When I see the Giant forum compared to Specialized I’m so glad I brought a Giant. Either hardly any Giants sold, Giants are more reliable, or I’m biased or theirs just loads more users of the other forums means more complaints and issues on them? Maybe a combo of all of them!
Do Giant owners get aggro from their bikes?
- Thread starter Shifty
- Start date
StevenM
Active member
Sold my Giant due to a number of free hub issues.
Peaky Rider
E*POWAH Master
Don't get too smug, my mate bought his E Trance 2 last November when I bought my Focus.
First ride out, his freewheel failed (the grease in it was more like candle wax).
A few rides later, his handlebar controller went mad and his bike kept setting off on its own. He had to take the battery out and ride back without power. On two rides his brakes seized on.
After six months his wheel bearings were shot, LBS replaced the rear ones but could not source any for the front so he had to have a new hub.
Oh! and he's just had to have a new motor.
He does like it though.
First ride out, his freewheel failed (the grease in it was more like candle wax).
A few rides later, his handlebar controller went mad and his bike kept setting off on its own. He had to take the battery out and ride back without power. On two rides his brakes seized on.
After six months his wheel bearings were shot, LBS replaced the rear ones but could not source any for the front so he had to have a new hub.
Oh! and he's just had to have a new motor.
He does like it though.
MinusPrevious
Well-known member
Now, why did you have to ask that question about Giant quality LOL. Shake the tree & rattle the bees!
Have had my Trance E for over a month and approx 130 miles on it (fingers crossed?)
Have had my Trance E for over a month and approx 130 miles on it (fingers crossed?)
Tony.OK
Active member
Trance rides great with a couple of mods, I got one of the 1st to NZ, if I could have a do over I'd wait till the 2nd year of model release.....most of the niggles I've had would prob be sorted......
Word of advice.........buy from a local shop! Much easier to sort any issues and prob won't cost if they're a good shop......
Word of advice.........buy from a local shop! Much easier to sort any issues and prob won't cost if they're a good shop......
Crawford919
Active member
Love my 2019 Trance E. I have a little over 1000 miles and it’s been awesome. I have a Levo also and it’s had no issues either but I prefer to ride the Giant over the Levo. It has more power right off the bottom, won’t hold back nearly as much at the speed limit and handles so much better. Have a 2020 Reign E and another Trance E ordered, can’t wait.
MinusPrevious
Well-known member
MinusPrevious
Well-known member
Hey Gents
Just doing a little Giant research. Is this 2016 the first release of the their EMTB?
Just doing a little Giant research. Is this 2016 the first release of the their EMTB?
The Flying Dutchman
E*POWAH Master
MitchF
E*POWAH Elite
GIANT is one of the biggest manufacturers in the world that’s a fact I never knew until I started researching my fist e-bike.
I think there’s some brand snobbery in Emtb, like lots of hobbies and sports.
Had mine Stance E+1 from New in June
The bike is great at everything I want to do, it looks great as well.
Happy with the components and build quality
One minor issue with the controller, replaced by giant at my lbs GIANT dealer with no hassle in a couple of hours.
Over 300mls so far off road and no issues.
Every brand has issues and everyone posts them in forums, but you don’t hear from the happy owners.
Good question ??
I think there’s some brand snobbery in Emtb, like lots of hobbies and sports.
Had mine Stance E+1 from New in June
The bike is great at everything I want to do, it looks great as well.
Happy with the components and build quality
One minor issue with the controller, replaced by giant at my lbs GIANT dealer with no hassle in a couple of hours.
Over 300mls so far off road and no issues.
Every brand has issues and everyone posts them in forums, but you don’t hear from the happy owners.
Good question ??
57 Reaction
Member
I've had my Giant Trance E+3 for 10 months and done 2000 miles on it, the only issue that I have encountered was with the forks, they developed a rattle and were rebuilt with updated innards by Suntour.
The motor has performed 100% and battery range is good, many 50 mile 5000ft rides completed with battery capacity to spare.
That said I have just sold it and bought a Levo.
Why ? well the Trance is too long and too heavy on the front, basically it's a straight line freigthtliner, point and it goes (anywhere) up or down.
It's a great bike I just wanted a bit more agility.............horses for courses, just wish I could afford to have both .
The motor has performed 100% and battery range is good, many 50 mile 5000ft rides completed with battery capacity to spare.
That said I have just sold it and bought a Levo.
Why ? well the Trance is too long and too heavy on the front, basically it's a straight line freigthtliner, point and it goes (anywhere) up or down.
It's a great bike I just wanted a bit more agility.............horses for courses, just wish I could afford to have both .
Pukmeister
Active member
The only negative to my Trance E+2 is its weight, I wish it was just a few Kg lighter. The only realistic way that will happen is with the future improvement of battery chemistry. As a bike for my riding of x-country trails and moderate downhill its perfect.
MitchF
E*POWAH Elite
My GIANT is heavy because it’s got 17st on top of it ??
I could get a lighter bike or carbon wheels, or just stop eating pies , my choice ?
I could get a lighter bike or carbon wheels, or just stop eating pies , my choice ?
The Flying Dutchman
E*POWAH Master
YES Giant has had a few technical blunders on their EMTB range BUT they're still significantly cheaper than similarly spec'd bikes from other brands. Their support is probably the best I've heard of, so if something does go wrong - it's fixed. All the known problems are easily remedied with a few minor upgrades (hubs, wheels, crank arms etc) AND you'll have a far better spec's bike than the smucks who forked out $10k+.
I'd buy Giant again in a heartbeat.
I'd buy Giant again in a heartbeat.
poppy
Active member
Mate, i had an E Pro 1 as my 1st EMTB. When i bought it i was as happy as a dog with 2 dicks. It had issue after issue after issue within the 1st month and i put up with it for 3 months. The only reasons i did was my LBS was unreal to deal with, and i actually thought between us we could solve any issues. There were plenty of times i could happily of set fire to it or tossed it in the bush and walked away. Anyway, long story short, the time came and LBS said, mate, we have ordered you a replacement bike and this one is going back to Giant. So now i have an E Pro 0 and absolutely love the thing. Not any sort of major issues since, apart from some moisture in the switch. Has not let me down once, just charge and ride apart from the standard maintenance. I am not unhappy, but i wouldn't say no to some of the other brands as well, so many to choose from, the hardest part is making a decision, how can anyone not grin like an idiot riding these things, there awesome.
Had my Giant E+1 pro for 2 months now and just had the ride control one play up ,not switching off and then turning it self on, seems to sorted itself for now ,must of got moisture in it when I washed it.Apart from that its been great and I look forward to a ride out
MitchF
E*POWAH Elite
Mine did the same ??
Wernher
Active member
The first controllers had issues with moisture creeping in. There were initially also issues with bikes either switching off by itself or running off on its own. Another common issue was with the freehub bodies packing up.
My LBS replaced my controller and when the freehub body recall came thru they replaced it before it became an issue.
I've since done more that 2000 hard kilos without any issues. We ride through a lot of sand and up steps and rocky climbs that are very hard on motors. Of the guys riding with me on Giants we all had the exact same experience. No motor failures. The one guy is approaching 4000 kilos this year.
The Levos have a lot of motor issues and the guys I know have almost all had multiple motor replacements. The Levo is a really nice bike and I get why people buy them but are as unreliable as a Land Rover.
The other bikes we have are Meridas with Shimano steps 8000 motors and they are also extremely reliable with zero failures.
On Bosch motors I heard of many with failure on bearings and plastic gears on the first generation motors. The new one seem to be better but they have a built-in rattling sound like a loose chain that had been mentioned in some of the reviews that I read and we need a bit more time to see how they fare in real life over time.
It therefore seems that Shimano and Yamaha are the reliable motors out there and I like my Giant for value for money.
My LBS replaced my controller and when the freehub body recall came thru they replaced it before it became an issue.
I've since done more that 2000 hard kilos without any issues. We ride through a lot of sand and up steps and rocky climbs that are very hard on motors. Of the guys riding with me on Giants we all had the exact same experience. No motor failures. The one guy is approaching 4000 kilos this year.
The Levos have a lot of motor issues and the guys I know have almost all had multiple motor replacements. The Levo is a really nice bike and I get why people buy them but are as unreliable as a Land Rover.
The other bikes we have are Meridas with Shimano steps 8000 motors and they are also extremely reliable with zero failures.
On Bosch motors I heard of many with failure on bearings and plastic gears on the first generation motors. The new one seem to be better but they have a built-in rattling sound like a loose chain that had been mentioned in some of the reviews that I read and we need a bit more time to see how they fare in real life over time.
It therefore seems that Shimano and Yamaha are the reliable motors out there and I like my Giant for value for money.
Last edited:
DaveMatthews
Well-known member
2019 Fathom E+2, and have had it for a year. Only have 1200kms on it but it's been perfect so far. Zero issues, and piles of fun.
57 Reaction
Member
2019 Trance E+3, 2000 miles, one minor issue with forks which was rectified under warranty.
Wernher
Active member
I would get it replaced. It's a quick swop out and they'll replace it under warranty as it is a known issue. Those of us who had the issue can attest to the fact that it will come back and the new improved controller will not have the issue. Mine has done about 2000 kilos after it was replaced and neither rain nor water from washing the bike has had any effect since. You don't want to get the problem while you're on a ride far from base, trust me.
ThePete
Member
Mine had a ‘clack’ sound when I’d begin pedaling. Took a couple months to finally fail. Just be sure to hit your summit before your hub blows out. ?
Wernher
Active member
Initially you'll just hear a loud clonk when you get on the pedals hard. That is an early warning that things aren't right. If it fails you'll lose drive. When you hear the noise ask for a replacement. My LBS did mine while I waited on pre-appointment and no issues since. We had one guy who had 2 failures but it is probably his riding style. Giant eventually replaced his hub with a Hope hub and things haven't gone wrong since. The rest of our group are on the original hubs with mine having been replaced when it started to make the clonking noise and no more issues.
The Flying Dutchman
E*POWAH Master
Take it into the shop now!
Wernher
Active member
Also make sure your chain is properly lubed. eBikes are hard on the chain and cassettes and you'll be surprised how a little lube can improve the operation and get rid of the skipping. Sometimes it could also be slight misalignment but the clonking is definitely reason to have it checked out.
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