Tech

On Test: Giant Propel Advanced 2

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 31 comments

Giant first entered the aero road bike game in 2013 with the launch of their Propel Advanced SL. Tests showed that, at 40 kph, the Propel Advanced SL saves 12-36 seconds over 40 kilometres. Third-party wind-tunnel tests showed that the Propel Advanced SL is more aerodynamic from every yaw angle tested when compared to other leading aero road bikes.

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Other than the lack of an integrated seatpost, the fundamentals of the Advanced 2 are the same as the SL: the frame geometry is identical and they share aero profiled tubes, oversized head tube and bearings, hidden brakes and profiled bars. For the ladies, looking for an aero road bike, Giant has added an Envie Advanced to their Liv range.

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There is no excess on the frame with lots of attention to detail and, in keeping with the aero nature of the frame, everything is neatly tucked away behind or under a sculptured tube. The only oddity seems to be the loop the rear derailleur outer makes from the handlebar to where it disappears into the top tube behind the steerer tube. In terms of aero gain that’s the place to do it as it’s already in “dirty” air, but I’ll try to see if I can get it a bit less unsightly.

Powering the Advanced 2 is Shimano’s excellent 11-speed 105 groupset. Except for the KMC chain and Sapim spokes, the rest of the kit all comes from Giant’s own range of gear. On first inspection nothing looks or feels out of place.

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I will be riding the Prop Advanced 2 over the next couple of months and will report back on it’s ride, specifically on-road feel. It has already passed the looks test with flying colours.

RRP: R 27,495.00

Weight: 8.42kg (Actual weight including 2 bottle cages and pedals)

Specification

SizesXS, S, M, ML, L, XLColoursComp (Matte/Gloss), Blue (Matte/Gloss)FrameAdvanced-Grade CompositeForkAdvanced-Grade Composite, Hybrid OverDrive SteererHandlebarGiant ConnectStemGiant Connect, ±8-degree riseSeatpostGiant Vector CompositeSaddleGiant Performance Men’s, Manganese railsShiftersShimano 105, 11-speedFront DerailleurShimano 105, 11-speedRear DerailleurShimano 105, 11-speedBrakesGiant SpeedControl SLBrake LeversShimano 105CassetteShimano 105 11-28, 11sChainKMC X11LCranksetShimano RS500, 34/50Bottom BracketShimano, Press FitRimsGiant P-A2HubsGiant Performance Tracker Road, Sealed BearingSpokesSapim RaceTyresGiant P-R3, Flat Guard, front and rear specific, 700×23

From the Manufacturer:

Escape from the pack, its just you against the wind. Sprints, attacks or solo rides find your edge with this class-leading aero road bike.

  • Stiff enough to transfer power to the pedals, forgiving enough to keep you comfortable during long training efforts. A class-leading aerodynamic road frame module based on extensive wind tunnel testing-that’s Propel Advanced.
  • Lightweight Advanced-grade composite frameset
  • Aerodynamic shaping throughout including headtube, downtube, seatstays, fork and seattube
  • Aerodynamic composite seatpost for maximum aero’ advantage
  • Internal cable routing and aero brake system-no detail overlooked

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Comments

Mongoose!

Jun 1, 2015, 1:10 PM

Great value at this price.

Odinson

Jun 1, 2015, 1:11 PM

I guess that time gain will probably be negated when you slap on two bottle cages and bottles?

Mongoose!

Jun 1, 2015, 1:12 PM

Weight as in stock standard?

rock

Jun 1, 2015, 1:25 PM

first thing to do would be for the LBS to fit a matching 105 crank......poor move by Giant there.

Steven Knoetze (sk27)

Jun 1, 2015, 1:35 PM

It would look much better with the ISP. It's the only bit that looks "out" to me.

Otherwise a stunning bike.

leaboy

Jun 1, 2015, 1:56 PM

surprised the entire Propel range didn't come with Ultegra groupset

Slowbee

Jun 1, 2015, 2:22 PM

as i said on the awesome thread, there is a bloke on somerset west who has a white one. Flip it looks the job !!! Should anybody ever donate one to me I might have to go for a PB on the thing

BeegMig

Jun 1, 2015, 2:31 PM

Would like to see what a XL looks like.

Some bikes look good as S or M but looses it's hot-ness when it grows.

EugeneS

Jun 1, 2015, 4:43 PM

I guess that time gain will probably be negated when you slap on two bottle cages and bottles?

Not necessarily, plenty of aero bottles and cages available.

Capricorn

Jun 1, 2015, 7:02 PM

that rear tyre looks like it spent a lot of time on an IDT...

Kemp, if you 'testing' in my hood, let me know. keen to get a feel for that bit of farmgate hotness.

 

and throw that hottie on the scale please!

Zatek

Jun 1, 2015, 7:08 PM

I have a Venge but there is just something about the propel.

 

I would also love to have a test ride on 1.

rvdm1

Jun 1, 2015, 7:28 PM

"Tests showed that, at 40 kph, the Propel Advanced SL saves 12-36 seconds over 40 kilometres." - Is it just me or does this not make sense at all? At 40 kph even the heaviest, bulkiest bike you can find will still do 40km in one hour. If they said at 40kph it saves a certain amount of energy over 40km i.e. less work done by drag, that would make sense.

 

Either way, I must agree, it is a good looking bike.

lone one

Jun 1, 2015, 7:45 PM

got the propel advanced sl with the isp - what a bike!! love it looks stunning too

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Jun 1, 2015, 7:49 PM

"Tests showed that, at 40 kph, the Propel Advanced SL saves 12-36 seconds over 40 kilometres." - Is it just me or does this not make sense at all? At 40 kph even the heaviest, bulkiest bike you can find will still do 40km in one hour. If they said at 40kph it saves a certain amount of energy over 40km i.e. less work done by drag, that would make sense.

 

Either way, I must agree, it is a good looking bike.

yeah, it should be saying that at X watts, the Propel saved 12-36 seconds over 40km.... 

Iwan Kemp

Jun 2, 2015, 7:34 AM

that rear tyre looks like it spent a lot of time on an IDT...

Kemp, if you 'testing' in my hood, let me know. keen to get a feel for that bit of farmgate hotness.

 

and throw that hottie on the scale please!

 

Will do and will do. 

Mongoose!

Jun 2, 2015, 8:37 AM

I really like this bike!!!!!!

domane

Jun 2, 2015, 8:44 AM

I won't go and buy another bike, been riding it for about 7 months now.

The Giant Propel Pro with Di2 Ultegra.

T-Bob

Jun 2, 2015, 8:53 AM

The crank set is a weird choice for sure. You don't want to have to swap out something straight away when you buy a new bike because it is a bit average. 

 

I'm really keen to know how this rides on a day to day basis. The Scott Foil has suffered badly from being as stiff as Ron Jeremy in a Viagra factory and as a result all but shakes the fillings from your teeth on anything but the smoothest of surfaces. 

 

Got my eye one of these for later in the year despite JOC advising to go the TCR route. 

Mongoose!

Jun 2, 2015, 1:05 PM

Currently riding a TCR frame (2015) my fourth carbon TCR frame since 2005 I think. Giant makes me think of a Toyota. Not that "wow" like the more exotic brands, but BIG bang for the money.

 

 

mikeonthetown

Jun 2, 2015, 1:53 PM

"Tests showed that, at 40 kph, the Propel Advanced SL saves 12-36 seconds over 40 kilometres." - Is it just me or does this not make sense at all? At 40 kph even the heaviest, bulkiest bike you can find will still do 40km in one hour. If they said at 40kph it saves a certain amount of energy over 40km i.e. less work done by drag, that would make sense.

 

Either way, I must agree, it is a good looking bike.

 

Its the standard that bikes are rated at so that their is a consistent benchmark.

Riamich

Jun 4, 2015, 8:29 AM

Been riding this one for 3 months awesome bike

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AlphaKilo

Jun 4, 2015, 6:21 PM

So, I've been mountain biking for a while now, and am thinking of also doing road. So have been perving the 2015 TCR Advanced 2.

 

Given the not-so-massive price differential between the TCR Advanced 2 and the Propel Advanced 2, does it make sense to consider the Propel as a 'beginner' roadie?

 

Thanks in advance!

Riamich

Jun 4, 2015, 8:14 PM

Propel a bit of an aggressive set up bike compared to tcr iMO go for the adv0 comes with ultegra DI2

Iwan Kemp

Jun 5, 2015, 1:33 PM

So, I've been mountain biking for a while now, and am thinking of also doing road. So have been perving the 2015 TCR Advanced 2.

 

Given the not-so-massive price differential between the TCR Advanced 2 and the Propel Advanced 2, does it make sense to consider the Propel as a 'beginner' roadie?

 

Thanks in advance!

Both are quite high up the "beginner" ladder. May be worth your while trying something more "beginner" just to make sure it's for you. Then go for a carbon beaut like this. That, on the financial side of things.

 

In terms of bike, go for the one your heart wants. Unless you're a regular roadie who knows exactly what you want, what will suit you best and fit best to your type of rising it will be difficult to make a good recommendation. Havne't done too many k's, but in my experience the Propel's ride is not harsh compared to the TCR and both have "racing" geometries. 

 

 

Propel a bit of an aggressive set up bike compared to tcr iMO go for the adv0 comes with ultegra DI2

Not really. Much of a muchness in terms of geometry.

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