What Giant Road Bike to Buy

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by

edinburghbicycle
in

Giant road bikes may look similar but there are some vital differences between all the models with each option offering different benefits and advantages. In this article, we will look at the different models of Giant bikes in the road cycling category. Broadly, Giant road bikes are available in either an Aluminium alloy frame option (Contend, Contend SL & Contend AR) and a full carbon range (Defy, TCR & Propel).

The choice between modern road bikes can be overwhelming so we will look at the different styles of road bikes first, followed by a look at each model in the Giant road bike range. These include the Contend, Contend SL, Contend AR, Giant Defy, Giant TCR and the Giant Propel and some of the options within these ranges such as the Advanced Pro options and Advanced SL. But first, we will look at what constitutes a road bike and the different styles available

You can also find Liv women’s road bikes here. They offer the same range as Giant but with geometry designed for women. Liv make some of the best women’s road bikes on the market.

If you are looking for a new bike and want to chat, contact us or pop in to any of our stores for helpful, friendly, advice.

Contents and quick links

  • What is a road bike?
  • Giant Contend – the entry level road bike with aluminium alloy frame, carbon fork, rim brakes and Shimano entry level groupset
  • Giant Contend SL – The ‘Super-light’ version of the above. A lighter aluminium alloy frame, carbon forks, disc brakes and mid range Shimano gearing.
  • Giant Contend AR – The gravel bike version of the Contend range. Wider tyres for rougher roads/tracks, aluminium alloy frame and carbon forks. Three spec choices in this range with progressively better gears and brakes.
  • Giant Defy – Full carbon frame and forks, endurance road bike geometry and various choices of specifications including a carbon wheels option.
  • Giant TCR – Full carbon frame and forks again but this is your climbers race machine. Race geometry and various spec options dependant on your preferences.
  • Giant Propel – Full carbon aerodynamic road bike for flat out speed. Comes with various choices of gears, brakes and wheelsets.
  • Giant Bikes Frequently Asked Questions – the most common questions the internet has about Giant.
  • Top Giant Bikes Available Now

What is a Road Bike?

Road bikes are recognisable by their narrow tyres, lightweight frames, and drop handlebars. These bikes are designed to be as efficient as possible on tarmac roads which makes them perfect for either speed, or covering longer distances.

In the past, road bikes were made in one mould; an incredibly aggressive position with an unforgiving ride quality. Thankfully, road bikes have changed a lot since the early days, and there are now different models available depending on your riding style, preferences, and budget. There is even a choice of materials to further broaden your options.

Styles of Road Bikes

There are four main styles of road bikes: Endurance road bikes, climbers race bikes, aerodynamic road bikes, and gravel road bikes. Each has their own qualities depending on what you are looking for the bike to do.

Endurance road bikes

Endurance road bikes came into existence when bicycle manufacturers realised that not everyone wanted pure speed at the expense of comfort. Endurance bikes put riders in a more upright ride position by raising the front end of the bike and shortening the reach. They also come with wider tyres fitted as standard and often have even more tyre clearance if you wanted to go with even wider tyres and more comfort.

Giant Endurance Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Contend, Giant Contend SL

Perfect for: Long distance cycling, sportives, Audax rides

As we mentioned above, Liv bikes produce all of the bikes that Giant do but with a geometry that is more suited to women. The endurance bikes in the Liv range are; Liv Avail, Liv Avail SL, and the Liv Avail Advanced.

Climbers Race Bikes

Climbers road bikes are designed to be fast and efficient uphills, while offering sharp and nimble handling on the downhills. What makes these bikes fast and efficient uphill is that they have incredibly lightweight frames that are also stiff to improve power transfer making them the fastest bikes uphill. Climbers race bikes also prioritise the downhills by having supremely nimble and manoeuvrable handling for the twists and turns.

The trade off to all this efficiency is comfort both in terms of the position, and the frame design. A climbers race bike will put riders in a more streamlined position by having a longer and lower reach to the handlebars. While this adds aerodynamic efficiency, this position suits riders that are more flexible and have a stronger core. As these bikes have a stiffer frame, you will naturally feel more of the road buzz which adds to fatigue, particularly over longer distances.

Giant Climbers Race Bikes: Giant TCR range

Perfect For: High mountains, racing on hilly routes, efficiency uphill

As we mentioned above, Liv bikes produce all of the bikes that Giant do but with a geometry that are more suited to women. The climbers race bike in the Liv range is the Liv Langma.

Aerodynamic Road Bikes

Aero road bikes are designed to be incredibly fast and stable in a straight line, at high speeds. An aero bike will look a bit chunkier than an endurance bike or a race bike because of the shape of the frame tubes. These tubes will normally be a longer, teardrop shape to optimise the airflow and make these bikes faster through the air. The wheelbase of these bikes is also longer which gives them their incredible stability, particularly at high speeds.

The shape of the frames and tubes gives aero bikes a big advantage but also leads to a trade off. As more material is used to manufacture the tubes, these bikes will likely be heavier than a climbers race bike, or even some endurance bikes. Again though, aero bikes have vastly reduced the weight of these bikes, so much so that Tour de France cyclists use some aero bikes on mountain stages.

The second drawback is a trade off for the increased stability. The longer wheelbase that gives this bike the incredible stability, does affect the handling on tight corners and descents. This is another factor that has improved vastly in the last 5 or so years. Comparing the handling of an aero bike now with one from a few years ago would be night and day.

Giant Aero bikes: Giant Propel

Perfect for: All out speed, stability at speed, riding on the flat.

As we mentioned above, Liv bikes produce all of the bikes that Giant do but with a geometry that is more suited to women. The aero bike in the Liv range is the Liv Enviliv.

Giant Aluminium Alloy range

As mentioned above, Giant road bikes start with an Aluminium alloy frame range – Contend, Contend SL and the Contend AR. Before we look at each bike range in turn, here are the benefits of aluminium alloy frames.

Characteristics of aluminium alloy frames

  • Aluminium is a relatively cheap material and is inexpensive to work with resulting in a less expensive bicycle.
  • It is a robust and strong material
  • An aluminium frame needs to be stiff to be strong so you will feel more of the road through vibrations

Giant Contend

The Giant Contend is the entry level Giant road bike and is perfect for those that want efficiency and comfort without breaking the bank. The Contend has an Aluminium alloy frame to offer a strong, lightweight and robust frame for good efficiency and comfort. To help with comfort at the front end, the Contend comes with a full carbon fork that works to reduce road vibrations and reduce weight. As these bikes are all about offering quality components at affordable prices, they come with rim brakes and entry level Shimano gears. These gears will offer a wide range but will be geared for getting you uphills easier as these bikes fall in the endurance road bikes category.

The Contend is the perfect bike for those looking to start in road riding or for those that want a simple commuter bike that you can fit mudguards to.

Giant Contend SL

The bigger brother of the Contend, the Contend SL offers the same geometry as the Contend but the changes appear beneath the surface of the frame. The SL stands for ‘Super-light’ and this refers to the fact that the frame is engineered to remove unnecessary material in order to reduce the weight. The fork is carbon so offers the same comfort and efficiency and the gearing will be nice and low to get you up steep hills.

These bikes will come with higher quality gearing as this further reduces weight of the overall bike along with giving you smoother shifting and more gears. You also get disc brakes for better stopping in all conditions.

This bike is great for those not wanting to pay carbon road bike prices but still wanting a great quality, lightweight road bike. We currently have stock of the Giant Contend SL 1 Disc.

Giant Contend AR

Another model in the ‘Contend’ range but this one is a little different again. The ‘AR’ here stands for ‘all road bike’ or ‘any road bike’ and this is in reference to the fact that these gravel bikes are designed to deal well with gravel and unpaved surfaces. This is due to having generous tyre clearance for a wider and more knobbly, gravel tyre if you prefer.

Similar to the other two contend models, the Contend AR comes with a robust aluminium alloy frame and carbon forks on the front to reduce vibrations.

The Contend AR is available in different models, the 1, 2 and 3. Each number denotes a better specification option than the last so you can choose the spec you want.

See the Contend AR 1 here.

Giant Full Carbon Range

Here we will look at the carbon composite frame range which consists of the Giant Defy, Giant TCR and the Giant Propel. Before we look at these bikes, here is a brief list of the benefits of carbon frames.

Benefits of Carbon bike frames (and forks

  • Man made material so engineers can give it different qualities depending on what is required – can be stiff to aid efficiency and speed while still being pliable to reduce road buzz
  • Incredibly efficient for increased power transfer – translation: you will be faster or travel the same speed using less energy
  • Carbon offers phenomenal comfort
  • Lightweight

Giant Defy

The Defy Giant bike is classed as an endurance road bike so is designed to be more comfortable over longer distances by having a more upright front end and a shorter reach when compared to race geometry. A lot of people find this shape of bike more comfortable as it does not rely on a good deal of flexibility from the individual. The Defy range are some of the best endurance road bikes available on the market

The downside of this type of bike is that you lose some aerodynamic efficiency while in a more upright position but most people that are looking for an endurance bike believe this is a worthy trade for the increased comfort.

Comfort also comes in the form of a frame and fork that can vastly reduce road vibrations and buzz so causing less fatigue particularly in the hands, arms neck and back.

The Defy range are available in ‘Advanced’, ‘Advanced Pro’ and ‘Advanced SL’ and the differences are below.

Defy range

  • Defy Advanced – Carbon frame and forks with either aluminium alloy or carbon wheels (Defy Advanced 0). Available in three options with different specifications. Giant Defy Advanced 2, Giant Defy Advanced 1, Giant Defy Advanced 0.
  • Defy Advanced Pro – Carbon frame and upgraded carbon forks with carbon fibre wheels. Available in numerous options with different gearing systems. Defy Advanced Pro 2, Defy Advanced Pro 1, Defy Advanced Pro 0.
  • Defy Advanced SL – The highest grade of carbon composite frame and forks with carbon wheels. Available in two options options, The Advanced SL 0 & 1. The Defy Advanced SL is by special order only, please contact us for availability.

Giant TCR

The Giant TCR is one off the most famous and celebrated road bikes ever designed. This is due to the extremely low weight, incredible speed and great comfort (considering it’s a race bike). Being a race bike, this means that the front end is lower and the reach is longer to give an efficient and aerodynamic position saving a significant amount of power for a competitive edge. This is also an example of the lightest of the road bikes as these are designated as climbers race road bikes as they will fly up and down hills. You will definitely be fast on this bike.

One of the other benefits of the TCR is the handling. These bikes will feel incredibly sharp on descents so, compared to a bike like the Giant Propel (more on the Propel a little further down) you sacrifice some of that straight line speed for nimble handling on the descents.

The downside of this bike comes with this enhanced speed position – it’s just not sustainable for many people as it requires a good deal of flexibility, particularly in the hips and hamstrings, and requires good core strength (I’ll get onto those exercises some day!).

You should buy this bike if you are wanting to be as fast as possible and are either pretty flexible or are willing to put in the work to strengthen your core and increase flexibility.

Similar to the other carbon bikes in the range, the TCR is available as TCR Advanced, TCR Advanced Pro and the TCR Advanced SL.

TCR range differences

Giant Propel

Another road race bike but this time the priority is aerodynamics. The Propel range is designed to be the fastest road bike in a straight line with carbon frame and forks to increase efficiency. If you want a bike to be as fast as possible then the Propel could be for you.

As in all of cycling, prioritising one factor means you trade off in other areas and with the Propel you will get a slightly heavier bike as more aerodynamics means more material. The straight line stability and speed also comes with a trade off, and that’s the handling. A bicycle like a Propel will not handle quite as well as, say, the TCR – that being said, great strides have been made with aerodynamic bikes in recent history to make them much lighter and better handling than like models of the past.

Giant offer many different versions o the Propel which we will have a look at here.

Propel range differences

  • Propel Advanced – Carbon frame and forks with aluminium alloy OR carbon wheels. Available in numerous options with different gearing systems. Available in Propel Advanced 0 Di2, 0 AXS, 1 & 2.
  • Propel Advanced Pro – Carbon frame and upgraded carbon forks with carbon fibre wheels. Available in numerous options with different gearing systems. Available in Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS, 0 Di2, 1 AXS, 1 Di2 and 2.
  • Propel Advanced SL – The highest grade of carbon composite frame and forks and carbon wheels – the SL 0 is the bike the Pro’s use on the grand tours. Available in two options, The Advanced SL 0 with Dura-Ace Di2 and the Propel Advanced SL 1 with Ultegra Di2.

Phew! That was a lot of info to throw at you about Giant bikes but there’s more. We will have a brief look at the frequently asked questions about Giant road bikes.

FAQ’s

How do I determine the right size for a Giant road bike?

We always recommend sitting on and testing road bikes as this is the best way to ensure you are getting the correct size. Otherwise, Giant have a size chart (below) that can be used as a guide.

What are the differences between the Giant Defy, Propel, and TCR models?

There are significant differences between the Defy, Propel, and TCR models and each is designed for specific purposes. We will look at all three in turn starting with the Defy…

Giant Defy

The Giant Defy road bike is classed as an endurance bike and is ideal for comfort and riding longer distances. The geometry of the Giant Defy provides a more upright position by having a shorter reach and a higher front end, a position that many riders find more comfortable.

It is not only the geometry that provides the comfort. The frame itself is built with more flex and slightly less stiffness to take the harsh buzz out of the road. Endurance bikes will also come with a wider tyre for both extra comfort and more grip on loose surfaces. All in all, the Giant Defy is build for long distance riding in total comfort.

Pros: very comfortable ride quality, can be used on light gravel, perfect for long distance cycling

Cons: less efficient than out-and-out race bikes

Giant Propel

The Giant Propel is classed as an aerodynamic bike, or aero bike. These bikes are built with straight line speed in mind by being able to cut through the air more efficiently. The frame tubes are elongated to minimise drag and maximise airflow around the frame, making the rider faster in a straight line. Another quality that aero bikes have is that they are more stable at high speeds due to the longer wheelbase.

The final factor that makes aero bikes fast is their stiff and efficient frames. More of your energy goes towards powering the bike forwards.

Pros: Fast on flat routes, super-stable at high speeds

Cons: Heavier than some other road bikes, cornering not as capable as a pure climbers bike.

Giant TCR

Last but not least is the Giant TCR. The TCR is the lightest of the three bikes here and is classes as a climbers race bike. The weight is only one reason why these bikes fly uphill, the other is the frame design and manufacturer. Race bikes are built to be stiffer, and therefore more efficient than an endurance road bike as less energy is lost to bending a frame or any excess movement.

Going downhill is also a priority for climbers race bikes which is why these bikes are designed to optimise handling on fast, technical descents.

Pros: Very light and efficient uphills, sharp handling, great acceleration

Cons: Less stable at high speeds than an aero bike, less forgiving ride than an endurance bike.

What frame material options are available for Giant road bikes in the UK?

The two main frame materials for Giant road bikes are aluminium alloy and carbon composite. An Aluminium frame is perfect if you are looking for a fast and relatively efficient road bike that will not break the bank. Carbon is the material for you if you are looking for lightweight, efficiency, and comfort.

What should I consider when choosing a Giant road bike for commuting in the UK?

When choosing a Giant road bike specifically for commuting we would always start with bikes that have the option of full length mudguards and the ability to take a rack for pannier bags. For commuting, the Giant Contend AR would be an excellent choice due to the wider tyres and ability to fit mudguards and rack.

Alternately, you could explore the flat bar Giant commuter bike

Can I test ride a Giant road bike before purchasing?

We allow short test rides on any bike we have in stock in the business on dry days to check for the correct size and fit. We require a 20% refundable deposit to bring a bike in for test and if it is not suitable, we will transfer the deposit or refund you if there are no viable alternatives.

If we have a bike in stock on a shop floor, you are welcome to test it that day provided you have photo ID and it is dry.

Are Giant bikes looked down on by the cycling community?

Overall we don’t get that impression but as with all things, people will have their opinions and the only negative ones we have heard are based on the fact that Giant are such a huge company. We choose to look at that positively though, as this is why they are able to produce such excellent bikes at lower price points.

Top Giant Road Bike Models

In this section, we will list some of the top Giant road bikes, a description of each and a reminder of who these bikes would be perfect for.

Note: when we say ‘carbon wheels’, it means that the wheels have carbon rims

Giant Contend 2 Road Bike

The Giant Contend 2 Road Bike is perfect for those that want a road bike but do not want to break the bank. The Contend 2 features an aluminium alloy frame and carbon fork to smooth out road buzz on the front end of the bike. The gears are Shimano Claris 2 x 8-speed, and they are the only rim brake bikes on the list.

Key Features

  • Aluminium frame with carbon fork
  • Rim brake
  • Shimano Claris 2 x 8-speed gearing
  • endurance geometry (upright)
  • road bikes costing under £1000

Giant Contend AR 2 Gravel Road Bike

A slightly more versatile road bike, the Giant Contend AR 2 features wider tyres and more clearance for wider, or more knobbly tyres for gravel and forest paths while still being nice and efficient on tarmac. A robust aluminium alloy frame and vibration damping carbon fork make for a comfortable ride. The gearing is the smooth and reliable Shimano Tiagra and the brakes are mechanical disc brakes.

Key Features

  • Aluminium frame with carbon fork
  • Mechanical disc brakes
  • Shimano Tiagra 2 x 10-speed gearing
  • endurance geometry (upright)
  • currently discounted while stock lasts

Also available

  • Giant Contend AR 1 – a significant upgrade over the Contend AR 2 to Shimano 105 gearing and hydraulic disc brakes

Giant TCR Advanced 2

The entry-level carbon climbers race bike, the TCR Advanced 2 features a full carbon frame and fork for the ultimate in efficiency. The geometry is race oriented so you will be more stretched out and lower, designed to provide efficiency by sacrificing some of the comfort you would find on an endurance road bike.

Key Features

  • Carbon frame and fork
  • Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc brakes
  • Shimano 105 2 x 12-speed gearing
  • Race geometry (longer and lower)
  • Designed for efficiency, with a slightly less comfortable ride

Also Available

  • Giant TCR Advanced 1 – Full carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 Di2 electronic gears, Shimano 105 Hydraulic disc brakes, Aluminium alloy wheels
  • Giant TCR Advanced 0 Di2 – Full carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 Di2 electronic gears, Shimano 105 Hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels
  • Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2 – Full carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 gears, Shimano 105 Hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels
  • Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 Di2 – Full carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 Di2 electronic gears, Shimano 105 Hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels
  • Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 AXS – Full carbon frame and fork, SRAM Rival AXS wireless electronic gears, SRAM Rival AXS Hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels

Giant Defy Advanced 2

The Defy range are Giant’s endurance road bikes – designed with comfort in mind and long days in the saddle. The Giant Defy Advanced 2 is the entry-level carbon version and features full carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 2 x 12-speed gearing, Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes, and aluminium alloy wheels.

Key Features

  • Carbon frame and fork
  • Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc brakes
  • Shimano 105 2 x 12-speed gearing
  • Endurance geometry – more upright and shorter reach
  • Designed for comfort, with a slightly less efficient ride

Also Available

  • Giant Defy Advanced 1 – Full carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 Di2 electronic gears, Shimano 105 Hydraulic disc brakes, Aluminium alloy wheels
  • Giant Defy Advanced 0 – Full carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 Di2 electronic gears, Shimano 105 Hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels
  • Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 – Full carbon frame and fork, SRAM Rival eTap AXS wireless electronic gears, SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels
  • Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0 – Full carbon frame and fork, Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic gears, Shimano Ultegra Hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels
  • Giant Defy Advanced SL 1 – Giant’s most advanced full carbon frame and forks, SRAM Force AXS wireless electronic gears, SRAM Force Hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheels
Bicycle Contend Contend SL Contend AR Defy TCR Propel
Geometry Endurance Endurance Endurance Endurance Race Race
Tyre Clearance Narrow Narrow Wide Wide Narrow Narrow
Brake Type Rim Brakes Hydraulic Disc Mechanical or Hydraulic Disc Hydraulic Disc Hydraulic Disc Hydraulic Disc
Groupsets Shimano Claris Shimano 105 Shimano CUES Shimano 105 or Shimano 105 Di2 Shimano 105 and upwards Shimano 105 and upwards
Wheel Material Aluminium Alloy Aluminium Alloy Aluminium Alloy Aluminium Alloy or Carbon Aluminium Alloy or Carbon Aluminium Alloy or Carbon
Budget Band Sub £1000 £1200 – £1999 £1200 – £1900 £2699 and upwards £2699 and upwards £2999 and up
Best For Budget Leisure, shorter distances Mix of on, and off-road Comfort, long distances Climbing, descending Flat-out speed