Who says endurance road bikes carry a weight penalty?
Giant has launched an updated Defy, with the latest version of the renowned endurance bike seeing its weight shaved significantly. The flagship frame’s weight drops to a claimed 785g while offering, the brand says, improvements in comfort and efficiency.
An all-new frame and fork are paired with the brand’s D-Fuse seatpost and matching D-Fuse handlebar to offer what Giant claims is the perfect bike for “going longer, climbing higher, riding faster, and doing it all with confidence and smooth control”.
Tyre clearance has increased from 35mm to 38mm.
As Giant’s endurance road bike, the Defy sits alongside the TCR all-rounder and Propel aero road bike in the company’s range.
There will be three tiers of Defy frames across a wide range of price points – the range-topping Defy Advanced SL, mid-range Defy Advanced Pro and range-opening Defy Advanced.
The Defy Advanced Pro and Defy Advanced share the same frame but use different forks.
Pricing starts from £2,299 for the Defy Advanced 3 and rises to £11,499/$12,000/€11,800/AU$13,999 for the range-topping Defy Advanced SL 0.
Senior technical editor Warren Rossiter has been putting the Giant Defy Advanced SL 0 through its paces and you can read his review.
The lightweight makeover
Giant claims the Defy Advanced SL weighs a feathery 785g in a size medium, with no hardware, 195g less than the previous flagship Defy Advanced Pro.
That makes it one of the lightest endurance bike frames on the market. The new Specialized Roubaix comes close at a claimed 828g (including the front derailleur hanger and bottle cage rivnuts) and the Cannondale Synapse is heavier still at 950g, both in a size 56cm.
It’s important to note claimed frame weights can vary in reality, so this isn’t an apples-for-apples comparison, but the point remains the Defy Advanced SL is a very light frame.
Frame weights are also down for the Advanced Pro and Advanced frames at 860g, also in a size medium without hardware.
Both the Defy Advanced SL and Defy Advanced Pro share the same fork, which sees a one-piece carbon construction. Giant is using its OverDrive 2 steerer, which is an oversized 1-1/4in to 1-1/4in D-shaped steerer tube. It’s claimed to weigh 345g uncut.
The Defy Advanced’s fork is of a two-piece construction, with a round 1-1/8in to 1-1/4in carbon steerer tube, and is claimed to weigh 381g, also uncut.
For comparison, the previous-generation Defy Advanced Pro’s fork weighed a claimed 406g.
The fork legs are now flat at their rear face, in keeping with the TCR and Propel, for improved aerodynamic performance.
Giant also says the new Defy Advanced SL is 8.9 per cent stiffer and 28 per cent more efficient (stiffness-to-weight ratio) than its predecessor.
The Defy Advanced Pro is claimed to be 0.2 per cent stiffer (editor’s note: don’t roll your eyes) than the previous-generation Defy Advanced Pro, with the Defy Advanced 3.7 per cent more flexible.
Comfort factor
The Defy has always been targeted at riding long distances in comfort and continues to use a carbon fibre frame to tame the bumps.
Unlike its rivals, such as the Specialized Roubaix and Trek Domane, the Defy eschews suspension, pivots or other add-ons to generate comfort, instead relying on good old-fashioned frame flex.
The brand says this decision is led by market feedback. Giant also says it believes such features typically come at a cost, be it increased weight, maintenance or decreased durability.
The seatstays continue to be dropped and the chainstays asymmetric, with the non-driveside profiled to increase stability to counteract the drivetrain forces on the driveside. The seat tube is more slender at the seatpost junction and the head tube more svelte to improve aerodynamics, according to Giant.
Giant has also increased the tyre clearance by 3mm to 38mm. This puts it in line with the Trek Domane and is greater than the 35mm clearance found on the Cannondale Synapse. The new Specialized Roubaix, however, trumps the Defy at 40mm.
All of the bikes ship with 32mm road bike tyres that are set up tubeless as standard.
Familiar geometry
Giant says it paid particular attention to ensuring the new Defy’s geometry allows for a more controlled ride.
To that end, the geometry is largely unchanged – head and seat tube angles are identical to the previous generation, along with the wheelbase, chainstay, fork rake, seat tube and top tube lengths.
However, the head tube lengths have been reduced by 10mm on size-medium frames upwards. The reach is also a little longer and the stack shorter, with a size-medium frame clocking in at 379.8mm reach and 558mm stack, compared to 377mm and 567mm.
As a result, Giant has made the Defy slightly more aggressive. This is apparently based on dealer and consumer feedback, with the stack a little too high on the previous generation. That said, and as you’d expect, the reach and stack are still higher than on the racey TCR.
| | XS | S | M | ML | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat angle (degrees) | 74.5 | 74 | 73.5 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Head angle (degrees) | 70.5 | 71.75 | 72.5 | 72.5 | 72.5 | 72.5 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 |
| Seat tube (mm) | 410 | 445 | 480 | 515 | 535 | 565 |
| Top tube (mm) | 515 | 530 | 545 | 560 | 575 | 595 |
| Head tube (mm) | 120 | 140 | 150 | 175 | 195 | 215 |
| Fork offset (mm) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Trail (mm) | 71.6 | 63.4 | 58.6 | 58.6 | 58.6 | 58.6 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 995.2 | 994.4 | 997.7 | 1,010 | 1,025 | 1,040 |
| Standover (mm) | 705 | 733 | 762 | 796 | 814 | 841 |
| Stack (mm) | 527 | 541 | 558 | 577 | 596 | 615 |
| Reach (mm) | 368.9 | 374.9 | 379.8 | 383.7 | 392.9 | 402 |
| Handlebar width (mm) | 400 | 400 | 420 | 420 | 440 | 440 |
| Stem length (mm) | 80 | 90 | 100 | 100 | 110 | 110 |
| Crank length (mm) | 170 | 170 | 172.5 | 172.5 | 175 | 175 |
| Wheel size (mm) | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
A shock D-Fusing seatpost and handlebar
The new Defy is specced with a new seatpost and handlebar, again with a combined focus on low weight and comfort.
The new D-Fuse carbon seatpost has a dramatically different appearance from its predecessor, with the D-shaped post tapering towards the head to allow up to 7mm of flex at the saddle.
Giant initially introduced the D-Fuse seatpost to its Defy range in 2018, having debuted on the TCX cyclocross bike in 2014.
Giant claims the new Defy Advanced SL frameset and seatpost produce 42 per cent greater compliance combined than the previous-generation Defy Advanced Pro series.
Moving to the handlebar
Giant is also speccing a new Contact SLR/SL D-Fuse handlebar (depending on the model) to balance the rear-end compliance out-front.
The bars use similarly D-shaped tubing on the tops. Giant says this not only increases comfort, but also efficiency for harder efforts due to the claimed 2 per cent increase in upward stiffness. The drops are shaped with an 8-degree flare, which Giant claims increases stability, and sport a shorter 72mm reach.
The Contact SLR D-Fuse carbon handlebar is available in 38, 40, 42 and 44cm widths, and a 42cm bar is claimed to weigh 185g.
The Contact SL D-Fuse aluminium handlebar will be offered in 40, 42 and 44cm widths, and a 42cm bar is claimed to weigh 264g.
The handlebar only features on the Defy Advanced SL and Defy Advanced Pro models.
New stem collection
There are new stems across the range, with the carbon Contact SLR AeroLight specced on the Advanced SL and the aluminium Contact SL AeroLight or Contact AeroLight featuring on the two lower tiers.
All of the stems sport an aero-optimised shape. Any gear cables or hydraulic hoses are routed underneath the stem before passing through the proprietary headset spacers.
The Contact SLR AeroLight stem is offered in lengths from 70 to 140mm, in 10mm increments, and the 100mm variant is claimed to weigh 123g.
Both the Contact SL AeroLight and Contact AeroLight aluminium stems are offered in the same range of lengths, with the SL AeroLight 100mm variant having a 161g claimed weight and the AeroLight coming in at 190g in an equivalent length.
The Contact SLR AeroLight and Contact SL AeroLight are only compatible with Giant’s OverDrive D-shaped steerer tubes, whereas the Contact AeroLight is compatible with standard round 1-1/8in steerer tubes.
Giant Defy spec and pricing
Giant Defy Advanced SL 0
- Frame: Advanced SL-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive Aero steerer
- Groupset: SRAM Red eTap AXS with Quarq DZero power meter
- Wheelset: Cadex 36 Disc WheelSystem
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SLR D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact SLR AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant SLR D-Fuse
- Tyres: Cadex Classic, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £11,499/$12,000/€11,999/AU$13,999
Giant Defy Advanced SL 1
- Frame: Advanced SL-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive Aero steerer
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 with Giant Power Pro power meter
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 1 36 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SLR D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact SLR AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant SLR D-Fuse
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 0, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £8,499/AU$9,949 (not available in USA, Canada, Germany or France)
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive Aero steerer
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 with Giant Power Pro power meter
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 1 36 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SLR D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact SL AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant SLR D-Fuse
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 0, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £5,999/$6,500/€6,499/AU$7,999
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive Aero steerer
- Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150, with KMC X12L-1 chain
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 1 36 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SL D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact SL AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant SL D-Fuse
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 1, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £4,599/$5,000/€4,999/AU$6,499
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive Aero steerer
- Groupset: Shimano 105 R7100, with KMC X12L-1 chain
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 2 36 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SL D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact SL AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant SL D-Fuse
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 1, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £3,499/€3,900 (not available in USA, Australia, Canada or Germany)
Giant Defy Advanced 0
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer
- Groupset: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, with Giant MPH rotors
- Wheelset: Giant P-R2 Disc alloy
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SL D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 1, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £3,299 (only available in UK)
Giant Defy Advanced 1
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer
- Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150, with Giant MPH rotors and KMC X12L-1 chain
- Wheelset: Giant P-R2 Disc alloy
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SL D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 1, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £3,199/$4,000/€3,699/AU$4,999
Giant Defy Advanced 2
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer
- Groupset: Shimano 105 R7100, with Giant MPH rotors and KMC X12L-1 chain
- Wheelset: Giant P-R2 Disc alloy
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SL D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 1, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £2,699/$3,000/€2,899/AU$3,799
Giant Defy Advanced 3
- Frame: Advanced-grade composite
- Fork: Advanced-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer
- Groupset: Shimano Tiagra 4700, with Giant MPH rotors and KMC X10-1 chain
- Wheelset: Giant S-R2 Disc alloy
- Handlebars: Giant Contact SL D-Fuse
- Stem: Giant Contact AeroLight
- Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Fondo 1, tubeless, 700c x 32mm
- Price: £2,999/€2,400 (not available in USA, Australia or Germany)