The Reign is one of the longest, lowest and slackest bikes here, and as a result, it’s a total monster downhill. Although the Performance compound Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres lack the grip and edge to really do the Giant justice, the bike’s low-slung, well-proportioned geometry and supple suspension mean you feel well centred and close enough to the trail that you can make corrections if they do make contact with anything other than soft mud.
Suspension travel is evenly matched from front to back. The RockShox Yari RC fork is solid, easy to tune and laps up the big hits when you get motoring, but does require a little more air in the spring to deliver the same support as the Charger Damper-equipped Lyrik and, as a result, delivers more feedback through the bar and hands. This feeling is accentuated by the lightweight tyres, which need to be run at relatively high pressures to prevent them squirming or flatting.
Downhill maestro
At the rear sits a Monarch RT shock, which works well with Giant’s proven twin-link Maestro suspension system. You’ll need to fit three or four volume bands to add a bit of progression to the end of the stroke if you want to get the most out of the bike when you really start trucking, though. The supple suspension makes the Reign feel quite steady on mellower trails and the slack seat angle means you’ll be reaching for the shock’s low-speed compression lever on the climbs, but get gravity behind it and its downhill performance more than makes up for this. If there’s enough soft dirt for the tyres to bite into, the Giant feels incredibly confident and more agile than many of the more downhillorientated bikes here.
Considering the price and performance, there’s very little else to quibble about when it comes to the spec, though some testers would have liked a 150mm dropper rather than the 125mm own-brand model that comes as standard.
VERDICT
Seriously capable downhill, but needs careful shock set-up and stickier rubber
SPEC
Frame ‘ALLUX SL’ aluminium, 160mm travel
Fork RockShox Yari RC Solo Air, 160mm travel
Shock RockShox Monarch RT DebonAir
Drivetrain SRAM NX with MRP AMg (V2) chain guide (1x11)
Wheelset Giant P-AM2 rims on Giant Tracker Boost hubs, Schwalbe Hans Dampf Performance 27.5x2.35in tyres
Brakes SRAM Guide R, 200/180mm rotors
Bar/stem Giant Contact SL DH, 800mm/Truvativ Holzfeller, 50mm
Seatpost/saddle Giant Contact SL Switch 125mm dropper/Giant Contact
Weight 14.4kg (L), without pedals
Price $3750