It was only a matter of time before Giant equipped their flagship enduro bike with large wheels. They took their time - fortunately. With the adapted geometry as well as an updated Maestro rear suspension and a rear shock with more travel, they have created a playful yet forgiving bike. It was developed in collaboration with the racers of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team and tested on the most demanding race tracks of the Enduro World Series (EWS).

What definitely speaks for the Reign is the Maestro rear triangle, which does everything perfectly - braking neutrality as well as pedaling efficiency - and feels like more with less travel. The Reign 29er rides uphill with ease and rolls smoothly over the toughest rock gardens. The unique rocker link, which is manufactured using the patented "Advanced Forged Composite" technology, makes the rear triangle of the Reign extremely stiff and the handling precise.

Statement by: Dano Maurer, Komenda/Giant Switzerland

Equipment

As usual, Giant uses many of its own parts. This goes far beyond the cockpit; the seat post and wheels are also in-house products. The top suspension from Fox is complemented by gears and brakes from Sram. The test bike had already covered many kilometers and no longer had the original tyres at the rear, but a Schwalbe Hans Dampf, combined with a Pepi's Tire Noodle. However, this had no effect on the handling.

Processing & details

In bright sunshine, the gray metallic paint glistens in all colors, a real spectacle. Unfortunately, the sun was only shining for two minutes when we took the photos. So the sparkle doesn't come across in most of the photos. The finish of the paint looks high quality, as does the frame itself. Only the rubber elements at the cable ports look cheap and spoil the picture. The rear triangle is made from one piece and therefore promises high rigidity.

On the flat

On flat terrain, the bike feels nervous and agile, but not uncomfortable. With a high cadence and little pressure on the pedals, the rear end bobs slightly. However, according to the motto "close the lever and rest", reaching for the platform lever solves the problem in no time. A central and upright riding position ensures comfortable pedaling

Up the mountain

The Maestro rear triangle hardens uphill due to the chain tension and the bike bounces less than on flat terrain. When pedaling out of the saddle - where you consequently have more weight on the front - the rear end dips low. There's no getting around the platform function. The Reign is easy to pedal uphill and climbs over roots and steps with confidence. Not a master in its class, but much better than average.

Downhill

To exploit the full performance of the rear suspension system, you have to devote enough time to the setup. The X2 rear shock from Fox is high-tech and not easy to set up. But if you stay patient, you'll end up with excellent grip. The bike doesn't get rattled easily. In banked corners, the suspension has enough counter-pressure to prevent it from bottoming out and to take a lot of energy back with it. The Reign tempts you to jump and thanks to a well-chosen end progression, it easily absorbs hard landings. The shock releases a lot of travel without being harsh at the end. Another advantage of the Giant rear end is the good decoupling of the braking forces, there is no noticeable hardening of the chassis and no brake pedal bounce, just plenty of traction.

It pulls around open bends with a certain elegance. It tends to understeer in tight, technical terrain, where a slightly longer stem would be an advantage at best.

Conclusion

The Giant Reign doesn't have a large fan base for nothing, it's a very versatile bike. The upgrade to the latest Maestro system and 29-inch wheels suits the Advanced Pro 29 1 well. The DNA that it has inherited from the EWS athletes of the Giant team is clear to see. Not only racers will appreciate the bike, but anyone looking for a good all-rounder.

Recommendation

Thanks to its good riding qualities, the Giant Reign Advanced Pro 29 1 appeals to a broad target group.
Apart from that, it stands out with its special paint finish. Ideal for those who don't stand out in the crowd with the silver-grey bike, but still want something special with the metallic effect.

Specifications

Manufacturer/distributor

www.giant-bicycles.com / www.komenda.ch