Light and superbly comfortable endurance bike in a super-high build, but look lower down the range for the best bargain
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything but we do try to look for weak points in any design.
The Cadex Classic tyres certainly help. Giant specs 32mm tyres across the range but we measured ours at 34.2mm on the Cadex 36 rims. They're set up tubeless so you can run them at low pressures without the worry of pinch-flatting an inner tube. Up front, Giant has introduced a new version of its Contact SLR handlebar, with the top sections using similar D-shaped composite tubing. You can't feel the movement to the same extent that you can with the seatpost, but it's certainly a comfy bar that helps to absorb vibration on rougher roads.
As I've been riding the large-sized Defy Advanced SL, let's use that as an example. It has a 575mm top tube, a 535mm seat tube, and a 195mm head tube. The stack height is 596mm and the reach is 392.9mm. This gives a stack/reach of 1.51 . Whether or not you're a fan is going to come down to your flexibility and taste. As with any other bike, you should definitely try before you buy to make sure the geometry suits.The geometry and features such as the ability to take 38mm tyres are common to every bike in the range, but Giant offers the Defy at three different levels and a 345g fork. Our complete bike hit the scales at 7.24kg including the bottle cages and computer mount .
The front-end stiffness is high too. The Defy Advanced SL and Defy Advanced Pro both use Giant's Overdrive Aero fork/headset/stem sizing with a 1 1/4in bearing at the top and 1 1/2in at the bottom. Cornering is precise, and the only movement you feel when throwing the bike around out of the saddle comes from the tyres.
You'll know that Red is SRAM's top-end road groupset. Whether you prefer it to Shimano is largely a matter of taste but it hasn't put a foot wrong during our review period, providing quick, crisp shifts at both the front and rear. I won't go deeply into the performance of the Quarq Zero power meter here but it's of an equally high standard.
The same goes for the Giant Fleet SLR saddle with its short nose, carbon rails, and large central cutout. We all know that saddles are always going to come down to individual preference but Giant's '' works well for a lot of people. I certainly found it both supportive and comfy over rides of several hours.
Some endurance bikes kind of plod along. They get the job done, but they're a bit staid; just not especially fun. The Defy Advanced SL 0 is the opposite of all that. It's sparky and lively – one of those bikes where you just can't wait for the next ride – while also being exceptionally comfortable and practical for year-round riding.
Where does this model sit in the range? Tell us briefly about the cheaper options and the more expensive optionsGiant offers the Defy in three different platforms. The Defy Advanced SL is the lightest version, made from what Giant calls its Advanced SL composite and coming with a claimed frame weight of 785g .
Beyond the frameset, the Defy Advanced SL uses Giant's top-level D-Fuse SLR seatpost and handlebar, whereas less expensive models are specced with Giant's not-so-posh D-Fuse components.Giant uses what it calls its Advanced SL composite for this bike. The raw carbon fibre sheet is produced in the company's own factory and the layup uses"up to 132 separate pieces of composite", according to Giant.
It's not quite as stiff at the bottom bracket or head tube as a performance-focused race bike like Giant's TCR, but it's not a million miles off. It certainly feels stiff and reactive.A tiny amount. And no, not a worry.Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
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