Giant Full-E+ Review

Completely redesigned for 2017, the Giant Full-E+ features an ALUXX SL alloy frame with carbon composite rocker link for the suspension. The alloy has been hydroformed, using high pressure water to form the special shapes in the frame. It has incorporated the motor into the lower part where the bottom bracket would normally sit and features a fully integrated battery in the downtube, which can be removed easily for charging. Internal cable routing keeps everything neat and tidy.

Electric bike styling is sometimes controversial, and the Full-E+ is no exception. Some people love the oversized tubing, made to integrate the batteries, but some think it can look a bit odd. It still has the features that you could expect from a high-performing trail bike, like Boost wheel spacing in the rear with 12mm thru-axle and a  guard on the downtube that protects the motor from rocks and debris.

Brought over from the rest of Giant’s full sus mountain bike range, their Maestro suspension features a dual link design. It efficiently makes use of the 140mm rear travel, allowing you to climb effectively up tricky and technical ascents, while making the most out of trail's features on the way back down.

The two models in the range both have 140mm travel front and rear. The Full-E+2 gets Suntour suspension units, with an UnAir LO-R rear shock and an Aion 34 LO-R fork. Both shocks offer lockout options for when it gets really steep. The Full-E+1 comes with Fox suspension front and rear. The fork is a 34 Float Performance model, with a 2-position Grip damper, while the rear shock is a complementary Float Performance DPS with 3-position lever. Both rear shocks have a new Trunnion mounting, that pivots on bearings instead of bushings, providing a smoother action.

Giant partnered up with Yamaha to develop an electric drivetech system especially for their ebikes, and the Full-E+ models get the full complement of features. Both models have a 250W motor producing 80Nm of torque. The Full-E+2 gets a 400Wh battery, while the Full-E+1 gets a larger 500Wh unit. A central display shows all the useful info you need, like speed and battery life, while the RideControl switch allows you to change between ride modes: Eco, Normal, Sport. It even has a special Walk Assist function that will use the motor to help push the bike along when you need.

The RideControl switch is integrated into the grip clamp on the left side. It significantly neatens up the mounts, but it does limit where those controls sit. If you’re very particular about where you want the RideControl unit to be, you may not fully appreciate how integrated it is.

Both Giant Full-E+1 models feature full Shimano groupsets. On the Full-E+2 a 2x10 speed SLX/Deore combination is offered. This setup allows for a wide range of riding, while not breaking the bank with fancy gearing. Deore and SLX are some of the best performing drivetrain components, especially considering their price. On the Full-E+1 a 2x11 XT drivetrain gets the bike moving, providing slick shifts and a very wide range of gears to tackle most any situation.

Because of the greater weight of ebikes, the brakes must be able to compensate. Giant have done this by giving both Full-E+ models 200mm disc brake rotors front and rear. These larger rotors increase the braking power significantly. The lower Full-E+2 gets Shimano M447 hydraulic disc brakes, while the higher end Full-E+1 gets a Shimano Deore disc brakes with Servo Wave levers.

The Full-E+ models both get Giant’s own wheelsets. They feature boost spacing front and rear with 15x110mm front width and 12x148mm rear width. This makes for stronger wheels with less dishing so that they’re more symmetric. Giant GE35 rims are tubeless ready and have a wide internal width to give the plus tyres good support.

Giant decided that plus sized tyres on 27.5” wheels was the best bet for their full sus trail bike, and they weren’t wrong. Boost spacing allows for the wider tyres and Schwalbe rubber adorn the GE35 rims. The Full-E+2 gets faster rolling Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres in 2.8”, while the Full-E+1 gets a grippier Nobby Nic in front and Rocket Ron out back. All the tyres are tubeless ready and have Snakeskin casing to avoid punctures. By having 2.8” tyres, the heavier bikes are better able to deal with hits on the trail and provide you with more traction in corners.