Giant Fathom E+ and Liv Lurra E+: Retreaded Hardtails

According to the readers of the German ‘E-Mountainbike’ magazine, full-suspension e-mountain bikes are clearly ahead of hardtail eMTBs. In the 2022 reader survey, 61.6 per cent of respondents stated that they ride an e-Fully. At 15.4 per cent, the e-hardtail was mentioned much less frequently. So, there is some catching up to do for this type of ebike. Giant currently offers the perfect inspiration for this. The bike manufacturer has presented two suitable new launches for its two brands Giant and Liv.

Giant Fathom E+ 2

New names and new power

Fathom E+ and Lurra E+ are the corresponding names. The former is a comprehensive revision of the classic in the Giant range. Liv, on the other hand, is opening a whole new chapter and replacing two previous models with the Lurra E+ – the Vall-E+ as well as the Tempt E+. Anyone who is surprised that Giant is doing the same thing with two brands should be aware that Liv is primarily aimed at women and, as a result, components such as the saddle, grips, handlebars and cranks are specifically designed with the female anatomy in mind.

Liv Lurra E+ 2

The refreshment of the range was triggered by the fact that the respective predecessors were still fitted with an older generation of drive units. Both the SyncDrive Pro and the SyncDrive Sport have since been replaced by the SyncDrive Pro2 and the SyncDrive Sport2 respectively. While the changeover has already been completed in other model series, it was simply still pending here.

Arrival in the here and now

Giant also took the opportunity to tweak the frame geometry. As a result, the head angle is two degrees slacker than before. As a result, both frames gain in downhill qualities. And basically this means a step towards a geometry that is more in line with current trends. From a visual point of view, the slightly slimmer down tube is striking. The dimensions fit much better with the dimensions of the top tube and seat tube, making the entire frame look much more harmonious. With their smaller dimensions, the new motors have certainly also played their part.

Giant has left other cornerstones of the hardtail concept unchanged. These include aluminium as the material of choice for the frame, the suspension travel of 130 millimetres for the suspension fork and mechanical derailleur gears.

Giant Fathom E+ in pictures

When one bike resembles another

When looking at the other technical features, the Fathom E+ and Lurra E+ prove to be a positive example of gender equality. In contrast to other manufacturers, you’ll find identical components and assemblies depending on the model. No one is favoured or disadvantaged here. As both ebikes can be seen as a smooth introduction to the world of mountain biking, the whole thing is on a level for which the word ‘solid’ was invented a long time ago. The SR Suntour XCR 34 2-CR suspension fork is available with air suspension on the top-of-the-range model and with a steel spring in all other cases. The Shimano Cues derailleur with eleven or nine gears is the robust Linkglide version designed for use on ebikes. And the brake discs of the hydraulic disc brakes from Shimano Tektro measure a sufficient 180 millimetres.

Everyday use takes precedence

Giant surprises us with its, shall we say, appreciation within the model ranges. After all, the top model of both the Fathom E+ and the Lurra E+ is one of those with the complete equipment, i.e. with permanently mounted mudguards, a kickstand, a rear rack and a complete lighting system. The Fathom E+ EX 1 and the Lurra E+ EX 1 are the only bikes that come with the SyncDrive Pro2 in combination with the EnergyPak 800 battery. The most powerful ebike system on paper does not go to the model with the best off-road suitability, but to the compromise model that best manages the balancing act between road and forest trail.

The version without the additional package and the cheaper EX model have to make do with the SyncDrive Sport2. Compared to the SyncDrive Pro2, it generates a slightly lower torque of 75 Newton metres. However, there is still plenty of riding fun to be had. It just ends a little earlier, as it is accompanied by a battery with a capacity of 625 watt hours. However, both variants are compatible with Giant’s additional battery, the EnergyPak Plus. This gives you the option of extending the range of all Fathoms and Lurras with an additional 240 watt hours.

Liv Lurra E+ in pictures

The right decision on a mountain bike?

When looking at the Giant Fathom E+ 2 and the Liv Lurra E+ 2, one detail stands out that doesn’t quite fit into the picture. This is the derailleur. As already mentioned, this only offers you nine gears instead of the eleven on the respective top model. That in itself is already disadvantage number one. Number two is the built-in cassette. It covers a smaller range, especially with regard to the largest sprocket. For the bike, which is otherwise designed more specifically for off-road riding, this appears to be the worse choice. In steeper sections, when high dynamics are required despite low speeds, you may lack that last bit of power.

Deliberately going separate ways

In addition to the numerous similarities, there are of course also some differences between the Fathom E+ and the Lurra E+. The frame of Liv’s e-hardtail is noticeably designed for women. This means, for example, a shorter top tube and narrower handlebars. The seat angle is consistently 74 degrees instead of 75 degrees on the Fathom. In the XS and S frame sizes, Liv uses 27.5-inch wheels and shortens the chainstays by 20 millimetres, resulting in a shorter wheelbase. The Giant Fathom E+, on the other hand, is based on 29-inch wheels from the S up to the XXL.

Liv has also designed the riding position on the Lurra E+ to be much more upright than Giant’s Fathom E+. You can see this by comparing the values for stack and reach from the frame geometry. We have done this for the respective frame size M. In the case of the Lurra E+, you get a coefficient of 1.63 compared to 1.47 for the Fathom E+. The bike fitting experts at Radlabor define a riding position as ‘sporty’ with a ratio of 1.45 to 1.55. Anything above this is considered ‘comfortable’.

If you are thinking about an e-hardtail, the Giant Fathom E+ or the Liv Lurra E+ might make it onto your list. Or even both. Just in case, both start at a price of 3,499 euros and go on sale from 20 May.

Giant Fathom E+ at a glance

• Variants: Fathom E+ EX 1, Fathom E+ EX 2, Fathom E+ 2
• Frame: Aluxx aluminium
• Suspension fork: SR Suntour XCR 34 2-CR Air, SR Suntour XCR 34 2-CR Coil
• Motor: Giant SyncDrive Pro2, Giant SyncDrive Sport2
• Battery: Giant EnergyPak 800, Giant EnergyPak 625
• Control unit: Giant RideControl Dash 2in1
• Drivetrain: Shimano Cues Linkglide
• Brakes: Shimano Deore BR-MT410, Tektro HD-M285
• Weight: from 24.6 kg
• Maximum permitted total weight: 156 kg
• Colour: Space Grey, Cordovan, Gun Metal, Sun Beam
• Price: from 3,499 euros

Liv Lurra E+ at a glance

• Variants: Lurra E+ EX 1, Lurra E+ EX 2, Lurra E+ 2
• Frame: Aluxx aluminium
• Suspension fork: SR Suntour XCR 34 2-CR Air, SR Suntour XCR 34 2-CR Coil
• Motor: Giant SyncDrive Pro2, Giant SyncDrive Sport2
• Battery: Giant EnergyPak 800, Giant EnergyPak 625
• Control unit: Giant RideControl Dash 2in1
• Drivetrain: Shimano Cues Linkglide
• Brakes: Shimano Deore BR-MT410, Tektro HD-M285
• Weight: n.a.
• Maximum permitted total weight: 156 kg
• Colour: Kelp Forest, Mushroom, Sea Sparkle
• Price: from 3,499 euros

Pictures: Giant Germany GmbH