Giant Reign X 2010 Exclusive Sneak Peek

Apr 18, 2009
by Luc 'Acadian' Albert  
At the Sea Otter Classic, Pinkbike got an exclusive sneak peek of a 2010 generation II prototype Giant Reign X. Giant’s goal when re-designing the Reign X was to reduce the overall weight of the bike and try to come up with a sub 30 lbs complete package.I wasn’t able to get any specifics about geometry since the bike will most likely undergo a few minor changes before going to production later this year, but for the most part final bike will look pretty close to this prototype. This was the personal bike of Kevin D., product manager at Giant. The bike pictured here is a size small and is under 30lbs (wasn't able to get the exact weight)

So without future ado I bring you the 2010 Giant Reign X.

2010 generation II prototype Giant Reign X

6.5 inches of Maestro Travel

Rear Thru axle. 135mm Rear hub spacing

New links and bearing dust caps. No more penetrated downtube.

RockShox Maxle Lite

Cable routing through stays and ISCG tabs

Check out the stays

Integrated Tapered headtube. 1.5 to t 1/8

New lower link with more front derailleur clearance

Andrew Juskaitis, Global Product Marketing Manager at Giant

You know you want one. Available later this year


Andrew runs through the features of the new bike. I didn't have my mic, so you'll have to turn the volume up a notch. Sorry!

Sneak Peak 2010 Giant Reign X

by acadian
Views: 24,262    Faves: 14    Comments: 4

For more info visit www.giantbicycle.com


Posted In:
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174 Comments

  • 33 2
 So small...
  • 22 1
 he makes that bike look like a toy.
  • 24 2
 I want to see a sneak peak of the 2010 Giant Glory!!!!!!!
  • 29 3
 Frown look at the size of the gut on that thing! it looks like randy bobandy, its a friggin cheeseburger walrus! the down tube just looks very weird to me
  • 2 1
 Look at the video above!!!!!!
  • 3 1
 The specs could be lighter.
  • 23 3
 Whats with all the freaking bent tubes nowadays? I mean, i find it exagerated on this bike. To me it doesn't look to good. Thats personnal opinion and some people will dissagree with me, but see, thats fine with me.
  • 12 2
 I agree with the above comments...those bikes ride great but look ridiculous...that downtube has to go!
  • 6 2
 looks like it could be converted to a sick slopestyle bike
  • 9 1
 OMG i really want that. 160mm travel under 30lb's!! Drool
  • 8 2
 6.7 inches is actually 170mm!!
  • 2 0
 Even better then!! lol
But seriously, it's bloody nice!! Drool
  • 3 13
flag bunkey (Apr 19, 2009 at 3:38) (Below Threshold)
 sub 30lbs 6.7" freeride bike? No thanks.
  • 4 4
 Where the top tube bends and thins out looks like a real weak point.
  • 2 4
 sick but also looks like a bit of a copy of one of last years norco's
  • 6 15
flag mossymossy (Apr 19, 2009 at 5:48) (Below Threshold)
 it looks like a girls xc bike. straighten out that downtube.
  • 9 6
 i've got to admit that it has amazing specs. like top of the line but i can not get over the new frame design. the old ones looked much much better!
  • 6 0
 yea totally agree with you guys giants old design was original and looked sick dont get me wrong im sure this frame is amazing but it looks wack,
  • 9 26
flag nouser (Apr 19, 2009 at 7:43) (Below Threshold)
 im not a fan of any Giant. This one does not look great and seams very small. The old ones were heavy, kinda clunky, and some had massively long steer tubes. ill stay away form Giants there are many other bikes out there that are much better in many ways.
  • 3 2
 I liked the penetrated down tube MUCH better! but, the stays are pretty awesome.
  • 4 1
 they want to make it lighter, so they slap a fat ass bash ring on? point?
  • 1 3
 i prefer this design over the interuppted downtube design - its a lot cleaner. I think the mrp guide/bash has a carbon fibre option so its not insanely heavy. be better with a taco though - you do have a point.

Im still not liking the sub 30lbs tag on a 6.7" freeride bike though.
  • 9 0
 Does it come with "extra" bolts to install where they left them out on the rotor of the disc brake?
  • 8 1
 This bike is owned by one of Giants employees. It is a small size frame which is why it looks so small. It has that build because that is what he chose to run. This is not the Prototype Reign X bike, its the Prototype Reign X frame. They are obviously not going to sell the bike stock with a $1400 wheelset and super expensive XC cranks..

Im just pumped that they dropped so much off the weight of the frame and it comes with a maxle rear end, That is one huge thing I miss from my Reign X0. Well when I switch frames mid-season my bike will be dropped below 30 pounds too..sick!
  • 5 2
 eeeew, it looks like its pregnant
  • 3 0
 It looks like its preggo. But it looks like the mother of Arnold Schwarzenegger. That thing is a beast man. Low low lowwww center of gravity and the low standover height must make this thing so good to control. I like the look of it, looks like an absolute tank compared to previous gen.
  • 5 0
 btw, curvy women are a lot stronger than stick women. same goes for bikes.
  • 2 2
 Yeah, but that frame looks like a freaking rolocoaster...
  • 10 0
 am i the only person who likes this over the previous model? (roll on the neg props for having an oppinion)
  • 3 0
 nah don't worry, im with you on that one, even if we do get neg propped!!
  • 2 1
 I like this one too. the thing is this may look funny because it is a small frame with the seat way up which i think is something alot of people are overlooking and complaining about how its small and funkey. the matter is it is a lighter frame with the same performance as the old one. sure the pierced down tube was gnarly looking and cool but unnecessarily heavier than this. the tubing bends and structure are the way they are for obvious reasons one being clearance on the shock and clearance between you and the top tube. the second reason thy are the shape they are is most likely strength. i dont mind the bulge look in fact i believe the 2010 glory is planned to have it to shave weight off the race bike. props to Giant for meeting and exceeding my needs.
  • 1 0
 Lines are just jerky on this, at least on the new glory it looks smooth. looks like whoever designed this had a seizure finishing the TT. And it really doesnt save much weight. Old one weighed at about 9 lbs. I think that this new iteration weighs about the same but the 3lbs or so weight savings comes from a lighter wheelset, lighter cranks, lighter fork, lighter brakes, lighter cassette, so on so forth.
  • 0 0
 Yeah but they still dropped weight on the frame even though they added weight putting in the more stiff tapered headtube and the maxle rear end. So they made it a much stronger and stiffer frame while still dropping weight. Keep in mind this bike also has a much heavier chainguide, seat and post than the stock Reign X0 so there isn't a huge amount of weight dropped in parts.
  • 0 0
 just think everyone, if looks is all we were after then we'd be riding shitty handling bikes. The look is off, but they weren't going for look, they were going for performance.
  • 4 0
 Andrew Juskaitis is a big man...he dwarfs that bike.
Reigh x series is sweet, looks like good geo and standover clearance. Wonder what a medium or a 17" frame looks like or if they're going to use the seatpost on all of their frames?
  • 2 0
 I was told that production bikes (complete bikes) will be spec with an adjustable seatpost. The bike will also have cable guides for the remote.
  • 1 1
 that would be awesome, the droplin is s great, i love riding bikes that have them. hope they do give it cable guides and it every new all mountain bike should come with that seatpost
  • 8 0
 why are all bikes becoming pregnant?
  • 4 0
 Onto something other than the aesthetics. Regarding the non-pierced downtube. I would imagine that they did this to save weightl; When you pierce the downtube you need lotsa extra welds around that pierce so that the whole thing doesn't split open. So, it has saved a nice chunk of change on the frame mass, but that means that the shock has to be mounted higher right? If that is the case, then that means that the seat and chain stays also have a higher centre of gravity. In my mind I'd rather have a bike that is over 30pounds but that hugs the ground like nothing else. You can make the top tube, down tube and any otehr tube you want into any curve you want; you can painthe frame green with red polka dots, but make it handle well above all else. (I didn't watch the video, so he may say thatthey got away with moving the shock position somehow or other but yeah, I dunno).
  • 1 1
 Lighter weight is all the rage in the Marketing Dept. and the consumers are lapping it up.
  • 2 0
 The shock is mounted in the same place. The downtube just goes lower than the old design rather than having the penetrated frame.
  • 2 0
 Some people get it!
  • 4 0
 I think the curved lines make the bike look better than the old models. I also think that the swoopy down-tube probably adds strength. It looks like the same idea that specialized uses in their Optimum Radius Engineering (ore); The same technology used on the SX, and Demo.

I do not understand where some people come from when they say: "The tubes should be straight.",and "I like the old style better." people need to get used to bikes with curves.

Curves look good! That is why giant, a multi-million dollar cooperation, is not limiting their whole product line to straight tubed bikes!
  • 4 0
 well alot of people like flat women then, i like mine curvy, everyone else is gay.
  • 2 0
 Who do you know that likes flat women? NO ONE! Razz
  • 1 0
 Finally someone mentioned how curves add stength! nice one BURNBURGER. I'm suprised the trend whores arn't in love with this and all other curved frames. People need to embrace the changing face of mountainbike frames, IT"S NOT ALL ABOUT LOOKS PPL.
  • 11 4
 that bike is sick !! love the rear !
  • 6 0
 if i see XTR parts, i understand that bike is "not for my pocket"
  • 1 0
 But this is just a prototype built up to a Giant employee's needs. I'm pretty sure the retail bike will not have such hugely expensive parts like that wheelset and the Joplin seatpost. You have to focus on the frame, not the parts Wink
  • 1 0
 lol okay Smile
  • 6 0
 That bike has 47 chromosomes
  • 7 2
 they just keep bending them dont they hehe
  • 6 3
 for a reason
  • 4 2
 perhaps but it is starting to look out of control. Bet most people on here would agree...
  • 9 1
 your right most people on here are about appearance and not performance. people just dont get that there is a science involved in designing bikes.
  • 2 4
 ya so whats the reason for bending these downtubes? low centre of gravity? I never eben bothered to find out cus I just hate the way they look...
  • 0 1
 Look at the shock. When it is compressed, the piggyback reservoir moves with the shock body. If the tube wasn't curved or bent, the shock would hit the frame. Now, the real question is why bikes like the Gary Fisher Hifi use a curved downtube, because that shock is nowhere near the downtube.
  • 1 1
 you can reverse that stupid shock lol
  • 0 0
 The reservoir will be on the bottom, which will still require clearance.
  • 1 2
 ya havent thought of that when i wrote the comment, but cmon that bike is just purely ugly, that is simply a matter of fact
  • 1 3
 Yeah, I like the current design better.
  • 0 1
 they could have just put a whole through the downtube, like they do with glories, give it a 'glory whole' Wink
  • 0 0
 Then it'd be just like the old one. I have the 2009 x2 with the Glory Hole, and I love it. It is a bit heavy at 40 pounds, though. I do wish mine had the Maxle rear axle, though.
  • 0 0
 if the top tube and down tube were a bit more straight wouldnt that add strength? I would think that something that is bent would have a weak point, specially with that top tube.....
  • 1 0
 looks like the same update the regular reign got in 08. ON the one hand a sub 30lbs 170mm travel bike sounds great, but on the other hand if you have 170mm of travel you would want to do some pretty aggro stuff, and i start to wonder if the bike might then be too light to carry speed through technical sections and survive big crashes
  • 1 1
 Agreed - I can't see how a sub 30lb (XC weight) Freeride/All Mountain bike can feel stable or planted.
  • 1 0
 Agressive doesn't mean that you can't ride with some skill, right? Light bikes are not for everyone, personally I think this Giant i soo sick, I'd like to have sub 25 dirt jump/slopestyle fully one day.
  • 1 0
 rstwosix.....dude if u think about it...nowadays xc weight is below 26 pounds...
  • 2 1
 as an 08 reign x1 owner, i'm not sure i'd ride a sub 30lb bike on the things i do (fr and non race dh). i bought my x1 over the x0 because i couldn't warrant the extra $1300 and liked the coil van36 and the extra couple of pounds (mine comes in at 36).
the down tube doesn't look so bad, the head tube i think looks better than the current model, and the shock is certainly more accessible (though i never touch mine). my main point of concern would be the seat tube. although it may differ in larger sized bikes, the seat tube here looks essentially interrupted. the reign x already has a very low standover, which is great in techy sections, but as someone who slams the seat all the way down for some trails and still pedals up a couple others, i would have a couple of concerns. and no i would never use that seatpost and i dislike telescoping posts.
fwiw, i've never had a problem with the front derailleur clearance on mine (mine has the atlas chainguide too), but rarely use the small ring (thats what she said).
  • 3 0
 one of the reasons the tubes are curved is: curved downtube: lower shock position and lower mass of bike. curved toptube: saves ur balls.
  • 1 0
 might not look as cool as the old models, but the new frame design looks plenty strong and makes way more sense then the old one. look at the pictures side by side. my only concern would be the difficulty slamming the seat if you had a decent length seatpost. I guess if you did slam it that thing would sit super low...
  • 10 5
 weird down tube
  • 5 1
 in my opinion i think the 2008 frames are better
  • 4 0
 Not ugly. I like it. I want it. Although frame only for me please.
  • 0 0
 I don't understand why people always say "That bike looks like..." First of all, it's a bike. There's always going to be quite a few similarities. Second, since Giant makes many of Specialized bikes (and many more), they will probably have some resemblance. Third, Giants look nothing like Iron Horse DW bikes. Seriously. Parallel links, and that's it. Finally, while I also don't like the swoopy downtubes, they are swoopy to provide clearance with the piggyback shock when it is compressed. I'm not sure why bikes like the Gary Fisher Hifi has one, as the shock is mounted on the top tube. The larger sized bikes don't look as weird as the small one, which is why it looks "so small".
  • 1 0
 the main idea of that curved down tube is to make a "copivot" as they call it. the shock mounts at the same spot as the lower link. that way they only need to reinforce one spot instead of 2 separate spots.
  • 0 0
 A few observations about 2010 ReignX:

Seat tube looks a little short. I thought a sub-30 bike should be a goat and this prototype looks like it is primarily designed ridden on the down. Looks like a lot stress is put on the seatpost when the rider is hammering, especially when the post is a dropper.

Stays look awesome! They look strong and clean. I guess, however, only time will tell.

I know it is just a prototype but there are enough zip ties on this thing to hold together OJ's alibi. If you are going to show off the through-stay routing make it look nice. Lack of gussets makes me wonder just how close this pig is to production.
  • 2 1
 Sick frame! Giant tubing is always a pleasure to look at. I should be an interesting next few months as the fine details get ironed out. Can't wait!
  • 4 1
 looks like a specialized pitch when I look at it.
  • 1 1
 Really? You should look closer.
  • 4 1
 Im sold, so getting one of these.
  • 0 0
 hmm it looks okay...i dont like the extremely long seat tube thats necessary on a positive note, Im liking this tapered head tube that im seeing more and more frequently on new bikes these days
  • 1 1
 It seems that Giant doesn't hire any art-industrial designer, or if they do, they should fire him immediately - THE DOWN TUBE IS AN OUTRAGE!
  • 2 0
 I bet the mechanical engineer would have more say than the "art-industrail designer".
  • 0 0
 yea I can see it clearly - the problem is - PPL go for looks! Fortunately not in all aspects of life engineers have the last word - otherwise we would live in caves still... what did U build Uguguk? a house? That may fall apart, and everybody inside will die!
  • 0 0
 If it doesn't work, it doesn't matter how good it looks.
  • 3 0
 Guess what. Giant is a big enough company that they are confident in their fanbase that they do not need the most rediculous paint job or best looking bike to sell huge amounts of their bikes. They offer amazing performing bikes at a very low price compared to the competition, and the people that they want buying their bikes are riders that can appreciate this.
  • 0 0
 Guess what. I totaly agree with U! thats sounds like a good policy - its just that this downtube doesn't go with it
  • 0 1
 it looks a bit like the 2008 normal reign and the downtube is waaaaaaaaay to bent in my eyes. Wouldnt the frontwheel hit it during a bottom out? It looks like there isnt enough room for it.
  • 0 1
 Freakhead, this bike is nothing like the Specialized other than the curved downtube. Also, Specialized bikes are made by Giant, so if anything, Specialized bikes would look like Giants.
  • 1 0
 I think you might find that Specialized are made by Merida.
  • 1 0
 Some of them.
  • 0 0
 id have to say, next to the 09 specialized big-hit, giant has some of the swoopiest tubes ive ever seen
  • 2 0
 nice word. check out the new norco DH bike. thats got some serious swoop to it.
  • 3 0
 Yes, the Norco swoop is so serious it's just plain ugly.
  • 1 0
 i think someone beat the 2008 team dh with an ugly stick then painted it and called it the 2009.
  • 2 1
 haterzzzzzzz
  • 1 1
 i liked it better with the shox goin thro that down tube.....made it look like a younger brother of the glory
  • 2 0
 Well, the Glory will be different in 2010, too.
  • 0 0
 yea reckon......what changes do u think they will make?
  • 2 1
 I like it!!much lighter than old one
  • 2 0
 God damn thats nice
  • 0 0
 I think it looks sexy as hell...and probably rides like a bat out of hell like its older version
  • 1 2
 frame looks epic. that crank bros crank post stantion is gonna get destroyed by dirt and rocks when the tire kicks
  • 1 1
 What do you think happen with the fork in the front, rocks get kicked up too. And it's not like it's always going in full cycle...
  • 1 0
 stantions on the fork are too the side at least, you dont see half as much dirt on them as you do on the back of a seat post and rider, right dead center.
  • 1 1
 I kinda wish I didn't get my 08 now...
  • 0 1
 I like the Mazda6 that appears on the street !!!! and the bike in front of the wall too !!!
  • 2 2
 Ew..... Its not that nice looking.
  • 2 4
 that looks so ugly. why do they all copy eachother with the general frame shapes???? EG. really swoopy for '09-rocky mountain, norco....yuck.
  • 0 0
 Because most of the bikes are made in the same factories (Giant's factories). Still, there are reasons for the bends and curves most of the time. Shock clearance is the obvious one.
  • 1 1
 y there are only 3 screws on rear disc？
for losing weight？
  • 0 0
 looking good. i just do not like how sweeped out the headtube is.
  • 0 0
 i wont to get 1 does anyone no how much ?
  • 2 3
 So basically they made a bike like Specialized but don't want to admit it :o)
  • 2 3
 You're right except it's not quite as ugly as the new SX Trail!
  • 0 2
 erm if u decide to bottom your fork were does your front wheel end up correct me if im wrong but youl end up with a egg of a front wheel
  • 0 0
 Looks Sick! not diggin the interupted seat tube though
  • 0 1
 actually i'd feel a little sketchy dropping and hucking that thing if it's that light...
  • 1 2
 That's some heavy breathing @ 240-245.... did the camera man blow his load?
  • 1 1
 Hahahaha!
  • 1 1
 She looks like she could use to lose a few lbs on that gut
  • 0 0
 Can't hear the audio, VERY quiet
  • 1 1
 definitely copied the steerer tube from specialized
  • 0 0
 Actually E2 headtubes have been used on the Glory DH since 2006. Specialized and Trek are only now using them.
  • 1 0
 o no way. i thought the new enduro sl or stumpy was the first bike with the new 1 1/8 - 1.5 headtube
  • 0 0
 whats the benefit?
  • 1 0
 its lighter and stronger
  • 0 0
 anything else?
  • 1 0
 The tapered headtube looks pretty sick. I got a '09 Sx trail w/ the tapered headtube
  • 0 0
 what month will these come out? any guesses?
  • 1 2
 would this frame be good for slopestyle use
  • 3 0
 i'd say 6.5 inches is too much for slopestyle, but maybe for some freeride?
  • 1 2
 looks like the old balfa 2-step dh
  • 2 1
 different seat mast treatment. other then that, not far from this: www.pinkbike.com/photo/2061702
  • 1 1
 Once again, not even close. Although they do have 2 wheels and rear suspension...
  • 0 0
 care to indulge us why not even close? there are some absolute differences, but 7 years worth?

i much prefer the current design
  • 1 1
 Yeah, Bulfa was way ahead of their time. If my 09 had the Maxle, I'd be completely happy with it.
  • 2 3
 uglyuglyugly

hey Giant, what gives?
  • 0 1
 Looooooowww BB ! I see some grounding issues perhaps????
  • 0 0
 Cool!
  • 1 2
 the bike looks good,but will it ride good,??
  • 0 1
 ride well Wink
  • 0 1
 love da crankbros seat post
  • 0 0
 i want one
  • 0 1
 it would look niceer if the seat wusnt so dang high
  • 0 1
 looked better before... now its just like a trance x
  • 0 0
 So sick!!!
  • 2 3
 super HOT!!!
  • 3 6
 looks like the session 88 suspension design ! first they ripp off the dw now this haha
  • 2 0
 More ignorance. DW and Maestro have very key differences. In fact, there are as many similarities between Specialized's FSR design and DW's parallel links. The new Session is also much closer to Specialized's 4-bar than anything else. They're all different in key areas. Not the same.
  • 1 4
 very ugly frame same lines as the new speialized frames the c urves look crap n ugly. Frown Frown
  • 1 1
 This has already been posted numerous times, and it's still wrong. Why even post it?
  • 0 1
 looks like it hit a tree
  • 0 2
 that bike will kill in slopestyle......
  • 2 5
 it looks like an specialized sx trail...just uglier lol
  • 2 1
 No, it really doesn't. Both made by Giant, though.
  • 0 2
 brutal!!
  • 0 2
 ITS UGLY AS FUCK !!!
  • 0 3
 Nice components, stupid looking frame (silly curved downtubes)
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