Giant & Liv together launch two all-new ebikes today that hope to refocus eMTB choice on not just more power, but better full-power control. Dont worry, theres more power too. Between 20-40% boost upgrade to 120Nm makes both the new Giant Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ shoot up the climbs. And the all-new full-power eMTBs also get more travel and more capable geometry to fly downhill, as well.But honestly, the two big upgrades in this new generation are much better control of all that pedal-assist power, and a new rider-tuned battery configuration for the women-focused Liv eMTBs.2026 Giant Trance & Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ get more power(Photos/Cory Benson)It feels like ever since DJI & the Avinox motor system smashed onto the ebike scene, theres been an eMTB arms race to deliver maximum power. I think that essentially boils down to the fact that most eMTB buyers dont get a chance to try several different powertrains before they buy. And much like range anxiety makes us pick the biggest battery possible. Power FOMO is real. And no one wants to spend a ton of money on an ebike, only to find out that its not powerful enough. Or worse yet, that your friends new ebike is more powerful, and you cant keep up.Its the reason that light-assist ebikes look to be DOA, even if many of them are a lot of fun to ride.Both the new Giant Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ share the same new SyncDrive Pro 4 ebike motor developed in-house together with Yamaha. And there is certainly more pedal-assist. Significantly higher torque output, now comes to 120Nm of continuous support. And max power is up too, now at 850W peak. Plus, now with 500% max assistance, you get more eMTB motor support than ever!No, those are not the highest figures on the eMTB market. But rest assured, thats still a lot of power.More controllable full power, even at zero cadenceBut with greater power come greater need for control.While its relatively simple to just add more peak power or higher torque, putting that into the ground through a 2.4 wide tire on often loose terrain is a tougher challenge. And then, making a >20kg ebike manageable under full-power without shooting you off the trail, into a tree, or into shared-access traffic is a completely different story. Theres a reason that theres quite a lot of ongoing backlash from Avinoxs more power is better mindset from inside the bike industry, from trail access advocates, and even potentially from national regulators. Super power can be fun. But it also can be problematic if not well controlled.And control is really one of the high points of the new Yamaha-produced SyncDrive Pro 4 motor at the heart of these two new Giant & Liv E+ eMTBs.A big secret to the new motor control is its new torque-based, zero-cadence design. The new Giant/Liv motor claims to be able to deliver its peak torque within just 0.28 seconds of you pressing down on the pedals. And it doesnt require the crank arms to actually move. Thats a big difference to the feel of most ebike drive systems, which require physical crank movement to match your power input.Now with Traction ControlWhat that translates to is faster pedal-assist response from the Giant/Liv motor. And most importantly, the ability to restart ebike motor support almost instantly, and get moving again when you hit an obstacle and come to an unexpected stop.Tied with more sensors in the whole system (now increased to 6), Giant/Liv add a new Traction control mode that measures power output at the chainring (plus slope and cadence) and detects slip at the rear with a wheel speed sensor. So when that bigger new power comes on too quickly and breaks the rear tire loose, the system instantly manages output up and down to make sure all of the power translates into forward motion. The result is a lot less wheel slip than we are used to in full-power ebikes in loose conditions. And especially on really steep ascents with steps or variable traction (like loose over hardpack), the new E+ system simply puts the power down in a much more manageable way.What about battery capacities? 840Wh or 560Wh+280Wh!The last generation of Giant Trance Advanced E+ & Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ that we really covered in-depth, combined full power motors (85Nm & 600W, at the time) with half-size 400Wh batteries to keep weights down. In between, there was a 85Nm & 800W update with full-sized 800Wh batteries for more range. Now, Giant and Liv separate themselves a bit to better serve the actual riders who buy their ebikes. Since the Giants come in larger sizes and generally get heavier riders, they come with an 840Wh removable internal battery inside the downtube. But on the other hand, since most Liv buyers are smaller and lighter, they get a smaller, lighter 560Wh removable internal battery. But lest the Liv buyers suffer range anxiety, Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ eMTBs, at the same spec and price level as their Giant analogs, also come with an external 280Wh range extender battery. So the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ buyers still get the same 840Wh total battery capacity, but they only have to carry the heavier setup on longer rides.Now guys, dont worry, you can ride further, too. The Giant Trance Advanced E+ eMTBs are also compatible with the same EnergyPak Plus range extender. It doesnt come standard with the ebikes. But you can add on an extra 280Wh to get a max 1120Wh capacity for longer supported rides, if you buy the 280Wh range extender separately.What else is new?Besides the new more-powerful motor, the enhanced motor control, and the new battery options, the new Giant Trance & Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ also now get 10mm more Maestro dual-link 4-bar travel. Both eMTBs are still mullet builds 27.5 rear and 29 front wheels but now they get 160mm front & 150mm rear travel for more technical trail capability. Because if you are hauling full-power eMTB weight around, you might as well be able to handle any trail. Giant and Liv also reshape geometry to make these new ebikes ready for anything. Both eMTBs share the same 64.5 head angle, 77 seat angle, and 443mm chainstays. They also both get a 3-position flip-chip at the top of the seatstays to let you go lower or higher, with a +/- 0.4 tweak to the angles. While much is the same between the two frames, the Liv Intrigue E+ comes in 4 sizes (XS-L) with generally lower Stack and shorter Reach to fit smaller riders. And sharing the same angles, the Giant Trance E+ comes in 4 bigger sizes (S-XL).Overall, Giant says this is the lightest full-power eMTB theyve ever made. They saved 300g off the latest carbon frame and forged links, and dropped 1850g off total ebike weight, for a claimed total weight of 21.9kg. The Liv carbon frame is more than 100g lighter than the Giant, and the complete Intrigue Advanced E+ comes in at just 20.0kg claimed. Interestingly, that makes this new Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ with more power and a bigger battery, just 200g heavier than the previous light model that only had a 400Wh battery inside.Giant Trance Advanced E+ Pricing, options & availabilityThe new Giant Trance Advanced E+ comes in four specs globally, all sharing the same carbon frame and SyncDrive Pro 4 ebike powertrain. The top-tier 10K Trance Advanced E+ 0 gets Fox Factory suspension, a SRAM XX AXS Transmission groupset, TRP Evo Pro brakes, and heavy-duty Giant TRX HD carbon wheels. Next, the 8000 Trance Advanced E+ 1 goes Fox Performance spec, SRAM GX AXS Transmission, and alloy Giant TRA HD wheels.Then, the special edition 6500 Trance Advanced E+ SE gets a special ebike-tuned Crest TR Elite 36 fork and TR shock from Giants in-house suspension department in Taiwan, plus wireless electronic TRP drivetrain running an 11sp LinkGlide cassette with automated shifting controls. And the entry-level 6000 Trance Advanced E+ 2 goes for RockShox Psylo Gold fork, Deluxe Select shock, and a Deore mechanical 12-speed drivetrain.Globally, the new Trance Advanced E+ eMTBs roll out to Giant dealer bike shops today. But of course, the elephant in the room is US availability. There is still a US import restriction in place, so no US availability is expected in the immediate future.Giant-bicycles.comLiv Intrigue Advanced E+ Pricing, options & availabilityPutting women first, to get more women on bikes, the new Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ also comes in four complete ebike builds, mostly at the same price, even with the addition of the range extender battery being included. Lighter weight for most rides was the real driver behind the smaller internal battery, to maintain control & maneuverability. But Liv thought it was important to include maximum range for those women who still want to ride further. The Liv models also include lighter shock and fork tunes, better suited for lighter riders to get the most out of their suspension, even with added ebike weight.The flagship 10,000 Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 gets Fox Factory, SRAM XX AXS, TRP Evo Pro brakes in shiny gold, and the Giant TRX HD carbon wheels. The 8000 Intrigue Advanced E+ 1 gets Fox Performance, SRAM GX AXS, and the alloy Giant TRA HD wheels. And 6500 Intrigue Advanced E+ SE gets the Crest TR Elite 36 fork & shock, electronic TRP 11sp LinkGlide drivetrain and special edition paintjob. All three of which include the 56oWh internal battery AND the 280Wh EnergyPak Plus range extender at no extra charge, making them all great values.The entry-level 6000 Intrigue Advanced E+ 2 does not get the range extender, but otherwise the same RockShox Psylo Gold fork, Deluxe Select shock, and Deore mechanical 12-speed spec.Liv-cycling.comOne more thingA new KMC eFlat HT high-torque flattop chain!Both new Giant & Liv E+ eMTBs also all come with a new high-torque chain that they developed together with KMC. The new gold KMC eFlat HT was designed for SRAM Transmission derailleurs and cassettes paired to high-powered ebike powertrains, with combined rider plus motor input up to 300Nm. The new chain is said to be 21% stronger than the benchmark (read: SRAM) chain with 35% higher pin strength to prevent chain breakages on high-powered eMTB, plus significantly longer lifespan.As someone who has broken at least 3 chains in between torque-heavy Avinox & S-Works ebikes, I really look forward to getting more time on this shiny new KMC chain!KMCchain.com

REEB Cycles is no stranger to limited-edition builds, and theyre at it again with Cane Creek, this time collaborating on a limited-edition STEEZL x Invert Chassis Kit. Available to order for the month of October only, this collaboration pairs the new and somewhat rare Cane Creek Invert Enduro fork with a STEEZL frame in a custom finish inspired by Cane Creeks new Slate Chroma Studio color.We didnt want to take an Invert, bolt it onto a STEEZL and call it a collaboration, said Jeff Lenosky, Brand Director at REEB Cycles. Cane Creeks new Slate color gave us the opportunity to treat the entire chassis as a one-off custom project. The dual satin/gloss powder finish, frame and fork graphics, headset, black-anodized hardware, and suspension package create this limited edition chassis and what makes this collaboration worth doing.Built in-house by REEB in Colorado and featuring American-made rockers, hardware, and seat clamp, the 155mm travel STEEZL frame is done up with a custom, dual-finish Lux Nightfall powder coat. Thats complemented by the Slate accents of the Cane Creek Hellbender 70 headset, black anodized suspension hardware, and matching graphics on the frame and fork.This limited-edition Chassis Kit is centered around Cane Creeks new Invert Enduro fork at 170mm of travel. Officially launched back in April, the upside-down Invert Enduro fork has been highly sought after and in relatively short supply it is currently sold out in all travel lengths. For the rear shock, buyers can choose between the Cane Creek Kitsuma Coil, Kitsuma Air, or the unique Tigon air-charged coil shock.Chassis Kit FeaturesREEB STEEZL 155mm-travel chassis handcrafted in ColoradoCustom dual-finish Lux Nightfall powder coat inspired by Cane Creek SlateCane Creek Invert Enduro forkCane Creek Hellbender 70 Slate Chroma Studio headsetExclusive matching REEB frame and Invert Enduro fork decal package with Slate accentsBlack-anodized Prosise Metal Works rockers and hardwareChoice of Cane Creek Kitsuma Coil, Kitsuma Air, or Tigon rear shock46 week estimated lead timePricing and AvailabilityThe limited edition STEEZL x Invert Chassis Kit starts at $5,462 and includes everything listed above. The price may increase slightly depending on the rear shock choice or the addition of ISCG tabs (+$40). Complete builds are also available, with no shortage of options in REEBs custom build configurator.As mentioned above, the REEB STEEZL x Cane Creek Invert Chassis Kit is available to order for the month of October only. Head to the REEB website to learn more or place an order.reebcycles.com

One of Marianne Vos' biggest former rivals will be on her side from 2027. Giorgia Bronzini, the two-time road world champion who twice beat Vos to the rainbow jersey, is joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike as a sports director from the start of next season. Bronzini arrives with extensive experience f...

Written by Richard Howard.Combining all-day comfort, impressive battery life and secure open-ear design, the new Shokz OpenFit Air 2 headphones offer riders a practical way to enjoy music on the move without compromising awareness of their surroundings.Ive been sent some really cool, recently released headphones from Shokz to see how suitable theyd be to wear whilst riding.Theyre made by Chinese company Shokz who already have a range of headphones on the market and some very impressive feedback from Amazon customers who have their previous releases. Based on that I had high hopes for this new release which is the OpenFit Air 2 released to the open market in the UK on 16th September 2026.The first thing that stood out was the very slick holder for the headphones. The oval shaped box is white along with the sleek headphones which have a flexible soft rubber piece that comfortably fits around any shaped ear and Im happy to say doesnt become uncomfortable if worn for long periods.Theyre 17% lighter than their previous model and have made some improvements for this release to ensure theyre a more of a tight fit and so less likely to fall off during a ride. They also come in white, black and my favourite is an ice blue colour.With the standard touch functions youd expect such as pause, next track and even volume up and volume down. The latter is not something all Bluetooth headphones have.The battery life is healthy at up to 36 hours with 8hrs usage on a single charge and during my long-term use of them Id say it pretty much reached that limit.It also only takes 10-15 minutes of charging to receive up to 3hrs of listening time which is ideal if youve stopped for a rest or lunch and are able to re-charge at the restaurant.In regards to the sound quality it was rather impressive, it was on par with my usual Anker headphones for sure and so whilst not as crisp Apple phones was nonetheless impressive.They come with isolated audiophile sound which ensures the best audio quality.The above is just my point of view of course. You can now purchase from their website or Amazon for 129 with the usual free returns, money back guarantee window and so if youre tempted then you have nothing to lose giving them a little trial.

From British Lanes to the World StageTo read online click here https://read.bike-mag.com/october-2026To subscribe for hard copy click hereOctober has always felt like cyclings most reflective month.The frenzy of summer racing begins to fade, the evenings shorten, and many riders start to think about winter miles, next years goals and the adventures still waiting before the season closes. Yet if this issue proves anything, it is that cycling never really slows down. It simply changes gear.In these pages we celebrate a sport that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the simple joy of riding a bicycle. We travel from the autumn spectacle of Il Lombardia and the growing influence of gravel racing to some of Britains most rewarding late-season sportives. Cycling has become more diverse than ever, and October is perhaps the perfect snapshot of that transformation.Adventure remains at the heart of this issue. We explore the cycling culture of Florida, where year-round sunshine and endless trails create an irresistible riding destination. We head into Peru to discover how travel can test resilience in the most unexpected ways, and we ride along the stunning Croatian coastline where every turn reveals another unforgettable view. From the cycling-first streets of Utrecht to the mountain bike playgrounds of Girona and the Dolomites, the bicycle continues to open doors to places and experiences few other forms of travel can match.For riders passionate about equipment, we bring you the latest innovations shaping the future of cycling. From the new Fantic Rhapsody e-MTB to the rise of electric bikes and sustainable products from brands such as VALLON, technology is rapidly changing how we ride, explore and connect with the outdoors.Perhaps the strongest message running through this issue is community. Whether it is riders tackling the Lionheart Sportive, friends sharing miles in the Peak District, amateur racers chasing gravel glory in Australia, or travellers helping one another through difficult conditions in Peru, cycling continues to bring people together in ways few sports can.As the season enters its final chapter, I encourage you to make the most of every ride. Seek out a new road. Join a local event. Plan next years adventure. Or simply enjoy the changing colours of the countryside from the saddle.Wherever your bike takes you this autumn, thank you for bringing BIKE Magazine along for the journey.Happy riding.Nick BranxtonEditorBIKE Magazine