Giant Twist Express Hybrid Electric Bicycle review
Posted by Gary Ares
The Twist Express is Giant’s latest step forward in their Hybrid Cycling Technology. I will say it appears to be a well thought out evolutionary step of its predecessor, the Twist Freedom. Either way, selecting a Giant brand always ensures you receive a high quality product that is well built...a good value.
(click on bike to see larger image)
My immediate and positive impression of this bike was made while riding it on a grassy field which then transitioned after several hundred yards to the asphalt street. Usually, it only takes a few minutes, if that long for me to get an initial feel for a ride. In this case natural, neutral, and intuitive are a few good descriptors that don’t attempt to dramatize, but instead gave me a feeling of comfort, safety, and working together with the machine to create forward motion.
Actually, Giant’s marketing gurus summed up what you can expect from 
a riding experience with the statement found in one of their brochures; "Hybrid Cycling Technology is human energy working in perfect harmony with the bicycle’s to make your cycling experience the most fun it can be".
It would appear that this fine machine is targeted towards the commuter, or person who wants a well made utility bike with a bit of muscle of its own. In other words, take a well designed and balanced frame, blend in some good quality bike components, and then add a smooth motor drive system to give you an intuitive and pleasant riding experience, that is strong and reliable.
Let’s first take
a look at the bike itself, and then the electric drive system. Giant’s Twist Express is an excellent combination of a lightweight proprietary aluminum alloy (ALUXX) tubes from which they shape to add strength, without harshness, for a highly responsive ride. The components include a Shimano indexed shifting system with 7 speeds which are selected by simply twisting the right handlebar grip (a.k.a. "grip-shift").
It has a pretty comfy saddle, adjustable handlebar height, solid brakes, fenders, 
and "Slime" filled tubes to help prevent getting stuck with a flat tire. It does not have a front suspension fork, but I don't see that as a problem unless you're riding long distances on rough roads. Additionally, you might want to have your dealer upgrade your Twist with a suspension seatpost to reduce the road buzz. You can find more Twist Hybrid Bicycle specifications and sizing here.
There are two differences between the Freedom and Express – front suspension & internal hub shifting. All of the components that are combined to make the “bicycle” are off-the-shelf available if the owner might want to change something; from a handlebar with slight rise and sweep-back, maybe to a flat-straight bar, or possibly a suspension seat post to take out some of the road buzz, or maybe even a tire with more or less tread (more for traction on dirt, less for speed on the asphalt). What’s important here are all items are readily serviceable, and replaceable by any bike shop or maybe even do it yourself if you’re handy.
There are 3 more points, on the bicycle itself, which add value
to the Express; it has a standard drive train, brakes, and wheels. The standard rear wheel has a low gear with 28 teeth should work well, but could be replaced with a 32 or possibly a 34 tooth gear making steep hill climbing or carrying a load, much easier. The linear-pull brakes deliver great stopping power to the double-walled alloy rims. A final point is there are 36 stainless steel spokes, on each wheel, coupled to the hub ensuring durability and load bearing capacity is well covered.
Next, is the pedal-assist electric drive system which truly makes the Express an
excellent choice. Actually, my impression of how it worked together is “harmonious”. The hub motor is located in the front wheel, and delivers enough power, along with the riders pedaling action, to achieve a top assisted speed of 15 mph in a smooth and predictable manner – no surprises here. In a nutshell, the combination of components I’ll explain in a bit more detail next, quite fluidly pull the bike smoothly to create the hybrid effect of two wheel drive under the complete control of the rider’s leg’s input to the pedals.
The electric drive components on the Express are the front mounted hub motor, a rear rack mounted lightweight & powerful battery (24Volts @ 9amp hour rating), and a control system to apply the right amount of power to the ground. What I liked about the motor is how quiet it was, its ability to freewheel without any drag, and how well the Giant engineers tuned it to seamlessly deliver power. The single battery, nicely affixed to the rear rack, and lockable is high quality, capable of lasting several years of typical use several times a week, and stores enough energy for trips of over 20 miles….it will perform as advertised, reliably, and well within the expectations of a typical user.
The controller portion is actually comprised of a few
individual pieces; the handlebar mounted user interface, a sealed electronic assembly mounted in the bicycle’s frame just in front of the rear wheel, and a discreet pedal force detector which senses the torque applied to the rear wheel. This device is neatly tucked away, with well hidden wiring, just behind the rear derailleur used for shifting.
The user control is intuitive to use, provides the right amount of control, and gives the rider feedback on the charge level of the battery as well as performing diagnostic functions. The differences in assistance felt by the rider, between the 3 power levels (Eco, Normal & Sport), is noticeable, though not by any means overwhelming. Again, the word seamless comes to mind.
All of these are wired together though it’s hard to tell because again, the engineers took the time to hide them in and along the frame. One might go as far as to call it a "stealthy" & healthy bike.
Here are a few more useful points to be aware of;
1) There is a lifetime warranty on the frame, 1 year on just about all of the parts, and 6 months on the battery (from date of purchase). Also, there is a 60 day labor warranty, otherwise you will receive parts at no cost, but pay for the labor during the balance of the warranty period.
2) This bike is rated for 250Watts of continuous power which will work quite well for most people, in most parts of the world. I am around 200 lbs, somewhat fit, and I found the power of the bike to be adequate on the small hills where I rode the Twist. However, I wish the pedal assist did not stop at 15 mph, but instead would continue as long as I am pedaling.
3) Consider the typical commute or ride, and specifically the terrain, weather conditions, and the rider’s weight. I recommend you think about where you'll ride, how far, under what conditions, and then discuss your needs with a Giant dealer.
4) The Giant manual states;
a. NO passengers or baby carriers on the bike!
b. the battery MUST be removed from the bike to charge it
c. the battery MUST be unplugged from the charger before 24 hours! (exclamation points by Giant)
d. the Twist CANNOT be used in competitive events, and training for such activities or events (refer to manual)
In summary, I definitely like this product, and believe it will serve a large cross section of cycling needs quite well. The quality is there because the name of the bike is Giant – clearly one of the best, and highest quality, bikes on the planet. I liked the feel of the ride, the quietness & smoothness of the propulsion system, and the fact that I could do all of the mechanical work on it myself.
Side note: it may be worthwhile to look at the Twist Freedom model, because it is very similar in many ways, but it has an integrated (hidden from the elements) shifting mechanism in the rear hub. I’m a fan of this because it keeps the elements away from the shifting mechanism, allows you to shift while standing still, and eliminates the possibility of the external derailleur going out of adjustment, or worst getting damaged when the bike falls to the right.
For more specifications and points of purchase please check Giant’s website
To view a short video on the Giant Twist
Twist Specifications & Sizing Information
Battery Mounting photos and information