Giant Unveils Talon E+ Hardtail E-MTB for Serious Riders in 2026

Giant unveils Talon E+ Hardtail E-MTB. The company hasn’t had the best years recently. But they’re still here, pushing out new bikes with sharper focus and a fresh energy. The cycling market is tough now, and Giant knows it well.

To win you over and stay relevant, they just launched the new Talon E+. No fluff, just a bike made for serious riders who want real performance and reliability every ride. This could be the start of turning things around for them.

If you’ve heard of the Talon E+ before, you know it was a strange bike. The frame never felt quite right for a true mountain bike. It looked off and didn’t give the confidence you want from a hardtail.

The electronics? They weren’t built to handle hard trails or steep slopes well. Riders quickly realized it didn’t live up to their expectations or the real demands of trail riding. It was a bike with promise but fell short where it mattered most.

Giant’s latest Talon E+ means business. It’s their true step into real e-MTB territory. The electronics are solid and placed right where they should be. Plus, the extra gear is tough enough to compete with big-name brands. No shortcuts—just a bike ready to perform on the trails.

The new Talon E+ has a redesigned frame. It uses lightweight 6061 aluminum alloy. The frame features a mid-mounted motor and an integrated battery in the downtube. Every size has a 68-degree head tube angle. Most have a 74-degree seat tube angle, except the small frame.

It rides on 29-inch wheels that glide easily over rocks and debris. This setup means better control and smooth rides on rough trails. The combination of frame design and wheel size gives riders confidence on challenging terrain.

What I really like is the sharp slant in the top tube. It gives the bike a modern, aggressive look that stands out on the trail. The dropped seat stay at the rear helps absorb shocks and soften the ride.

It won’t turn it into a gravel bike, but for a hardtail, it hits all the right modern notes. This design balances simplicity with smart features and is clearly built for comfort and control on rough terrain. A bike that’s both easy to ride and ready to perform.

The front fork is a basic SR Suntour XCM ATB DS coil with 100mm travel. It’s not the strongest or fastest, but it softens the ride. There’s definitely room for an upgrade here.

One cool thing about the frame is the cargo mounts inside the main triangle. You can easily turn this bike into a cargo-carrying machine. Ride to the edge of town, camp overnight and ride back the next day.

The rear doesn’t have a cargo rack mount, but you can probably fit something using the fender mount. Simple and practical for serious riders.

Giant packs serious power in the Talon E+. It uses their SyncDrive Sport 2 motor with 75 Nm of torque. The six-sensor PedalPlus system reads your pedal effort and adjusts power instantly. You get smooth, strong support uphill, on flats, and while carrying cargo. No lag, just pure muscle when you need it.

Giant’s latest Talon E+ means business. It’s their true step into real e-MTB territory. The electronics are solid and placed right where they should be. Plus, the extra gear is tough enough to compete with big-name brands. No shortcuts—just a bike ready to perform on the trails.

The PedalPlus system uses six sensors: torque, speed, pedal cadence, motor cadence, slope, and acceleration. It monitors everything happening while you ride to deliver smooth, seamless power exactly when you need it. This high level of sensing helps the motor respond instantly to your pedaling, giving you a natural and powerful boost on every ride.

The top speed isn’t clearly stated, but without a throttle, it’s likely capped at around 20 mph for US riders. You can’t adjust the top speed limit, but you can easily change power levels and motor response to suit your riding style. This balance of smart control and rider input helps keep the ride feeling natural while maximizing efficiency.

The Talon E+ uses Shimano’s latest Cues groupset. It’s a solid and reliable setup, but there’s still room for improvement. I’ve ridden bikes equipped with Cues, and it handles most riding situations well. Just be careful when shifting uphill or under heavy pressure—it can struggle a bit in those moments. The groupset uses a 9-speed setup with an 11-41T cassette, providing a good range for both climbing and cruising.

For braking, Shimano’s MT200 with 180 mm rotors do a good job handling control. The brakes offer reliable stopping power and are easy to maintain, which is great for riders who want simple, fuss-free performance. Overall, the groupset and brakes deliver dependable and straightforward performance that fits well for riders seeking solid, no-nonsense components.

The Talon E+ weighs just 21.7 kg (48 lbs) for a medium size frame. That’s a solid and competitive weight for a hardtail e-MTB in its class. Giant might have finally found the e-bike that pulls them out of their recent slump.

Earlier this year, the company reported profits dropping sharply by 60%. This new ride has the potential to reverse that trend. It’s strong, simple, and ready to roll with confidence.

So, how much does this new Giant e-bike actually cost? The official website lists the price at $2,950 (€2,500).

However, that price is before taxes, shipping charges, and various dealer fees are added. Once all those additional costs are factored in, you’re likely looking at around $3,100 or even more.

Unless you have a good relationship with your dealer and can negotiate, expect to pay a bit extra beyond the listed price.

I’m really liking the new direction Giant is taking with their latest offerings. They have to keep up with other leading brands in the e-bike market or risk losing decades of their hard-earned reputation. The Talon E+ clearly shows they’re serious about making a strong comeback. It’s fresh, powerful, and fully ready to fight back and reclaim their position among the top players.