To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Fullerton Cycles. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Giant products.
Giant is a well-known name as the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, and they have been making electric bikes for about 20 years! That’s a lot of expertise, and I was excited to get hands-on with this LaFree E+ 2, which is a 2019 model from Giant. After spending a lot of time with this bike and discussing it with Mike from Fullerton Cycles it seems to have been designed with two things in mind: comfort and simplicity. I was immediately impressed with just how adjustable this bike is. I’m tall at 6’3″ and 190 pounds, and even though our test bike was the small frame size I was able to adjust the handlebars and seat to provide a comfortable riding experience. This bike comes equipped with long cables for the brakes and motor so you can even swap out the standard handlebar for something even taller without having to pay extra money to extend the cables, definitely something a tall rider like me can appreciate! Rounding out the comfort side of things we also have the aptly-named Giant Comfort saddle which you could pair with a suspension seat post for even more cushion, as well as the 26×2.35″ balloon tires. These CST Zeppelins are fairly basic tires and I was disappointed to not see any reflective sidewalls, but they do have puncture protection as well as being Ebike ready, and I thought they performed well during my test rides. If you get the Seafoam Green color (like our test bike) then the tires do have tan sidewalls which help out with visibility, but I would still recommend adding some side reflectors to the spokes. The control pad is simple and intuitive, opting to forego the screen in exchange for LED readouts, and I think this works really well especially with the Auto Mode setting for the mid-drive motor, both of which we’ll talk about in-depth later in this review. The big takeaway for me is that it’s easy to focus on riding without needing to spend time fiddling with assist levels or other controls. While this focus on simplicity makes this bike very approachable if you’re new to the Ebike space and want to just jump on and ride, it does mean that we miss out on some extra features such as integrated lights, and I would have really liked to see bottle cages bosses as there is plenty of space on the downtube. There are high-quality steel fenders which offer vibration-dampening qualities in addition to protection, just keep in mind that steel can rust so take care of any scratches in a timely manner. One downside I noticed with the front fender is that a mounting nut on the bottom is directly in toe-strike range when turning the bike, although this could be a symptom of me being a large rider on a small-frame bike.
Providing electric assistance here is the Giant SyncDrive Life, a mid-drive motor based on the Yamaha PW with further modifications by Giant to increase performance and reduce volume. This motor is quiet and remarkably smart, measuring not just the usual combination of pedal cadence, torque, and rear wheel speed, but also slope and accelerometer data! It features an Auto Mode that is really nice for set-and-forget riding, automatically determining the level of motor assistance based on data from all of those sensors we just mentioned. Automatic modes like this are starting to become more common, particularly on mountain bikes that will have an eMTB Mode, but I think this SyncDrive Life motor executes it better than any others I have tried. I appreciated the responsiveness as well with nearly instant power when I started pedaling, and the motor really is quiet – being barely audible even on the highest level of assist! On the human-powered side of things, we have 170mm crank arms with FP platform pedals connected to a 38-tooth steel chainring in the front, with a Shimano Altus derailleur taking care of shifting up and down the eight-speed 11-32 tooth cassette in the back. That isn’t a very big range but I think it does well for the urban commuting environment that the LaFree is intended to be used in, and shifting up and down the gears was smooth as expected from these Shimano components. There is a plastic chain guard and I think it is cleverly designed, functioning as a slap guard by keeping the chain away from the frame and also serving as a sort of chain guide by being mounted low so that the chain cannot easily bounce off. This does, of course, come with a trade-off as the chain is more difficult to remove for maintenance. The chain is Ebike ready as well, which basically boils down to being stronger and more durable than a standard bike chain to handle the extra stress that comes with being connected to a mid-drive motor.
The battery is yet another proprietary Giant component which they call an EnergyPak and it weighs in at 6.3 pounds, helping keep the overall weight on this bike down to just 51.9 pounds – not bad at all, but keep in mind that our test bike was the small frame size. The battery fits nicely underneath the rear rack and requires a key to remove, with a button and LED readout to check the charge level on the side and the charge port at the front near the saddle. When the battery is removed from the bike you can charge it courtesy of another charging port that is hidden under its own rubber cap, which I appreciate so that it doesn’t attract dirt or dust if you’re carrying it in a bag. Unfortunately, also don’t get any USB charging ports, which aren’t a necessity but are a great convenience feature for powering personal electronics. With that said this battery does still have a lot to offer with 409 watt-hours of power and some nice charging and safety features. The cells on these batteries have increased spacing for heat management and are individually controlled, so that even if a single cell fails the rest of the battery can continue operating without problems. In addition, both output and charging are load-balanced to promote longer cell life. Giant doesn’t say just how much of an effect this has on battery life so that is anyone’s guess, but I definitely appreciate the extra safety considerations! Speaking of charging, the charger is a bit more powerful than standard at 3 amps while still only weighing 1.6 pounds, and it’s small enough to easily transport in a backpack or other bag. Giant claims that this charger can charge the battery from 0 to 60 percent in only 90 minutes, which is awesome – of course, you should try not to actually drain your battery down to 0% as that is hard on the cells and reduces the life of the battery. As we mentioned earlier, there are no integrated lights on the LaFree, so you’ll need to pick up some of your own if you plan to do any night riding. That is a bit of a bummer since integrated lights are common at this price point, but to be fair it makes some sense when considering the minimalist and ride-focused design of the LaFree.
The control pad here is Giant’s RideControl One system, a simple and small pad mounted on the left handlebar. Notably missing from this system is any sort of an LCD screen, with readouts being handled by white LED indicators on the control pad itself. You have five indicator lights on the right for battery power which means 20% increments, five indicator lights along the center which indicate pedal assist level, and another center-right light that denotes “Auto Mode” when in use. The LEDs are bright and I had no problem seeing them in bright daylight, which does make me wonder if they might be too bright and distracting at night as there doesn’t appear to be any way to adjust this brightness. The LEDs get the job done but this isn’t a lot of precision and we’re missing a lot of other readouts (such as speed and odometer) that other Ebikes have. If you’re like me and prefer having all that extra information, then the good news is that Giant has a solution in the form of its RideControl smartphone app. Available for Android and iOS, this app pairs with the bike through Bluetooth and can show you all of that information and more, including functions for motor tuning and trip planning. I was disappointed that I couldn’t truly test this app since it requires registering the bike during the pairing process, so if you have used it and want to share your experience I would love to hear about it in the comments section below. I do appreciate the minimalist approach with the RideControl One system, it’s intuitive and fits well with the simplicity-focused design of this bike. Looking at the rest of the cockpit we have ergonomic locking grips on the ends of the handlebars which have a nice 30-degree sweep back, a flick bell, trigger shifters with a gearing readout, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes for both front and rear. The brake levers are adjustable for position and reach which is a good thing considering the range of adjustments available for positioning the handlebars. One thing missing from these brakes is motor inhibitors, so squeezing those levers doesn’t cut off power to the motor. Normally I would consider this to be a downside or even a safety hazard, but it actually works out okay here. Since this is a Class 1 Ebike there is no throttle to worry about fighting during a sudden stop, and the motor is responsive enough to cut off virtually instantly when you stop pedaling, so there isn’t really a need for motor inhibitors.
To me, the LaFree seems designed for people who might be new to the Ebike space, who want something easy and comfortable to use, that they can just “hop on and ride” without having to learn complex controls or fret about potential mechanical issues. For a bike with no suspension, it offers a remarkably comfortable ride and is both approachable and adjustable for riders of any size. Of course, we mustn’t forget about one of the biggest perks of owning a Giant-branded Ebike: the warranty and dealer support. Giant offers a two-year comprehensive, lifetime frame warranty, and its position as the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer means that there are numerous Giant dealers available to help with maintenance and spare parts. That’s a great safety net to have, and I can see the LaFree being a very attractive option for a lot of people, but of course, that doesn’t mean everyone! This bike is missing some features that are considered staples for some riders, such as integrated lights and bottle cage bosses. Of course, there are plenty of aftermarket solutions for these items and every Ebike comes with trade-offs, just make sure that you consider them in regards to your riding style and environment.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the EBR forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- Highly adjustable with a quill stem and wide angle for handlebar position, long cables allow for extremely high rise handlebars
- Very approachable with a low step through and minimum saddle height
- Comfortable saddle, balloon tires, ergonomic grips, and upright riding position add up to to a comfortable riding experience
- Giant SyncDrive Life motor is smooth, responsive, and quiet, even responding to slope and accelerometer data in addition to the usual torque, cadence, and rear wheel speed
- RideControl One control system is simple and intuitive, Auto Mode is nice to “set and forget” and works great
- Kickstand is adjustable length and rear mounted to prevent pedal lock
- Fairly lightweight at 51.9 pounds thanks to mostly aluminum alloy construction and reduced weight of Giant’s proprietary electronics
- Integrated rear rack with lots of attachment points for mounting carriers or strapping down cargo
- Plastic chain guard keeps pant legs out of the chain while also acting as a slap guard, and it’s mounted low enough to prevent the chain from bouncing off
- Smooth shifting performance from the eight-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, and the trigger shifters have a gearing readout
- Solid stopping power from Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors in the front and rear
- Excellent 2 year comprehensive, lifetime frame warranty and great dealer support
Cons:
- No bottle cage bosses or integrated lights
- No motor inhibitors on the brakes, but the near-instant responsiveness of the motor and the lack of a throttle make this less of an issue
- Fenders are steel which can scratch and rust, but they do provide vibration dampening qualities
- Mounting bolt on the bottom of the front fender is in toe-strike range for riders with larger feet
Resources:
Craig
5 years agoHello, I own Two **LaFree E+1** and we LOVE them !
One thing I wanted to point out is……….
You said:
“*One major drawback to this battery is that it doesn’t include a way to plug in and charge when it is removed from the bike; to do this you have to purchase a separate adapter from Giant, which is an extra cost and another item to transport and keep track of.”*
On my LaFree E+1 the Battery **has a port on the bottom** for (off bike charging), as well as the Port when On the bike.
I believe this would be the same on the LaFree E+2.
See the diagram in the online Manual.
Also worth noting, **LaFree E+1** has integrated lights. : )
Thanks for finally reviewing this bike………………….
Craig
ReplyTyson Roehrkasse
5 years agoHi Craig, thanks for the heads up on this! I looked into this and confirmed that you are correct, the E+2 battery does in fact have a port for charging off the bike. Several of their mountain bikes require an adapter and I got that mixed up with this one. I’ve updated the review accordingly :)
ReplyCraig
5 years agoHello,
I’m glad to finally see the Giant LaFree get reviewed.
One point I would like to point out is regarding Charging the Battery off the bike.
You said: *”Charging the battery off the bike requires a separate adapter”*
My LaFree E+1 does not require a separate adapter, when charging off the bike.
There is a charging port on the underneath side of the battery.
I would think the Battery is the same for Both LaFree E+ 1 & E+2.
I am very happy with my Giant LaFree E+1, particularly due to the Carbon Belt, and Nexus internal gearing, instead of the chain & derailleur on the E+2.
Plus the E+1 has Integrated Lights, that are not present on the E+2.
Both models are wonderful bikes, you just get a higher end set up for a little more money with the E+1.
Craig
ReplySuzy Crenshaw
4 years agoHi,
Thanks so much for this great review. I’m a total newbie, older, and uninformed. I’ve learned so much from this website. But there is a lot I don’t know.
I’m interested in the Giant LaFree E + 2. I’m 5’3”, 75, and weigh 145. I ride in my small town but need help with the hills and my knees are getting old.
This ebike sounds comfortable and easy to ride. I’m confused with the Auto Mode. Does this mean you don’t have to shift? Or does it mean you don’t have to decide which level of pedal assist to choose?
I have found a place where they have one of these bikes in their rental program, so I’m going to test it out soon.
Please let me know about the Auto Mode.
ReplyTyson Roehrkasse
4 years agoHi Suzy, welcome to the wonderful world of ebikes! The LaFree E+2 is an excellent bike, it sounds like it will be a great fit for you. Auto mode means that you don’t have to decide the level of pedal assist, the bike will automatically change it as you ride. You will still need to shift gears manually.
In my experience auto mode works very well, it’s nice to not have to fiddle with the pedal assist controls and just focus on riding. I’m glad you get to test one out!
ReplySuzy Crenshaw
4 years agoCan the LaFree be ridden without using the Pedal Assist like a regular bicycle?
ReplyTyson Roehrkasse
4 years agoYes :) You can also remove the battery pack to save some weight!
ReplySuzy Crenshaw
4 years agoI tested out the Small LaFree E + 1. It fit my needs pretty well. The handlebars can be moved higher and closer to my body which is good for my back. They said the +1 was $2400 instead of $2,000 for the +2. Would you be able to go over the differences and does it matter for someone of my age who does not commute. I’d rather spend less than more.
Also, I’ve learned that at this bike shop, the LaFree is actually from Momentum which is another Giant brand. Does that matter? The specs on the Momentum are a little different than that of the Giant.
One thing that concerned me at this bike shop is the fact that both of the chargers they had for the LaFree E+1 had stopped working. Because it’s so hard to get components, they had not been able to get a new charger for 2 weeks. Does this happen frequently? Chargers going bad? Is it not possible to get another brand charger to work with this bike?
I really appreciate that you offer this service of describing bikes…it’s very very helpful.
Ken Adams
3 years agoI bought my LaFree in May of 2020 and it is a great bike for me. I did have the chain come off and get locked, but it was my fault because I was trying to make a light and up shifted to go faster then at the last minute tried to down shift. When the light changed it was slightly uphill and the chain came off. I could not get it free and had to take it back to the dealer who fixed it for no charge. I learned if you are trying to go faster up the power level, or use auto mode in an area with a lot of stop signs and lights. Other than that I have had no problems with the bike. When I ride with the local bicycle club I use PAS 2 to stay with the other riders and my range is in the 60-65 mile range. On hills in PAS 2, I pass other riders without strain on my knees which was the main reason why I switched to an ebike, because any kind of hill would cause too much knee pain on my non-electric bike. To me, the bike is a real bargain for the price. If you do a lot of city biking with lots of stops I would recommend the belt drive version. Biking is fun again!
ReplyTyson Roehrkasse
3 years agoHi Ken, glad to hear you’re enjoying yours! Thanks for sharing your experience here :) I’m a big fan of the auto mode on Giant ebikes, it’s so nice to just ride and not fiddle with changing levels.
Replybill hamelau
2 years agoThinking about getting the Lafree E+. Rode the Large in this model. I am 5 ft 11 inches. Wondering if the Medium would be a better fit? Hope to hear from you. Thanks
ReplyCourt
2 years agoHi Bill! This is a difficult question, because each model from each brand offers a slightly different geometry that could feel large or small. You happen to be right in between the large and small size… probably closer to large actually. I’m 5’9″ and am often told by reps that I could fit a medium or large, in part because I have long legs (31″ inseam). I tend to go medium most of the time, but the frame size differences are actually very small. A lot of adjustment can be done with the saddle height, saddle position (sliding forward or back), the handlebar rotation, you can even replace the stem with shorter or longer or steeper and add or remove spacers below. If I were you, I’d probably go for the large, unless there is some other reason such as sharing the bike, resale planning, or that it actually feels better when test riding back to back… just make sure the seats and bars are setup the same, because that could make one bike seem different than another. Good luck!
Reply