Reign Advanced

The eighth-generation Giant Reign Advanced is a dedicated enduro race platform built for high-speed stability and aggressive descending. Moving away from its origins as a long-travel trail bike, this iteration increases rear suspension to 160mm and pairs it with a 170mm fork to handle severe impacts and bike park laps. The carbon frame centers around Giant’s Maestro linkage, which balances pedaling support with active tracking. A defining feature of this generation is its adaptability, highlighted by a three-position flip chip that alters geometry and accommodates either a dedicated 29-inch or mixed-wheel setup. Giant also integrated downtube storage to carry essential spares. This is a bike designed for active, skilled riders who prioritize composure on steep, rough tracks and need a chassis that rewards pushing the pace rather than casual cruising.

Gen 8th gen

Build

Size

Stack	647mm
Reach	468mm
Top tube	622mm
Headtube length	115mm
Standover height	746mm
Seat tube length	450mm

Fit and geometry

The Reign Advanced utilizes a modern, aggressive geometry layout that places the rider in a centered, powerful position. A steep seat tube angle, hovering around 77 to 78 degrees depending on the flip-chip setting, keeps the rider's weight forward during steep climbs. This prevents the rearward bias often felt on long-travel bikes and helps maintain front-wheel traction.

Handling is heavily influenced by the three-position flip chip at the upper rocker. In the lowest setting, the head angle drops to a slack 62.7 degrees, maximizing high-speed stability for steep, shuttle-accessed descents. The middle setting raises the bottom bracket slightly and steepens the angles, which many riders prefer for technical climbing and general trail riding to avoid pedal strikes. The highest setting is primarily used to preserve bottom bracket clearance when swapping to a 27.5-inch rear wheel.

Across all sizes, the chainstays remain relatively short at roughly 443mm. This consistent rear center helps retain a degree of agility, allowing riders to pivot the rear end through tight switchbacks despite the long overall wheelbase. The cockpit features a low stack height and a short 40mm stem, encouraging an aggressive, forward-leaning posture.

Builds

The Reign Advanced lineup is split into two distinct builds, both utilizing the same carbon front and rear triangles. The entry point is Build 2, which offers a functional, budget-conscious parts package. It relies on a Fox 38 Rhythm fork and Float Performance shock, paired with a mixed Shimano SLX and Deore 12-speed mechanical drivetrain. Braking is handled by Shimano's four-piston MT520 calipers, and it rolls on Giant's alloy TRA wheels. This build provides the core geometry and suspension kinematics of the platform at a highly accessible price.

Build 1 represents a significant jump in both price and performance, aimed at privateer racers and aggressive riders. The suspension upgrades to Fox's Factory tier, featuring the highly adjustable GRIP X2 damper in the fork and a custom-tuned Float X2 shock. The drivetrain shifts to SRAM's wireless GX Eagle Transmission for precise shifting under load, while braking power increases via TRP EVO DH-R brakes with massive 220mm front and 200mm rear rotors. This tier also upgrades to Giant's TRX carbon wheelset, shedding weight and improving wheel durability. Both builds feature Maxxis tires with a reinforced DoubleDown casing in the rear, ensuring they are ready for rough tracks.

$3,499

$6,800

Reviews

Reviewers consistently characterize the Reign Advanced as a highly capable race machine that excels when pushed hard. The suspension kinematics deliver the impression of "floating over rough terrain" (NSMB), absorbing square-edged hits and flat landings with remarkable composure. However, testers noted that this performance is highly speed-dependent. At race pace, the bike feels incredibly stable, but at slower speeds or on meandering flow trails, the suspension can feel harsh and the long wheelbase becomes demanding to maneuver.

Climbing efficiency is a standout trait. The Maestro linkage provides a firm pedaling platform with minimal bob, allowing the bike to ascend with an urgency rarely found in the enduro category. On descents, the carbon frame offers a degree of lateral flex that helps the bike track through off-camber sections. Conversely, testers found the front end overly rigid, noting the stiff cockpit can transmit feedback on long descents.

While the ride quality is praised, multiple reviewers criticized the downtube storage execution, finding the opening "next to impossible" (PinkBike) to fit standard items like a windbreaker. Additionally, early test samples suffered from rear shock reliability issues, though the frame itself proved durable and "dead quiet" (Revolutionmtb) on the trail.