Between sport and comfort: With the new AnyTour E+ platform, Giant is bringing both its first low-entry SUV and a new e-city bike onto the market. In the first practical test, the e-bike, which is available in ten variants, impressed with strong, harmonious support, a high level of riding comfort and considerable off-road competence.
Giant may be the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, but at the same time the Taiwanese company is a real manufacturer: While other large manufacturers get their frames from suppliers and sometimes have them painted and even assembled externally, Giant has its own frame production and even one with SyncDrive own drive system (developed in collaboration with Yamaha). The new AnyTour E+ shows both of these things well: Giant's first monotube SUV impresses with its elaborately manufactured frame and the convincing driving characteristics of its in-house engine.
So far, Giant has relied on four models in the city/trekking sector: the SUV fully Stromguard E+, the balanced, sporty e-trekking bike Explore E+ as well as the comfortable low-entry Entour E+ with an old-fashioned luggage rack battery and the DailyTour E+ with an integrated battery. As a new platform, the AnyTour E+ is intended to combine the company's e-MTB expertise with the comfort concept of the city models; It surprises with new battery technology and successful system integration.
Elaborately crafted frame
Giant made the new frame with great effort and used four different manufacturing processes. The down tube is created by extrusion, which allows a double-walled construction to be created that, while being very rigid, leaves plenty of space for the battery, which has a capacity of up to 800 Wh. The frame's motor interface is forged and the rear tubes are hydroformed. On all models, lines, cables and cables run under the stem into the head tube, which ensures a very tidy look.
The SyncDrive drive is available in different versions - depending on the model, it is either extremely powerful or pleasantly gentle with 85, 75 or 55 Nm torque. Giant installs batteries with a capacity of 500, 625 or 800 watt hours, with the largest battery supposed to have a gigantic 2.300 charging cycles. Special battery management allows the charger to communicate with the individual cells within the battery; these are completely insulated from each other and particularly protected from damage and moisture.
Compact engine with a natural driving feel
Thanks to its narrow design, the motor allows a low Q factor, so that the pedals can be placed closer together. In SmartAssist mode, the drive support automatically adapts to the respective driving situation: if the ride is steeply uphill, the motor pushes harder, but on the flat it reduces the support. This means you don't have to switch back and forth between the individual driving modes. The result is a very pleasant, natural-looking support that is always strong enough but never appears rough. During a test drive that lasted almost an hour, we noticed that the SyncDrive is very quiet; The system becomes extremely comfortable in conjunction with the Enviolo Automatiq, which permanently maintains a preset cadence. However, only on the top versions of the AnyTour; The cheaper models are equipped with Shimano hub gears or derailleur gears.
Comfort with spring-loaded dropper post
The drive system also includes the display integrated into the handlebar stem and the control unit on the left of the handlebar called “RideControl Ergo 2”, all of which have large buttons that are easy to reach. Above the keypad, Giant places the lever for the dropper seat post, which is a feature of most AnyTour models. The support not only makes it easier to get on and off, it also has a spring travel of a good 30 mm, which enables effective shock absorption. Together with the suspension fork - depending on the model with 100 or 63 mm travel, with the simpler models being equipped with steel suspension forks - the AnyTour is very comfortable; The rather flat seat angle supports a comfortable posture on the bike. At the same time, a high degree of off-road competence is particularly noticeable in the models with long suspension forks and knobby tires. If you dare, you can venture into challenging terrain with the AnyRoad X E+ - where there is a recognizable path, the new Giant makes good progress.
On the “AnyTour Details such as the charging socket located high up, the frame lock and the rear light securely placed in the luggage rack are practical.
Giant can be proud of its new AnyTour. The concept of the SUV with a low step-through is not necessarily new, but it is very convincing. Aspects such as CO also speak in favor of the new platform2-neutral battery production and the fact that the SyncDrive drive came third in the rankings of the industry magazine SAZ Bike.
Ten models from city bikes to e-SUVs
The world's largest bike manufacturer is presenting ten different models of the AnyTour: It starts with the AnyTour E+ 6 for 3.299 euros, which is a typical e-bike with a “SyncDrive Core” motor with 55 Nm, a 500 Wh battery, a steel suspension fork and a seven-speed hub gear. City bike is designed. If you invest 200 euros more, the E+ 4 RT already comes with a 625 Wh battery as well as an eight-speed hub and the lowerable spring seat post. Giant installs the “SyncDrive Sport” motor with 75 Nm from the AnyTour E+ 1 (4.499 euros). This model features the 800 Wh battery and an air suspension fork. The E+ 0 (5.599 euros) comes with the electronic Enviolo gearshift; the According to Giant, the new models are available now - a detailed test will follow.
Giant AnyTour: models and prices
| AnyTour X E+ 0 | 5.699 € |
| AnyTour X E+ 1 | 4.599 € |
| AnyTour X E+ 2 | 4.199 € |
| AnyTour X E+ 3 | 3.899 € |
| AnyTour E+ 0 | 5.599 € |
| AnyTour E+ 1 | 4.499 € |
| AnyTour E+ 3 | 3.799 € |
| AnyTour E+ 3 RT | 3.799 € |
| AnyTour E+ 4 RT | 3.499 € |
| AnyTour E+ 6 | 3.299 € |