The Reign family ranges from a $3,600 base model with an aluminum frame and two 29er wheels, to a full carbon enduro race bike, and all the way up to the Reign SX with mixed wheel sizes and a double crown fork. A Reign Advanced Pro 0 will sit at the top end of the price bracket and is expected to launch later in March 2023. All other models will be available in late February.
Visually, the new carbon frame looks sturdier, with sharper lines and square tubing on the front triangle. Bright colors and huge logos are nowhere to be found either. Instead, you’ll find neutral tones and metallic flakes in the paint with limited branding.
• Frame: carbon or aluminum models
• Travel: 160 mm (165 mm on the SX model)
• Wheel size: 29″ or MX option
• Flip-chip of seat stay geometry
• Head tube angle: 63.5 – 64.2º
• Seat tube angle: 77.3 – 78.0º
• Reach: 430-510mm
• Base length: 443mm
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 14.94 kg / 32 lbs, 15 oz (Advanced Pro 1, size MD, without pedals)
• Price: $3,600 to $6,800 (TBD for Ad. Pro 0)
• Availability: end of February 2023
• More info: giant-bicycles.com
Compared to its predecessor, the geometry and travel of the rear wheel have changed significantly. Giant reached out to its Factory Off-Road team members Youn Deniaud and Mckay Vezina for feedback on how to improve Reign for enduro racing. The head tube angle can now swing to 62.76 degrees in the slackest setting and a longer stroke shock increases travel by 146mm to 160 while still using the Maestro dual-link suspension design.
Frame details
Like its Trance series of trail bikes, Giant designed the frame to hide tools, snacks or extra layers inside the downtube using a latched door on which the carrier canister bolts. While not a huge surprise, this is the first time Giant has built storage into its aluminum frames.
Another feature that Giant has expanded on is the use of their flip-chip which sits in the pivot of the seatstay and toggle link. Instead of the usual two-position chip, there are now three settings; low, medium and high. On the Advanced Pro models, Giant’s title for their carbon frames, the rocker link is also made from the composite material. Most riders will find the flip-chip settings will work best in the low and mid settings for a 29er rear wheel, while the mid and high settings will suit the smaller 27.5” option. However, the alloy Reign SX model is dedicated to a mixed-wheel setup and uses a tube set designed for the rigors of a dual-crown fork.
Giant stuck with a press-fit BB92 option, 148 Boost rear hub spacing and adds a universal derailleur hanger to the frame spec. The usual protective rubber treatments are under the downtube and on the chainstay and the cable management works internally. All models are equipped with a chain guide and skid plate – a sensible addition for those who choose the lower flip-chip positions.
Suspension design
Giant doesn’t seem to be deviating from its Maestro design anytime soon. They tweaked this system for a while to produce a nearly vertical axle path.
Travel has also been increased to 160mm using a 62.5mm trunnion shock and lines up perfectly with a 170mm single crown fork. However, the SX model is aimed at gravity riders who see the rear shock increase 5mm in stroke length to produce 165mm of travel via a Fox DHX2 coil shock.
Geometry
Adaptability is the underlying theme here, with six possible combinations between two rear wheel choices and three flip-chip settings. When a 29er rear wheel is used, the head angle and seat tube angle start at 64.2 and 78.0 degrees, dropping approximately 0.4 degrees each time the flip-chip is lowered, descending up to 63.5 and 77.3 degrees. However, with the smaller rear wheel placed in the dropouts, the angles start at 63.46 and 77.26 respectively.
In terms of bottom bracket drop, the high setting puts the crank axle 25mm below the 29er rear wheel axle and 19mm lower than the 27.5er. Lowering the BB further results in an additional 5mm and 10mm drop.
One surprise with the sizing is that Giant hasn’t expanded the size count to include an XXL. That means the XL frame achieves a reach of 510mm in the middle of 29 inches. Other reach numbers start at 430 for a small frame in this same setting and move up to 460mm on the medium and 480 on the large. Chainstays are non-adjustable here and sit at a length of 443 across the entire size range.
Reign SX – $4,600 USD / $4,899 CAD / $6,199 AUD / £4,699 GBR / €4,699 EUR
Specifications
The Reign family is split between three Advanced Pro carbon models and three aluminum frame builds that start at $3,600 USD. Depending on what part of the world you live in, not all six models will be available. The Reign 1 will be excluded from the range in North America and the Reign Advanced Pro 2 only in the United States.
Equipped with Fox Performance Elite suspension, the Reign Advanced Pro 1 also comes with Giant carbon wheels and handlebars, a SRAM GX drivetrain with Shimano SLX brakes, and Maxxis EXO+ and DD tires for $6,800. or €6,900.
Moving on to alloy frames, the Reign 1 uses the same Fox Elite suspension, but with a mix of Shimano SLX/Deore/Praxis drivetrain, Giant alloy wheels and a Contact Switch dropper post. Sitting at €4,499, it’s one of the models not available in the US. The Reign 2, which is a mix of similar components, is priced at $3,600, but instead swaps out the Fox suspension for a RockShox Yari RC and Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock.
Then there’s the $4,600 USD / €4,699 EUR Reign SX which focuses on bike park riding with a Fox 40 fork set to 190mm of travel, a DHX coil shock, compact gearing and a solid seatpost. Again, there’s a mixed drivetrain of Shimano Deore and Praxis parts, Giant alloy wheels and SRAM Code R brakes with a 220mm front rotor that complete the freeride-focused bike.
Pricing and components for the top-of-the-line Reign Advanced Pro 0 are still being worked out with an expected launch in March 2023.
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