r/Giantbikes

My verdict almost 3 months after purchase and having ridden just under 2,300 kilometers:

- Very responsive bike;

- Performs well on flat and in windy conditions in the Netherlands;

- SRAM Rival shifts intuitively (came from Ultegra);

- 25 mm tires (tubeless) ride very nicely;

- No regrets about the Cadex Aero integrated handlebar;

- Comfortable riding position, no numb hands, painful shoulders, or neck. Not even after 80 or 100 km rides.

- To be honest, I haven't been able to find any negative points yet.

Image 1&2: my current bike. I’ve had this 2022 Contend SL rim brake for 36 months. I’ve bike packed with it around the stans, Italy and LeJOG in March this year. And I train a a decent amount on it (4000km including LeJOG year to date). I upgraded the cranks, so it has full 105 and upgraded the wheels. It’s served me pretty well and i reckon I’ve done ~20,000 km on it.

The trouble is it’s not great for bike packing. The rim brakes aren’t powerful enough when it’s fully laden and I’ve actually gone through 3 wheels since purchasing it because the brake tracks wore out so fast.

The plan is to have 2 bikes for the future; one zippy road bike for training/racing in the future and 1 more robust gravel bike for touring. (Probably a genesis CDF or steel gravel bike from VSF fahrradmanufaktur) or maybe even an aluminium revolt 🤓.

Images 3&4 are two options I’m mulling over for my next road bike. 3 - 2021 tcr advanced 1 w/ ultegra, factory wheels, disc brake. Listed for £1000.

4 - a 2020 tcr SL2. **Rim brake** Ultegra group set, giant pro power meter. ISP, scope r1 wheels. Listed for £800.

Basically I’m not sure whether to stick with rim brake since I’m a home mechanic and like the simplicity of it - I work on everything except wheels. I currently run 30mm on my contend with rim brakes, but the tcr SL is unlikely to accommodate more than 25/28mm. The ISP might be a pita when it comes to travelling with bike. Not sure it will go in a cardboard bike box.

The disc brake option is slightly more expensive, and the hydraulic brakes will need to be maintained by a bike shop. Though it could allow me to upgrade the wheels without the risk of wearing out the brake surface.

TLDR - I want to upgrade from my contend sl1 to a tcr. Do I stick with rim brake and keep all my current components cross compatible with new purchase or pay slightly more for disc brakes that may serve future proof me more. I’m a home mechanic that likes to do 90% of jobs myself

What do you guys think?

I don’t feel the need to have disc brakes on a road bike. For touring I defo see the appeal. Has anyone here travelled with an ISP frame?

Hi everyone,

I’m having an issue with my Giant Power Pro V3 power meter.The sensor is detected/found by the Giant Fusion App but when I try to connect for an update or setup, nothing happens.

The app tells me to spin the crank 5 times to wake up the power meter, but even after doing that, it just doesn’t continue or connect. No update, no response.

I’ve already tried:

Fully charged battery

Multiple phones

Reopening/reinstalling the app

Waking the sensor by spinning the crank

Still the same problem.

Has anyone had this issue with a Power Pro V3? Is this a firmware problem, BLE issue, or possible hardware fault?

Thanks!

Hi. Ive just bought a revolt 0 and I love it. Nicest bike I've ridden but how the hell do I get this rubber seal to fit into the seat post. Ive tried everything I can think of and it just won't have it. My seat slowly slides down without it in place

Thanks for any help

The Fastroad Advanced 1 - Starry night

Small frame

HNBD to me! Defy Advanced pro 1, will certainly be different to my old CAAD12 ultegra (mechanical / rim brake) which I've had since 2015.

Not even put pedals on yet, have been getting rid of the myriad of safety stickers and dork disc. Also it's been raining and I'm not getting it wet 😆

I recently got this defy advanced 1 - I am on 32mm tires which is great for NYC in terms of comfort but find that the front end is not that agile.. can this be addressed through 28mm tires?

First Gravelbike for me 😃

Two months old TCR Adv Pro 0, I still have to do the first service on the bike since I still have 500km on it.
Noticed this cleaning the bike, do you think is it broken?

Just ordered the Raceface Chester 31.8 stem for my 2025 Talon 2. Is anyone else running this? If so, am I good to just throw it on or will I need to add or remove spacers? Thanks

Which do you prefer?

1 stock

2 black tyres no decals

3 tan tyres

4 tan tyres no decals

Has anyone here tested both the Giant D-Fuse SL and D-Fuse SLR handlebars?

Giant claims that the D-Fuse design allows the bar to flex for extra comfort, supposedly removing the need for suspension systems like those from Specialized or Trek.

I’m currently using the SL aluminium D-Fuse handlebar, and honestly, I don’t feel any noticeable flex in normal riding. It feels very stiff, and I’m not convinced it adds much comfort.

For those who have tried the SLR carbon version, is it actually more comfortable?
Is the difference significant enough to feel on the road?

Thanks for your feedback!

Edit: Thanks — maybe the Giant video is a bit too theoretical. When you watch it, the flex looks really pronounced, but it might just be in theory. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ca/d-fuse-technology

Liv Tempt 2 in Mars Dust, with 120mm Fox Transfer dropper, Fox Factory 32 Stepcast fork, Chester grips in Kashmoney, Bontrager Kovee Pro 35 carbon bars, not pictured are Shimano EH510 pedals. Coming soon, Deore XT drivetrain upgrade and tubeless with Continental tires. Built up for my daughter

Hi all,

Was doing a routine check of my frame after a ride and unfortunately noticed this small crack.

This is a 2023 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1. Always torqued to spec, so I'm hoping this is just a paint crack, but the location has me worried. The clamp has never slipped/moved during a ride.

Is this a cause for concern? Thanks in advance for any advice.