Test: In the low mountain range of Corsica, Giant presented its new e-bike fleet with revised engine technology and took me away from rainy Bavaria for a few days. On the rocky trails made of granite and slate, I took the steepest climbing routes and fast downhill descents under the wide 0+ wheels with the top model Full-E + 27,5 SX Pro.
Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro: The bike
Giant already presented the Full E + at the Eurobike last year. A few months later, revised models are brought onto the market, which differ from their predecessors primarily in terms of engine technology. These will be delivered to retailers from week 10. A total of three different models are available, from €3.899,90 for the entry-level model to the top variant Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro for €5.999,90, which I was able to test extensively in Corsica. At the rear, the proven Maestro rear suspension system is used, which is dampened by a RockShox Super Deluxe Debon Air. The Lyrik RCT3 works at the front with a whopping 160mm, which can also be easily lowered on steep climbs, which often had to be conquered here on Corsica.
suspension fork: Rock Shox Lyric RCT3 DPA 160/130
Mute: Rock Shox Super Deluxe RC3 Debon Air
Drive: SRAM EX1
brakes: SRAM Guide RSE 200mm
Price: € 5.999,90
suspension fork: FOX Factory 34 Float 140
Mute: FOX Factory Float DPS
Drive: Shimano Deore XT
brakes: Shimano Deore XT 203mm
Price: € 4.999,90
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The engine power is transferred to the impeller with the Sram EX1 drive. The wide 800mm handlebar provides space in the cockpit. The display is based on its own variant, which is significantly slimmer than the original. For me personally, however, an even more minimalistic display would be desirable, especially for downhill-oriented enduro bikes. However, the control lever, which is integrated on the handle, leaves nothing to be desired and is easy to use in any driving situation if you need to change modes quickly. You may have to do without your desired handles for this, since many models are not compatible with the control unit.
Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro: The Geometry
All three models are built on 27,5+ wheels, which provide additional safety, especially on the slightly heavier e-bikes. At 66,5°, the steering angle is flat enough to convey smooth running without unnecessarily restricting maneuverability. The 463mm chainstay on this bike is also fine for my taste. With a seat angle of 73° and my relatively large stature, the lowerable suspension fork helped to maintain traction on the front wheel even on steep climbs.
Geometry Giant Full-E+ SX
S | M | L | XL | |
seat tube (in mm) | 431 | 450 | 500 | 530 |
Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 565 | 590 | 610 | 635 |
head tube (in mm) | 125 | 125 | 140 | 160 |
chainstay (in mm) | 463 | 463 | 463 | 463 |
Wheelbase (in mm) | 1156 | 1181 | 1202 | 1229 |
Steering angle (in °) | 66,5 | 66,5 | 66,5 | 66,5 |
Seat angle (in °) | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
Reach (mm) | 367 | 392 | 407 | 427 |
Stacks (in mm) | 621 | 621 | 635 | 653 |
Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro: The drive
Here we come to the biggest difference to the already known Full-E models. The hardware is based on the already very powerful Yamaha PW-X motor. However, the entire software was developed by the Giant engineers in close cooperation with Yamaha and then named SyncDrive Pro, which means that the new Full-E + models have now also been given their suffixed name "Pro". The difference to the well-known SyncDrive Sport motor type is particularly evident in the weight, volume and power of the motor. You save a whopping 380 grams and the volume has also been reduced by 13%, which means that the axle length has now shrunk to 128mm to meet MTB standards.
frame | GIANT Full-E+ 27.5” AluxX SL Aluminum SyncDrive Pro |
suspension fork | Rock Shox Lyric RCT3 DPA 160/130 |
Power Type | Giant SyncDrive Pro by Yamaha |
Battery | 500Wh |
Suspension shocks | Rock Shox Super Deluxe RC3 Debon Air |
Wheels | Giant GE35 rims on Formula hubs |
Tire VR | Maxxis Minion DHF Dual Compound |
Tire HR | Maxxis Minion DHF Dual Compound |
derailleur | SRAM EX1 |
Gear levers | SRAM EX1 |
Crank | Giant by FSA Aluminum 36T |
Front derailleur | MRP 1x carbon chain guide |
Brake | SRAM Guide RE |
Brake discs | Centerline 200mm |
Seat post | Giant Contact Switch SL |
Saddle | Giant Contact SL Neutral |
Stem | Giant Contact |
Links | Giant Contact SL DH 800mm |
In order to get the power of the motor onto the trail, there are now a total of 5 support modes instead of the previous three. The two "weaker" Eco and Tour deliver 80KN without loss of power up to a cadence of 110 rpm and give you 100 or 175% support rate. If you switch to Active, Sport or Power mode, the 80NM are even available up to 120rpm and provide a whopping 360% support rate in the highest mode. In all modes, according to the legislator, the limit is of course 25 km/h. However, not only the sheer power but also the response has been improved. Thanks to finer gearing with more pawls and more sensitive electronics, the response behavior has been reduced to less than 190 milliseconds, according to the manufacturer, which you can clearly feel on the trail.
Giant Full-E+ 0 SX Pro: test drive
In order to put the bike through its paces, the local guides first took us on a 25 km enduro tour. The 900 meters of altitude difference that had to be climbed on the circuit had to be mastered for the most part with technical and very steep climbs on often loose ground. In order to protect the batteries, only the weaker three power modes should be used on this round. I rode almost the entire tour in Eco mode, i.e. the weakest of all 5 modes, and never felt the need to shift up a gear. The power was completely sufficient for an ambitious driver and could be brought to the ground in a controlled manner. On the descents through the dense shrubs and thorn bushes of Corsica, I suddenly realized what the handguards on the handlebars, which took a bit of getting used to at first, were for. So far, I've often had the feeling that I have to ride on the back burner with e-bikes, which is why I was all the more astonished that I didn't even think about which bike I was under me on the first downhill meters on the Full-E+ rush through the narrow and challenging trails.
At the end of the tour, I still had almost 50% of the battery available, so I could easily have done the second tour without changing the battery. After a hearty midday refreshment, we went on to the second round, where we were supposed to try out the powerful power modes on a rather moderately demanding but scenically all the more impressive terrain. In a larger group, it was admittedly a lot of fun chasing along the ridge at 25 km/h on wider trails, but that would have been a good time for me to enjoy the view of the sea or the breathtaking mountain scenery.
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