As we all know, in the field of endurance road cars, the Giant Defy is undoubtedly one of the most popular models in this segment. Since its release, the Defy has been at the forefront of the endurance road bike category and a benchmark in this segment.
Giant's road cars are divided into three categories: TCR for hill climbing, Propel for flat road aerodynamics, and Endurance Road Defy.
propel
In 2022, Giant updated its Propel pneumatic road bikes, and in the second half of 2023, Giant also officially released the fifth-generation Defy series of road bikes. The new generation of Defy road bikes still adheres to the love of cyclists, and combines lightweight, efficient and smooth riding experience to a higher level.
The launch of the all-new Defy road bike is designed to meet the needs of all-day sports, long-distance riding, and high-intensity riding. You must know that in the process of long-distance riding, radical settings may not necessarily bring you higher efficiency, but a comfortable and stable riding experience can make you play more consistently. As the saying goes, comfort is fast.
This time, I got the flagship version of Giant's new Defy, the Defy Advanced SL0, and the weight of the frame is only 785 grams, which is a full 195 grams (199%)。
Giant optimized it from the frame to the fork, effectively reducing the fork to 350 grams, which is 15% lighter than the previous generation.
It is said that the flagship Defy is made of Advanced SL composites, which are carefully calculated and woven in Giant's own carbon fiber factory, using up to 132 pieces of composite materials with complex shapes to meet weight and rigidity indicators.
This stellar weight performance also puts the Defy in the lightweight race segment, and you know, it also has fender mounting holes, as well as more tire clearance and longer chainstays.
The flagship version of the DeFi Advanced SL0 is mated to a SRAM Red Etap AXS 12-speed wireless shifting package with a Quarq power meter, Cadex 36 Disc wheels and Cadex Classic 700x32C tubeless, which we measured to weigh 7At 245kg, this weight includes two bottle cages and a computer holder.
Let's take a look at the product first, this generation of Defy has not made too many complicated designs in order to improve performance, which is said to be the demand of top riders for Defy. So, instead of adding shocks, bushings, and other add-ons like other brands of endurance cars, the all-new Defy focuses on weight, durability, compliance, ease of maintenance, performance, and speed.
The all-new Defy also uses an inwardly routed cockpit, which is more integrated than the old model, and Giant tried to inject a sportier riding experience into it, so aerodynamics were also taken into account, with the fork legs and seat tube both cross-sectioned.
If you look at the front half of the frame, if you don't look closely, you'll think it's a TCR** with fully hidden traces.
The D-fork steerer tube and corresponding spacers provide a very aerodynamic internal cable routing system that makes braking and shifting easier to maintain.
Giant has added an "S" design language to the head tube of the new Defy frame, the main purpose of which is to allow for smoother airflow, and it is said that this design will also be used in the next ** models.
The drag of the head tube is a factor that affects the aerodynamics of a road bike, so Giant has made a cross-sectional shape at the junction of the head tube and down tube of the new Defy to allow the airflow to pass more smoothly. This design we have also seen on the newly updated Propel, which is said to minimize air resistance.
If you don't see this dropped seatstay design, you will indeed mistake it for ** TCR. The dropped chainstays are designed to absorb road shocks and vibrations from the rear wheels.
The 420mm chainstay length allows for a longer wheelbase for the front and rear wheels, and the long wheelbase design increases stability at high speeds.
The 86mm-wide oversized bottom bracket, combined with the asymmetrical design of the chainstays, provides extra rigidity on the drive side and added stability on the non-drive side.
As an endurance car, Giant has rack mounting holes for both the front and rear forks of the new Defy, as well as mounting holes for the fenders.
Like Propel, Giant also designed two bottle cages for it that fit perfectly with the riser and downtube. Especially for the riser, if you use the regular version of the bottle cage, you need to lengthen the screws and raise them to avoid the front derailleur installation lug, while Giant directly made a cut in the special water bottle cage to directly avoid the installation position of the front drapeur to make it more fitting.
The new Defy has a riser, top tube and chainstays that look slimmer and cleaner. We've seen a lot of all-around road bikes with this kind of frame rear design, so it's clear that this generation of Defy also pays attention to road performance.
The slim tube design can also effectively reduce the overall weight, achieving the ultimate marginal gain.
Instead of an ISP integrated seatpost like the TCR and Propel flagship versions, the flagship version of the Defy comes with an adjustable D-Fuse seatpost.
The D-Fuse seatpost offers up to 7mm of flex headroom to absorb shocks and reduce bumps and vibrations. The new Defy Advanced SL frame and seatpost are optimized for 42% better compliance than the previous generation of the Defy Advanced Pro series.
The new Defy fork legs are designed to be curved to increase the capacity of the fork while keeping the vibration of the front wheels from being transmitted directly from the fork to the handlebar.
The all-new DEFY is compatible with 38C tires up to 38C, and the 32C is standard on the car, striking a good balance between comfort and aerodynamics.
The new Defy's top-mounted Contact SLR D-Fuse handlebar features D-tubing that absorbs shock and vibration. The lower position is skimmed 8 degrees, which can also improve a certain ergonomics and handling.
With it, the **Contact SLR Aerolight semi-internal cable routing stem, the split design can bring more adjustable range, and it is very friendly to the technician, and it is relatively convenient to disassemble and maintain.
The DeFi Advanced SL0 is paired with a set of Cadex 36 Disc wheels, an ultra-lightweight wheel that performs well in real-world competitions. Frameless hook design, optimized 22With a 4mm inner diameter and a 36mm frame height, it weighs only 1,302g (581g front, 721g rear), providing unrivalled acceleration and climbing efficiency, as well as excellent handling on downhills and crosswinds.
The wheels also feature patented Dynamic Balanced Lacing, as well as aerodynamic spokes that use precision-reinforced carbon lamination technology to maximize acceleration and deliver better real-world climbing and sprinting performance.
Ultra-lightweight carbon spokes provide the CADEX 36 Disc wheelset with good lateral stiffness, a 30% better performance than some other brands, and a low friction resistance R1-C30 ceramic bearings that increase by 1 compared to typical metal bearings5x smoother scrolling.
Paired with the Cadex 36 Disc wheels, the Defy not only delivers exceptional efficiency, but also agile and stable handling, whether it's a strong coastal crosswind or a difficult mountain road.
In terms of kit, because it is the flagship DeTy Advanced SL0, the vehicle is equipped with a set of SRAM's top-of-the-line RED ETAP AXS wireless electronic transmission kit, and the wireless connection method completely gets rid of the inconvenience and constraints of complicated wiring.
The RED also has a Quarq Dzero power meter integrated into the crankset, which we can call an "all-in-one power platter". This "one-piece power platter" delivers excellent stiffness and variable speed performance with a power accuracy of 15%, which is also one of the best power meters on the market at present.
Considering that it is an endurance bike, Giant has installed a 46-33t crankset set in the Defy Advanced SL0 paired with a 10-36t flywheel, which makes it easier for the rider to handle steep climbs.
In terms of actual performance, the experience of getting on the car for the first time is that this geometric angle is too comfortable! Higher head tube stacking, and 379The 8mm (size M) reach allows for a more comfortable riding position, and you can remove as much of the head tube gasket as possible for a more aesthetically pleasing finish.
The new Defy is also very nimble in handling, making it very easy to get started, and the 32C tyres (80psi) allow you to crunch with confidence when cornering.
Thanks to the 32C tires, the new DEFY can also cope with some simple unpaved roads and stone roads, with relaxed geometry and a larger ground contact area, which can also cope with complex road conditions more calmly.
With a weight of just over 7kg and an Advanced SL composite frame, it also performs well on climbs, with very direct feedback from the starting acceleration and solid on every foot.
32C tires (80psi) When dealing with the acceleration of a rocking car on a steep slope, the deformation of the tire is large, and you will feel a little dragged foot, so try to change to a 28C tire later.
The most noteworthy thing is the performance of the new Defy on downhill slopes, with excellent handling that allows you to release speed with confidence. In addition, the 32C tires bring better grip, so you can go through corners and press corners with confidence, and the 420mm chainstay length makes the wheelbase longer, which also brings more stability.
In addition, the new Defy and newly designed tube shape reduce the weight of the frame overall, so you can feel that the Defy is also very light on the flat road, without any drag, making you feel like a "post-Propel."
However, the inertia on the flat road is indeed not as good as that of the Propel, which is understandable, after all, the positioning is an endurance road car, and more attention is paid to comfort and durability.
Thanks to the D-Fuse seatpost, Contact SLR D-Fuse handlebars, dropped chainstays, and 32C tires, the comfort of this all-new Defy is fully stretched. Small bumps in the road surface are filtered out, and they appear more resilient when dealing with large vibrations.
During the weekend 100km ride, you can really feel the fatigue of the new DEFY. It doesn't increase speed, but it makes it easier for you to complete the journey.
The all-new Defy may not be the lightest or fastest road bike, but it gives you a better ride than pure aero road bikes and hill climbers. It's a great balance of weight, performance, comfort, and a good balance of all aspects that make it a highly playable and fun to drive.
Overall, if you're not that demanding athletic attributes, the Defy is a great companion because it retains the smoothness and handling of its predecessors while offering wider tire clearance. It takes you farther and faster, and it's the flagship of the new Defy range that regains its position at the pinnacle of endurance road bikes.
Advantages: good comfort, good handling, light weight, simple shock absorption structure.
Disadvantages: The length of the chainstay (420mm) reduces the transmission efficiency, and the 32C tires have large deformation when shaking.
Giant Defy Advanced SL0 configuration table.
Frame: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, Full-Composite Overdrive Aero Steerer, Flywheel: SRAM Force (12-speed, 10x36T).
Chain: SRAM Red D1
Crank: SRAM Red D1 DUB (33 46T, with Quarq power meter).
Bottom bracket: SRAM DUB (press-fit type).
Hand change: SRAM Red Etap AXS
Frontdial: SRAM Red Etap AXS
Rear derailleur: SRAM RED ETAP AXS
Brakes: SRAM Red Etap AXS
Disc: SRAM Centerline XR (front and rear 160mm).
Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR D-Fuse
Stem: Giant Contact SLR Aerolight
Seatpost: Giant SLR D-Fuse, Saddle: Giant Fleet SLR
Wheelset: Cadex 36 Disc
Tires: Cadex Classic 700x32c
Weight: 7245 kg (size M, incl. computer holder, 2 bottle cages)
Price: 73800 yuan.
Editor: Yao.