I laughed at this video for a good reason. These guys tried so damn hard to find something to criticize about the new Reign but ended up back and forth over small.things to end up biting their tongue. Honestly for this bikes price point you cannot argue any negative about it.
As a shorter rider (5'8") who came from 26" wheel days, learned and loved MTB on a hardtail and straight forks, and who loves the ADVENTURE, not the speed - I find these older video reviews a wealth of knowledge especially now that these bikes (if well cared for) are available for 1/2 the price and usually upgraded.
I’ve had the reign for a couple months now and loving it. I live In Vancouver BC and ride rough, rooty and rocky terrain and the bike is at home. I’m 5’10 170lbs and got a medium. I noticed the seat angle when I first hopped on it, so I put the seat all the way forward and that really helped. It climbs pretty damn good for a bike this size. Yes, I’m a bit slower on my climbs, but not much and I’m getting PR’s on all my downs and feel more in control and safer. The Fun factor is super high.
I own a 2018 Giant Reign and have ridden it for 4 months now. I think that this is a very accurate review and describes the qualities of this bike very well. You are spot on with the seat angle, but I am a taller stronger rider and I just lock out the front fork on the climbs and don't lose much on the climbs compared to my XC bike. The slacker seat angle feels better to me on the steep technical climbs. As you also observed, this bike descends like a beast and handles rough terrain and rock gardens with little trouble. It tracks amazingly well and sticks like glue in the tight corners with the suspension and the wide tires. I like this bike so much that I have been riding it on my cross country rides as well and my other XC bike is gathering dust. Great review and really enjoy your channel.
blranch8 Very interesting. Looking to upgrade from a 160/150 bike that Im happy to use on XC. Wasn't sure if the Reign would handle it as well, but now I'm leaning towards it more then the Trance
The more I ride it the more I love it. I rode some very technical climbs today and it handles them with no problem. Then I turned it downhill on a crazy steep and chunky downhill with some big drops and just let it rip. So smooth and fast !
It's a Michigan/Wisconsin thing: Red Letter Media has the exact same issues with audio. It's their mid-western trademark, like they're talking at the bottom of a beer bottle.
100% agree with 74-75 degree seattube angles with current geo!... there's NO REASON NOT to have it... I thought this was a pretty good assessment of the Reign :) I felt like I had to "slog" it uphill.... but point it DOWN.. and let her RIP!
The Hub Sam - jealous of your long legs 🤣 Being 5'8", with short legs and a long torso .. I can barely find any bikes with short enough seattubes to get a 150mm dropper in...
yeah.. that IS crazy long... i feel like if they're going to stretch the reach, then the seattube angle should steepen accordingly.. paired with a shorter stem... but I think a lot of people will "size down" now... which could be good for longer dropper posts :)
Im 6’3” and have long legs and slack seat angles are a pain in the arse. It may just be to lay the seat back for decents, and to make room for the wheel travel and short chainstays .
Do not agree with the start. The bike only look similar. Did not get just longer but many other changes like wheels are boosted now and a few other details. However the very huge change is the shock link is changed totally and it gave the bike direct and precise feeling instead of pillow and plush but not precise from last year. You like Giant or not but this is for sure much better bike.
There is not a reason against 75°, but there is a reason against bent seat tubes with VIRTUAL 75° angles. Taller riders. With higher seat heights with current frame designs (current and previous Reign included), say 185+ cm riders are above the rear axle due to the slack (actual angle) seat tube. I think frame designs will have to become quite different between S and XL sizes in order to fit all riders, not just have a few numbers different with the majority of the frame being the same. This should probably include suspension kinematics, since an XL rider will have a higher CoG compared to an S rider, which will in the end also influence antisquat (since 100 % AS is at CoG height).
i had ridden the older reign (16) and is an absolute SLED downhill. i am not too keen on the climb and when i climbed with it, it was ok but miles ahead of my freeride bike. This is a bike hell bent on speed and stability. My ideal bike next would be the reign SX
I love how no mention about how much stiffer the rear end of the bike is now, leverage ratio change, longer top tube !stop drinking beer and do your job properly totally differnt bike! lol
Wouldn't having a slacker seat tube angle put more weight over the back wheel while climbing thus giving more traction sitting? Might be a reason. Personally I was hoping they would have steepend it and shortened the rear a bit.
What would you guys say about 2018 reign 2? I am looking at it as an entry level enduro to start racing , but also freeride, bikeparks and trails. How good is it vs 2018 trance 2? Both allu
I bought a 2018 reign 2 four months ago and have about 50 rides on it. It is a great bike and descends like a beast. You can fly down hill with confidence on it. People have been complaining that it does not climb well but I have not found that to be the case. If you lock out the front fork it climbs very well for an enduro bike. It also really sticks in the corners and over loose ground and rock. I am very happy with this bike. If you like to jump at the bike parks it really launches well with the 160 forks it lands as stable as any bike I have ridden.
How are you finding the shifter? As I've heard some bad reviews about it. I've put a deposit on the bike , so collecting it in 2 weeks, cant fucking wait ;-)
I have had no problems with the shifter or the shifting. It shifts well even under load and pushing a heavy gear uphill. What I like about this bike is that it is a great bike as is, but it is also a great bike to upgrade in the future. I can't say enough about how the bike handles and descends. I am 6 foot tall and went with a large frame. I like riding with lower bars so I did lower them when I got the bike home. My friend won the expert class enduro race on the Reign 2 a few months ago and he was riding against guys on $10,000 bikes. That says more about the bike than I could say.
I bought Reign 2 and love it! It feels like a much more expensive build with how the suspension feels. The shifting feels really good its just lacking range. I already upgraded to 11 speed with a 46t. The brakes are poor unfortunately too. The rear caliper failed already. I have upgraded to Sram codes. I think buying the base build and upgrading is the way to go
I enjoy the convos, but why all the evolved talk about half a degree in seat tube angles and pointless details. Just get on a bike a ride it. Just saying
You say this bike plows and destroys all terrain but on enduro.com they tested 10 something all mountain bikes on a gnarly downhill and the reign came in 2nd to last on average from multiple riders.
Everyone going on about the sta seriously a couple of degrees isn’t something that the everyday rider isn’t going to notice, maybe a pro but not your weekend warrior
Gone.Coastal Doesn’t really matter that much. I’ve ridden steep seat angles compared to my hardtail with a 73 seat degree angle and haven’t really noticed that much. Things like tires, suspension, and wheels matter more.
I just rebuilt a 2016 trance 27.5 and i have to say the rear suspension just looks fragile. Like its made for a girl or small type of person. And i dont like giants engineering. Brearing spacers used throughout the suspension is pure crap. Whats up with using spacers andy way. You cant design a bike with out bearing spacers? Bs
I laughed at this video for a good reason. These guys tried so damn hard to find something to criticize about the new Reign but ended up back and forth over small.things to end up biting their tongue. Honestly for this bikes price point you cannot argue any negative about it.
As a shorter rider (5'8") who came from 26" wheel days, learned and loved MTB on a hardtail and straight forks, and who loves the ADVENTURE, not the speed - I find these older video reviews a wealth of knowledge especially now that these bikes (if well cared for) are available for 1/2 the price and usually upgraded.
I’ve had the reign for a couple months now and loving it. I live In Vancouver BC and ride rough, rooty and rocky terrain and the bike is at home. I’m 5’10 170lbs and got a medium. I noticed the seat angle when I first hopped on it, so I put the seat all the way forward and that really helped. It climbs pretty damn good for a bike this size. Yes, I’m a bit slower on my climbs, but not much and I’m getting PR’s on all my downs and feel more in control and safer. The Fun factor is super high.
Purpose built bike that does exactly what it’s suppose to .. very well. Sounds like a high score to me.
I own a 2018 Giant Reign and have ridden it for 4 months now. I think that this is a very accurate review and describes the qualities of this bike very well. You are spot on with the seat angle, but I am a taller stronger rider and I just lock out the front fork on the climbs and don't lose much on the climbs compared to my XC bike. The slacker seat angle feels better to me on the steep technical climbs. As you also observed, this bike descends like a beast and handles rough terrain and rock gardens with little trouble. It tracks amazingly well and sticks like glue in the tight corners with the suspension and the wide tires. I like this bike so much that I have been riding it on my cross country rides as well and my other XC bike is gathering dust. Great review and really enjoy your channel.
blranch8 Very interesting. Looking to upgrade from a 160/150 bike that Im happy to use on XC. Wasn't sure if the Reign would handle it as well, but now I'm leaning towards it more then the Trance
The more I ride it the more I love it. I rode some very technical climbs today and it handles them with no problem. Then I turned it downhill on a crazy steep and chunky downhill with some big drops and just let it rip. So smooth and fast !
I'm so excited, just stuck between getting a 2018 or waiting for the 2019s
Can you ride this bike also on the road how is the pedal efficiënt? Does it have allot of pedalbob?
What is going on with the sound from the second (middle) mic in this, and other videos?
UKPhoto111 he's recording with 2 or more mics and hasn't edited it properly post
It's a Michigan/Wisconsin thing: Red Letter Media has the exact same issues with audio. It's their mid-western trademark, like they're talking at the bottom of a beer bottle.
100% agree with 74-75 degree seattube angles with current geo!... there's NO REASON NOT to have it... I thought this was a pretty good assessment of the Reign :) I felt like I had to "slog" it uphill.... but point it DOWN.. and let her RIP!
I agree with The Old Man. Climbs fine for me with longer legs.
The Hub Sam - jealous of your long legs 🤣 Being 5'8", with short legs and a long torso ..
I can barely find any bikes with short enough seattubes to get a 150mm dropper in...
that massive reach makes it hard to weight the bike properly I mean nearly 460 mm of reach on a medium is ridiculous
yeah.. that IS crazy long...
i feel like if they're going to stretch the reach, then the seattube angle should steepen accordingly.. paired with a shorter stem...
but I think a lot of people will "size down" now... which could be good for longer dropper posts :)
Im 6’3” and have long legs and slack seat angles are a pain in the arse. It may just be to lay the seat back for decents, and to make room for the wheel travel and short chainstays .
how is the sound this bad? Anyone listen to the video before it was posted?
This bike is a race bike, for sure. Set it up right and it will keep pace with the new burly 29ers.
Do not agree with the start. The bike only look similar. Did not get just longer but many other changes like wheels are boosted now and a few other details. However the very huge change is the shock link is changed totally and it gave the bike direct and precise feeling instead of pillow and plush but not precise from last year. You like Giant or not but this is for sure much better bike.
Audio is so weird
Yea their mics are too sensitive. The mics record all the guys voices with a small delay even though it should just record the person wearing it.
As someone with huge legs, this reassures me.
There is not a reason against 75°, but there is a reason against bent seat tubes with VIRTUAL 75° angles. Taller riders. With higher seat heights with current frame designs (current and previous Reign included), say 185+ cm riders are above the rear axle due to the slack (actual angle) seat tube.
I think frame designs will have to become quite different between S and XL sizes in order to fit all riders, not just have a few numbers different with the majority of the frame being the same. This should probably include suspension kinematics, since an XL rider will have a higher CoG compared to an S rider, which will in the end also influence antisquat (since 100 % AS is at CoG height).
The ending made my day
How about giant trance
i had ridden the older reign (16) and is an absolute SLED downhill. i am not too keen on the climb and when i climbed with it, it was ok but miles ahead of my freeride bike. This is a bike hell bent on speed and stability. My ideal bike next would be the reign SX
I love how no mention about how much stiffer the rear end of the bike is now, leverage ratio change, longer top tube !stop drinking beer and do your job properly totally differnt bike! lol
Guys please help me still cant decide what to get 😭
should I go to Giant Reign sx 2 or trek remedy or slash?
No Radon Swoop?
Wouldn't having a slacker seat tube angle put more weight over the back wheel while climbing thus giving more traction sitting? Might be a reason. Personally I was hoping they would have steepend it and shortened the rear a bit.
No, it'll just mean you wheelie out.
What would you guys say about 2018 reign 2? I am looking at it as an entry level enduro to start racing , but also freeride, bikeparks and trails. How good is it vs 2018 trance 2? Both allu
I bought a 2018 reign 2 four months ago and have about 50 rides on it. It is a great bike and descends like a beast. You can fly down hill with confidence on it. People have been complaining that it does not climb well but I have not found that to be the case. If you lock out the front fork it climbs very well for an enduro bike. It also really sticks in the corners and over loose ground and rock. I am very happy with this bike. If you like to jump at the bike parks it really launches well with the 160 forks it lands as stable as any bike I have ridden.
How are you finding the shifter? As I've heard some bad reviews about it. I've put a deposit on the bike , so collecting it in 2 weeks, cant fucking wait ;-)
I have had no problems with the shifter or the shifting. It shifts well even under load and pushing a heavy gear uphill. What I like about this bike is that it is a great bike as is, but it is also a great bike to upgrade in the future. I can't say enough about how the bike handles and descends. I am 6 foot tall and went with a large frame. I like riding with lower bars so I did lower them when I got the bike home. My friend won the expert class enduro race on the Reign 2 a few months ago and he was riding against guys on $10,000 bikes. That says more about the bike than I could say.
I bought Reign 2 and love it! It feels like a much more expensive build with how the suspension feels. The shifting feels really good its just lacking range. I already upgraded to 11 speed with a 46t. The brakes are poor unfortunately too. The rear caliper failed already. I have upgraded to Sram codes. I think buying the base build and upgrading is the way to go
When you upgraded to 11 speed, were you able to just change out the shifter, derailer, and cogs or did you have to change your wheel and hub as well ?
STOP pretending to drink beer! Leave it keeping cold in the fridge for people who actually do.
xDDDDD
Beer talk, bike talk....Giant reigns!!! Saddle up boys and wag your hang over!!!!
I was thinking thay have proberly had to many beers there eyes tell the story red and glassy .cheers
I enjoy the convos, but why all the evolved talk about half a degree in seat tube angles and pointless details.
Just get on a bike a ride it.
Just saying
Sounds like the Reign is Military grade, Nice!
cool... likes commencal before i think . cmiiw
You say this bike plows and destroys all terrain but on enduro.com they tested 10 something all mountain bikes on a gnarly downhill and the reign came in 2nd to last on average from multiple riders.
Hi guys, for 2019 could you please test a norco range c1!!! very high anticipated bike
the sound made me leave
레인어드밴스 갖고시쁘다~~~^^
Everyone going on about the sta seriously a couple of degrees isn’t something that the everyday rider isn’t going to notice, maybe a pro but not your weekend warrior
need to get better mics can never hear you
73˚ STA??? HAHAHAHA
Gone.Coastal Doesn’t really matter that much. I’ve ridden steep seat angles compared to my hardtail with a 73 seat degree angle and haven’t really noticed that much. Things like tires, suspension, and wheels matter more.
Tooooooooooop.
I just rebuilt a 2016 trance 27.5 and i have to say the rear suspension just looks fragile. Like its made for a girl or small type of person. And i dont like giants engineering. Brearing spacers used throughout the suspension is pure crap.
Whats up with using spacers andy way. You cant design a bike with out bearing spacers? Bs
you comment on heaps of giant videos bashing them for thier old bike you really need to shut it as not only that you dont know what your on about
good review, but production is whack. weird setting, and shithouse audio quality
Giants boring
Another dumb review. Review it while riding the bike!