Giant : Une gamme route taillée pour la vitesse

In addition to its Propel (high-performance aero model) and Defy (endurance), Giant's most accomplished road bike is its TCR, the tenth generation of which we were able to ride.

At Giant, the TCR is an iconic model that the brand first unveiled 27 years ago, when the Taiwanese manufacturer launched its partnership with the Spanish ONCE team, which included Laurent Jalabert. Over a quarter of a century later, the 10th generation of the TCR has been unveiled by Giant, and we got to ride it for the space of one outing. To fully understand Giant's road bike range, we first need to talk about the Propel and Defy, the other two road models offered by the world's leading cycle manufacturer.

Visit Propel is a speed bike that excels on long straights. Stiffness is a must for this model, which Giant presents as a machine for winning. "This is a bike designed to enable the world's best riders to make the difference in the money. On this model (whose top-of-the-range model is the Propel Advanced SL), Giant points out that the truncated ellipse shape of the aero tubes produces "exceptional overall aerodynamic performance". The same applies to the front surfaces, where aerodynamics are most important. The new Contact Aero handlebars and stem also reduce drag, as do the new Cadex 50 wheels fitted with Cadex Aero tires. All in all, the gains are 6.21 watts compared with the previous-generation Propel, or 27 seconds over 40 km at 40 km/h. Not insignificant when it comes to those precious marginal gains that make the difference between victory and second place in a race.

The Advanced is available from €3,000 to €4,700
The Advanced Pro is available from €5,600 to €6,800.
The Advanced SL is priced from €8,900 to €12,000.
The Advanced SL frame kit is available in two colors at a price of €3800.

Visit Defy is more versatile, and is the most welcoming in terms of position and first kilometers ridden, as we can confirm having also tested it on an outing. A typical endurance bike, this Defy was redesigned in 2023 with a new, more flexible D-Fuse seatpost. Proof of this model's versatility, Giant allows it to be fitted with tires up to 35 mm in diameter. Unsurprisingly, the frame and fork are far more flexible than on the Propel, but as we've said, the aim here is comfort rather than pure speed. Still, with a frame weighing in at just 785 grams on the scales, the Defy will never be a burden on the road - quite the contrary.

The Defy Advanced is available from €2,400 to €3,700.
The Defy Advanced Pro is priced between €3900 and €6400.
The Defy Advanced SL is priced at €11,800

Finally, the TCR is the emblematic Giant model on which the brand has concentrated its efforts to offer riders the ultimate road-racing machine. As with the Propel, the aerodynamics have been reworked to further refine the tubes. The TCR's tenth-generation rigidity is evident from the very first pedal stroke. Combined with impressive lightness (the TCR Advanced SL 0 weighs in at 6.5 kg without pedals, for a frame weight of 690 grams), this TCR is a little bomb with a less imposing appearance than the Propel, which is more devoted to speed on the flat. Over small bumps, the TCR responds perfectly when you push on the pedals, and pedaling efficiency is flawless, as you'll notice when switching from the Defy to the TCR, for example. When you're riding Giant's flagship bike, you can feel that you're in the hands of a machine designed as much for those who want to perform in the mountains on the toughest passes as for users who want the most efficient bike possible for the local cyclosportive.

In terms of aesthetics, the integrated cockpit and fully integrated cable routing are appreciated, thanks to the use of the OverDrive Aero system previously seen on the Giant Propel 2023. Giant also points out that "all TCR tube shapes are designed and developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling and wind tunnel testing. From the truncated ellipse shape of the tubes to a new cockpit design and component integration, everything contributes to a more aerodynamic profile that improves overall performance compared to the previous generation". For Italian rider Filippo Zana of the GreenEDGE Cycling pro team, who uses the model on a daily basis, the TCR is "a versatile bike and an excellent choice for many races, from Classics to tough mountain stages". According to the Taiwanese manufacturer, this tenth edition of the TCR enables the Advanced SL to be 4.19 watts more aerodynamic than the previous equivalent bike at 40km/h. Here too, the difference can be made on these details, and the investment in these superb machines is fully justified.