millimetres.

The 2012 bike year is shaping up to be all about wheel size. Athletes with 650b and 29er bikes are not only fighting for podium places in competitions. The new bikes are also creating their own market share in Swiss bike stores. Ride spoke to Roland Abächerli, head of the Giant Swiss SR Suntour team, about his experiences with 29er bikes.

In 2012, the Taiwanese bike manufacturer Giant celebrates its 40th birthday. Forty years ago, the company produced 3800 bikes a year, but today Giant produces almost 6 million bikes for the international bicycle market. This output makes Giant the world's largest bicycle manufacturer. Ride visited the manufacturer in the epicenter of the bike industry in Taichung, Taiwan.

The folding bike test in Kassensturz yesterday (Tuesday) has consequences: Giant, the world's largest bicycle manufacturer, is now removing the brake that was criticized for its poor performance from the Halfway7 folding bike tested and replacing it with a higher-quality model.

Giant also appears to be stepping up its commitment to 29er bikes for 2011. After the "XTC 29er", the "Talon 29er" and the "Ranier 29er" for women, they are already presenting a prototype of the "Anthem X 29er" for the current model year at the Sea Otter Classic.

The company Komenda AG (Swiss importer of Giant) is looking for an enthusiastic mountain biker who wants to turn his hobby into a profession. The tasks include building up a small Swiss team, selecting and supporting events as well as technical training. There are also plans to move into product management (MTB and road).

There will be personnel and structural changes at Giant's European headquarters. According to the Managing Director of the Giant Global Group, Tony Lo, the company is dissatisfied with the growth in Europe as it does not match the growth rates in other markets. The most prominent victim of this restructuring is Jan Derksen, who will leave the European headquarters as Managing Director on June 15.

Technically, Giant is again relying largely on the proven NRS and VT multi-joint systems for 2005, with the former system being used in cross-country and marathon sport, while the VT models are also ridden as trail bikes in 4Cross.

So far, the equipment of Giant bikes for the European market has been decided exclusively at the headquarters in Holland. In future, however, there will also be German and French specifications in order to better meet the different requirements. The Swiss importer, Komenda, will decide from model to model which variant is best suited to Switzerland.

This prototype of the new freerider from GIANT was not yet on display at the European trade fairs - but it was at the "Dirt Demo Day" at the start of the Intercycle trade fair in Las Vegas. The world's largest bike manufacturer is thus also venturing into the world of freeride bikes with an oversized 1.5-inch head tube - even if the prototype still has a "Psylo" from Rock Shox - and smart suspension. In this case, an SPV shock absorber from Manitou ensures that the forgiving suspension doesn't rock on climbs.

Except for the names, hardly anything has remained unchanged: Giant has completely overhauled its two cross-country racing bikes Anthem and XTC and given them new frames. Lower weight, more stability and comfort are the main improvements for 2009.