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2021 Giant Road E+1 Pro Is Ready to Spice Up Your Christmas and New Year's Eve

Due to all the health crisis stuff that’s been happening this year, most of us haven’t been getting out of the house enough. As a result, vitamin D levels are down and suicides are up. But does a lack of fun in the sun affect us so much?
2021 Road E+1 Pro 8 photos
Photo: Giant Bicycles
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Giant Bicycles seems to think so, otherwise they would have stopped production, along with all other major bicycle manufacturers. On the contrary, e-bike sales have nearly tripled this year, almost everywhere they are sold. And the Road E+1 Pro is the newest addition to our available options.

But why the big fuss? Think about it. Who in their right mind would ever want to pedal more or work harder to get further? OK, so there are a few of us crazies out there, but for all you “right in the head” people, this is perfect.

And how much does seemingly electric perfection costs? From the Giant team, nearly half of what once usually costs, just $4,600. But for us mortals, dishing out nearly five grand on anything is sure to raise some questions.

2021 Road E\+1 Pro
Photo: Giant Bicycles
So what do we get for this kind of cash? Unlike other fresh frames out there, the Pro is composed of aluminum and not carbon fiber. This might also be one of the main reasons for it being able to come in at nearly half the price of other e-bikes with similar component ratings.

Speaking of components, one of the most important aspects of any e-bike is the battery and its capacities. On the Pro we find Giant’s in-house battery, the EnergyPak series with a 500W capacity lithium-ion cells. How far it will take you is rather hard to judge as this depends mainly on road conditions which tend to vary. As for where we see the battery, you kind of can’t. It’s integrated in the down tube, hence the thickness of this component.

Up next, the motor is in our focus. Once again, the team chose to use an in-house component. A Giant SyncDrive motor is found on the bike, built right into the crank system. As small as it is, this pocket motor cranks out a full 80Nm of torque. It’s enough for you to do hills, flats, asphalt and maybe even gravel.

2021 Road E\+1 Pro
Photo: Giant Bicycles
If you do, however, get some bright idea that you’d like to trail off the beaten path, don’t. The lack of a suspension anywhere on the bike will give you one terrible time and may cause some actual component damage. Afterall, it’s just a road bike.

However, the use of Shimano shifters, derailleurs, and cassette bring the value back up with the Ultegra Line. The disk brakes too are Ultegra, with 160mm hydraulics. Just right for what sort of roads this bike is meant for.

Now, anytime you build a bike with no visible suspension components, your tires and saddle are your best shot at a smooth ride. With that in mind, the crew threw on a pair of tubeless ready Maxxis Re-Fuse with folding carbon bead. As for the saddle, you’ll have to get your own because the standard one has no suspension. But then again, how often do you see these sorts of riders with a suspension under their seat?

It may not be able to romp hills or go down some massive mountain trails, but it is more than enough for you to add on some tens of miles onto your range. What, not enough for you? Not everything Santa builds is awesome. Some people get coals.
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About the author: Cristian Curmei
Cristian Curmei profile photo

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides).
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