Cheap road bikes on test: The Giant Contend AR 2 - comfortable all-road bike

The industry giant from Taiwan lists the Contend as an all-rounder - and like no other model in the field, the Giant comes closest to a modern all-road bike by combining the long-distance capability of a marathon bike with the off-road capability of a gravel bike. The biggest advantage of the AR 2, which came with a 350 euro discount during the test period, is its remarkable comfort: the long carbon seat post and the voluminous tyres, which are factory-filled with sealing milk instead of inner tubes, provide suspension on a par with more expensive bikes.

Giant Contend AR 2: Pannier rack and mudguards? No problem!

As the maximum tyre clearance is 38 millimetres - effectively the tyres should extend to 40 millimetres - the Contend still has plenty of potential and can be converted into a gravel bike relatively easily - including mounting options for pannier racks and mudguards. The smooth-running Giant also feels a little more comfortable off-road, as it is quite heavy for a road racing bike.

For more agility, we would recommend investing in lighter wheels. The mechanical disc brakes from Tektro are less pleasing, as they are rather timid. In our experience, this problem disappears when the discs are properly braked. The build quality of the weld seams leaves something to be desired, but that doesn't stop Giant from offering a lifetime guarantee on the frame.

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>> All test road bikes around 1500 euros at a glance

Giant Contend AR 2 - Test grade and info

• TOUR grade: 2,7
• Price: 1399 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 9.9 kilos
• Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 492/560/171 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 609/374 millimetres/1.63
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 666/570 millimetres/1.17
• Wheelbase/caster: 1020/57 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Tiagra (2x10; 50/34, 11-34 t.) | Shimano Tiagra (2x10; 50/34, 11-34 t.) Grade: 2.5
• Brakes: Tektro MD-C550 (160/160 mm) | Tektro MD-C550 (160/160 mm) Grade: 3.0
• Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 2 32 mm (eff.: 34 mm) | Grade: 3.0
• Impellers: Giant S-R2
• Impeller weights: 1738/2247 grams (v./h.)

How TOUR tests

Here you can find all the information and background to our test procedure.