Endurance road bikes for around 4000 euros: The Giant Defy Advanced 0 on test

The Defy Advanced 0 from Giant fits seamlessly into the range of uncomplicated models from the world's largest bike manufacturer. Some may find the unagitated design boring. But when it comes to the key criteria of a marathon bike, the second cheapest model hardly lets itself down. Especially when it comes to suspension comfort, which accounts for the largest share of the TOUR score at 30 per cent, the Giant Defy is one of the best in the price range around 4000 euros.

The Giant has to share the good comfort score (1.9) based on our laboratory measurements with four competitors. In the saddle, however, the Advanced 0 feels much smoother, benefiting from the factory-fitted 33 millimetre wide tubeless tyres. This makes bumpy roads noticeably smoother and shortcuts over dirt tracks a pleasure. Thanks to the huge tyre clearance of 38 millimetres, which is only topped by one other model in the test field, the steel-blue racer does not get stuck on any surface.

>> You can find an overview of the 12 endurance racing bikes tested here.

Giant Defy Advanced 0 without major weaknesses

A small drawback: the comfortable ride of the tyres comes at the expense of rolling resistance. The fact that the final result is "only" a good two before the decimal point is also due to the heavy wheel/tyre combination. The difference to the more expensive equipment variants is therefore significant, compared to the Top version SL the tested version is around 1400 grams heavier. Although the marathon bike softens the dividing line to the all-road bike thanks to its generous tyre clearance and comfortable geometry, Giant has dispensed with other typical features such as a storage compartment or mounting points for a frame bag.

The Giant Defy is only equipped for riding in the rain; a matching mudguard set in two widths is available for 70 euros. A bottle cage and tubeless kit are included in the scope of delivery. The variety of models is somewhat confusing. During the test period, the Taiwanese company listed a total of four versions of the Defy Advanced, some with identical names. The 0 version is the top model of the quality level and is the only Advanced with carbon wheels. The Pro (from 5199 euros) and SL (11799 euros) series are based on lighter framesets and add-on parts.

The most important details of the Giant Defy Advanced 0

• Price: 4199 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 8.4 kilos
• Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL (test size greased)
• TOUR grade: 2,2

Geometry data

• Seat/top/head tube: 510/560/176 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 590/380 millimetres/1.55
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 647/555 millimetres/1.17
• Wheelbase/caster: 1010/57 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-36 t.) | Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-36 t.) Grade: 1.0 (5 % share of the overall grade)
• Brakes: Shimano 105 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5 (5 % share of the overall grade)
• Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 1 TL 32 mm (eff.: 33 mm) | Grade: 3.0 (5 % share of the overall grade)
• Impellers: Giant SLR 2 35
• Impeller weights: 1413/1959 grams (front/rear)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 8431 grammes | Grade: 3.7 (25 % share of the overall grade)
• Rear comfort: 106 N/mm | Grade: 1.7 (20 % share of the overall grade)
• Comfort front: 93 N/mm | Grade: 2.7 (10 % share of the overall grade)
• Front stiffness: 8.1 N/mm | Grade: 1.7 (10 % share of the overall grade)
• Bottom bracket stiffness: 60 N/mm | Grade: 1.0 (10 % share of the overall grade)
• Lacquer: Grade: 1.0 (5 per cent share of the overall grade)
• Maintenance/adjustment: Grade: 1.5 (5 % share of the overall grade)

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Good spring comfort, wide range of applications
• Minus: sluggish tyres, relatively heavy wheelset

The 12 marathon bikes in the comparison

We will successively add links to the individual tests here.

• Canyon Endurace CF SLX 7 Di2
• Cervélo Caledonia 105 Di2
• Cube Agree C:62 SLX >> available here
• Focus Paralane 8.8 >> available here
• Giant Defy Advanced 0 (the bike in this test)
• Koga Roqa Premium >> available here
• Merida Scultura Endurance Rival Edition
• Rose Reveal 04 105 Di2 >> available here
• Scott Addict 30 >> available here
• Stevens Izoard Pro
• Storck Fascenario.3 Comp
• Veto B983

>> We have compiled all the information about our test here.