{"id":36292,"date":"2022-05-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=36292"},"modified":"2022-05-17T10:34:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T08:34:49","slug":"giant-contend-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/2022\/05\/13\/giant-contend-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Giant Contend 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
BUDGET<\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Giant Contend 1<\/h2>\n\n

\u00a3949<\/span> A sporty steed that invites you to progress<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Weight <\/strong>9.51kg (M) Frame <\/strong>Aluminium Fork Composite Gears <\/strong>Shimano Sora 9-speed, 50\/34, 11-34 Brakes <\/strong>Tektro TK-B177 rim brakes Wheels Giant <\/strong>S-R3 Finishing kit <\/strong>Giant Connect alloy bar, Sport alloy stem, D-Fuse alloy seatpost, Approach saddle, S-R3 AC 28mm tyres<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

\u201cIt encourages you to take the faster line, even when the surface is questionable\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

The Good <\/strong>
Excellent package; slick groupset performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bad <\/strong>
Front-end vibration absorption<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

GIANT\u2019S CONTEND 1 <\/strong>is \u2018designed for aspiring riders aiming to ride a little faster and go a little further\u2019. The company\u2019s compact frame design always guarantees a good fit, with generous overlap between sizes. The Contend has a well-designed and beautifully built frame, made from Giant\u2019s proprietary Aluxx-Grade aluminium. The full-carbon fork and slim, flat-backed alloy seatpost are designed to add compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Giant has used its own tubeless-ready wheels and tyres, bar, stem and saddle. Shimano\u2019s smartly finished nine-speed Sora groupset is complete, save for the Tektro rim brakes. From its 1:1 34×34 lowest gear to high 50×11 top, it has the potential to take on almost any road, and that extra sprocket makes the cassette less gappy than eight-speed Claris.<\/p>\n\n

I found the ride quality very good. The 28mm tubeless-ready tyres measure 29mm on the S-R3 rims \u2013 and there\u2019s clearance for 32mm. The D-Fuse seatpost also helps to soak up vibration as it can flex fore and aft.<\/p>\n\n

Where some bikes rely on a squishy saddle to help with this, Giant\u2019s Approach is firmer and very well-shaped.<\/p>\n\n

The front end, while not quite as well damped, still has great vibration absorption, and encourages you to take the faster line, even when the surface is questionable. Grip from the tyres is predictable, with their rounded shape and lower pressure giving great confidence in the corners. Refined ride quality and accomplished handling make outings on the Contend a relaxing experience.<\/p>\n\n

However, this bike responds to being pushed too, which isn\u2019t always the case at this price. The slightly taller rims add some rigidity, and even with larger tyres, the wheels can accelerate quickly enough to make things fun, and they never feel like anchors on long climbs.<\/p>\n\n

Giant\u2019s Contend 1 offers everything a well-priced road bike should, with great looks, sound mechanicals, rewarding and reassuring handling, plus a fine ride quality. It\u2019s also practical, with rim brakes that are easy and inexpensive to repair and upgrade. It comes with tubeless-ready rims and tyres, too. <\/p>\n\n

Simon Withers <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

Verdict <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

A great first road bike or a brilliant deputy, this offers an enjoyably rewarding ride<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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