Giant released the latest incarnation of the Defy in 2023, when it underwent a significant weight-shaving exercise, with the range-topping Defy Advanced SL frame claimed to weigh 785g (size medium, no hardware).\u00a0<\/p>
Senior technical editor Warren Rossiter was gushing with praise for the top-tier Giant Defy Advanced SL 0<\/a>, awarding it 4.5 stars. However, that bike costs a rather princely \u00a311,499 \/ $12,000 \/ \u20ac11,999 \/ AU$13,999.\u00a0<\/p> We\u2019re looking forward to seeing how much of that bike\u2019s personality translates to this more sensible \u00a33,499 \/ \u20ac3,900 option.\u00a0<\/p> It\u2019s also the first bike to arrive at BikeRadar HQ with the new Shimano 105 R7100<\/a> 12-speed mechanical groupset.\u00a0<\/p> Let\u2019s take a closer look.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> The Defy Advanced Pro is constructed from Giant\u2019s Advanced-grade carbon fibre and is claimed to weigh 860g in a size medium without hardware \u2013\u00a0only 75g heavier than the Advanced SL.\u00a0<\/p> That\u2019s pretty admirable considering the significant price saving, and what\u2019s more impressive is the new Advanced Pro frame is 120g lighter than the previous flagship Defy<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> It\u2019s also claimed to be 0.2 per cent stiffer than the previous-generation Defy Advanced Pro (yes, really).<\/p> The tube shapes have been revised on the new Defy, with the seatstays subtly dropped and the seat tube more slender at the seatpost junction. The head tube also has a more svelte profile, which Giant says is to improve aerodynamics.\u00a0<\/p> The Advanced Pro shares the same fork as the Advanced SL, claimed to weigh 345g uncut. It uses Giant\u2019s OverDrive Aero steerer, which is an oversized 1-1\/4in to 1-1\/4in D-shaped steerer tube.<\/p> This also enables the front end to be fully integrated, with all cables running underneath the stem and into the frame through the upper headset bearing. Giant specs a separate bar and stem to enable easier bike fit<\/a> adjustments, though.<\/p> This system, which debuted on Giant\u2019s Propel Advanced SL<\/a> aero bike, is claimed to provide a small efficiency benefit, but the main gain here is arguably in terms of cleaner looks.<\/p> The Defy can accept up to 38mm road bike tyres<\/a>, matching the Trek Domane but trumped by the 40mm clearance of the Specialized Roubaix SL8.\u00a0<\/p> The updated bump-taming frame is paired with an all-new Giant D-Fuse seatpost<\/a> and handlebar, which the brand claims enables you to ride further distances in greater comfort.<\/p> The new D-Fuse carbon seatpost has a markedly different appearance from its predecessor, with the D-shaped post tapering towards the head to allow up to 7mm of flex at the saddle.\u00a0<\/p> Moving to the handlebar, the Defy Advanced Pro uses a Giant Contact SL D-Fuse aluminium handlebar over the Contact SLR carbon equivalent found on spendier models.\u00a0<\/p> Still, it retains the D-shaped profiling on the tops, said to increase not only comfort but also efficiency on harder efforts. The drops have an 8-degree flare, which Giant claims increases handling stability, in combination with a shorter 72mm reach.\u00a0<\/p> Every fortnight, we’ll bring you a detailed first look at one of the latest bikes (or framesets) to arrive at BikeRadar HQ \u2013 from road to commuting, gravel to enduro, and anything in between.<\/p> This is our chance to introduce the bike and everything that makes it unique before hitting the road or trails.<\/p> Head to our Bike of the Week hub<\/a> for previous editions.<\/p><\/div><\/div> The Defy Advanced Pro 2 is specced with a brand-spanking new Shimano 105 R7100 groupset.<\/p> It\u2019s a 12-speed mechanical groupset and it shares many components with Shimano 105 Di2 R7100<\/a>. The shifters and front derailleur<\/a> look very similar to their R7000 11-speed counterparts, but the rear derailleur<\/a> has a revised aesthetic with a flattened body and an updated cage.\u00a0<\/p> Like both Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200<\/a> and Ultegra Di2 R8100<\/a>, the disc brake calipers have 10 per cent wider pad spacing, which should reduce any rubbing, and sport the new separate bleed port arrangement.<\/p> As with 105 Di2, though, the brakes don\u2019t get Shimano\u2019s Servo Wave technology, because that\u2019s reserved for Ultegra and Dura-Ace.<\/p> On this particular bike, there\u2019s a deviation from Shimano at the chain<\/a>, with Giant speccing a KMC X12L-1 version.\u00a0<\/p>A competitively lightweight frame\u00a0<\/h2>
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![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/DSC08771-scaled.jpg\")
D-Fusing the ride\u00a0<\/h3>
![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/DSC08754-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/DSC08768-scaled.jpg\")
What is Bike of the Week?<\/h3>
A Shimano 105 R7100\u00a0showcase<\/h2>
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![\"Shimano](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/DSC08757-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/DSC08751-scaled.jpg\")