The Giant Reign Gets A Refresh for 2023

Giant unveiled its latest range of Reign enduro bikes, featuring all new frame sets that now offer adjustable geometry and the option to use either a 29-inch or 27.5 rear wheel. Engineered and developed with pro enduro racers and technicians from the Giant Factory Off-Road Team, it's the most versatile Reign range ever. 

Introduced in 2005 as one of the first Giant mountain bikes with Maestro suspension, Reign has been pushing the boundaries of aggressive trail riding since before modern enduro racing existed. It has racing in its DNA but is equally at home in the bike park and for singletrack adventures. The eighth generation of Reign expands on that versatility. With its progressive enduro geometry and adaptability to different types of terrain, it's built to give riders more choices when it comes to riding style and terrain. 

For pro enduro racers, including Youn Deniaud and Mckay Vezina—Giant Factory Off-Road Team riders who played a key role in its development—the new Reign delivers uncompromising speed and control when every second counts. "We spent more than a year getting everything just right with the new Reign," said Deniaud, who raced his prototype model to a stage win and a top-five overall finish at the final round of the 2022 Enduro World Series in Loudonville, France. "I got more and more comfortable with it throughout the season and had my best results later in the year. I think a lot of that has to do with the bike, which is really helping me push new limits." 

Deniaud was racing a prototype version of the new Reign Advanced Pro, the flagship model built on a full-composite frameset. Also available are the Reign series, which features an ALUXX SL aluminum frameset, and the Reign SX, which pairs an ALUXX SLframeset with longer-travel suspension and a build kit that's geared toward rougher descents and bike park riding. All Reign Advanced Pro and Reign allow riders to choose 29-inch wheels front and rear, which is the stock setup or swap out the rear for a 27.5-inch wheel. The gravity-focused Reign SX has a full-time "mullet" setup, with a smaller 27.5 rear and larger 29-inch front wheel. All models offer greater adjustability compared to previous generations, with three flip chip settings so riders can quickly and easily change frame geometry. 

Key Updates + Features

Race-Bred Suspension

With enduro racers and trail riders continuing to push their limits on aggressive terrain, the demands on bikes and gear are higher than ever. Steeper descents, bigger drops, higher speeds through rocks, roots and ruts. The new Reign gives riders an edge with more capable suspension performance front and rear. It starts with a new Maestro rear suspension system, which now has 160mm of travel, an additional 14mm over the previous generation.

The trunnion mount shock has a longer stroke (62.5mm compared to 60mm), which gives it a smooth, active feel on a variety of terrain. The Advanced Forged Composite upper rocker arm adds stiffness to the system, which improves the bike's handling while cornering, accelerating and bombing down chunky terrain. Up front, both the Reign Advanced Pro and Reign now come with a 170mm fork to help gobble up trail impacts and improve control. The Reign SX, which also features Maestro suspension, is aimed at descending the most aggressive trails and terrain, with a plush setup that includes 165mm of rear travel anda 190mm dual crown suspension fork up front.

Adjustable Enduro Geometry

The new Reign chassis is engineered with frame geometry that gives pros like Deniaud the quickness and control they need to shave seconds off their runs. At the same time, it also offers everyday riders the stability and confidence to elevate their skills on more challenging terrain. The new frame is designed with a lower standover height. Combined with a longer reach, this makes it easier to maneuver the bike. From low-speed cornering on tight, technical trails to high-flying jumps at the bike park, the new geometry makes it easier to change lines, hop over obstacles and tame the most challenging terrain.

Beyond that, a new three-position flip chip lets riders adjust the geometry to suit their riding style and trail conditions. It offers bottom bracket drop adjustments in 5mm increments (35, 30 or 25mm) and also lets you change the head tube angle (63.5. 63.9 or 64.2 degrees) and seat tube angle (78.3, 78.7 or 70 degrees). The high position of the flip chip increases ground clearance and is a good option for tighter, more technical terrain. In this position, the steeper seat tube angle helps you power up climbs. Put the flip chip into the low position, and the head tube gets slacker and the bottom bracket drops. This gives the bike more confident handling at higher speeds. For those who want a more neutral setup, the middle position is a versatile option.

Beyond the geometry adjustments, the new frames have purpose-built features including integrated protection on the underside of the downtube. This shields the frame against rocks and other debris, and also produces a quieter ride. Also new for this generation, both the composite and aluminum frame options now have integrated storage in the downtube. All models and sizes can also fit a water bottle and have new, updated cable ports for cleaner looks and performance.

Rear Wheel Options

The new flip chip setup also offers the option to use a 27.5-inch rear wheel (paired with a 29-inch front wheel), which gives the bike more saddle-to-tire clearance in the rear. Some riders prefer this mullet setup for steep, technical terrain. Using the larger 29-inch rear wheel improves stability and roll-over capabilities, while the 27.5 option delivers a more agile, snappier feel. It’s a quick and easy change to adjust the bike’s handling and feel.

Models

Reign Advanced Pro

This full-composite frameset is engineered with enduro racing geometry and adjustability that lets you change the bike’s handling and riding characteristics with three flip chip settings. 

Reign

The geometry of the ALUXX SL aluminum frameset has been updated to accommodate 29-inch wheels, and you now have the option to run a “mullet” setup with a 27.5 rear wheel.

Reign SX

This gravity-focused enduro machine features a lightweight, stiff and super-strong ALUXX SL frameset paired with our latest Maestro rear suspension. The frameset is optimized for its mixed wheel setup, with a 27.5-inch rear and 29-inch front. A plush suspension system with 165mm in the rear and a 190mm triple crown fork up front gives you the ability to send it on the roughest descents. You can also adjust frame geometry with a flip chip that lets you switch the head tube and seat tube angles, along with bottom bracket drop, to dial in the handling for your riding style and terrain. And a new integrated down tube storage feature provides convenient carrying capacity for on-trail essentials.

All models are expected to be available in March 2023. For more information, including all the details on features and technologies, please visit to www.giant-bicycles.com