Giant Smart Gateway 2.0: New Ebike System with Displays, Control Units and Radar

In the coming weeks and months, Giant will be launching several new ebikes from Giant and Liv. Perhaps their most important innovation is hidden inside the respective bike frames. The manufacturer is kicking off the 2026 season with a completely redesigned ebike system for models with mid-drive motors. The Smart Gateway, introduced in 2020, is reaching its next stage of development – Smart Gateway 2.0. In addition to new control units and displays, it also features smart safety applications such as a radar system, integrated tyre pressure measurement and digital anti-theft protection with tracking function.

A modern ebike system connects controls, sensors, safety systems and performance-optimising components with each other. Everything works together in real time. The ebike itself, our riding behaviour and the environment are monitored. The data collected is intended to perfect the riding experience. The new Smart Gateway 2.0 is correspondingly complex. It includes the following system components:

• Communication Hub SG 2.0
• Giant RideControl Go 2 control unit
• Giant RideControl Ergo 4 control unit
• Giant RideControl Dash 2 display
• Giant Ridedash Evo 2.0 display
• Giant RideControl Go Lux display
• Aegis Radar
• Aegis Tire Checker
• E-Lock
• Apple Find My

1. Communication Hub SG 2.0: The heart of the system
2. Giant Smart Gateway 2.0 control units
3. Giant Smart Gateway 2.0 displays
4. Aegis Radar: The digital rear-view mirror
5. Aegis Tire Checker: Always on the road with the right tyre pressure
6. E-Lock: New digital anti-theft protection
7. Apple Find My for Giant Smart Gateway 2.0
8. Giant ebike featuring Smart Gateway 2.0
9. Liv ebikes featuring Smart Gateway 2.0

1. Communication Hub SG 2.0: The heart of the system

Similar to the first version of Smart Gateway, Smart Gateway 2.0 follows the same concept of a central control unit. It essentially bundles all the intelligence of the ebike system. As before, Giant installs it under the motor cover, where it is well protected from both climatic and mechanical impacts.

The hardware of the communication hub will be at a much higher level in future. In addition to a faster processor, the AI-enabled component has been given internal memory that is four times larger than before. New functions such as E-Lock and Apple Find My also require this level of performance. Thanks to the unit, Giant and Liv ebikes simultaneously adjust to the local time across different time zones. It also contains various protection protocols designed to prevent short circuits in the e-drive, among other things.

The communication hub is connected to all other components of the ebike system via new, more robust plugs and connections with a modified design. This is one of the reasons why Smart Gateway 2.0 is not downwards compatible with the previous Smart Gateway.

2. Giant Smart Gateway 2.0 control units

2.1 Giant RideControl Go 2
2.2 Giant RideControl Ergo 4

2.1 Giant RideControl Go 2

With no offence to the control unit, it can safely be described as the simplest component in the new system. Placed in the top tube, the Giant RideControl Go 2 acts as the on/off switch for the drive. Its slim LED lights up in different colours to indicate the currently selected assistance level. An integrated light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the LED to the ambient light conditions. Usually, you will find the Giant RideControl Go 2 together with the Giant Ridedash Evo 2.0 display on the respective ebikes. In theory, however, it also works as a standalone solution.

2.2 Giant RideControl Ergo 4

The Giant RideControl Ergo 4 offers even more sophistication. At first glance, this is not apparent from the simple control unit with its two arrow keys and the narrow confirmation button between them. Things get more interesting when Giant equips an ebike with two of these control units – one mounted on the left side of the handlebar next to the grip and one on the right side in the same way. In this case, the manufacturer has integrated the ebike’s gear system directly into its ebike system. This means that there is no shifter for the corresponding derailleur or hub gear system. Instead, you shift gears at the touch of a button with the Giant RideControl Ergo 4. If an automatic gearing system is installed, you can use the buttons to regulate the desired cadence. The left control unit gives you access to the ebike drive as usual.

Compared to the previous model, the new Ergo 4 provides better haptic feedback. Despite their smooth surface, the buttons are grippy to operate. According to Giant, more robust materials are used in the button mechanism.

3. Giant Smart Gateway 2.0 displays

3.1 Giant RideControl Dash 2
3.2 Giant RideDash Evo 2.0
3.3 Giant RideControl Go Lux

3.1 Giant RideControl Dash 2

The Giant RideControl Dash 2 will probably be the display most commonly used on Giant and Liv ebikes. It combines the functionality of Giant RideControl Go 2 and Giant RideControl Ergo 4 in one unit and adds a 1.5-inch LCD display. With the two left buttons and the confirmation button, the display covers what a left-mounted RideControl Ergo 4 can do. The two lower buttons on the Giant RideControl Dash 2 correspond to a right-mounted RideControl Ergo 4. And the LED bar at the top of the display is essentially a miniaturised Giant RideControl Go 2.

With its compact design, the display gives you access to all the information and settings on the display as well as the riding characteristics of the e-drive. You can organise the information on a maximum of six screens. Each screen allows you to display a maximum of two data fields. The integrated speaker emits acoustic signals from the system, the radar or theft warnings.

3.2 Giant RideDash Evo 2.0

The new Giant RideDash Evo 2.0, on the other hand, has no buttons at all. Its LCD display measures 2.4 inches diagonally. For comparison: This puts it exactly in the middle between a Bosch Kiox 500 and a Bosch Kiox 300. With this size, it is even more obvious that we are talking about a smartphone-quality screen. Colours and contrasts are always clearly visible, even in intense sunlight. The improved computing power with response times of 60 hertz comes close to that of an iPhone 13.

The display uses its size to offer you more options for displaying information. Unlike the Giant RideControl Dash 2, you can integrate a maximum of four data fields instead of just two on each of the six screens.

As usual, the Giant RideDash Evo 2.0 is integrated centrally into the stem of the ebike. As it does not feature a button to switch the ebike system on and off, it must be combined with a control unit. Both the Giant RideControl Go 2 and the Giant RideControl Ergo 4 are compatible.

3.3 Giant RideControl Go Lux

For the first time, Giant is introducing a ‘real’ display for integration into the top tube. Previously, only the Giant RideControl Go control unit was available for this spot. With its two-inch size, the LCD display is on par with the one for the DJI Avinox or a Bosch Kiox 400C. However, unlike the aforementioned models, the new Giant RideControl Go Lux does not provide a port for charging external devices.

The menu navigation and display layout are identical to those of the Giant RideDash Evo 2.0 and Giant RideControl Dash 2. The device also features a speaker. The number of data fields on the screens is limited to a maximum of three.

Thanks to its on/off switch, which is essentially an integrated Giant RideControl Go 2, the display could theoretically even be used as the sole control component on an ebike. However, this would leave you unable to change the assistance levels or screens. For this reason, the manufacturer combines the Giant RideControl Go Lux with either one or two Giant RideControl Ergo 4 units.

4. Aegis Radar: The digital rear-view mirror

Where other ebike manufacturers primarily define themselves by the motor power of their own drive systems, Giant wants to score points in future with smart features that make cycling more enjoyable and safer. The manufacturer has even launched a new brand for this purpose. Innovations in this area are to be presented under the ‘Aegis’ label in the coming years.

The 2026 season will kick off with, among other things, a new radar warning system for ebikes from Aegis. Over a maximum distance of 120 metres, it will warn you of vehicles approaching you quickly from behind. On the new models, you can recognise the system as a dark box mounted under the tail light of the rear rack.

The system works as follows: On a display such as the Giant RideDash Evo 2.0 or the Giant RideControl Dash 2, a narrow bar can be displayed on the right-hand side of the screen. This symbolises the 120-metre area behind you. If a vehicle approaches you from this direction, it appears as a dot in this bar. If the vehicle is still further away and only slightly faster than you, the dot is displayed in green. The closer the vehicle gets to you and the faster it is travelling, the faster the colour changes from green to orange to red. If it is travelling at least 60 kilometres per hour faster than you, the Aegis Radar activates an alarm. A warning tone sounds from the speakers of the control unit and display on the ebike. A red bar also flashes at the top of the display.

Well designed and customisable

When an alarm sounds, you’ll be glad of the warning, but at the same time you can be sure that you won’t be warned about every vehicle on the road in this way. When developing the system, Giant focused on striking precisely this balance between effective protection and annoying constant noise. That’s why the radar only reacts to vehicles and people travelling at a speed of at least 11 kilometres per hour. This completely excludes pedestrian traffic, but takes into account fast runners, for example.

Furthermore, the system is primarily designed for riding outside built-up areas. This also explains the speed difference limit of 60 kilometres per hour for the alarm. Own research has shown that this is a difference that can be experienced on average on many country roads and is perceived as dangerous by cyclists.

In addition, both the radar display and the alarm can be adjusted in the display settings. You can deselect the bar display, deactivate the acoustic signal and also switch off both at the same time. The radar system remains active in the background, so you will still be warned in very dicey situations.

Retrofitting is an option

Selected models will come with this solution as standard for the 2026 season. However, it can also be added later. To do this, the ebike must feature the appropriate rear rack with integrated tail light. Among other things, the connection to the power supply via the ebike battery is already prepared there.

According to Giant, the Aegis Radar is more accurate than Garmin solutions such as the Varia eRTL615. We have not yet been able to compare the two systems directly. Garmin claims that it can detect vehicles that are 140 metres away. However, users often complain that the measurement corridor is too wide, which can trigger unnecessary alarms. In an initial test, however, the Aegis Radar also detected vehicles that were driving two lanes away from us while we were riding on a separate cycle path next to the actual road.

5. Aegis Tire Checker: Always on the road with the right tyre pressure

Ensuring safe cornering, conserving battery capacity and minimising tyre wear – all this can be boosted by having the correct tyre pressure. That’s why we consider the tyre pressure sensor to be one of the most practical new features for Giant and Liv ebikes. The Aegis tyre pressure monitor measures air pressure with an accuracy of up to one per cent. If your ebike has this system installed, the current readings for the front and rear tyres are displayed every time you switch on the ebike. If the pressure drops below the pre-set lower limit while riding, you will immediately receive a warning on the display.

The upper and lower limits for air pressure can be set directly on the display and in the RideControl app. Both values can also be displayed as data fields on the display. This allows you to keep an eye on the air pressure at all times, even if the limits are not reached.

The sensor is mounted directly on the existing valve. This means that the system can be easily retrofitted to any ebike with Smart Gateway 2.0 at any time. This applies to both wheels with a tube and the tubeless version. The sensor draws power for the measurement from a small button cell battery. According to Giant, this lasts for around three years. The long service life is due to a sensor that detects when the ebike is stationary. In this case, the system switches to standby mode to save power. If the battery does eventually run out, you will receive a message on the ebike’s display.

6. E-Lock: New digital anti-theft protection

Electronic anti-theft protection is increasingly becoming part of the ‘basic equipment’ of an ebike. Or at least an optional extra. Giant is launching such a security system for the 2026 season. It goes by the unspectacular name of ‘E-Lock’. Activating E-Lock in the RideControl app ensures that the ebike locks automatically as soon as you switch it off. It can only be unlocked if a pre-set four-digit code is entered correctly on the ebike’s display.

If criminals attempt to move the locked ebike and the system detects the change in location, a warning tone sounds after a few seconds. As there is no mechanical lock, the ebike can still be moved. However, the assistance is completely deactivated. The communication module of the Smart Gateway 2.0 records the incident. If the bicycle is not returned to its owner immediately, any specialist workshop can read out this incident later. This means that measures can also be taken at that point to return it to its rightful owner.

In our opinion, E-Lock is not yet fully developed in its current version. This is primarily due to the lack of notification. Unlike systems from other ebike manufacturers, you do not receive an automatic notification, for example via an app, that your ebike has been moved without authorisation. However, E-Lock is currently free of charge and is included with every model featuring the new Smart Gateway 2.0. To use it, all you need to do is set up a Giant ID in the RideControl app and register your ebike.

7. Apple Find My for Giant Smart Gateway 2.0

For those who use an Apple mobile device, there is an alternative solution that allows you to track your ebike. Ebikes from Giant and Liv can be connected to Apple’s Find My network. This makes it possible, within certain limits, to track the location of the ebike, share it and locate the ebike by sound.

8. Giant ebikes featuring Smart Gateway 2.0

• Giant Explore E+ 0 2026
• Giant Explore E+ 1 2026
• Giant Explore E+ 2 2026
• Giant Explore E+ 3 Pro 2026
• Giant Explore E+ 3 2026
• Giant Explore E+ 4 2026
• Giant Reign Advanced E+ 0 2026
• Giant Reign Advanced E+ 1 2026
• Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 2026
• Giant Talon E+ 2026
• Giant Talon E+ EX 2026

9. Liv ebikes featuring Smart Gateway 2.0

• Liv Allure E+ 0 2026
• Liv Allure E+ 1 2026
• Liv Allure E+ 2 2026
• Liv Tempt E+ 2026
• Liv Tempt E+ EX 2026

Pictures: Elektrofahrrad24 GmbH; Giant Deutschland GmbH