2011 Giant Reign 0 - First look

by Jordan Holmes
Aug 9, 2010

Giant Bicycles wrapped up their 2011 Summit dealer launch in Whistler BC, just before Crankworx kicked off. We got the chance to get some shots of the 2011 lineup, and included in this was the revamped Giant Reign 0. Here is a quick overview...

Check inside for more info on the 2011 Giant Reign 0...

For 2011 the Giant Reign 0 went through some very beneficial changes. Giant equipped the bike for 2011 with a tapered headtube for substantially increased front end stiffness. They have also incorporated a press fit bb system into their bike, as well as post mount style brake mounts. This eliminates the need for an additional adapter, and dropping the overall weight of the bike. Cockpit duties are handled by the new Giant Contact bar and stem, and the near bottomless Maestro suspension system is as supple as ever. Maestro technology is the full suspension platform that every Giant performance mountain bike utilizes.

Canadian price on the 2011 Giant Reign 0 is $4499, Giant offers the Reign starting at $2249.

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2011 Giant Reign 0
2011 Giant Reign 0

Tapered headtube
Tapered headtube

Upper linkage detail
Upper linkage detail

Press fit bb and lower Maestro linkage
Press fit bb and lower Maestro linkage

Post mount rear brake
Post mount rear brake

Giants new Contact system - bar stem combo
Giants new Contact system - bar stem combo

Giant Bicycles
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100 Comments

  • + 15
flag reks (Aug 9, 2010 at 10:57)
 There should be a little counter on the bottom of the screen for every time someone uses "sick" or "pinned" on this website. The vernacular is pretty narrow... er, I mean ...ugh SICK, brah!
  • + 8
flag riggadon (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:00)
 they just want to be one of the first to post and dont take the time to make a real comment in fear of not being in the first few posts...


anyway, the bike looks promising to say the least, and at a $2249 base price thats a really good deal since i know giant doesnt skimp on parts
  • + 1
flag reks (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:03)
 Agreed, the bike looks nice, but it would be nice to see something about geometry and weight. All in due time, I guess.
  • + 4
flag UncleCliffy (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:11)
 I'm still hoping Giant pulls their heads out of their ass and shortens the XL headtube length. I'm 6'2" and like the XL for climbing, but last years bike had a 7.5 inch headtube. Add that length to a 150mm fork and it's like having ape hangers...
  • + 1
flag Amart (Aug 9, 2010 at 15:36)
 All the headtubes have been shortened! I have the 2010 Reign 1 in XL and the headtube is definitely massive. But word on the street from my manager who jsut got back from the summit is the headtubes are all going to be a bit shorter.
  • + 1
flag UncleCliffy (Aug 9, 2010 at 19:36)
 This is good news if it's true. My 09 Trance X shares the freakish 7.5 inch headtube. I've wanted to put a 140mm fork on it for some time, but I'd still have a tall front end with flat bars and a negative rise stem!
  • + 1
flag Amart (Aug 14, 2010 at 16:19)
 My boss let me look through his copy of the 2011 Giant catalog the other day. The headtubes on the XL bikes have stayed the same which is disappointing. The other sizes lost a bit of heatube height though.
  • + 1
flag UncleCliffy (Aug 14, 2010 at 16:27)
 If you're familiar with Giant, you know their geometry charts lie. I bet it's still 7.5 though. Fail...
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag andyc709292 (Aug 9, 2010 at 18:35)
 Nope, doesn't do it for me. I'm sure it's an amazing ride and all, but to look at I just don't like the Giant frame. Not sure why, maybe too organic for me - I'm a scaffold lover at heart I think.
Anyway, nice spec, nice bike (I'm sure) but not ever going to grace my garage.
  • + 1
flag stiingya (Aug 9, 2010 at 19:18)
 As much as I normally dig Giant bikes, I do have to admit they sure have some UGLY WELDS! Smile

they saved 115 grams from LY bike, I bet they could loose another 50 grams if they smoothed out those welds!!! Smile
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag betsie Plus (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:30)
 With all the adjustable headsets and the bump stop headsets that use 1.5" head tubes, manufacturers are still using E2 or whatever Giant want to try and re-name things (including hydro forming). I would like to see the FEA proving that fitting the equivalent of an E2 cup sizes into a 1.5" top and bottom cups is not as stiff as an E2.
What will the cost implications and availability of a press fit BB for replacement?
Cable routing seems a little strange.
Strip that reap post mount and a new rear end is required!!! I know a couple of people do it to a fork lower.
No through axle/maxle on the rear, which would improve stiffness.
Interrupted seat tube means you need a gravity post (which is heavy) to make it a practical 6" bike for everything, or you need 2 posts/saddles ready to go!
To me it looks like Giant are a long way behind the competition in terms of what the market wants from a 6" bike in 2011.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag c25porter (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:10)
 Curious about the rear post mount, seems like so many "new industry standards lately. Good to see this one though, I can't remember the last time I saw International Standard calipers, everything seems to be Post mount, and the less adapters needed the better!
  • + 2
flag UncleCliffy (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:31)
 It's definately more elegant. Turner has replaceable inserts in theirs though. I could see someone gacking their threads on this thing...
  • + 2
flag stiingya (Aug 9, 2010 at 14:17)
 Your just not happy unless you have something to complain about huh UNC... Smile
  • + 1
flag UncleCliffy (Aug 9, 2010 at 15:01)
 Hahaha. As much as I bitch, you'd think I'd apply for a design position or something. Wink
[Reply]
  • + 6
flag tysonb (Aug 9, 2010 at 10:29)
 sick
  • + 4
flag racecase (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:00)
 SHIP IT!!!
  • - 9
flag borocks (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:53) (Below Threshold) show comment
 did anyone else notice the guy telling us about the bike has something wrong with his speech
  • + 11
flag bikahowlick (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:57)
 lol ya i was about to post about how this guy sounds llike hes either william shatners far cousin, or hes chewing gum or something lol
  • + 1
flag D-Owen (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:07)
 lol so true
  • + 2
flag the-A-team (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:53)
 william shatner! exactly what i was thinking. Razz
  • + 0
flag StuHaight (Aug 9, 2010 at 14:35)
 What are you talking aboot?
  • + 1
flag MatthewCarpenter (Aug 9, 2010 at 15:04)
 Nice chances. That's what I call healty evolution of a product instead of desperately trying to come up with something totally new. But too bad they didn't go for a postmount 180 standard for the rear break though.
  • + 4
flag mattsmurph (Aug 9, 2010 at 15:11)
 its so difficult to watchh the video because of the way he is speaking
  • + 2
flag edk818 (Aug 9, 2010 at 16:52)
 that linkage is soooo dope
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag seans (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:28)
 haha megadrive, overdrive, powercore - the bottle holder on this bike is MADE for powerthirst - seriously check it out on youtube. Any one sick of all these cheesy names as I am.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag cesalec (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:08)
 why did the Reign 0 get a shock downgrade? I like the upgrades, I like the new colors, particularly the Reign 2 color. But somehow I see no point to upgrade from my 2008 Reign 0 to a 2011.

instead of the reign it should be something bigger to make any sense for me. Reign X is to close to the Reign. and the 2011 faith colors are..... well not my taste.
  • + 1
flag GyroShock (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:32)
 Where can I see what the 2011 Faith looks like?
  • + 3
flag cesalec (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:48)
  • + 2
flag jweinstein (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:54)
 as for the shock it is because the dhx doesn't work as well as the rp23. I know a few people who swapped their dhx shock out on their reign for the rp23 because of the midstroke wallow of the dhx. I have ridden my friend's reign with a rp23 and i was amazed by the plushness.

as for the 2011 faith...your local giant dealer should have a catalog if they went to utah to demo the 2011s. The 2011 faith comes in two builds. The nicer one is an uglyish sage green and the lesser one is a ok looking red...can't remember the specs on either as i just skimmed the catalog because i was working. i think the prices are around 3500 and 2500 or so.
  • + 1
flag GyroShock (Aug 10, 2010 at 10:55)
 Respect. Thanks guys.

Oh why? Why do the cables still run down at the bottom of the downtube? Frown

Do you guys think that if I might buy a Reign SX in a size small, that it will make a decent slopestyle bike to do all kinds of mental stuff with? I know this doesn't have anything to do with the first look of the 2011 Giant Reign, sorry...
  • + 0
flag jweinstein (Aug 10, 2010 at 18:09)
 don't get your hopes up; the 2011 reign sx is hideous...black and ELECTRIC LIME GREEN paint....
  • + 2
flag GyroShock (Aug 10, 2010 at 22:08)
 I've seen the '11 model and for the some or other reason, I really like it :S The colour scheme on the Reign SX looks better than the one on the Faith for next year...

Which model will be better suited for slopestyle riding? The Faith or the Reign SX? The SX looks lighter and more nimble.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Amart (Aug 9, 2010 at 15:32)
 I just saw this today when my boss and manager got back from the summit. I am signing up for one of these bad boys! I love my 2010 Reign 1, but I since I work at a Giant dealer, why not upgrade. I have a 2010 Reign 1, size XL, with a shimano drivetrain up for sale now!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag vokes (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:36)
 Been away from the sport for a while but a few years ago DTSWISS rims were nicknamed "SwissCheese" because they were soooooo weak. Have they changed ?? Love the new Giants, but leery about the DTSwiss rims on most of them.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag jclnv (Aug 9, 2010 at 22:04)
 No ISCG 05 and a press fit BB = no guide.

A pretty big mistake on a 160mm bike IMO.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Sharonb (Aug 10, 2010 at 9:33)
 Nice bike but not a lot of difference since the 2010 already had a tapered head tube.

Interesting that they would reduce the rear travel to 160mm, guess they want to create more separation from the Faith.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Amart (Aug 10, 2010 at 18:11)
 Wow. So I saw the dealer price list for the new 2011 bikes at work today. I am no longer getting this bike. As sick as it is the price is a bit much. Maybe a new reign 1 is in store, or I may jsut upgrade my 2010 reign 1.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag misterpeanut (Aug 9, 2010 at 14:09)
 wouldn't it be sick if they made a carbon model like the Trance or SC Nomad. I still wouldn't mind throwing a leg over it though.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag mcky (Aug 9, 2010 at 10:52)
 i like it alot wish i had it
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag brule Mod Plus (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:15)
 After seeing so many happy owners of the 2010 version, this revised 2011 model has me eager to try one out. Nice work Giant.
  • + 2
flag stefanb (Aug 9, 2010 at 18:57)
 I am a happy owner of a 2010, wish they went tapered/shorter head-tube for the 10s though
  • + 1
flag nateb (Aug 9, 2010 at 22:15)
 They didn't know to do it yet cause it was too soon to know what everyone else would do.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag kovaldesign (Aug 10, 2010 at 4:28)
 Having owned the previous Reign frame I can only guess this will be stiffer and even more versatile. Beautiful frame, well done Giant!
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag jerryhazard (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:04)
 Wicked Astonishing!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag rockhopper15 (Aug 12, 2010 at 22:53)
 i feel like that dude in the vid is ziggity zonked outta his gord. but cool bike none the less
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag RiDe-BmX13 (Aug 10, 2010 at 4:12)
 that is one hell of a bike really like it.....the crank arms look awesome same with the whole colour scheme to....
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag nightfox (Aug 9, 2010 at 22:38)
 Great, it looks like Norco now. :\ They should have kept the old design IMO.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag enrico650 (Aug 9, 2010 at 17:31)
 Once again they failed to fix the mid rear shock travel issue pointed by Mountain Bike Action.
  • + 1
flag richierocket (Aug 10, 2010 at 9:29)
 Please fill me in... What are you talking about?^^
  • + 1
flag cesalec (Nov 15, 2010 at 4:14)
 correct "reply link" : i would also like to know, havent heard about this before
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag PublicOnion (Aug 9, 2010 at 22:39)
 for more....information...on... this, and other models...contact....
That video is funny as hell Smile
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag richierocket (Aug 9, 2010 at 17:19)
 More details on the "bar and stem combo" please. Also whats the weight looking like???
Sweet ride, I would love to try her out!!!
  • + 0
flag smike (Aug 9, 2010 at 18:24)
 These are just Giant's house-brand components. Nothing terribly fancy or interesting. Not bad for house-brand stuff though, mind you.
  • + 1
flag cesalec (Nov 15, 2010 at 4:13)
 wrong reply link, dont mind my comment smike
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag nightmareterror (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:00)
 lol @ the above comment.
This looks absolutely positively DIALED.
  • + 7
flag downhillonaharo (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:09)
 "lol @ the above comment."
why didnt you just respond to it?
  • + 4
flag jweinstein (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:46)
 cause nightmareterror is sick and has this shit pinned brah
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag stever (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:07)
 I just wish they would squeeze in a longer stroke shock for lower leverage rates, and an uninterrupted seat tube.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag nateb (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:54)
 Will there be a carbon version?
  • + 2
flag stiingya (Aug 9, 2010 at 14:08)
 hopefully next year, they never seem to do a new frame with a new carbon frame too. They always seem to wait a year till the carbon version.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag cesalec (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:52)
 and the new Reign Xs, look f*gly.. I dont know who have told giant to do such color schemes, they look so walmart-ish...
  • + 0
flag WAKIdesigns (Aug 10, 2010 at 4:37)
 Giant is a wallmart-ish company. No mistake here, some bikes they did are worth remembering like Dh-Team, ATX DH or previous Reign-X. These were damn great bikes. They manufacture these top end DH and XC race bikes only to attract buyers to buy these cheaper wallmarts giving a impression of having racing technology in them. Though their prices are pretty ok so I won't complain here.

It has to work like that we have to have companies doing this stuff just so our uncles mom's or friends not being bike nutters, can buy a affordable good bike. And Giant is NOT whining that much how great they are. Just compare to Trek or Scott. Sure these guys have better graphic designers but are these bikes that much better than Giants. You decideWink
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag k2dan (Aug 10, 2010 at 7:39)
 the guy in the vid needs work ,the bike looks really nice
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag aaronmorgan (Aug 9, 2010 at 16:41)
 nah, his speech is fine, he is just Canadian..
  • + 1
flag k2dan (Aug 10, 2010 at 7:41)
 ?????
  • + 1
flag sledshed (Aug 11, 2010 at 0:37)
 i thought he sounded like adam west
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag ashley2 (Aug 10, 2010 at 2:11)
 ITS not even tht nice new gt line is mutch better
  • + 1
flag lely-pie (Aug 13, 2010 at 1:33)
 you would rather have a GT over a Giant? wow..
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag konarider112 (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:07)
 Reign on me!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag devulge96 (Aug 9, 2010 at 16:14)
 These are already released? There's one in my lbs. Looks alot better in real life .
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag smike (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:07)
 I like the new feature where you can see the neg/pos props. I also like how people like cuxy just come in and neg prop everyone. Some 24 year olds must be really bored.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Walrus666 (Aug 9, 2010 at 19:55)
 Anyone else think it looks quite steep?
  • - 1
flag konarider112 (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:09)
 You know what motha f*cka, the head angle is perfect! You know why? No you don't, that's why I have to tell you. The head angle is perfect because right now, it may seem steep, but with rear sag, the HA is going to be more slack. Also, on an all mountain bike, who wants a slack HA to climb with? Not me. Not this man!
  • + 3
flag richierocket (Aug 10, 2010 at 8:56)
 Wow boy(not quite a man yet) chill out. He make a rude or wrong comment, he just asked a question. Next time try answering the question and helping he/she out. This is not a knock on you mate. Peace...
  • + 1
flag Walrus666 (Aug 10, 2010 at 12:30)
 Some people like slacker bikes. I just always thought the reign O is meant to be a bit more downhill orientated than the normal reign. And then the reign XO is basically a mini free ride bike. But you know just posting an innocent opinion on this website means you get some lil douche flaming the hell out of you just to get their fix of (non) existent power. That is all sir.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag nocker (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:02)
 They'll probably run out of frames in the beginning of summer AGAIN.
  • + 1
flag stiingya (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:12)
 With the global recession in effect I can understand them low balling LY. (course that should have gave them a clue to have more framesets ready to sell???) It will be interesting to see how things this year go.

Course it is funny that they start selling them at the end of summer, maybe that's why they run out at the beginning of the following summer??? Smile (maybe we just don't buy our bikes at the right time??? Smile)
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag fappachino (Aug 9, 2010 at 10:56)
 looks amazing
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag rigodon777 (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:05)
 What's so special about the new "contact system" bar and stem combo!?
  • + 4
flag gogzee (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:46)
 It really is amazing that they paid someone to come up with that one!!!What next cranks as a new rotational drive system or tyres as a vulcanised load assistance system??
  • + 2
flag ilikedirt89 (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:10)
 It's just the name... it has nothing to do with any sort of special technology.
  • + 2
flag rigodon777 (Aug 9, 2010 at 15:18)
 Well, that's f*ckin dumb. haha!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag voltagerider Plus (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:53)
 Sick as fook!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag caiocrz (Aug 9, 2010 at 13:35)
 so fresh!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag skyline08 (Aug 9, 2010 at 15:03)
 got 2 love giant
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag MTBLegend92 (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:07)
 why did they drop the dhx 5.0? this doesnt seem an improvement
  • + 1
flag Muttley (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:30)
 Since the DHX 5.0 doesnt exist anymore and its succesor is double the price..
  • + 1
flag smike (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:32)
 I think most manufacturers are dropping the DHX Air series in favour of the XV cans, especially for bikes which are more intended for pedaling. The DHX series is targeted more as an air alternative to a DH coil shock. I've tried pedaling with a few and they don't feel great, especially compared to the Float series. And the larger volume of the XV's give it better big hit capabilities, as well as small-bump compliance.
  • + 0
flag smike (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:33)
 @Muttley: I think he's referring to the DHX Air 5.0.
  • + 2
flag Muttley (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:42)
 Oh, the DHX air is just renowned for having horrendous mid stroke dive and generally being rubbish, these new XV's are from what ive heard, fantastic.
  • - 1
flag smike (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:56)
 I've ridden a DHX Air 5.0 and 3.0, and they were both terrible at pedaling, no matter how I tuned them, with or without propedal. I would choose an XV over a DHX Air any day.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag betsie Plus (Aug 9, 2010 at 11:52)
 Thanks UncleCliffy, you answered one of my questions with what Turner do for the post mounts. The idea makes more sense with inserts.
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag stiingya (Aug 9, 2010 at 14:16)
 for the .0001% of people stupid or unlucky enough to ruin the threads they can THEN use a helicoil insert and there good to go. Until then why complicate things...

There's more than enough seat tube for the majority of people, they've been doing this for quite some time with great success. E2 is lighter, and the overwhelming majority of riders don't need to adjust HA angle on a 6 inch "trail" bike beyond 68.5. Press fit replacements are widely available already and likely to be the standard. Cable routing is nitpicking.

BUT, I do agree that renaming everything is a bit over done.
  • + 1
flag leelau (Aug 9, 2010 at 14:30)
 Good comments - especially re the non-straight seat tube
  • + 1
flag stiingya (Aug 9, 2010 at 19:07)
 for the .0001% of people unlucky enough to ruin the threads they can THEN use a helicoil insert and there good to go. Until then why complicate things...

There's more than enough seat tube for the majority of people, they've been doing this for quite some time with great success. E2 is lighter, and the overwhelming majority of riders don't need to adjust HA angle on a 6 inch "trail" bike beyond 68.5. Press fit replacements are widely available already and likely to be the standard. Cable routing is nitpicking.

BUT, I do agree that renaming everything is a bit over done.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag stiingya (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:08)
 how come every time I reply to betsie way up there my comment ends up down here? Smile

I re-posted it cause I thought it was deleted... LOL
  • + 1
flag iamamodel (Aug 9, 2010 at 20:24)
 Once I got my seatpost cut to the shortest it would go and still have enough insert for the highest my seat would ever go, I had no problems: commuting super high; enduros; or riding double blacks at N* and Whistler. I didn't need any more range than what can be had.

My '08 Reign is the best bike I've ever had, even though its heavier than this model and has a steeper HA. This one would rock my world.
[Reply]
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