Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 review

Buy the Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 now from Tredz

For riders who want a more comfortable cycle that’s easy to use when tackling bigger rides, but also want a bike with enough zip to keep pace with club riders or other sportivistes, the Giant Defy is an obvious choice. This a bike that’s become one of the mainstays of sportive events, and with good reason.

The frameset was unchanged going into 2017, other than its colour scheme, with the Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 boasting a Shimano Ultegra groupset which is impossible to fault, and gives a clean, smooth shift every time.

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The 11-32 cassette is a nice touch, giving the extra gear at the lowest end for even the biggest, steepest of hills you’ll encounter on any sportive, or for when you've burnt all your matches and need that get out of jail free card.

The components are mostly Giant’s own-brand, and on the whole excellent, although we found the handlebar shape isn’t the most comfortable and does seem to pass more vibration than it should through to your hands. That’s something to bear in mind.

Giant uses compact geometry, with a low-slung top tube giving extra clearance, meaning a lot of seatpost will be on display.

This has a positive effect on rear-end comfort with the extra length of seatpost giving a little flex that helps smooth out the bumps.

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The front end of the Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 can’t quite match the level of comfort, but the tubeless-ready wheels and tyres are a big plus, giving the potential for slightly lower pressures with less risk of those pesky punctures.

First impressions when riding were very positive, with the bike accelerating instantly with no feeling of lag or flex through the frame or wheels.

Uphill, the low weight is noticeable and it feels like you’re able to climb a gear higher than most other bikes.

The wide-ratio cassette means that you can stay in the big ring for longer, giving you a little extra motivation to keep the pace up.

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Downhill, the handling is very typical of Giant bikes. It is neutral and stable and this is an easy bike to descend on, but it doesn’t change direction as quickly as others and lacks a little excitement as a result.

The Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 is one of the most popular bikes in the country and it’s easy to see why. The Advanced Pro 1 feels light and fast, encouraging you to push harder and go faster, but with a little more comfort than most standard racing bikes. We’d say it offers the best of all worlds – a cracker.

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Image 7 of 10

Ratings

Frame: Neutral and stable handling, though lacking a little excitement in cornering - 9/10   
Components: Excellent Shimano disc brakes, ideal for descents - 9/10   
Wheels: Light, fast and tubeless-ready. They ride superbly - 9/10   
The ride: Less comfortable than some endurance rides, but still a comfy steed - 9/10

Verdict

A light and fast endurance bike that has more than enough zip. Definitely worth a spin - 9/10

Buy the Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 now from Tredz

Specification