Electric bikes are no longer the same machines they were ten years ago. They have been wholly upgraded to be more aesthetically pleasing, more lightweight, and more powerful. But with the alarming rate of giant electric bike problems, is there any assurance for folks who want to live an active life, whilst enjoying a powered bike’s potential to ride up hilly and gravel roads without getting sweaty?
Yes, because the giant electric bike is an all-purpose e-bike equipped with a sync drive. It has an incredibly natural assisting system with six (6) sensors. These sensors are geared to identify and automatically decrease or increase the level of assistance needed for any riding experience. This change to the aid level produces an exceptional riding experience, and you’ll forget that you are on an electric bike.
Key Points:
- The giant electric bike has a Shimano mt 420, brake callipers, four (4) piston hydraulic discs, and huge 203 ml rotors capable of stopping this giant bike at any speed.
- Its motor is a giant sink core with 50 Nm of torque, powerful enough to handle steep roads.
- The giant e-bike has a five-volt battery and automatic mode pedals that allow it to travel at speeds of up to 32 km/hour or (20 miles per hour).
One thing that impresses me about this bike is that the motor kicks off just as you start to peddle, which gives you a comfortable riding experience. Now, let’s look at the giant electric bike problems and their solutions.
About Giant Electric Bikes
Giant Electric Bike History
The electric bike idea seems like a new idea to the world, but it’s an age-long invention. The first e-bike was brought to public consciousness in the Autumn of 1890, and it was a rechargeable bike. In 1895, Odgen Bolton Jr. released the second rechargeable bicycle that featured a 6-pole brush-and-commutator direct current centre motor installed in the back wheel. The motor had no gears and could pull up to 100 amps from a 10-volt power supply.
In 1897 Hosea W. Libbey designed the first electric bike with a double electric motor propeller and a crankshaft axle. Since then, it’s been one innovation after another until 1972, when King Liu and his friends first established GIANT e-bike company in Taiwan (Taichung County). But Giant had its breakthrough in 1977 when they struck a business agreement with Schwinn. In this agreement, Giant was going to be the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for manufacturing and exclusively selling bicycles under private label brand names in the US. This business deal picked up momentum and was very successful until 1980, when Schwinn workers went on a strike.
The strike drove Schwinn out of the market, and Giant surpassed Schwinn as the leading bicycle supplier, with a 75% increase in sales. By 1987, Schwinn had (somehow) decided to bounce back into the market. They signed an agreement with “China Bicycle Company” to manufacture bicycles in Shenzhen. This time around, Giant had set up their bike manufacturing brand to beat the competition in a rapidly growing market of bicycles worth $200 and above. This idea was initiated by their new president “Bill Austin” who was Schwinn’s former marketing vice-president.
They had been producing bicycles and doing well in the market. In 1992, Vector Services Limited manufactured and sold an e-bike called Zike. This e-bike had nickel-cadmium batteries built into a frame assembly and a permanent-magnet motor of 850g. Besides Zike, few commercial e-bikes were on the market in 1992 due to limited options and technology.
The power control and torque sensors technology only came into the picture by the mid-90s, and this innovation gave birth to a 35% production spike between 1993 and 2004. The technology of electric bicycles evolved to newer models using Li-ion, NiMH, and NiCd. These versions used denser capacity batteries, and for that reason, there was a variation in performance, but speed was increased.
By 2001, electric bicycles were commonly referred to as e-bikes, pedelecs, power bikes, power-assisted bikes, and assisted bikes. By 2017, the brand Giant had recorded 6.6 million in bicycle sales with total revenue of $1.9B. And by 2018, its marketing network included 12,000 sales points in 50 countries.
Giant Electric Bike Features
Giant has been patenting numerous features and technologies on its electric bikes. These technologies have significantly transformed how we think about electric bicycles and riding them for many years. These features make up for the bike’s ability to perform well and stay dominant on the road. So, let’s glance at a few of the most relevant e-bike features and technologies invented by this company. Most of these options are available on Giant’s e-bikes, but it will depend on the size of your budget.
The SyncDrive Pro
The Giant e-bike SyncDrive Pro is one remarkable feature of the giant electric bike. It assists the cycle’s pedalling system, which aids human input. As a result, Giant bicycles can produce seamless riding experience and a natural feel, and a pleasurable ride.
Energy Park
Energy Park is Giant’s current battery system wholly integrated into a beautiful design and style. With the Energy Park system, the batteries are hidden within the bike’s downtube, making them unnoticeable. In about 2 hours, these batteries can charge up to about 80%, making them capable enough to produce a more extended range than standard batteries.
Smart Assist
The Smart Assist is a feature that assists with various functions of the electric bicycle. The technology of Smart Assist employs multiplexes mathematical calculations to evaluate the amount of energy required by a rider. This can be felt from the level of pedal assist and power input.
Giant E-Bike App
The Giant e-bike app is a feature that works with your smartphone. You can link up your Giant e-bike with your smartphone and manipulate various functionalities through your Bluetooth. Tuning the bike’s motor to your preferred ratio, tracking different fitness data, and navigating other options of your Giant e-bike.
Ride Control
Ride Control is a steerer tube command centre with specially designed ergonomic controls. It gives you complete control over your e-bike. It allows you to monitor critical metrics, including distance, battery level, speed, and the level of pedal assistance.
Giant Electric Bike Problems and Their Solutions
There have been no perfect e-bikes since e-bikes were created; this applies to every e-bike on the market. They are all excellent and make the cycling world lively. Like every machine, they develop faults here and there and from time to time.
Let’s look at some of these problems and how to fix them.
1. Giant E-Bike Won’t Turn On.
Frequently you may notice that the electric system of your e-bike doesn’t turn on. When you push the power-on button, it doesn’t seem to have any effect, and the motor can’t provide any assistance. There are numerous reasons why your e-bike may stop working. Begin with the most straightforward solutions and work your way up; you’ll eventually find the root cause.
How to Fix It?
- The battery might be in a dormant state – Try to plug your charger in or press on the e-bike’s battery itself, whilst pressing the status button of the battery.
- Your battery power may be low – Check that the battery is fully charged. If you have charge indicator lights, use them on your battery to verify. If that is the case, then get your battery fully charged.
- The battery may be wrongly mounted – Examine the battery mounting on the frame. Removing and remounting
- The wiring may have issues – Examine all wiring and the console. If necessary, clean. If you are still unable to make progress, then check the electric bike troubleshooting guide regarding your motor system and specific problem for more information.
2. Giant E-Bike Flashing Red Light
Your Giant e-bike is in perfect working order. You go out one day, and the handlebars controller, (which generally shows red lights to demonstrate the mode of your e-bike), keeps flashing red. Your Giant e-bike controller is still powered on, but it won’t stop flashing red rather than the constant red light. Also the motor’s power is noticeably reduced.
How to Fix It?
- Wrong Magnet Position – Sometimes, it could be that the magnet is wrongly positioned. Using a screwdriver, you should adjust the position.
- Broken sensor connector – It could result from a broken sensor connector to your motor underneath your motor protector. All you need is to change it, and the fault will go.
3. Giant E-Bike Speed Sensor Issue
If you have issues with your E+0,2019. The motor has no assistance each time the red led light turns on (which indicates a speed sensor problem). You replace the motor, and after riding about 25km with your new motor, the problem starts again.
How To Fix It?
- Could be a Battery Terminal Problem – Remove and clean the battery’s terminals.
- Speed sensor Incorrect Placement – Try to adjust the speed sensor of your e-bike. You can also try taking off the plastic cover of your motor and the controlling cables (Speed Sensor Cables). Suppose the cable is not correctly routed around the different protrusions, then it can become kinked, trapped, or severed, causing the speed sensor error.
4. Giant E-Bike Won’t Power Off.
You have a Giant e-bike (a 2017 Giant Quick E+) that does not power off sometimes. The fault comes and goes. Giant’s store suggested that it could be a code error and recommended that you bring it in for a swap with a new coded battery, but the fault comes back again.
How To Fix It?
- From experience, such a problem only needs a manual fix. Turn off the system by holding down the power button for about 20 seconds. If this doesn’t work, contact Giant Rep. They hold customer satisfaction in high esteem.
Giant E-Bike Error Codes
Like when you open your browser and enter a web page and receive an error code such as “404 ERROR,” e-bikes can also display error codes. These codes are to inform you that there is a problem with the system of your e-bike. Errors occur when (for example) a sensor cannot calibrate correctly, a connection is lost, or the software is experiencing an anomaly.
Let us look at the individual system error codes and how to remedy them.
Bosch Error Code
Among the most used eMTB motor in the industry is the Bosch Performance CX. When you take a quick look at the Bosch e-bike system manual, you will see over 50 error codes, alongside the causes & remedies. We found this overwhelming for clients, so we had to find a way to narrow the list down to the most frequent error codes from their system.
Below are the most frequent error codes and their fixes. If after applying these methods, the problem does not go away, contact your local dealer or Giant rep.
| Error Codes | Cause | Remedy |
| 430 | The onboard computer’s internal battery is depleted (not with BUI350) | Replace the onboard computer’s battery or recharge it. Replacement is possible through the handlebar mount. The onboard computer is charged from the e-bike battery or using a mobile phone charger and the USB connection of your onboard computer. |
| 431 | Software version errors | The system discovered a software version that is incompatible or obsolete. Your Bosch e-bike agent can use the Diagnostic Tool to update the software. Your agent can gain online access to your Bosch e-bike server to acquire the right software. |
| 500 | Internal error inside the drive unit | Examine the location around the spoke magnet (8 to 14 mm distance is the best bet). If necessary, restart your system. Contact the Bosch e-bike agent if you need further assistance. |
| 503 | Speed sensor error | Examine the location around the spoke magnet (8 to 14 mm distance is the best bet). If necessary, restart your system. If the issue is not stopped at this point, please contact the Bosch e-bike agent. |
| 504 | The speed signal is being manipulated. | This error can occur because of misinterpreting an improperly or misaligned spoke magnet. Restart the system after checking the location of your spoke magnet. Contact your Bosch e-bike agent if the issue continues. |
| 530 | Failed communication with the battery of the e-bike. | Turn off the e-bike, unplug, and reinstall the battery. If the issue persists, please contact your Bosch e-bike agent. |
| 640 | Interior battery fault | After a long break, individual cells might be deeply disposed of or even destroyed. If the battery will no longer charge, the only option is to change it. |
| 7xx | Gearbox error | An eShift problem is a gearbox error. The powertrain is incorrectly programmed, resulting in the powertrain and the drive system of your Bosch not working correctly together. The Bosch system will show the error, and the respective powertrain must be adjusted or corrected. Please follow the operating instructions provided by the manufacturer of your drivetrain. |
Shimano Error Codes
The Shimano EP8, after the Bosch Performance CX, is the second most popular motor in the industry and the heir to the well-known Shimano STEPS E8000. Different codes apply to varying errors following the software version and the motor. We came up with the list below in our struggle to narrow down the list to the most frequent error codes for their motor. The below error codes are the same with many different Shimano motors, such as –
STEPS E8000, E6100 E7000, and The E5000 motors W013 W011, and W010.
| Error Codes | Cause | When an Error Code is Displayed, These Operations Are Restricted. | Solution |
| W103, W106, W013, and E012. | The torque sensor might not be fully initialized. | Perhaps the Giant e-bike support was below usual, or it will fail. | Remove your feet from the pedals and push the battery power circuit to reboot the system. Don’t apply any pressure to the pedals when turning them on and off. |
| W101, W011, or E014 | The speed of the rider is not detected. | The fastest speed at which assistance is provided could be slower than usual. | Check that the speed detector is installed correctly and that the spoke magnet equally is appropriately positioned. The proximity between the speed detector and the spoke magnet must be between 3 & 17mm. |
| W100, or W010 | The motor’s temperature is more than it would be in regular operation. | The level of support is lower than usual. | Calm down and wait for the motor’s temperature to drop. Until then, do not use the support function. |
| W20 | The temperature of the battery is above the range of operation, which is -10° C to 50° C when releasing and 0° C to 40° C while charging. | The system will not boot. | If the temperature range has been surpassed while in use, place the battery in a cool, out-of-the-way location until the internal temperature has sufficiently dropped. If you fall outside the temperature range, keep the battery inside or in a warm environment until its inner temperature rises to within the permitted range. |
Do Giant Make Good E-Bikes?
Giant produces high-quality electric mountain bikes. Giant’s e-mountain bikes are fitted with EnergyPak batteries and SyncDrive motors developed with Yamaha. Giant makes electric mountain bikes in various price ranges, making them suitable for both novice and experienced riders.
Let’s look at a few Giant e-bikes and their performances.
Road E+ Pro
The Road E+ Pro is an electric road bike designed for speed and reliability. These are 1st class e-bikes with drop bars, a hidden battery inside the downtube, and a mid-drive motor. The Road E+ Pro series is powered by Giant’s SyncDrive Pro 250W motor with 80 Nm and a 500Wh battery. It’s built on a lightweight aluminium body. It features high-end Shimano elements and braking systems that stop e-bike on a dime. If you want a large voltage road bike to help you overcome harm or keep riding well into your older years, the Road E+ Prol is a sure bet.
FastRoad E+ EX Pro
The FastRoad E+ EX PRO is a versatile e-bike with flat bars and wide, flexible tyres. It has the Giant RideControl EVO display and the 250W motor Giant SyncDrive Pro for maximum control. The 500Wh battery Giant EnergyPak provides a good range and quick charging. The Giant FastRoad e-bike is equipped with Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX RX400 groupset and 27.5 x 2.40′′ tires, allowing you to ride on paved and unpaved roads. Fenders, rear rack, and lights will improve the ride and make it more practical. We recommend this e-bike for commuters, bike tourists, and people looking for a bike to replace their car.
LaFree E+
The LaFree E+ is a conventional road bike, but it is designed to provide maximum riding pleasure while on the road. It is a city/ comfort/commuter bike designed for everyday use by non-cyclists rather than hardcore cyclists. The LaFree E+ has a 400Wh battery and a 60Nm SyncDrive Life motor, providing excellent assistance and a reasonable range. The upright geometry puts you in a convenient riding position. The rear rack lets you carry groceries, a child seat, or whatever else you need. LaFree E+ can do it all: explore the area, get fit, commute, or park the car.
How Long Does a Giant Bike Battery Last?
Charge cycles are used to calculate battery life. This means that it is defined by the rate of total charges (between 0% to 100%) that they can withstand before their efficiency gradually declines until they don’t function again.
In theory, a Giant e-bike battery can go through many charged cycles. How much is it, exactly? This is dependent on the type of battery in question. The way you care for your battery will equally impact its lifespan. For example, suppose you store your battery in a dry place and away from temperature variations. In that case, you will be able to keep that battery for a more extended period. Overall, after five years of regularly using the battery of an e-bike, it becomes less productive.
The battery type has the most significant influence on the expected life of an e-bike battery. The following are the most frequently used batteries:
- Lithium batteries are becoming more common and can withstand up to 1000 charge cycles, and above in the case of the (Latest Lithium Iron Phosphate) models.
- Expect approximately 500 cycles from nickel batteries.
- Expect approximately 300 cycles from lead batteries (first-generation electric bicycles).
Summary
Compared to other established brands, Giant bikes provide the best budget value. The company is regarded as the leader in low-cost bikes. On the other hand, Giant has a history of producing high-end bikes that have helped riders emerge victorious in world cycling championships and Grand Tours. Giant mountain bicycles are fitted with parts from other reputable cycling companies, so you can be confident that you’re always obtaining maximum overdrive for your money. Despite the numerous Giant electric bike problems, I have had an enjoyable riding experience with the brand. I recommend Giant e-bikes to anyone.
Hello, this is Evan Larry. The chief editor of this site, “eBikeBuster.” After completing my graduation in mechanical engineering, I worked for a renowned e-bike manufacturing company as a technician. I had worked there for almost six years, and later I quit the job and started my own business where I sell different types of e-bike and their tools and accessories. I created this site, eBikeBuster, to guide people, who are new to an e-bike and don’t have proper knowledge about its tools, accessories, and maintenance.