Reign E+ 2022

Aug 20, 2021
32
30
Los Angeles
One thing we can all agree on is that the Fox with kashima coating looks way better :oops: I have no idea why RockShox cannot come up with more attractive color ways.

Nah, I'm good with the RockShox look

giphy.gif
 
Aug 20, 2021
32
30
Los Angeles
Same, always prefer rockshox. Fox is so sensitive. Works well for a short time then needs a service constantly. Can't be serviced at home either. Rockshox just works and stays working. Hated my X2 shock. Needed servicing 3 times a year to keep it close to good

Yeah, my 2021 DHX2 was completely blown after less than a season's worth of use, so I sent it into Fox for a warranty evaluation. They said it's normal use/wear/tear and not covered under warranty and will be $155 for a rebuild service + $25 for a new shaft cuz they said the original is worn. I mean, I get that components don't last forever and need servicing, but this just seems excessive.
 

emtbeast

Active member
Jan 10, 2022
277
320
Slovenia
Another note being I work on a lot of high performance cars with brass button clutch plates that make a similar sound sort wouldn't be surprised to me see something like this inside as they have superior holding power when engaged but are noisy when engaging /disengaging.
Cool info that would be really interesting to see...there is a guy on Yt...that I saw is repairing ebike motors...
would be cool if he got his hands on a PWX3 ✌😃
 

Ordinary Human Male

New Member
Jun 28, 2021
62
48
Australia
Question for E+2 owners. How you you finding the Zeb and DPX2? Up to the job or underwhelming?

Is it worth paying the extra for the +1 with 38s and X2?

First world dimema I know.

DPX2 is really not a downhill shock. X2 is a DH air shock.

Personally, the 38 Perf and X2 are well justified for steep descents on big mountains with unmanicured trails (thinking Mystic DH at Bright). For trail riding (and for the majority of riders) the Zeb and DPX2 will be enough.
 

emtbeast

Active member
Jan 10, 2022
277
320
Slovenia
Guys how do you feel the motor assistance is limited when blasting uphill(gravel,asphalt) roads in modes 4(Sport) and 5(Power).

My bike is fading out and in(motor assistance is still there but feels like I would be litley applying the brakes) at around 21,5 km/h...Is it the same with your bikes?
 
Last edited:

Donamici

Active member
Jan 1, 2022
139
170
Ireland
DPX2 is really not a downhill shock. X2 is a DH air shock.

Personally, the 38 Perf and X2 are well justified for steep descents on big mountains with unmanicured trails (thinking Mystic DH at Bright). For trail riding (and for the majority of riders) the Zeb and DPX2 will be enough.

My DH race days are over, but want an Enduro ready shock. Would the DPX2 be ok for that and be comparable to the RS Super Deluxe?
 

Ordinary Human Male

New Member
Jun 28, 2021
62
48
Australia
My DH race days are over, but want an Enduro ready shock. Would the DPX2 be ok for that and be comparable to the RS Super Deluxe?

I don't want to overstate my experience here.

I am riding a 2021 Commencal Meta (analogue) with a DPX2 and the 2022 Giant Reign E+1. Both bikes have 160mm of frame travel.

The DPX2 is fine for anything short of true double black rough downhill imo. The DPX2 is great for trail and can be set up to take decent hits without losing too much sensitivity, but at the end of the day it has less air volume than the X2 and you can feel it.

This is not an issue unless your terrain demands a shock that has sensitivity (for traction) and can still take big hits (for drops/features). For 80% of my riding or more, the DPX2 is fine. Unlike you, I've never raced DH, but my reading of your comment indicates that the DPX2 (which is comparable to the RS) would be satisfactory.

I also feel like the weight of the EMTB requires a better shock than an analogue, but as this is my first emtb take it will a grain of salt.

Personally, I'd be more concerned with the ZEB. I've only ridden one briefly on a friend's Giga and it seemed great as long as you don't need the HSC and LSC and rebound for demanding terrain. One option would be to buy the E+2 and upgrade to the Ultimate damper if you aren't satisfied with the ZEB, and then throw on a RS Coil if you aren't satisfied with the shock.
 

bcmtb

Member
Nov 1, 2021
36
21
WA
Yo all. Update on my bike and some pics.

View attachment 80467

What I changed so far:

- industry nine stem (40mm)
- kingdom titanium handlebar (780mm)
- hope 165mm cranks
- self made wheels: DT 240, EX 511, 32 spokes, brass nipples, magic
- galfer disc pads
- Giant 170mm dropper (originally 150mm)
- added Mudhugger FRX on the rear
- added Mudhugger EVO on the front
- 76 projects high flow valves
- Fidlock TWIST bottle 590ml
- XT 12 speed cassette
hey, cool setup! was wondering what fenders you're using? thanks.
 

emtbeast

Active member
Jan 10, 2022
277
320
Slovenia
View attachment 82571 Has anyone been successful changing speed modes on the 2022 models with the updated controls?
I didn't know that this actually existed. Great info. Although this manual is for the old controller...on the new one there is no light button.
I wonder If I accidentally switched my Reign into low speed mode...as the assistance fades out/in at 21km/h when pushing hard uphill in higher modes.
 

Redlemon

Active member
Oct 30, 2021
289
467
Canada
DPX2 is really not a downhill shock. X2 is a DH air shock.

Personally, the 38 Perf and X2 are well justified for steep descents on big mountains with unmanicured trails (thinking Mystic DH at Bright). For trail riding (and for the majority of riders) the Zeb and DPX2 will be enough.

Me and a friend are both riding Reign E+ 2 with the DPX2.

We were not sure about the performance, but after trying it we were left surprised.

Giant/Fox really got the tuning right, the shock is amazing all around. Traction is great, initial stroke is soft for small bump compliance and the ramp up is not that bad actually.

It gets the job done perfectly fine for what it is.
 

Donamici

Active member
Jan 1, 2022
139
170
Ireland
After much deliberation the +1 is being collected this week. Delighted. The +2 came very close, but not having to think about upgrading the suspension appeals. Thanks to everyone who offered advice along the way.

As an aside does anyone know if there is a Fox QR replacement for the front thu axle?
 

Redlemon

Active member
Oct 30, 2021
289
467
Canada
This is mine. I wanted the orange colour plus had a few upgrades ready.

Put a riser bar on it, burgtec stem and peddles. Axs dropper and gears, rockshox super deluxe ultimate rear shox, rc2 damper upgrade, vorsprung smashpot coil conversion on the forks. Assegai front and dhr rear in DD casing. Wheeler on the way. DT Swiss fr560 rims with orange hope hubs. Trickstuff Maxima brakes with galfer rotors. Thank that's it 🤣

View attachment 82473

View attachment 82474

How is that rear RS Super Deluxe shock feeling ?

Any special tune ?
 

Donamici

Active member
Jan 1, 2022
139
170
Ireland
First outing on the E+1 today, first proper outing on any eMtb. Blown away. Such a good climber, so well planted descending, and the thing that surprised me most was how agile it is, changes direction so quickly, that 25kg just disappears under you. Geometry is bang on. Suspension, brakes, everything, the bike just feels so dialled in. Did around 28 KM and has 60% battery left, though was being pretty frugal with the power.

There was a lot of soul searching moving away from analogue and choosing the right bike, but I'm absolutely delighted with the Reign.

For anyone who is uncertain, rest assured you will not be disappointed.

Itching to get out again and learn more about this amazing machine can do.
 

Mikects

New Member
Feb 27, 2022
34
33
Auckland, New Zealand
First ride on my new Reign E+ 1 yesterday at Woodhill mountainbike park.

This isnt quite my dream bike but it’s close. Ive been bugging all the lbs and a few not so lbs since I first saw one at Christmas. Kept getting told “not this year - they’re all sold” - but there must have been a cancelled order as 3 XLs came up for sale at a well known bike shop chain - so I grabbed one. The rest were sold with the next 48 hours.

First the good bits. This bike is fast - uphill, downhill, flat, twisty - just everywhere. Set PBs on all my Strava segments coming off a 21 Giant Trance X Advance Pro 2. It has an amazing ability to be extremely stable yet quick to turn when you want it to. Its not quite as plush as I expected but I’m still dialling it in - expect I will be for a while yet.

It fits like a glove - I’m 6’5” and reach and stack seem spot on.

Now the not so good:

The battery fell out half way down an easy downhill. I’m fairly sure I had installed it properly - maybe not, but even so this should be able to happen on a bike designed to be ridden like this one is! It broke the battery cover and snapped the screw that attaches the cover to the frame. Lucky I had some duct tape! I’ve ridden my wife’s Merida E160 harder than this and never had an issue - the battery simply cant fall out.

The motor started making a clacking noise about half way through the ride. Sounds a bit like a twig got caught somewhere but it only happens under power. Turn the motor off and it goes away. Comes and goes on its own a bit too. Motor is also generally loud - much louder than the EP8 on the Merida.

The brakes squeal and squeak like mad. Guessing its the sintered pads (I prefer organic) but the rear caliper was also badly misaligned and the disc slightly bent. Lbs should have sorted this I guess. Plenty of power though.

Shifting is awful. I thought Shimano was meant to be the best but the SRAM NX on the Trance is much sweeter. Guessing this is due in part to the KMC chain - I believe the Shimano XT ebike chains are a bit soft whereas KMC last well - think I’d rather change the chain every 600ks than put up with this though.

The saddle (Romero Trail) is very entry level and doesn’t belong below on anything above a $500 bike - mine bent both rails first ride and has now been swapped for a Spesh BG. The very similar saddle on the Trance (Romero SL) is still good.

The XT shifters allow for changing multiple cogs In one action - so constantly loosing the chain when changing quickly going up a hill. Surely a 1 click shifter should be standard on an ebike? I believe this is what other manufacturers specify on their bikes. Maybe an XT chain would fix this as well?

The Maxxis High Roller 2 on the back isn’t good enough - the DHF on the front leaves it for dead. Think this will be swapped out pdq.

So overall mixed feelings. I feel it could be the “one” bike but I’m disappointed at the amount of money, time and effort I’m going to have to put in to getting it there on what wasn’t a cheap bike to begin with (ok - its affordable compared to a SC Bullit or Scott Ransom but it still doesnt qualify as cheap). Im presently considering trying to get the lbs to take it back but give me a few days and Ill probably have come to terms with its faults and just get them sorted. Will update when I do.
 
Last edited:

bcmtb

Member
Nov 1, 2021
36
21
WA
Picked up the Giant e-bike light (Recon E HL 1000). Runs off the internal battery, pretty cool! It's this one: Recon E HL 1000 | Giant Bicycles Canada

IMG_0831.png


Only silly thing is it doesn't have a dedicated off switch, so I mapped it to the middle hand control button (normally for walk assist, but I never use it). Seems you can change the button mapping in the app.

Looking forward to testing it out soon, as well as a helmet-mounted light I grabbed.
 

jbv

Member
Sep 7, 2021
102
82
Vancouver Island BC
First ride on my new Reign E+ 1 yesterday at Woodhill mountainbike park.

This isnt quite my dream bike but it’s close. Ive been bugging all the lbs and a few not so lbs since I first saw one at Christmas. Kept getting told “not this year - they’re all sold” - but there must have been a cancelled order as 3 XLs came up for sale at a well known bike shop chain - so I grabbed one. The rest were sold with the next 48 hours.

First the good bits. This bike is fast - uphill, downhill, flat, twisty - just everywhere. Set PBs on all my Strava segments coming off a 21 Giant Trance X Advance Pro 2. It has an amazing ability to be extremely stable yet quick to turn when you want it to. Its not quite as plush as I expected but I’m still dialling it in - expect I will be for a while yet.

It fits like a glove - I’m 6’5” and reach and stack seem spot on.

Now the not so good:

The battery fell out half way down an easy downhill. I’m fairly sure I had installed it properly - maybe not, but even so this should be able to happen on a bike designed to be ridden like this one is! It broke the battery cover and snapped the screw that attaches the cover to the frame. Lucky I had some duct tape! I’ve ridden my wife’s Merida E160 harder than this and never had an issue - the battery simply cant fall out.

The motor started making a clacking noise about half way through the ride. Sounds a bit like a twig got caught somewhere but it only happens under power. Turn the motor off and it goes away. Comes and goes on its own a bit too. Motor is also generally loud - much louder than the EP8 on the Merida.

The brakes squeal and squeak like mad. Guessing its the sintered pads (I prefer organic) but the rear caliper was also badly misaligned and the disc slightly bent. Lbs should have sorted this I guess. Plenty of power though.

Shifting is awful. I thought Shimano was meant to be the best but the SRAM NX on the Trance is much sweeter. Guessing this is due in part to the KMC chain - I believe the Shimano XT ebike chains are a bit soft whereas KMC last well - think I’d rather change the chain every 600ks than put up with this though.

The saddle (Romero Trail) is very entry level and doesn’t belong below on anything above a $500 bike - mine bent both rails first ride and has now been swapped for a Spesh BG. The very similar saddle on the Trance (Romero SL) is still good.

The XT shifters allow for changing multiple cogs In one action - so constantly loosing the chain when changing quickly going up a hill. Surely a 1 click shifter should be standard on an ebike? I believe this is what other manufacturers specify on their bikes. Maybe an XT chain would fix this as well?

The Maxxis High Roller 2 on the back isn’t good enough - the DHF on the front leaves it for dead. Think this will be swapped out pdq.

So overall mixed feelings. I feel it could be the “one” bike but I’m disappointed at the amount of money, time and effort I’m going to have to put in to getting it there on what wasn’t a cheap bike to begin with (ok - its affordable compared to a SC Bullit or Scott Ransom but it still doesnt qualify as cheap). Im presently considering trying to get the lbs to take it back but give me a few days and Ill probably have come to terms with its faults and just get them sorted. Will update when I do.


some surprising issues for sure. can only contrast with my xl, E1. also 6 5, 220 pounds. battery seems impossible to fall out, it's held in place by a couple different means. that's crazy that it happened. XT drivetrain is incredible, and i have the same on my amish bike, so no surprise. i won't run any other drivetrain. i love the DD HR2, and took off the DHF on the front straight away, in favour of a Shorty, DD, maxxxxgripppp. IMO, this bike needs DD or Super Gravity front and rear for the terrain and way i'm riding it. i think many will like the DHF, i mean it's a great tire of course, but i feel there's better options for wet, slippery rainforest type trails.
 

Mikects

New Member
Feb 27, 2022
34
33
Auckland, New Zealand
Always liked the High Roller in the past - been running them for close to 20 years but I just felt the rear end of the bike was all over the place - mainly dry dusty hardpack. Been running dhf/dhr on my Trance X on the same trails without feeling as loose - may have been going a bit quicker on the reign tho….

Dry as here at present - wet and slippery doesn’t exist at present ;)

Battery falling out was the big issue though - that should not be able to happen - full stop.
 

Sherman

Active member
May 9, 2018
252
463
3rd Rock
battery seems impossible to fall out, it's held in place by a couple different means. that's crazy that it happened.

I once forgot to tighten the battery screw. It didn't take long to figure out what the klunking and rattling was about. The battery did not fall out and power stayed on too.

I really can't understand how the battery can fall out, unless there's something really wrong with the frame.
 

Donamici

Active member
Jan 1, 2022
139
170
Ireland
Battery falling out is bizzare, you have the retaining clip, frame torx bolt and finally the plastic cover with screw. On a first ride hard to believe user error is not the cause. Still, sorry to hear about the other issues, hope things improve.
 

Ordinary Human Male

New Member
Jun 28, 2021
62
48
Australia
So overall mixed feelings. I feel it could be the “one” bike but I’m disappointed at the amount of money, time and effort I’m going to have to put in to getting it there on what wasn’t a cheap bike to begin with (ok - its affordable compared to a SC Bullit or Scott Ransom but it still doesnt qualify as cheap). Im presently considering trying to get the lbs to take it back but give me a few days and Ill probably have come to terms with its faults and just get them sorted. Will update when I do.

Thanks for your detailed write-up. These are pretty small issues in the scheme of things and seem to have as much to do with your LBS as the bike itself. Your issues also seem mostly related to wear components that you'll replace in the first 6 months anyway. Just ride the snot out of them and replace with your preferred item.
 

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