The 2020 Giant Reign is a serious enduro bike, but the real question is whether its geometry, suspension, and build choices still make sense for UK riding and the used market. I focus here on the parts that actually change the ride: how the 29-inch chassis behaves, which version is worth hunting for, and what to inspect before you hand over money. If you are weighing a steep, rough-trail machine against a newer bike, this model still has a lot to say.
The Reign is a fast, stable enduro bike that rewards rough terrain and sensible buying
- 146 mm rear travel and a 160 mm fork give it more composure than the travel number alone suggests.
- The 65-degree head angle and 76.8-degree seat angle are built for descending confidence and better climbing posture.
- Giant split the range into carbon race builds, an alloy value model, and a more downhill-focused SX version.
- It makes the most sense on steep, wet, rocky UK trails, bike parks, and uplift days.
- Used examples are attractive, but condition, sizing, and service history matter more than shiny parts.
What the bike was built to do
Giant aimed this bike at enduro racing, not at gentle trail loops. The core recipe is simple: 146 mm of rear travel, a 160 mm fork, a 65-degree head angle, and a steep 76.8-degree seat angle. That combination gives you a front end that feels calm when the trail points down and a seated position that still works when you have to pedal back to the top under your own steam.
What makes the chassis more interesting is the suspension package behind those numbers. The Maestro layout uses a trunnion-mounted shock and a composite rocker arm, which helps the rear end stay supportive rather than wallowy. The 439 mm chainstays keep the rear end short enough to corner cleanly, which matters when the trail tightens and turns awkward.
For UK riders, that matters on the kind of terrain that punishes vague bikes: wet roots, sharp rock steps, awkward compressions, and long descents that come with little warning. It is not the lightest or most playful bike in the room, but it is built to stay composed when speed and chaos increase. That leads directly into the wheel-size change, which was the other big decision Giant made.
Why the move to 29-inch wheels changed the bike
The switch to 29-inch wheels was not just a marketing update. It changed the entire feel of the Reign: more rollover on square-edged hits, more calm at speed, and less of the nervous, short-wheelbase feel that older 27.5 models could have on rough ground. Giant also shortened the rear end to 439 mm, which helps the bike corner without feeling like a limpet on tight turns.
| Platform | Rear travel | Ride feel | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older 27.5 Reign | 160 mm | More compact and playful | Riders who prefer a lively feel over outright stability |
| 2020 Reign 29 | 146 mm | More planted and efficient on rough descents | Fast enduro trails, steep UK terrain, bike parks |
The trade-off is the usual one. A 29er feels a little less flickable in slow, awkward sections, and the bike can feel long if you like to throw it around manually. But on steep descents, faster natural trails, and park-style terrain, the bigger wheels do a lot of work before the suspension even gets involved. That is why the Reign 29 looks more serious than the older 27.5 model even though the rear travel number is actually lower.
If I were comparing the two platforms, I would call the 27.5 bike more playful and the 29er more assured. The newer frame is the one I would pick for UK enduro riding, because most British steep terrain rewards stability more than it rewards twitchy fun. Once that choice is clear, the next question is which trim level is actually worth buying.
Which build level makes the most sense
At launch, the range stretched from $3,000 to $9,000, so Giant clearly planned for different buyers rather than one hero spec. If I strip the choice down to what actually matters, the alloy Reign 29 is the value pick, the carbon Advanced Pro models are for riders who care about weight and finish, and the SX version is for people who want the toughest, most downhill-biased version of the frame.
| Version | Frame | Key kit | Character | My take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reign Advanced Pro 29 0 | Carbon | X01 Eagle, Code RSC, Fox 36 Factory, Float X2, carbon wheels | Lightest and most race-ready | For riders who want the best chassis and do not mind paying for it |
| Reign Advanced Pro 29 1 | Carbon | GX, Code R, Fox 36 Performance Elite, X2 | Best-balanced premium build | The sweet spot if you want high-end suspension without the top-tier tax |
| Reign Advanced Pro 29 2 | Carbon | NX, Lyrik Select+, Deluxe Select, MT520 | Serious frame, simpler parts | Good if you plan to upgrade gradually |
| Reign 29 2 | Alloy | NX, Yari RC, Deluxe Select+, MT520 | Value-focused and honest | The build I would chase first in the used market |
| Reign SX 29 | Alloy | 170 mm Fox 36, coil rear shock, burlier descending kit | Most downhill-biased | Best for bike parks, uplift days, and steeper, rougher terrain |
If I were buying used, I would prioritise condition over one step up in components. A clean alloy bike with a recent service is a better buy than a tired carbon bike with better badges. Parts wear out; a good frame shape and a healthy suspension platform do not. That becomes even more important once you start checking the second-hand bike properly.
What I would inspect before buying one in the UK
The age of the bike now matters more than the launch spec. By 2026, any example that has lived a proper enduro life could need pivots, suspension work, tyres, and a drivetrain refresh, so I always inspect the frame like I expect to find wear. That saves disappointment later, because a cheap buy can become an expensive one very quickly.
| Check | What good looks like | Typical cost if it needs work |
|---|---|---|
| Pivot bearings | No play, no creaks, smooth suspension movement | About £120 to £250 fitted |
| Fork and shock service | Clean seals, consistent rebound, no oil residue | About £120 to £250 for basic service work |
| Wheels and tyres | Straight rims, healthy sidewalls, no repeated sealant leaks | About £70 to £140 for a good pair of tyres |
| Dropper post and fit | Enough insertion and correct saddle height without forcing the post | About £120 to £300 if a replacement is needed |
| Frame size | The cockpit length actually suits your body, not just your height | Expensive to fix with parts alone |
I would also keep a repair budget of roughly £200 to £400 for a used bike that has not been freshly overhauled. That is usually enough to cover the first round of suspension, tyres, pads, and the small stuff that turns a decent deal into a reliable one. In current UK listings, that is also why the pricing spread matters: rougher alloy examples can sit around the low hundreds, while cleaner 2020 bikes can push past £2,000 depending on build and condition.
The sizing deserves a specific warning. The medium Reign 29 sits at 455 mm of reach, while the large jumps to 493 mm, so this is not a subtle step. If you sit between sizes, I would test ride rather than guess. That is the kind of detail that matters more on a long-travel bike than on almost anything else.
How I would set it up for UK trails
Setup changes how much of the frame’s potential you actually feel. I would start with the suspension as intended, then tune from there: rear sag around 30 to 35 percent, enough rebound control to keep the bike from packing down on repeated hits, and tyre casings that match the terrain instead of the cheapest option on the shop wall. Sag is simply how much the suspension compresses under your static weight, and on this bike the wrong starting point can make it feel either nervous or dull.
- Run a tough 2.4 to 2.5 inch tyre setup if you ride rocks, roots, and hard braking bumps often.
- Choose reinforced casings if your trails regularly include sharp stone or long descents.
- Use a 200 mm front rotor if you are heavier, ride long descents, or like a firmer brake lever.
- Keep the fork supportive rather than overly soft, because a 160 mm enduro fork should help the chassis stay balanced.
- Take the SX if your riding is dominated by bike parks and uplift days; for normal enduro use, the standard 160 mm fork models are the better all-rounder.
I would not overcomplicate the wheel and tyre discussion on this bike. The standard 29-inch format already gives you most of the stability benefit, so the bigger gains usually come from casing choice, brake power, and proper suspension setup. If you get those details right, the frame suddenly feels a lot more modern than its age suggests. That is what makes it interesting even now.
Why this Reign still deserves attention in 2026
What I like most about the bike now is that the basics have aged well. It has enough travel to be serious, geometry that still reads as modern rather than awkward, and a frame family that was clearly designed with racing and hard riding in mind. What it does not have is the latest trend-led extras, so I would not buy one expecting storage, flip-chip experimentation, or the most adjustable fit in the category.
- Buy it if you want a stable enduro bike for steep UK descents and can verify a clean service history.
- Buy it if the frame size is right and the dropper post height works for your riding position.
- Pass if you want a light trail bike for mellow laps or if the bike needs major suspension and pivot work.
For me, that is the real story of this Reign generation: it is still a strong chassis, but the value only appears when the condition is honest and the fit is right. If those two things line up, it remains one of the more sensible aggressive enduro buys in the used UK market.
