The Giant Stance E+ 1 is a beast of a 29er. Give it a fast descent, a stretch of flowing trail or a winding climb and it gets on with the job with a confidence that makes you want to keep riding. For a full-fat, full-suspension eMTB, it also feels impressively well balanced.
Its size catches up with it when the trail tightens. There is a playful streak here, but threading the Stance through awkward technical sections takes more effort than its easy manners on open ground might suggest. After riding it, that is the trade-off I would want a buyer to understand.
Giant Stance E+ 1 — 2027
A confident 29er for fast, flowing trails, with excellent balance for a full-power eMTB and a playful streak. Tight technical sections expose its size.
At Giant
Stance E+ 1, MY2027, Almond/Black; select frame size at retailer
+ Pros
- Confident on fast descents and flowing trails
- Strong assistance on winding climbs
- Balanced and manageable for a full-power eMTB
- Three-position rear-shock lever
− Cons
- Size and long rear end take effort in tight technical sections
- Limited suspension tuning scope
- Initial Shimano brake bite could be sharper; bedding-in improvement unconfirmed
Compare prices
Stance E+ 1, MY2027, Almond/Black; select frame size at retailer · Verified totals first; unconfirmed offers follow.
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Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-09-29 15:49 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Our verdict
A superb option for riders who favour speed, flowing trails and assisted climbs. The Stance carries its weight well and retains some playfulness, but its size is harder to ignore on cramped technical terrain. The shock offers three useful positions, although setup scope remains limited. Initial brake bite needs improvement, with further bedding-in expected to help.
Key specifications
- Frame
- ALUXX SL aluminium
- Wheels
- 29in front and rear
- Motor
- Giant SyncDrive Pro 3X, 100Nm
- Battery
- Removable EnergyPak 800Wh
- Travel
- 150mm front / 140mm rear
- Fork
- Giant STL 36 Air
- Shock
- Crest FloTrac, three-position lever
- Gears
- Shimano Cues, 10-speed
- Brakes
- Shimano four-piston hydraulic discs
- Chainstays
- 468mm
Giant Stance E+ 1: the bike on test
Our Almond/Black test bike is the new-generation Stance E+ 1, listed by Giant UK as a 2027 model. The £3,999 specification combines an aluminium frame, 29in wheels, a 100Nm SyncDrive Pro 3X motor and a removable 800Wh battery. Giant supplies the 150mm STL 36 Air fork and Crest FloTrac rear shock, with 140mm of rear-wheel travel.
Shimano Cues provides ten gears, while four-piston Shimano hydraulic brakes handle stopping duties. The Maxxis Minion DHF front tyre and Dissector rear are a familiar trail pairing. You can compare the manufacturer’s specification on the Giant Stance E+ 1 product page; the riding impressions below are from our own test.
Testing the Giant Stance E+ 1
Fast descents and winding climbs
The Stance feels most at home when it has room to roll. On fast descents it carries speed with a planted, purposeful feel, and that big-wheel confidence continues across flatter terrain. It has the sort of momentum that makes a flowing section feel particularly satisfying.
Point it uphill and the assistance backs up that character. Winding climbs are enjoyable, with enough shove to keep the bike moving and encourage another lap. The battery has plenty of capacity on paper, although this review does not establish a measured trail range. Terrain, rider weight and assistance settings all influence how far a charge will take you.
Better balance than its bulk suggests
The surprise is how little its weight dominates the ride. I was more aware of the Stance’s size on technical ground than its mass when rolling along. For a substantial full-power eMTB, it is balanced well enough to retain some playfulness.
That balance is apparent when moving it off the bike, too. Lifting it by the saddle to reposition it feels more manageable than its bulky appearance suggests. That is a compliment to the way it carries its weight, rather than a claim that it is a lightweight bike. Giant deserves a hat tip for making something this substantial feel so manageable.
Tight technical terrain exposes its size
When the trail becomes cramped and demands quick changes of direction, the Stance asks more of you. The big rear wheel becomes noticeable, and placing the bike through tight turns takes more thought. It wants to play, but there is a lot of bike to move around.
Wheel diameter is only part of that impression. Giant lists 468mm chainstays across the size range: a long rear end that helps explain why the bike feels so settled at speed. My sense is that the overall length and 29in rear wheel combine to make confined sections harder work. A mixed-wheel bike, with a smaller 27.5in rear wheel, may suit riders who prioritise that kind of manoeuvrability, although geometry and fit matter just as much.
Suspension: useful adjustment, with limits
The suspension is one area where the Stance’s price-conscious build becomes apparent. There are limits to how far I can get the setup to suit what I want from the bike. Riders expecting the refinement and tuning scope of more expensive suspension should keep that in mind.
However, the Crest FloTrac rear shock deserves credit for its three-position lever. That provides an extra choice compared with simpler shocks offering only an open setting and a firm or lockout setting. It is a useful feature at this level, even though three positions alone do not tell you how well a shock controls the bike on the trail.
The Stance remains enjoyable and confident on the flowing terrain where it works best. My reservation is about how much scope the suspension gives you to fine-tune that feel as your demands increase.
Brakes: initial bite could be sharper
The lower-tier Shimano brakes are another place where I would welcome a little more refinement. Their initial bite was not as sharp as I wanted on a bike that carries speed this readily. That first squeeze of the lever should inspire confidence, especially when an open descent feeds into a tighter section.
Bedding-in matters here. Shimano explains that braking force increases as the pads and rotors bed in, so I expect the bite to improve with proper bedding-in. That improvement still needs to be confirmed on this bike; it would be premature to judge their fully bedded performance from the initial feel alone.
Giant Stance E+ 1 alternatives
Two rivals are worth comparing before buying. These comparisons use published specifications and retailer listings; they are not back-to-back ride tests against the Stance. Check the exact model, frame size and current availability when comparing offers.
Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE44 HPC Race 800
A balanced Bosch trail bike with a carbon mainframe, 800Wh battery and Fox suspension.
At Wheelbase
2026; Blackline; Medium
+ Pros
- Carbon mainframe with Bosch CX power
- Large 800Wh battery
- Balanced Fox suspension package
− Cons
- The stock tyres favour versatility over deep-mud grip
Compare prices
2026; Blackline; Medium · Verified totals first; unconfirmed offers follow.
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-09-30 09:50 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Why it makes the shortlist
The Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE44 HPC Race 800 is the most balanced Bosch-powered bike in this guide. Its C:62 carbon mainframe, aluminium rear triangle and 140mm rear travel create a versatile trail platform rather than an oversized enduro bike.
A 150mm Fox 36 Float AWL fork gives the front end enough support for rocky trail-centre routes and technical woodland riding. The Fox Float Rhythm R shock is comparatively simple, but the suspension package is coherent and can be adjusted properly for rider weight.
Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor is paired with an 800Wh PowerTube battery. Compatible Gen 5 motors can access Bosch’s higher-output software settings, although the standard tune is already enough for most UK climbs. The established Bosch dealer network also gives the Cube a practical ownership advantage.
The Shimano specification is sensible. An XT rear mech works with Deore controls and a 10–51T cassette, while MT420 four-piston brakes use 203mm rotors at both ends. Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance tyres are fast and predictable on normal trail-centre surfaces, but riders tackling deep mud may eventually want something more aggressive.
The Cube is easier to buy through a conventional UK retailer and has a stronger motor ecosystem. It is the best eMTB under £4,000 for riders wanting a dependable Bosch all-rounder rather than the biggest discount or most extreme chassis.
See our best Bosch eMTBs for more bikes using the Performance Line CX system.
Key specifications
- Frame
- Cube C:62 carbon mainframe, aluminium rear triangle, 140mm rear travel
- Motor
- Bosch Performance Line CX BDU38, 85Nm and upgradeable to 120Nm on compatible units
- Battery
- Bosch PowerTube 800Wh
- Fork
- Fox 36 Float AWL HD Sport RAIL 2.0, 150mm
- Shock
- Fox Float Rhythm R, 230 x 60mm
- Tyres
- Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance, 2.6in front and rear
- Drivetrain
- Shimano XT/Deore, 12-speed, 10–51T cassette
- Brakes
- Shimano MT420 four-piston hydraulic discs, 203mm front and rear
The Cube matches the Stance’s 150mm front and 140mm rear travel, and pairs a Bosch Performance Line CX motor with an 800Wh battery. Its carbon mainframe and Fox suspension make it a useful alternative if you want a different chassis and motor system at a similar budget. The Fox Float Rhythm R shock is still a relatively simple unit, so do not assume the brand name alone solves every setup limitation. Our reason to shortlist it is its specification and trail focus; a demo would establish which bike feels better to you.
Merida eOne-Sixty 875
A long-travel enduro option for riders who prioritise steep and rough descents.
+ Pros
- Generous suspension travel
- Removable 750Wh battery
- Shimano XT brakes and Linkglide gearing
− Cons
- More bike than mellow trails need
Compare prices
Grey/Black · 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.
Why it makes the shortlist
At £3,599, the eONE-SIXTY 875 brings a serious enduro specification within this budget. Its aluminium frame pairs 174mm of rear travel with a 170mm RockShox ZEB Select fork and Super Deluxe Select shock, making it a compelling choice if steep, rough descents are your priority.
Shimano’s 85Nm EP801 motor and removable 750Wh battery suit repeated climbs, while XT four-piston brakes and an 11-speed XT Linkglide drivetrain round out the package. The mixed-wheel setup combines a 29in front wheel with a 27.5in rear. This much suspension is more than gentler trails demand, but the specification offers plenty for riders seeking a downhill-focused eMTB.
Key specifications
- Frame
- Lite IV – Hydroformed 6061 Double butted aluminium with integrated battery. Internal cable routing via Smart entry ports. Tapered head tube, 148 x 12mm axle standard. Max. tyre size 29" x 2.6"
- Motor
- Shimano Steps EP801; 85Nm
- Battery
- Simplo Trend Power Internal Battery Gen 2; 750Wh
- Fork
- Rock Shox ZEB Select; Air; 170mm travel; Tapered; 44mm fork offset; Max. tyre size 29" x 2.8"
- Shock
- RockShox Super Deluxe Select
- Tyres
- Maxxis Assegai; 29" x 2.5"; Kevlar bead; folding; TR EXO+ 3C MaxxGrip / Maxxis DHR II; 27.5" x 2.6"; Kevlar bead, folding; 3C EXO+ TR
- Drivetrain
- Shimano LG700; 10-50 teeth; 11 speed
- Brakes
- Shimano XT 4 piston hydraulic disc brake caliper
The Merida takes a more descent-focused approach, with a 170mm RockShox ZEB fork, 174mm of rear travel and a 29in front/27.5in rear wheel combination. Its 446mm chainstays are shorter than the Stance’s 468mm rear end. Those differences make it worth a demo if rear-wheel clearance and manoeuvrability are priorities, although they do not guarantee an easier ride through every technical section. It also brings Shimano XT four-piston brakes and a removable 750Wh battery. The extra travel may be unnecessary for riders who mainly enjoy flowing trails.
Verdict: who should buy the Giant Stance E+ 1?
The Giant Stance E+ 1 is a superb full-suspension eMTB for riders who enjoy carrying speed, covering ground and powering back up for another descent. Its balance is a highlight, and it has more playfulness than its size suggests.
The compromises are clear: its length and big rear wheel demand more effort on tight technical terrain, the suspension has setup limitations, and I would like sharper initial brake bite. At £3,999, it deserves a place alongside the options in our best eMTBs under £4,000 guide. If your favourite trails give a bike room to roll, the Stance makes a compelling case.
Giant Stance E+ 1 questions answered
Does the Giant Stance E+ 1 use two 29in wheels?
Yes. This generation uses 29in wheels front and rear in every frame size. Our test found that the bike carries speed confidently, with its size more noticeable through tight technical sections.
Does the rear shock have a simple on/off lever?
No. The Crest FloTrac shock has a three-position lever. That gives an additional setting over a basic two-position shock, although it does not remove the setup limitations discussed above.