Giant and Liv bolster electric mountain bike line-ups through new Fathom E+ and Lurra E+

Giant and Liv have unveiled their latest electric mountain bikes in the form of the updated Fathom E+ and Lurra E+.

Rather than revamp the previous model, Giant has chosen to evolve the Fathom range, which consists of the trail-focussed E+ and more versatile E+ EX. This makeover has taken on the form of a stronger battery, with the Fathom E+ sporting a new 625Wh EnergyPak battery, while the E+ EX boasts even more power through its 800Wh model.

For those wanting the bikes with a women’s-specific geometry, Liv’s new Lurra range mirrors that of Giant’s, with both E+ and E+ EX options, both of which pack in the same batteries and motors.

All four bikes are hardtails with alloy frames.

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Fathom E+ and Lurra E+: Trail-ready electric mountain bikes

© Giant/Liv

The Fathom E+ and Lurra E+ are designed to excel on trails

Considering their alloy builds and hardtail suspensions, the new Fathom and Lurra e-bikes could be mistaken for standard entry-level models, but Giant makes it clear that they’ve not just “a simple hardtail”, but “crafted for those who crave the thrill of discovering new trails”.

That’s specifically the case for the Fathom E+ and Lurra E+, both of which are specifically designed for trails - Giant and Liv have veered from this script slightly with the E+ EX versions, but more on this later.

The off-road capability is delivered in part by the front suspension complete with 130mm travel. This is paired with 29-inch wheels across the Fathom range and it’s the same for the medium and large frame sizes for the Lurra, although the small and medium sizes pack in 27.5-inch wheels on account of the smaller frames.

Each bike comes with a 625Wh EnergyPak battery integrated into the down tube, which is an upgrade on the 500Wh option offered on the previous Fathom 29-inch model. Giant doesn’t specify the range this offers, but there is scope to expand its capabilities by upgrading to an 800Wh battery or adding a 250Wh extender. The former has a claimed average range of 150km, with a maximum range of 260km.

Power on both bikes is provided by Giant’s own SyncDrive Sport motor with its smart assist system that uses six sensors to precisely measure a rider’s power output and match the assistance level to it accordingly. This, Giant says, results in a more “natural” riding experience.

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Fathom E+ EX and Lurra E+ EX: Off-road performance with added versatility

Giant and Liv have veered a little more from the trail-ready script with the new Fathom E+ EX and Lurra E+ EX models.

That’s not to say that they’re not designed to thrive off-road, as they’re packed with the same trail-ready features, including the suspension fork with 130mm of travel, plus 29-inch wheels, barring the 27.5-inch rims specced on the small and medium frames for the Lurra.

© Giant/Liv

Rear racks add versatility to the Fathom E+ EX and Lurra E+ EX

What sets them apart from their cousins is the addition of a rear rack, mudguards and an integrated front light. This opens up the bike to a wider range of riding, whether it be daily errands or bike-packing adventures. The bikes’ capacity to participate in bike-packing trips has also been enhanced by the larger 800Wh battery, which can be boosted through a 250Wh extender. They also pack stronger motors too in the form of the SyncDrive Sport 2. These benefit from the same smart sensor system.

Both the Giant Fathom E+ and Liv Lurra E+ models will be available for £3,299, but the price for the E+ EX models hasn’t yet been confirmed.

Check out the full range of Fathom and Lurra e-bikes on Giant and Liv’s websites.

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