This Giant Explore E+ 1 review looks at a premium trekking e-bike for commuting, gravel tracks and everyday exploring. Its strongest qualities in our test were comfort, smooth assistance and a well-integrated equipment package. It suits mixed-surface journeys better than technical mountain-bike trails.
Quick verdict
Choose the Explore E+ 1 if you want one equipped bike for the working week and relaxed weekend routes. The 800Wh battery, Shimano Cues Di2 shifting and dropper post make it a polished daily companion. The stock Crosscut Gravel tyres are the main limit on muddy, rocky or rooted ground, and Aegis radar is an optional extra rather than standard equipment.
Price checked 24 September 2026: the linked Tredz Double Diamond model is £3,999 against a £4,199 RRP, with M, L and XL listed. Check the selected size and delivery estimate before ordering. Our best eMTB guide helps compare trekking, hardtail and full-suspension alternatives.
Giant Explore E+ 1
The Giant Explore E+ 1 is a premium trekking e-bike that blends commuting comfort, long-range support and light off-road ability with one of the strongest tech packages in its class.
At Tredz
2026 Double Diamond / L / Metallic Navy
+ Pros
- Excellent comfort for commuting and longer mixed-surface rides
- Smooth and powerful SyncDrive Pro2 motor
- Huge 800Wh battery gives genuine long-ride potential
- Shimano Cues Di2 shifting adds a premium, polished feel
- Dropper post, tyre pressure monitoring and integrated security features are genuinely useful
− Cons
- Stock tyres suit commuting and light gravel well, but feel limited on rocky, rooted and muddy trails
- Aegis radar compatibility is useful, but it would be better included as standard at this level
Compare prices
2026 Double Diamond / L / Metallic Navy · Verified totals first; unconfirmed offers follow.
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-09-29 13:59 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Our verdict
A comfortable, smooth and impressively equipped trekking e-bike for commuting, gravel tracks and relaxed light off-road riding. Our testing found the SyncDrive Pro2 motor, 800Wh battery, electronic shifting and dropper post a particularly polished combination. The stock tyres are the main limitation on rocky, rooted or muddy trails. Tredz lists the Large / Metallic Navy model in stock, with build and dispatch in 1–2 working days.
Key specifications
- Frame
- Giant Gen 4 ALUXX aluminium
- Motor
- Giant SyncDrive Pro2, 85Nm
- Battery
- Giant EnergyPak 800Wh
- Fork
- SR Suntour XCR34 2CR air fork, 100mm travel
- Shock
- N/A Hardtail
- Tyres
- Giant Crosscut Gravel 2, 700x57c, tubeless ready, reflective strip
- Drivetrain
- Shimano Cues Di2 E-Shift, 11-speed, 11-45T cassette
- Brakes
- Shimano Deore BR-MT420 hydraulic disc brakes, 203mm front and 180mm rear rotors
Giant Explore E+ 1: Review
Comfort and ride quality
The strongest compliment I can give the Giant Explore E+ 1 is that it does not feel like a compromise bike in the way some hybrid e-bikes do. It is clearly built around commuting, trekking and mixed-surface riding, but it still has enough confidence and comfort to make the long route home more appealing.
The riding position is upright, relaxed and easy to live with. That matters because this is the sort of bike that could easily be used every day. It is comfortable enough for commuting, stable enough for family rides and capable enough for weekend exploring without feeling like you are constantly riding the wrong tool for the job. On lanes, cycle paths and rougher tracks, the bike feels composed rather than nervous, and that calmness is a big part of its appeal.
The SR Suntour XCR34 air fork gives 100mm of travel, which is sensible for this category. It is not there to turn the Explore E+ 1 into a trail bike, but it does take the harshness out of potholes, broken lanes, compacted gravel and uneven forest paths. The wide 700x57c tyres add more comfort again, and the dropper post is a standout detail. On an eMTB, a dropper is mainly about descending control. On this bike, it is also useful for traffic lights, junctions, school-run-style stops, awkward gates and getting on and off when the bike is loaded.
For riders who want one electric bike to cover a broad spread of real-world use, that comfort is where the Explore E+ 1 starts to justify itself. It is not just practical. It is genuinely enjoyable to ride.
Motor, battery and electric shifting
The Giant SyncDrive Pro2 motor is one of the main reasons this bike feels so convincing. With 85Nm of torque, it has enough power for steep urban climbs, loaded panniers, hilly lanes and rougher gravel drags. More importantly, it delivers that assistance smoothly. It does not feel like a crude shove from behind, and it suits the bike’s composed character well.
The 800Wh EnergyPak battery is another major strength. For a commuter, it means fewer charging worries. For weekend exploring, it opens up longer loops without every route being planned around battery percentage. Giant quotes a range of 70km in extreme conditions, 140km in good conditions and up to 250km in ideal conditions. As always, those figures depend heavily on rider weight, support mode, elevation, wind, temperature, tyre pressure and luggage, but the capacity itself is a serious advantage.
Shimano Cues Di2 E-Shift adds to the premium feel. Electric shifting could easily feel like a gimmick on a bike like this, but in use it suits the Explore E+ 1 very well. The shifting is clean, consistent and easy, and it helps the bike feel more refined than a standard trekking e-bike. Combined with the RideDash EVO 2.0 display and dual RideControl Ergo 4 remotes, the cockpit feels modern without being overly complicated.
There is a lot going on here, but the clever part is that most of the tech supports the ride rather than distracting from it. The controls are intuitive, the display is clear, and the assistance feels natural enough that you quickly stop thinking about the system and just ride.
Commuting practicality
As a commuter, the Giant Explore E+ 1 is extremely strong. It has the things riders actually need in the real world: full mudguards, integrated lights, a proper rack, a kickstand, a comfortable position and a battery big enough to make regular use less stressful. It feels like a complete transport bike rather than a bare e-bike that still needs hundreds of pounds of accessories added before it makes sense.
The MIK rear rack is a key part of that. It gives the bike proper carrying ability for panniers, bags and compatible accessories, which matters if you are using it for work, shopping, family logistics or longer day rides. The integrated rear light also keeps the build clean, while the Supernova front light gives the bike proper year-round usability.
The E-Lock and Apple Find My compatibility add another layer of reassurance. They are not a replacement for a serious physical lock, and a premium e-bike still needs proper security if it is left in public, but they do make the bike feel more complete. Riders looking at this for commuting should also read our guide to the best eMTB security products, because the more a bike becomes daily transport, the more security matters.
The Aegis tyre pressure monitoring system also feels more useful than it might sound on paper. Tyre pressure changes the character of a bike like this. Run the tyres too hard and it loses comfort and grip on gravel. Run them too soft and it starts to feel sluggish on the road. Being able to keep an eye on pressure from the display is genuinely handy, especially if your riding mixes tarmac, gravel, towpaths and forest tracks in the same week.
Weekend exploring and family rides
The Giant Explore E+ 1 is arguably at its best when it moves beyond the commute. This is where the trekking or SUV bike concept makes most sense. It is not designed for riders who want to attack red trails, rooty descents or technical climbs, but it is excellent for the sort of riding many families and casual off-road riders actually do.
Green routes, easy blue trails, railway paths, bridleways, gravel tracks, canal paths and forest roads are all well within its comfort zone. It has enough motor power to make climbs feel manageable, enough battery capacity to encourage longer days out and enough comfort to avoid feeling harsh when the surface gets broken. If you are riding with children, it also feels calm and easy to manage, which is important when the pace is stop-start and the route is more about exploring than chasing speed.
This is also where it makes sense as an alternative to a hardtail eMTB. A bike from our best hardtail eMTB 2026 guide will be more suitable if your riding is increasingly trail-centre focused. But if your week is commuting and your weekend is family routes, forest tracks and mixed-surface exploring, the Explore E+ 1 may actually be the better fit.
That is the important distinction. It is not less useful because it is not a full eMTB. It is useful because it understands a different job.
Tyres and off-road limits
The stock Giant Crosscut Gravel 2 tyres are well matched to most of the Explore E+ 1’s intended use. They roll well on tarmac, feel efficient on compacted gravel and help the bike maintain that smooth, easygoing character. For commuting and light exploring, they make a lot of sense.
However, they are also the clearest off-road limitation. Once the ground gets rooted, rocky or muddy, the tyre choice starts to define the bike’s comfort zone. The tread is more trekking and gravel focused than true trail rubber, so it does not offer the same bite or confidence as a more aggressive MTB tyre. On damp UK woodland trails, wet roots or loose rock, grip starts to fade earlier than it would on a proper hardtail eMTB with trail tyres.
That is not a reason to mark the bike down heavily, because it is not pretending to be a trail-centre machine. But it is something buyers should understand. If your exploring is mostly dry gravel, towpaths and firm forest tracks, the tyres are fine. If you regularly ride muddy bridleways or rougher natural trails, a tyre upgrade would be the first change I would consider.
Our guide to the best eMTB trail tyres for UK riding is written for more aggressive electric mountain bikes, but the principle still applies here: the right tyre can change how confident a bike feels in British conditions. Those eMTB tyre recommendations are not automatically a direct fit for the Giant: confirm wheel diameter, rim compatibility and frame and mudguard clearance before changing size or tread.
Where it sits in the market
The Explore E+ 1 sits above a standard electric hybrid and below a true eMTB. That middle ground is getting more interesting because riders increasingly want one bike that can do more than one job. The rise of trekking and SUV e-bikes shows that not everyone needs 160mm of travel, sticky tyres and enduro geometry. Some riders need comfort, range, reliability, carrying capacity and enough off-road ability to make weekend exploring feel natural.
That is exactly where the Giant works. Compared with many commuter e-bikes, it feels more capable and more adventurous. Compared with a true eMTB, it is more practical, more comfortable for daily life and much better equipped from the box. Compared with cheaper trekking bikes, it feels more premium because of the motor, battery, electronic shifting, dropper post and integrated tech.
The main question is whether you will use all of that. Even at the checked £3,999 offer price, this is not a casual purchase. If you only want a simple commuter for short flat journeys, it is probably more bike than you need. If you want one high-quality e-bike for commuting, errands, weekend rides, family exploring and light off-road routes, the specification starts to make much more sense.
What is not so good?
The main limitation is the stock tyre choice. The Giant Crosscut Gravel 2 tyres suit the bike’s trekking and commuting brief very well, and they help the Explore E+ 1 feel efficient on tarmac, hardpack, towpaths and compacted gravel. However, they do start to show their limits if you push the bike further into MTB-style terrain. On rooted, rocky or muddy trails, the tread does not offer the same bite or confidence as a more trail-focused tyre.
The second frustration is the Aegis radar situation. The Explore E+ 1 has the tyre pressure system, integrated lighting and radar-compatible rack, but the radar itself is not standard on this model. Given the price and how well the rest of the tech package is integrated, it would have strengthened the bike’s commuter safety case if the radar came fitted as standard.
Final verdict
The Giant Explore E+ 1 is one of the most convincing do-it-all electric bikes I have ridden in this commuter-adventure space. It is comfortable, smooth, impressively equipped and genuinely enjoyable to ride. The SyncDrive Pro2 motor and 800Wh battery give it the power and range to feel more capable than a standard e-hybrid, while the electric shifting, dropper post and tyre pressure monitoring add a level of polish that makes the bike feel special.
It is best understood as a premium trekking or SUV e-bike rather than an electric mountain bike, but that is exactly where its appeal lies. For commuting, weekend exploring, gravel tracks, easy family routes and relaxed blue or green trails, the Explore E+ 1 is excellent. The only real off-road caveat is the tyre choice, which works well on mixed surfaces but starts to feel limited when the terrain becomes rocky, rooted or muddy. As a bike that treads the line between everyday transport and light off-road adventure, it is seriously impressive.
Giant Explore E+ 1
The Giant Explore E+ 1 is a premium trekking e-bike that blends commuting comfort, long-range support and light off-road ability with one of the strongest tech packages in its class.
At Tredz
2026 Double Diamond / L / Metallic Navy
+ Pros
- Excellent comfort for commuting and longer mixed-surface rides
- Smooth and powerful SyncDrive Pro2 motor
- Huge 800Wh battery gives genuine long-ride potential
- Shimano Cues Di2 shifting adds a premium, polished feel
- Dropper post, tyre pressure monitoring and integrated security features are genuinely useful
− Cons
- Stock tyres suit commuting and light gravel well, but feel limited on rocky, rooted and muddy trails
- Aegis radar compatibility is useful, but it would be better included as standard at this level
Compare prices
2026 Double Diamond / L / Metallic Navy · Verified totals first; unconfirmed offers follow.
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-09-29 13:59 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Our verdict
A comfortable, smooth and impressively equipped trekking e-bike for commuting, gravel tracks and relaxed light off-road riding. Our testing found the SyncDrive Pro2 motor, 800Wh battery, electronic shifting and dropper post a particularly polished combination. The stock tyres are the main limitation on rocky, rooted or muddy trails. Tredz lists the Large / Metallic Navy model in stock, with build and dispatch in 1–2 working days.
Key specifications
- Frame
- Giant Gen 4 ALUXX aluminium
- Motor
- Giant SyncDrive Pro2, 85Nm
- Battery
- Giant EnergyPak 800Wh
- Fork
- SR Suntour XCR34 2CR air fork, 100mm travel
- Shock
- N/A Hardtail
- Tyres
- Giant Crosscut Gravel 2, 700x57c, tubeless ready, reflective strip
- Drivetrain
- Shimano Cues Di2 E-Shift, 11-speed, 11-45T cassette
- Brakes
- Shimano Deore BR-MT420 hydraulic disc brakes, 203mm front and 180mm rear rotors
Giant Explore E+ 1 alternatives and current offers
Haibike Trekking 7 High 2026
A fully equipped Bosch-powered trekking alternative for commuting and weekend exploring.
At Tredz
2026 High / M (45cm) / Soft Grey–Red–Blue
+ Pros
- Bosch Performance Line CX motor
- Rack, lights and mudguards included
- Dropper post and 100mm suspension fork
- Lower current price than the Giant
− Cons
- Mechanical shifting rather than Giant’s Di2
- Less integrated tyre-pressure and security technology
Compare prices
2026 High / M (45cm) / Soft Grey–Red–Blue · Verified totals first; unconfirmed offers follow.
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-09-29 13:56 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Why it makes the shortlist
The Haibike Trekking 7 High 2026 is another strong alternative for riders who want a comfortable, fully equipped trekking e-bike with proper everyday practicality. It uses the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, an integrated PowerTube battery, a 100mm SR Suntour Mobie 34 fork, Shimano Cues 11-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, Continental Ruban tyres, mudguards, lights, a rear rack and a dropper post. That puts it firmly in the same commuting and weekend exploring category as the Giant Explore E+ 1.
The Haibike’s biggest advantage is the Bosch system. Riders who like the Bosch ecosystem, dealer support and Smart System connectivity may find it more appealing than Giant’s SyncDrive setup. It is also currently cheaper than the Giant. However, the Explore E+ 1 still feels like the more advanced package overall, mainly because of its Shimano Cues Di2 electronic shifting, RideDash EVO 2.0 display, Aegis tyre pressure monitoring, Apple Find My compatibility and very polished cockpit integration.
The M / 45cm Soft Grey–Red–Blue model is listed at £2,750 and in stock, with build and dispatch in 1–2 working days.
Key specifications
- Frame
- High-step aluminium trekking frame
- Motor
- Bosch Performance Line CX BDU38, 85Nm
- Battery
- Bosch PowerTube; confirm capacity for this exact build with retailer
- Fork
- SR Suntour Mobie 34, 100mm
- Shock
- N/A (hardtail)
- Tyres
- Continental Ruban, 27.5in
- Drivetrain
- Shimano Cues U6000, 11-speed, 11–50T
- Brakes
- Shimano MT410 hydraulic disc
Orbea Kemen ADV 20 2026
A practical Shimano-powered SUV e-bike with chunky tyres and a luggage-ready rear carrier.
+ Pros
- 85Nm Shimano assistance
- Schwalbe Johnny Watts tyres suit mixed surfaces
- Lights, mudguards and 30kg-rated MIK HD carrier
− Cons
- 630Wh battery is smaller than the Giant’s 800Wh
- No electronic shifting
- Selected size is supplier stock with a longer lead time
Compare prices
2026 / L / Mars Red–Ivory White · Verified totals first; unconfirmed offers follow.
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-09-29 13:56 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Why it makes the shortlist
The Orbea Kemen ADV 20 2026 is one of the closest rivals to the Giant Explore E+ 1 because it also sits in that useful space between trekking bike, commuter and light off-road explorer. It uses a Shimano EP600 motor with a 630Wh internal battery, 100mm SR Suntour XCR34 air fork, Schwalbe Johnny Watts tyres, integrated lights, mudguards and a practical rear carrier. That makes it a strong option for riders who want an adventure-ready electric bike for commuting, gravel routes, bridleways and weekend exploring.
Compared with the Giant, the Orbea is cheaper and still feels very well equipped, but it does not match the Explore E+ 1’s 800Wh battery, Shimano Cues Di2 electronic shifting, tyre pressure monitoring or broader integrated tech package. The Kemen ADV 20 is a very sensible choice if you want a capable SUV-style e-bike with a slightly simpler specification. The Giant is the more premium, tech-heavy option.
The L / Mars Red–Ivory White model is listed as available with the supplier, with build and dispatch in 11–15 working days. Check the current lead time before ordering.
Key specifications
- Frame
- Aluminium Kemen ADV frame
- Motor
- Shimano EP600, 85Nm
- Battery
- Internal 630Wh
- Fork
- SR Suntour XCR34 air, 100mm
- Shock
- N/A (hardtail)
- Tyres
- Schwalbe Johnny Watts, 29 x 2.35in
- Drivetrain
- Shimano Cues, 11-speed, 11–50T
- Brakes
- Magura AT2 hydraulic disc
Merida eBig Tour 675 2024
A 750Wh trekking e-bike retained as a specification comparison; the linked model is no longer available.
Retailer offers are being checked.
2024 eBig Tour 675
+ Pros
- Large 750Wh battery
- 29in wheels and 2.2in tyres
- Rack, lights and mudguards included
− Cons
- No longer available at the linked retailer
- No electronic shifting or Giant-style integrated tech
Why it makes the shortlist
The Merida eBig Tour 675 2024 is a particularly interesting rival because it leans a little closer to electric mountain bike territory while still keeping the practical kit that makes sense for commuting and touring. It has a Shimano EP6 motor, 750Wh battery, 100mm SR Suntour XCR34 air fork, 29in wheels, 2.2in Kenda Booster tyres, SRAM 12-speed drivetrain, mudguards, rack, lights, kickstand and hydraulic disc brakes. That gives it a more rugged feel than a traditional electric hybrid.
The linked Merida eBig Tour 675 2024 is no longer available at Tredz as of 29 September 2026, so this is a reference comparison rather than a current discounted buying recommendation. It also has a bigger off-road bias thanks to its 29in wheels and chunkier tyres, which may suit riders who expect to spend more time on rough bridleways, forest tracks and loose surfaces. The Giant still wins for tech, comfort polish and day-to-day refinement, but the Merida is a compelling alternative if your riding leans more towards countryside exploring than urban commuting.
Key specifications
- Frame
- Aluminium trekking hardtail
- Motor
- Shimano EP6, 85Nm
- Battery
- 750Wh
- Fork
- SR Suntour XCR34 air, 100mm
- Shock
- N/A (hardtail)
- Tyres
- Kenda Booster, 29 x 2.2in
- Drivetrain
- SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed
- Brakes
- SRAM DB8 hydraulic disc
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Giant Explore E+ 1 an eMTB?
No. The Giant Explore E+ 1 is best described as a trekking or SUV-style electric bike with light off-road ability. It can handle gravel tracks, towpaths, forest roads and easy family routes, but it is not designed for technical mountain biking in the way a hardtail or full-suspension eMTB is.
Is the Giant Explore E+ 1 good for commuting?
Yes. The Giant Explore E+ 1 is very well suited to commuting. It has mudguards, integrated lights, a MIK rear rack, kickstand, comfortable riding position, large 800Wh battery and useful security features including E-Lock and Apple Find My compatibility.
Can the Giant Explore E+ 1 handle blue trails?
Yes, with sensible expectations. The Giant Explore E+ 1 is suitable for easy blue trails, green routes, forest roads and compacted gravel tracks, especially at family or leisure pace. It is less suited to rocky, rooted or muddy trails where the stock tyres start to feel limited.
What is the range of the Giant Explore E+ 1?
Giant quotes 70km in extreme conditions, 140km in good conditions and up to 250km in ideal conditions from the 800Wh battery. Real-world range will vary depending on rider weight, support mode, weather, terrain, tyre pressure and how much kit you are carrying.
What are the main drawbacks of the Giant Explore E+ 1?
The main drawbacks are the stock tyres and the lack of standard Aegis radar. The tyres are good for commuting and light gravel, but they are not true trail tyres for wet, rocky or rooty ground. The radar-ready rack is useful, but at this price the radar would be stronger if it came fitted as standard.