2020 Giant Reign: Everything you need to know before you buy

At this time of year we start to see the new bikes being released, or at least some details. This time is is the turn of the 2020 Giant Reign.

The Reign has been around for 15 years and has evolved a lot over that period of time. And this evolution has given it 29″ wheels to cater to the enduro world series racers. This is a good thing for those riders that like to take on techy trails with lots of bumps, rocks and roots.

This all mountain/enduro mountain bike has been revised and improved, so I thought I would delve in to the details.

Features

The old Giant Reign had 27.5″ wheels and 160mm of travel on the rear. It now has 146mm and 29″ wheels. This is coupled with 160mm of travel on the fork with a nice 65 degree head angle. 

Geometry

The geometry is one of the main revisions of the Reign and unsurprisingly, its 65 degree head angle is in keeping with many other new enduro bikes we are seeing released now. The seat tube angle is 76.8 degrees, which is also quite typical of a bike of this type these days.

The reach you get with the 2020 Giant Reign could be a bit confusing for some riders, in terms of selecting a size. This is because the large measures run at 493mm and the XL 516mm. If you find yourself in between medium and large, you may struggle to decide which one to go for, as the medium may feel a bit cramped and the large may feel like a bit of a stretch.

2020 Giant Reign

Frame and Suspension

The frames of higher end versions of the Giant Reign are 100% carbon. However there are versions with a mix of carbon and aluminium. There is a version with an alloy frame and a coil shock with 170mm for those who have a tendency to throw themselves down mountains, known as the SX 29. The extra 10mm of fork travel gives it a slightly slacker 64-degree head angle, and 75.8-degree seat angle. drivetrain.

Models

202 Giant Reign Advanced Pro 29 0

2020 Giant Reign

This one is stunning, I love the paint job on this and this is something I am seeing a lot of from Giant. But, its sexy colour aside, it has the SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, Code brakes and a high end Fox 36 float fork. When it is released in to shops, this version will start at £7,499.

Specifications

SizesM, L, XL
ColoursGloss Chameleon Saturn / Black
FrameAdvanced-Grade Composite front and rear triangles, 146mm
ForkFox 36 Float, GRIP2 damper, 15×110 Kabolt, tapered, 42mm offset
ShockFox Float X2 Factory
HandlebarTruVativ Descendant Carbon 800x35mm, 20mm rise
StemTruVativ Descendant, 35mm, 0mm rise
SeatpostRockShox Reverb Stealth, 30.9
SaddleGiant Contact SL (neutral)
PedalsN/A
ShiftersSRAM X01 Eagle
Front DerailleurN/A
Rear DerailleurSRAM X01 Eagle
BrakesSRAM Code RSC
Brake LeversSRAM Code RSC
CassetteSRAM Eagle, 10×50
ChainSRAM X01 Eagle
CranksetSRAM X01 Eagle DUB, 34t with MRP AMg V2 Carbon guide
Bottom BracketSRAM DUB, press fit
RimsGiant TRX-0 29 Composite WheelSystem
HubsGiant TRX-0 29 WheelSystem
SpokesGiant TRX-0 29 WheelSystem
Tyres[F] Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5 WT, 3C MaxxTerra, , EXO+, TR [R] Maxxis Minion DHR II 29×2.4 WT, 3C MaxxTerra , EXO+, TR tubeless
ExtrasTubeless prepared

2020 Giant Reign 29

SizesS, M, L, XL
ColoursGloss Chameleon Galaxy
FrameALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum, 146mm
ForkFox 36 Performance Elite GRIP2, 160mm, 110×15 Kabolt, tapered, 42mm offset
ShockFox X2 Performance
HandlebarGiant Contact SL TR35, 800x35mm, 20mm rise
StemGiant Contact SL 35
SeatpostGiant Contact Switch dropper post with remote, 30.9
SaddleGiant Contact (neutral)
PedalsN/A
ShiftersSRAM GX Eagle
Front DerailleurN/A
Rear DerailleurSRAM GX Eagle
BrakesSRAM Code R
Brake LeversSRAM Code R
CassetteSRAM Eagle, 10×50
ChainSRAM GX Eagle
CranksetTruVativ Descendent 6k, DUB, 32t with MRP AMg V2 alloy guide
Bottom BracketSRAM DUB, press fit
RimsGiant TR-1 29 WheelSystem
HubsGiant TR-1 29 WheelSystem
SpokesGiant TR-1 29 WheelSystem
Tyres[F] Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5 WT, EXO, TR [R] Maxxis Minion DHR II 29×2.4 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless
ExtrasTubeless prepared

Specifications

SizesS, M, L, XL
ColoursGloss Chameleon Galaxy
FrameALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum, 146mm
ForkFox 36 Performance Elite GRIP2, 160mm, 110×15 Kabolt, tapered, 42mm offset
ShockFox X2 Performance
HandlebarGiant Contact SL TR35, 800x35mm, 20mm rise
StemGiant Contact SL 35
SeatpostGiant Contact Switch dropper post with remote, 30.9
SaddleGiant Contact (neutral)
PedalsN/A
ShiftersSRAM GX Eagle
Front DerailleurN/A
Rear DerailleurSRAM GX Eagle
BrakesSRAM Code R
Brake LeversSRAM Code R
CassetteSRAM Eagle, 10×50
ChainSRAM GX Eagle
CranksetTruVativ Descendent 6k, DUB, 32t with MRP AMg V2 alloy guide
Bottom BracketSRAM DUB, press fit
RimsGiant TR-1 29 WheelSystem
HubsGiant TR-1 29 WheelSystem
SpokesGiant TR-1 29 WheelSystem
Tyres[F] Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5 WT, EXO, TR [R] Maxxis Minion DHR II 29×2.4 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless
ExtrasTubeless prepared

Riding Characteristics

The geometry on the 2020 Giant Reign would make for a very comfortable riding position when climbing. Also, it reduces the amount the suspension moves under pedalling, making it more efficient. This is because there is less leverage on the shock, as you are sitting above it, rather than behind it.

The suspension package  is excellent and will soak up bumps easily, making it extremely capable of tackling technical terrain.

The 2020 Giant Reign is a great enduro race bike that will reward an aggressive rider that would like to push it to its limits. 

What to you think?

Are you thinking about buying a 2020 Giant Reign? Please let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.

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