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Pro Bike Check: Raewyn Morrison’s Giant Reign 1

If you wanted to see the coolest bikes on the market, the lush rainforest of New Zealand was the place to be last weekend. During practice for the Rotorua Enduro World Series we bumped into 25 year old Kiwi racer Raewyn Morrison and took the opportunity to check out her bike.

Raewyn grew up in the North Island near Wellington, and is one of many very fast Kiwis that dominated the top of the EWS rankings last weekend. After racing elite XC she switched to ‘Super D’ in 2012, and then enduro when it boomed. She stormed her way to a very impressive 11th overall in the opening round of the EWS, a solid start to her EWS campaign. We asked Raewyn what she liked about her bike, “I really like the geometry of the giant reign. Being long and low makes for a stable and confidence inspiring, yet playful bike. I also love the spec it comes with,the simplicity of 1×11 and the rockshox suspension is a dream.”

The Giant Reign is a popular bike on the NZ enduro circuit
The Giant Reign 1 is a popular bike on the NZ enduro circuit
The SRAM X1-drivetrain with a 32 tooth chainring and 10-42 cassette make hills a breeze
The SRAM X1-drivetrain with a 32 tooth chainring and 10-42 cassette make hills a breeze
At 58kg, Raewyn runs around 80psi in her dual position Rockshox pike (20% sag)
At 58kg, Raewyn runs around 80psi in her dual position Rockshox pike (20% sag)
To keep the bike balanced, Raewyn runs 180psi in the Monarch rear shock with one volume band to help it ramp up through the stroke. The result is a reasonably firm and stable setup with medium rebound front and rear
To keep the bike balanced, Raewyn runs 180psi in the Monarch rear shock with one volume band to help it ramp up through the stroke. The result is a reasonably firm and stable setup with medium rebound front and rear
For the EWS Raewyn chose to run WTB Vigilante Team Issue tyres, running 20psi in the front and 23psi in the rear
For the EWS Raewyn chose to run WTB Vigilante Team Issue tyres, running 20psi in the front and 23psi in the rear
There were many very fast Kiwi racers in the EWS round, the force is strong in NZ
There were many very fast Kiwi racers in the EWS round, the enduro force is strong in NZ
The Reigns 65 degree head angle keeps the bike planted when the trail gets real steep
The Reign’s 65 degree head angle keeps the bike planted when the trail gets real steep
Raewyn has added a 740mm ENVE carbon bar, and trusts in the SRAM Guides for deceleration
Raewyn has added a 740mm ENVE carbon bar, and trusts in the SRAM Guides for deceleration
A Mudhugger front guard helped when the rain turned the stages to mud
A Mudhugger front guard helped when the rain turned the stages to mud
A chain device ensures that the chain stays in place, when the terrain is getting wild
The standard MRP chain device ensures that the chain stays in place, when the terrain is getting wild
Raewyn raced to 11th place overall in the EWS, a solid start to the season.
Raewyn raced to 11th place overall in the EWS, a solid start to the season.

Raewyn would like to thank her sponsors Giant Bicycles New Zealand, CamelBak and WTB.

You can follow Raewyn through the season on her Facebook Athlete page here.
Racing the World Series is expensive and if you would like to help support her through the 2015 season, check out her Givealittle page.

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

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