Soudal - Quick-Step were enjoying their day in the yellow jersey at the Criterium du Dauphin, trying to save as much energy as possible before entering the mountains but things didn't go as planned. Remco Evenepoel, race leader, was one of the three riders of the team that has crashed and Patrick L...

Minnesotas Surly Bikes is known for a lot of really cool things, but lightweight bikes are not one of them. And, theyre OK with that. Surlys bikes are iconic, versatile, steel, durable, accessible, unique, and in many cases groundbreaking segment starters. The Surly Preamble is part of that family.In one of the latest Surly Transmissions, there was a blog titled, Make it Your Own: The Impossible Preamble. The title piqued our interest. We thought it was pretty cool, and thought we should share it. So read on below.The Surly Preamble(Photos/Surly Bikes)Retail: $899 ($549 frameset only)The Surly Preamble is a bike that Surly set out to give attributes that matter most. It is quick and comfy on the pavement, and confident and compliant on the degraded surfaces. Surly calls the Preamble a pavement and gravel worker. Continuing to say it proves you dont need to cut corners, or clip coupons to make a more affordable steel bike.The Preamble has a double-butted main triangle, making it both smooth and efficient. This also helps it withstand the abuse a less-than-perfect road can dish out. It can run racks, and fenders, and carry ample water bottles. It can run flat bars, drop bars, a basket, or bags. Surly says that on the road to steel euphoria, Preamble is a gateway drug.And Now The Sub 19lbs Preamble Blog PostThis next part is taken straight from the Surly website and is the actual Blog Post. Greetings,One of Surlys finest industrial designers, Ryan Callahan, has done the honor of introducing his ultra-light Preamble build to the world. Now that the metaphorical curtains have been pulled back, its time to tune those senses and see what it took to get this steel bike to a sub-20 state.First IterationThis Surly started its life as a pre-production sample. I was fortunate enough to be involved in the development of the Preamble, so I got one to test ride for evaluation. I rode it around as a flat bar with production spec for about 16 months before I got to tweaking it. As I started plotting the build, I was focused on amplifying what made my specific bike special. See, because of an oversight on our side, the first round of prototypes was shipped without rack mounts on the seat stays. Traditionally, Surly bikes are so versatile, and the exclusion of a rear rack mount had me contemplating a build around min/maxing some of the attributes of the bike. What if I leaned into reduced features in the pursuit of a light and fun road bike? So, I got to sifting in my parts binSecond IterationI had access to a SRAM Force 22 Hydro group set. Not only was this much lighter than the stock components, in the modern world of motor-actuated, battery-powered and clutched derailleurs, it holds its own against more expensive gruppos. Next, I got my hands on a Whisky carbon fork that was designed for the straight 1 1/8 headtube, which shaved well over a pound. I built up some Whisky GVL rims and wrapped those in the new Teravail Telegraph 700x35c tires. I wanted the build to be light but still functional for light mixed terrain riding that I like to do here in the Twin Cities. After throwing a few other odds and ends at the build, I threw it on a Park Tool scale and saw 21lb 2oz. Agonizingly close to a sub 20lb steel road bike. I rode the bike in this condition through the summer of 2022 and tore it apart in the winter to pursue the last few grams.Final FormAt this point, getting a lighter bike meant either spending way more money or getting creative with material. My first thought, well, If I dont have rack mounts on the seat stays, why do I have them on the dropouts?. We quickly got the die grinder out and shaved some steel out of the frame in the form of the eyelets for racks and fenders. Next, I love how E.D. coating and powdercoating the frame makes for a long lasting and durable frame. However, theres a lot of material on a big bike, so I media blasted the outside down to the bare 4130 tubes. In place of the Skyrim Blue, I opted to have the frame Cerakoted locally in the FX Riot color. Anyone at Surly will tell you I cannot help myself when it comes to obnoxious color-shifting coatings. Cerakote just happens to be one of the lightest/thinnest options. Aside from that, I shaved the headtube down, cut off unused seat post, and stretched my bartape extra tight to hit the final weight of 18lbs 13oz. Theres definitely room to get lighter, but this was never meant to be one of those British hills-climb bikes with critical components missing. The bike looks great with the new finished and the shaved/streamlined features and its a blast to ride.Sign up below to receive your own Surly Transmissions. Plus, you can subscribe to the blog and get inspired to Make it Your Own! SurlyBikes.comThe post Sub-19lbs Surly Road Bike? Surly Reveals an Employees Ultra-Light Preamble. appeared first on Bikerumor.

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CyclistGiant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: The best Giant road bike in 2024Giants three road bike ranges cover the whole spectrum of road riding. The TCR is the classic lightweight race bike with a history going back to 1997 and its then-radical compact frame geometry. Its now in its tenth generation and, as youd expect, is stiffer, lighter, more integrated and more aero than ever.Giant also sells the Propel, its aero bike. The latest generation has gone on a diet, making it close in weight to the TCR. Its also less aggressively stiff and aero at the rear, adding a dose of compliance to a bike category that historically has not been known for its ride quality.Finally, theres the Defy endurance bike. As with the TCR, the latest generation is more integrated and more aero. Its top spec has lost a significant amount of weight too. Then there are the three different carbon grades Giant calls these Advanced Composite available for each bike and a range of specs for each, making for a wide range of options and prices if youre looking for the best Giant road bike for you.So well lay out all the Giant road bikes available in the UK, with prices and key spec details. Well finish up by telling you how to choose between the Giant Propel, TCR and Defy. Related Posts Canyon Aeroad vs Ultimate vs Endurace: The best Canyon road bike in 2024 Tenth gen Giant TCR gets lighter, stiffer, more aero and hides cables The complete history of the Giant TCR Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 review Giant Defy Advanced SL 0 review Best road bikes: Best bikes from under 1,000 to over 10,000 Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: Key features at a glanceGiant PropelThree frame grades: Advanced SL, Advanced Pro and AdvancedAero bike has shed weight in its latest iterationTwo piece, adjustable aero cockpitSeatmast on SL grade bikesGiant TCRThe original compact geometry all-round race bikeIncreasingly aero and now with front end integrationSame cockpit as the PropelThree frame gradesSeatmast on SL grade bikesGiant DefyEndurance geometry with aero features and integrated cockpitSeatpost rather than seatmast on all three frame gradesD-Fuse bar, stem and seatpost claimed to add complianceWider 32mm tyres and 35mm tyre clearanceMudguard readyGiant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: frame gradesAll three of Giants road bike ranges are available with three frame grades: Advanced SL, Advanced Pro and Advanced.Confusingly, the pros dont ride the Advanced Pro bikes, they ride the Advanced SL.The top spec SL grade frames in the Propel and TCR (but not the Defy) have an integrated seatmast, rather than a conventional seatpost. Giant says that this saves weight, makes the bike more aero and increases compliance.It also reduces adjustability and could make it difficult to sell a bike on to a taller rider. Fortunately, theres 45mm of height adjustability to Giants saddle clamp, which provides some scope to fit different riders, once the seatmast has been cut to your size.Seatmasts were popular on higher spec bikes a decade or so ago, but Giant is the only mainstream brand to continue to offer them, with others abandoning them due to their limitations.While the Pro and standard grade frames are made from Advanced composite (ie, carbon fibre), the SL frames use a higher grade SL carbon, saving yet more weight.On the higher spec SL and Pro level bikes, the fork is made of Giants Advanced SL grade carbon fibre, while the Advanced grade bikes have an Advanced grade fork fitted.All Giants road bike range now uses its OverDrive Aero steerer. This has a D-shaped profile, which Giant says makes it more aerodynamic, while it supports full internal cabling. Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: geometryThe basic geometry of the Propel and TCR bikes is the same, with the same stack and reach, wheelbase and other numbers for both. Theres a slight difference in trail, which is longer by just over a millimetre in the TCR. The main difference is in standover, which is much lower in the TCR due to its sloping geometry than the Propel with its horizontal top tube.As youd expect, the endurance geometry of the Defy is different. In the ML size bike, for example, the 1,010mm wheelbase is 19mm longer than the 991mm of the TCR, the 577mm stack is 15mm greater than the 562mm for the TCR and the 384mm reach is 9mm shorter than the TCRs 393mm. Head tube angle is half a degree slacker too, at 72.5 degrees, and the head tube is 10mm longer.Giants geometry is consistent across frame grades within each bike except for the SL Propel and TCRs supersized seat tubes.The full range of sizes for each Giant road bike stretches from XS in six sizes to XL. Giant says that theyre suitable for riders from 157cm to 199cm in height. Not all sizes are available in all specs in every geography worldwide, so if you are at the top or bottom of the rider size range, you may find that you need to make a compromise on spec to get the optimum fit.The Defy has fittings for mudguards, unlike the Propel and TCR ranges.Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: weightGiant doesnt specify weights for its bikes. But weve reviewed the top spec of each bike, so we can provide an indication of how much each weighs.We weighed the Giant Defy Advanced SL 0 at 6.9kg in a size M/L. The Propel Advanced SL 0 in the same size weighs an identical 6.9kg, an impressive achievement for an aero bike. Weve yet to review the new TCR, but the top spec of the previous generation bike weighed 6.7kg when we reviewed it in 2020.Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: bars and stemWhile many bike brands, including Canyon, are now fitting one-piece bar/stems to their high spec bikes, Giant has gone the other way, with its separate Contact SLR bar and Contact Aerolight stem fitted to its Propel and TCR bikes.This increases the range of adjustability and makes swapping out for optimum fitment easier. The design still provides front-end integration and internal cable routing though, a feature that was absent from the previous generation of the TCR, lower specs of the older Propel and the previous model Defy.The Defy shares the Contact Aerolight stem, but has D-shaped Contact D-Fuse handlebars at various grade levels across the spec range. These are claimed to help absorb road vibration and shocks, for a smoother ride.Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: groupsetsLizzie CrabbGiants road bikes come equipped either with Shimano or SRAM groupsets. SRAM specs all have electronic 12-speed AXS groupsets at Red, Force or Rival level. Shimano specs also offer 12-speed electronic shifting: Dura-Ace, Ultegra or 105 Di2.In addition, theres an Advanced Pro 2 and Advanced 2 spec available for the TCR and Defy and an Advanced 2 for the Propel, all fitted with a mechanical Shimano 105 12-speed groupset.The Shimano-equipped Propel and TCR bikes have a 52/36t semi-compact crankset and most SRAM specs have the equivalent 48/35t. The Defy range swaps to a 50/34t compact crankset or the 45/33t SRAM equivalent, providing lower gearing to suit endurance riders.Higher spec Giant road bikes are equipped with a power meter. SRAM specs mostly use the brands in-series power meters, double sided for Red and Force, single sided for Rival.Higher Shimano specs are mostly equipped with Giants own power meters, largely the Power Pro double sided design.The lower specs of both Shimano and SRAM equipped bikes are sold without a power meter.Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: wheels and tyresGiant fits Cadex wheels and tyres to its highest spec bikes. These include carbon spokes and use Giants patented Dynamic Balanced Lacing system, where the leading and trailing spokes have slightly different lengths. Giant claims that this leads to spoke tension balancing out when riding and a stiffer, more responsive wheel.Lower down the specs, there are Giant wheels. The majority are carbon, with a deep section, again with Dynamic Balanced Lacing, while lowest spec bikes get alloys.Both Giant and Cadexs carbon wheels have hookless rims and are supplied ready set up tubeless.Tyre clearance for the Propel is 30mm, for the latest TCR its 33mm and for the Defy 38mm. The Propel is fitted with Cadex or Giant branded tyres in 25mm width, for the TCR this increases to 28mm (or 25mm on rims which provide an effective width to 28mm), while the Defy increases tyre width to 32mm.Many of the Giant and Cadex wheels are sold as a WheelSystem, with Giant claiming that theyre designed to work together for optimum handling and aerodynamics.Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: pricingTheres a wide spread of prices available across all three Giant road bike ranges. While in each case top spec bikes exceed 10,000, the entry level bike for each is priced below 3,000, even if only by 1 in the case of the Propel.Giant still has some sizes available in its older model bikes and offers reductions on these. In some cases, there may be previous years stock of current model bikes available with a discount as well. That may just mean a different frame colour, with the spec the same as for the current years bike.As with sizing, whats available where varies worldwide.Giant ContendSitting below Giants premium carbon bikes, the alloy Contend range is a more affordable route into Giants road bikes.Billed as an all-rounder by Giant, the Contend is offered in a range of specs at prices from 749 up to 1,899. There are two frame grades, Contend and Contend SL. Both are equipped with a carbon fork. While higher spec bikes are disc brake-equipped, the lower priced bikes have rim brakes.Giant also sells the Contend AR. Signifying all-road, the three bike specs are fitted with 32mm tyres rather than 28mm to help you to head onto mixed surfaces more easily.Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: ranges comparedNext, well run through the entire ranges for each of Giants road bikes, from the most expensive to the entry spec for each, with a brief spec run-down.Giant doesnt quote weights for its bikes, but weve reviewed all the models in their top specs, although not the newest generation TCR (yet). All have remarkably similar weights: 6.8 or 6.9kg, so with Giant, unlike many brands, theres little or no weight penalty for going aero.Giant Propel bike rangeGiant Propel Advanced SLThe Propel Advanced SL range consists of two specs, both with the same Advanced SL grade composite frame. This has a seatmast, rather than a conventional seatpost, with a topper that can be adjusted by 45mm once the seatmast has been cut, offering a certain amount of adjustability.The Propel Advanced SL is also available as a frameset for 3,799.Giant Propel Advanced SL 0Top of the Propel range is the Propel Advanced SL 0, which we reviewed soon after launch in 2022. Its equipped with wheels from Cadex, Giants performance brand and other premium components.Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Shimano Dura-Ace double sidedWheels:Cadex 50 Ultra DiscPrice: 11,999Giant Propel Advanced SL 1The Propel Advanced SL 1 has the same grade frame material as the Advanced SL 0, just with a lower spec groupset and wheels.Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Cadex 50 DiscPrice: 8,999Giant Propel Advanced ProThe Propel Advanced Pro frame is made from Giants Advanced grade composite, although it has the same Advanced SL grade carbon fork as its pricier peers. It swaps out the seatmast of the SL frameset for an aero seatpost with conventional adjustment.Giant sells the Propel Advanced Pro as a frameset for 2,199.Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0The Advanced Pro 0 swaps from Cadex wheels to Giant, although theyre still carbon and fitted with 25mm Cadex tyres.Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 1 50 Carbon DiscPrice: 6,299Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1The Advanced Pro 1s SRAM Rival groupset is a popular mid-priced choice and is supplied with the in-series single-sided power meter. It has the same Giant SLR 1 wheelset as the 0 spec.Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 48/35t 12-speedPower meter: SRAM Rival single sidedWheels: Giant SLR 1 50 Carbon DiscPrice: 5,499Giant Propel AdvancedAs with the two higher grade carbon framesets, the Propel Advanced is available at two spec levels, in its case 1 and 2. It swaps out the Advanced SL carbon fork for Advanced grade carbon.Giant Propel Advanced 1The Advanced 1 is equipped with a SRAM Rival groupset, without a power meter. It still gets 50mm deep Giant carbon wheels, although theyre the SLR 2 version rather than the SLR 1 on the Advanced Pro bikes.Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 48/35t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant SLR 2 50 Carbon DiscPrice: 4,499Giant Propel Advanced 2Giants entry-level Propel model is equipped with a 12-speed mechanical Shimano 105 groupset and Giant alloy wheels.Groupset: Shimano 105 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant P-A2 Disc alloyPrice: 2,999Giant TCR bike rangeThe most recent Giant road bike to receive a make-over was the TCR, in March 2024. The main new feature is front end integration with hidden cable runs through the same aero bars and stems as used for the Propel.Giant TCR Advanced SLAs with the Propel, Giant offers its TCR Advanced SL frame with premium components and prices to match. But whereas the Propel Advanced SL is Shimano-only, there are parallel SRAM options for the TCR Advanced SL, so there are four specs rather than the Propels two.Again similar to the Propel Advanced SL, the bikes at this level have an integrated seatmast with a height-adjustable topper, rather than a standard seatpost.Theres a frameset only option, priced at 2,899 in raw carbon or 2,999 in Giant-AlUla team blue.Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 DAThe Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 carries the same pricetag as the top spec Propel. Its equipped with Cadexs latest 40 Max Disc wheel system with 28mm Cadex tyres.Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Shimano Dura-Ace double sidedWheels: Cadex 40 Max DiscPrice: 11,999Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 RedGiant also sells the top spec TCR Advanced SL 0 for the same price with the updated SRAM Red AXS groupset and the same Cadex 40 Max Disc wheels.Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 48/35t 12-speedPower meter: SRAM Red double sidedWheels: Cadex 40 Max DiscPrice: 11,999Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 AXSThe next spec down the range has a SRAM Force AXS groupset with a power meter and swaps out the wheels for Giant ones, still with carbon spokes and Dynamic Balanced Lacing.Groupset: SRAM Force AXS 46/33t 12-speedPower meter: SRAM Force double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon DiscPrice: 8,999Giant TCR Advanced SL 1Finally, theres a Shimano Ultegra spec, with a Giant power meter and the same Giant SLR 0 40 wheels.Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon DiscPrice: 8,799Giant TCR Advanced ProThe TCR Advanced Pro loses the integrated seatmast of the Advanced SL. As usual, specs are designed to make the bikes more affordable for the non-pro rider. The Pro range retains the same Advanced SL grade fork as the SL bike.Theres a choice of five specs with Shimano or SRAM 12-speed groupsets and all the bikes are equipped with Giant SLR 40 carbon wheels.Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 AXSThe Pro AXS is equipped with SRAM Force AXS groupset with power meter and keeps the same Giant SLR 0 wheels as the Advanced SL 1 AXS, while shaving over 2,000 off that bikes price.Groupset: SRAM Force AXS 46/33t 12-speedPower meter: SRAM Force double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon DiscPrice: 6,699Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Di2Theres a comparable price decrease for the Ultegra-equipped Pro model from the SL framed bike too.Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon DiscPrice: 6,499Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 AXSThe Pro 1 models move one tier down the groupset pecking order. In the case of the Pro 1 AXS, that means SRAM Rival. The wheelset also drops down a spec level.Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 48/35t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Halo spider basedWheels: Giant SLR 1 40 Carbon DiscPrice: 4,999Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 Di2The Pro 1 Di2 spec swaps to Shimano 105 Di2 from Ultegra electronic shifting and includes a Giant power meter.Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 1 40 Carbon DiscPrice: 4,899Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2Finally, the TCR Advanced Pro 2 has a 12-speed Shimano 105 groupset with a Giant Power Pro power meter. Although its the only Pro-level bike with mechanical shifting, it retains the same Giant SLR 1 wheels as the Pro 1 specs.Groupset: Shimano 105 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 1 40 Carbon DiscPrice: 3,999Giant TCR AdvancedThe final card in Giants TCR hand is the Advanced level bike range. This swaps to an Advanced grade fork from the SL and Pro ranges Advanced SL grade.The Advanced range follows the same pattern of increasingly affordable specs. All but the TCR Advanced 2 offer electronic shifting and only the lower two of the four specs have alloy wheels rather than carbon.Giant TCR Advanced 0 AXSThe Advanced 0 AXS model is equipped with a Rival groupset, although without a power meter. Theres also a decrease in rim depth for the carbon wheels to 36mm from 40mm, although still with Giants Dynamic Balanced Lacing.Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 48/35t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant SLR 2 36 Carbon DiscPrice: 3,799Giant TCR Advanced 0 Di2The Advanced 0 Di2 has a Shimano 105 Di2 groupset, but not a power meter. It shares the Giant SLR 2 36 carbon wheels of the AXS variant.Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant SLR 2 36 Carbon DiscPrice: 3,699Giant TCR Advanced 1Swapping from Giant carbon wheels to alloy ones saves you 500 from the price of the Advanced 0 Di2; otherwise its spec remains the same.Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant P-R2 Disc alloyPrice: 3,199Giant TCR Advanced 2The Advanced 2 bike swaps to mechanical 105 12-speed shifting, but otherwise shares the spec of the Advanced 1 bike.Groupset: Shimano 105 52/36t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant P-R2 Disc alloyPrice: 2,699Giant Defy bike rangeThere are familiar themes to the Defy endurance bikes: three frame specs, two fork grades and integrated cabling. The SL grade frame is new to the Defy, the previous generation stopping at the Pro frame grade, and results in a claimed 228g reduction in frame weight.Theres no frameset-only option.Giant Defy Advanced SLThe Giant Defy Advanced SL frame differs from the Propel and TCR Advanced SL in having a separate seatpost rather than a seatmast, despite Giant claiming that the seatmast increases frame compliance in its highest grade frames for the other two lines.Two models are available.Giant Defy Advanced SL 0Giant specs its top Defy model with SRAM Red AXS, but rather than the semi-compact 48/35t on the TCR and Propel, the 46/33t is equivalent to a compact. Its paired with a 10-36t cassette for a wide gear spread.Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 46/33t 12-speedPower meter: SRAM Red double sidedWheels: Cadex 36 DiscPrice: 11,499Giant Defy Advanced SL 1The Defy SL 1 is equipped with a compact Shimano Ultegra groupset with a power meter and swaps down from Cadex to Giant branded wheels.Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 50/34t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 1 36 Carbon DiscPrice: 8,499Giant Defy Advanced ProStep down to the Pro level bike and Advanced grade composite is used, in place of Advanced SL, although the Advanced SL grade fork is continued.Three models are available.Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0Although the Defy Advanced Pro has an Advanced grade frame, rather than Advanced SL carbon, it otherwise retains the same spec as the SL 1 above.Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 50/34t 12-speedPower meter: Giant Power Pro double sidedWheels: Giant SLR 1 36 Carbon DiscPrice: 5,999Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1Another step down the range sees Ultegra swapped out for 105 Di2. The bike loses its power meter too.Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 50/34t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant SLR 1 36 Carbon DiscPrice: 4,599Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2Finally, the Advanced Pro 2 has a mechanical Shimano 105 12-speed groupset and a downspec of the Giant carbon wheels.Groupset: Shimano 105 50/34t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant SLR 2 36 Carbon DiscPrice: 3,499Giant Defy AdvancedGiant sells its Defy Advanced in four models, again starting with electronic options from SRAM and Shimano, while its entry-level spec is the only Giant carbon road bike to be fitted with 10-speed Tiagra. All bikes come with alloy wheels, rather than carbon.Giant Defy Advanced 0The Defy Advanced 0 has a SRAM Rival compact-equivalent 46/33t groupset with a 10-36t cassette.Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 46/33t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant P-R2 Disc alloyPrice: 3,299Giant Defy Advanced 1The 1 spec has 105 Di2 electronic shifting with a 50/34t compact crankset and 11-36t cassette.Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 50/34t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant P-R2 Disc alloyPrice: 3,199Giant Defy Advanced 2As with the TCR, the Advanced 2 bike has a mechanical 105 12-speed groupset, but otherwise shares the spec of the Advanced 1 bike. Its price dips below 3,000.Groupset: Shimano 105 50/34t 12-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant P-R2 Disc alloyPrice: 2,699Giant Defy Advanced 3Giants entry-level Defy is 10-speed and has a lower spec alloy wheelset than the rest of the Defy Advanced range.Groupset: Shimano Tiagra 50/34t 10-speedPower meter: NoneWheels: Giant S-R2 Disc alloyPrice: 2,299Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: which should you choose?Lizzie CrabbThe choice between the Giant Propel and Giant TCR is largely down to how aero you want to be; in other respects, the bikes are quite similar: same geometry, same spec and component choices.Theres likely to be a marginal weight advantage to the TCR, although with the latest Propel having thinned out it isnt going to be that great for a similar spec. The prices of the two bikes are similar too for similar specs across the range.The Propels ride and, with the same components fitted, its ease of maintenance and adjustment arent out of line with the TCR either.The Propels 25mm tyres feel a little narrow by modern standards, even for an aero bike. Canyon, for example, fits a 25mm at the front but a 28mm at the rear of its Aeroad. Theres room in the Propel to up that to 28mm, but thats bettered by the TCRs 33mm if you want to shield yourself more from the road surface when you make a tyre upgrade.Dont rule out the Defy. Although on paper its designed for the endurance rider, when tech editor Sam Challis reviewed the Defy Advanced SL 0, he found that it still had many of the hallmarks of a race bike in a package that is far better suited to normal riders and the roads they ride on, concluding that the Defy is one of the best designs youll find to prove that race bikes can and perhaps should be consigned strictly to those who race, as the Defy is an excellent option for every other circumstance out on the road.Read our reviews of the Giant Propel and Giant Defy for our ride impressions and our news piece on the 2024 TCR for more detail. Related Posts Canyon Aeroad vs Ultimate vs Endurace: The best Canyon road bike in 2024 Tenth gen Giant TCR gets lighter, stiffer, more aero and hides cables The complete history of the Giant TCR Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 review Giant Defy Advanced SL 0 review Best road bikes: Best bikes from under 1,000 to over 10,000 The post Giant Propel vs TCR vs Defy: The best Giant road bike in 2024 appeared first on Cyclist.

It was Itzulia Basque Country all over again. Remco Evenepoel, two months after a high-speed crash at the Basque race, returned to competition at the Criterium du Dauphin and, the day after winning the time-trial and putting on the yellow jersey, has been involved in a crash that puts his Tour de F...

Meghan Cason and a group of 15 femme/trans/women/nonbinary riders from Wild Wolf Cycling Collective recently took on a version of the Owen's Valley Ramble bikepacking route. After the ride, Meghan wrote this reflection that weaves the experience with themes of the region's complicated history, resource mismanagement, and striking natural beauty. Read it here... The post Ride to the Source: Bikepacking Payahuunadu appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Wheels used by Evenepoel and Vollering are finally released; Specialized-owned brand has shaved 130g off its existing Rapide CLX II wheels, retaining hooked rims because hookless wheels cant perform under our demanding high-pressure testing

The more you see it the more dramatic it gets. Today's stage of the Criterium du Dauphin was marked by a very hard crash involving dozens of riders, which gave flashbacks of the Itzulia Basque Country incident. As always, fan footage reveals how violent the crash was.The incident took place in a s...

Sportive HQ said that they had been fighting for the past three years since the pandemic to keep everything afloat and had ran out of personal funds

BORA - hansgrohe are not having the best of luck with Primoz Roglic this year. After crashing out of Itzulia Basque Country whilst leading the race, the German team has now seen it's leader fall once again only weeks away from the Tour de France. This was Roglic's second crash in three days at the C...