Giant e-Bikes Review: Are These Bikes Any Good?

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Igor Karni

The Taiwanese bicycle company, Giant, has been in the industry since it was founded in 1972 in Taichung city. From the start, King Liu, its founder, and Tony Lo, the CEO, intended to produce top-quality bicycles, and that’s pretty much the goal that the company has stuck to over the years. This is only evidenced by the remarkable milestones it has produced in the span of time since its founding. 

The brand doesn’t explicitly state why it chose the name, Giant. Its logo does depict an inherent love for the outdoors, as it calls to mind numerous elements associated with it, such as the hills and roads one rides through — or even a bird or two we occasionally see. 

Only a few companies can genuinely claim that they are true innovators, and this company is more or less one of them. You can see how it allows its ideals focused on innovation to come to life by looking at its rich history alone. For this, it’s still enjoying massive growth up to the present. 

Giant e-Bikes Review: Model Lines

E-Bike Line	Type
Trance X Advanced E+	Mountain
Reign E+	Mountain
Road E+ Pro	Road, Mountain
Fastroad E+ EX Pro	Road, Commuter
Revolt E+ Pro	Gravel
Roam E+	Road, Hybrid
Explore E+	Road, Commuter
Talon E+	Road
Trance X E+ Pro	Mountain
Stance E+	Road, Mountain

Giant has a clear focus on manufacturing sportier, power-based models that you won’t hesitate to take with mountain biking with your or tackling rugged roads. That being said, most of the 10 distinct e-bike lines of the brand fall under the eMTB, road, commuter, city, and gravel categories. 

Since it’s an e-bike company largely known for its innovative drive, expect smarter designs and features from most of the models. It doesn’t see the need to go overboard with power, but it’s definitely more tech-driven compared to most e-bike companies. Higher customizability is another one of the strong points of its models, especially the most recent ones.

Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Model Line

The Trance X Advanced E+ eMTB line recently released a model that’s already being widely praised for its high customizability, particularly on the part of the motor and battery. You can get as much as 86Nm of torque from its Yamaha motor and one of the highest riding ranges at present from its EnergyPak battery (118 miles or 190 km, to be exact). You practically get to dictate how much power and riding range you want from your eMTB, so that’s one obvious plus.

Another aspect we love is the SmartAssist. Thanks to its 6 sensors, the e-bike basically adjusts the amount of assistance you need while riding. This is neat not only for helping you conquer any kind of tough incline and rough roads while aiding you in saving power as well. 

Giant has its own app for its models, which allows you to personalize your e-bike and view its battery levels and detailed specs. The tires are sufficiently large, allowing them to give you adequate stability regardless of how bumpy and hard the trails get. Other notable components are the powerful Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

Read also: How to select your first electric mountain bike? And, How much does a good eMTB e-bike cost?

On the whole, it’s an eMTB model that combines smart features and personalization, making it overall tough to beat. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ model line here.

Giant Reign E+ Model Line

This eMTB has plenty of customizability as well. You can even integrate a bigger 750W battery if you can’t get enough range from the 500W one.

The still relatively bulky motor belies relatively lightweight compared to most, especially when set next to its previous incarnations. Unsurprisingly, it delivers the same 85Nm of torque that’s pretty much a standard in Giant’s high-end models. 

You get to control the motor’s assistance mode through the RideControl controller, which is set next to the lock-on grips for convenient control. We also like that it sports an adjustable geometry, with two high and low settings that let you adjust the height and angle of the seat and bottom bracket.

Read also: Why fat tires are good news for electric bikes? And, How to select the best hybrid e-bike?

All the notable tech included in the Trance X Advanced line can be found here, too. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Reign E+ model line here.

Giant Road E+ Pro Model Line

The inclusion of components that can be just as good for mountain biking makes this road e-bike pretty much a hybrid eMTB/road in our eyes. It weighs significantly less compared to most of Giant’s eMTBs, so that’s a big plus for anyone who wants less heft when riding over roads.

This model and line, in particular, can accelerate up to 28mph (45 km/h), which isn’t exactly achievable by some of the brand’s other e-bikes. A maximum riding range of 90 miles (145 km) from its 500W is obviously a big thumbs up — some riders even claim that it can go up to 100. The SyncDrive Pro motor is brand original, guarantees 80Nm of torque, and actually syncs with your pedaling.

Other praiseworthy features include the puncture-resistant tires and the fact that its curved handlebars make it ideal for mountain biking, too. The 160mm Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide adequate stopping power for assured safety. 

Read also: How to select the best road e-bike (with examples)? – and also in this article. And, How much does a good road e-bike cost?

It’s an e-bike that won’t let you down when negotiating hilly terrain thanks to the power. We also love that you get all these perks for far less money than other Giant models. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Road E+ Pro model line here.

Giant Fastroad E+ EX Pro Model Line

We won’t hesitate to recommend this for anyone looking for a sportier commuter. It’s considerably versatile when we think about that fact alone. 

Giant’s innovative prowess again shines through in the overall motor design; it’s compact but can pull off all the generous assistance you need when cruising up inclines or when accelerating during longer rides. It uses the same SyncDrive motor found in other Giant models and, therefore, offers the same benefits we mentioned above. 

If you want to save a couple of hundreds of bucks but can’t sacrifice higher riding ranges, then this is the Giant model to get. It guarantees up to 90 miles (145 km) from its EnergyPak 500 battery.

Read also: How to select the best commuter e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article. And, how much does a commuter e-bike cost?

Same as the Road E+, it’s lightweight thanks to its aluminum frame. This one is more generous with its components, too, as it includes fenders, a rear rack, and a kickstand, along with headlights. All we can say is don’t sleep on this line, especially if we consider the improvements in more recent models. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Fastroad E+ EX model line here.

Giant Revolt E+ Pro Model Line

Giant’s only gravel offering as of this writing, the Revolt E+ has been widely and consistently praised for a good reason. Sure enough, it has the right amount of versatility to fit that category, particularly its ability to handle most kinds of terrain, may they be suburban roads or rural trails.

Its weight tops at 39 pounds (17.7 kg) because of its aluminum frame, which is light enough compared to others in the market. It also accelerates quickly and tops at 28mph (45 km/h) without much effort. You get up to 5 motor assist modes from the SyncDrive Pro motor. Like other models on the same price point, the Revolt claims to provide 90 miles (145 km) of range on a full charge.

Read also: How to select the best gravel e-bike (with examples)? And, How much does a gravel e-bike cost?

It lets you add other components such as fenders and racks, too. This e-bike definitely deserves to be labeled as an all-arounder. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Revolt E+ Pro model line here.

Giant Roam E+ Model Line

Being low-end doesn’t necessarily mean that you miss out on value. That much is proven by the Roam line simply because it technically still has the Giant touch. The EnergyPak and SyncDrive battery and motor may be less specced compared to other lines, but they’re still relatively powerful and has the same tech, such as the SmartAssist. 

The top-notch design gives the e-bike the same stability you can expect from higher-end models. The aluminum frame keeps the weight down. It even has a walk mode, which makes it more amenable for you to dismount and walk it should the need arise. 

Read also: How far can e-bikes go? What is e-bike range on a single charge? And, How fast are e-bikes?

This road e-bike is clear proof that Giant knows how to appeal to riders of various walks of life. It’s basically the outstanding Giant experience made available in a far more budget-friendly way. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Roam E+ model line here.

Giant Explore E+ Model Line

The Explore has step-thru and step-over options, making it easy for riders of the former to mount and dismount. Both top at 28mph (45 km/h). It calls to mind the Fastroad line but with slightly downgraded specs. It still packs a lot of punch when delivering motor assistance, though. Despite the cheaper price tag, it actually has a higher riding range limit of 105 miles (170 km), too. 

The integrated tech that’s worth mentioning includes the RideControl on-board navigation, which gives you plenty of helpful directions while on the go. It definitely comes ready to tackle the challenges of the day-to-day commute as evidenced by its complete components that include a rear rack, mudguards, fenders, and lights. The handlebars are wide enough to feel comfortable for most riders. 

Read also: Here is why e-bikes are really cool. And, How to select the best city e-bike (with examples)?

If you don’t want an e-bike that’s overly specced and can get you through the everyday commute or long rides and rough trails with relative ease, this is the model to get. It’s just as versatile as other lines that I’ve mentioned that fit the said label. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Explore E+ model line here.

Giant Talon E+ Model Line

The Talon line is designed solely for offroading, and this shows in the overall geometry of its models and the 100mm suspension fork that takes care of most bumps while riding. The relatively large tubeless wheels add to the stability.

Considering the price, it’s not a surprise that the motor and battery get toned down here, especially the former. The SyncDrive motor gives you as much as 50Nm of torque, but the battery can still manage up to 93 miles (150 km). It uses the same RideControl controller found in other models. 

It’s definitely a Giant offroader recommended for riders who still want a quality ride but don’t want to have to shell out too much dough for it. 

Read also: Front, mid-drive, or rear e-bike motor. Which one to choose? And, What is the difference between e-bike motors?

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Talon E+ model line here.

Giant Trance X E+ Pro Model Line

Think of this eMTB line as a less-specced version of its Advanced counterpart. Considering the amazing changes introduced by the Advanced line, that move may have caused it to overshadow this particular line to a certain degree. It doesn’t help that most of the models on this line are quite bulky and heavy. 

Nonetheless, the Trance X E+ still pretty much provides the same experience as the Advanced models. They may not have the same customizability, but you can expect the similar extraordinarily convenient experience afforded by the Advanced line. 

Read also: How much elevation / altitude can electric bikes climb? And, Can electric bikes go up steep hills?

There’s also the trademark adjustable geometry and excellent suspension that make it deserving to be on the top list of eMTBs. It still brims with power and capacity, and you don’t need to look further than the motor and battery to see this. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Trance X E+ Pro model line here.

Giant Stance E+ Model Line

The Stance E uses a SyncDrive Sport motor, which delivers 70Nm of torque and tones down the noise a bit more than its counterparts. The battery can provide as much as 105 miles (170 km), which is way above average. 

The full-suspension frame is just what you’d expect from a brand that’s known for its difficult-to-rival designs. There’s no room to question the optimal stability that results from it, too. The adjustable air suspension lends itself to comfort as well. 

Read also: How not to sweat on your e-bike commute? Trip planning – in this article, on the road – in this article, when you arrive – in this article.

It rides smoothly as well, with or without motor assistance. Other noteworthy parts include the hydraulic disc brakes and the standard RideControl control pad that lets you control motor assistance without much difficulty. 

We invite you to take a closer look at the Giant Stance E+ model line here.

What Do Most Riders Think About Giant?

It’s a mainstream brand that built its solid reputation over time, so it’s a given that the brand will have many riders that will wholeheartedly say good (if not great) things about it. Price-wise, you pretty much have many options to choose from that will not make it hard for you to balance your budget and the features and kind of ride you want. 

Overall, it’s a brand that obviously listens to the feedback of its customers, and we can see this in every new model or update to a specific line that it rolls out on an almost yearly basis. That’s undoubtedly one of its secrets to success. Not to mention the fact that it has one of the largest networks of dealers around the world. 

What Countries Does Giant Ship To?

Giant has a global reach, so you can expect it to be able to ship to most countries worldwide. You can view the entire list and what to do if your country is not included here. 

Read also: Check out the most popular e-bike brands.

Take a look at this short video, introducing Giant electric bikes: