Giant Defy Advanced 2 Disc Road Bike Review

The Giant Defy Advanced 2 Disc is aimed at the endurance/sportive rider. Engineered to be comfortable over longer distances whilst remaining both efficient and fast. The Giant Defy Advanced 2 Disc comes with a slightly shorter top tube than the equivalent TCR’s and have slightly taller head tubes to take away some of the pressures from your hips/lower back. Adapted in 2015 to really hone in comfort – the new Defy comes in three options.

The Giant Defy collection is the carbon fibre long distance road bike line up. This bike is similar to the Cannondale Synapse or the Specialized Roubaix of course with the 2017/18 addition of disc brakes.

Well priced, understated & regularly at the top of tests, Giant have been getting it right for a number of years. It’s no surprise that they’re the World’s biggest retailer of bikes. You may have seen our blog post on the Giant Bicycle company earlier in the year. If you missed if you can catch up here.

— GIANT RIDESENSE 2.0 SPEED/CADENCE SENSOR —

What’s New?

Ride farther and faster with an all-new composite frameset that’s engineered with endurance geometry and built-in compliance. Handcrafted with Advanced-grade composite material it’s engineered with tube shapes that are optimized to absorb road shocks and vibrations. And the frame is still stiff in all the ways that matter—for pedaling efficiency as well as steering and cornering precision.

It’s made with a specific carbon layup to give it just the right feel. And for added control it features integrated disc brakes with flat mounts and 12mm thru-axles. The D-Fuse seatpost and handlebar system also help reduce road vibrations adding to its smooth compliant feel on the road.

— THE IMPORTANCE OF BIKE FITTING IN CYCLING —

The tube shapes have seen a change to absorb road shocks and vibration. Most of this happens in the seat stays, seat post and handlebars. The frame remains stiff and responsive, with agility being high up on the menu. The Giant Defy’s advanced composite frame offers smoother ride quality and less fatigue on long rides. Efficient both in & out of the corner, the bike is designed to climb too.

This fun, lively side of the Giant Defy often isn’t seen in endurance road bikes. Designed for long comfortable days in the saddle, it’s nice to see racey elements of Giant Propel starting to combine with the old technologies.

Integrated disc brakes with flat mounts and 12mm thru-axles remain on the new versions of the bike. It’s great to see Giant really backing the change on the disc brake seen, we’re wondering if this will start to slip into the Trinity range for next year.

— BIKERADAR ROAD BIKE OF THE YEAR 2018 —

The Ride:

The endurance road geometry offers a more comfortable ride. With clearance for 32mm tyres, you can take on any road conditions. Similar to many of the other all road bikes you’ll be able to set up to tackle everything from the smooth roads of the continent to rugged back roads and mountain passes.

The new Contact SL D-Fuse handlebars certainly take some getting used to on the new Giant Defy Advanced 2 Disc. They feel flatter, empty, and strange. Engineered carefully in the Giant Labs to massively reduce the impacts of bumpy roads, something most British riders will welcome with open arms. It feels as though the bottom half of the handlebar has fallen off. That being said, they make a very comfy hand rest for when you’re cruising along.

Giant P-R2 Disc wheelset makes the Giant Defy Advanced 2 Disc feel a lot heavier than other bikes in the range. Like most Giant wheels, these come tubeless to offer much more puncture resistance. Many riders opt for a more robust wheel set for the long winter miles anyway. The wheels come complete with a 28mm tyre fitted giving you that added bit of rolling comfort.

— HOW TO PACE A SPORTIVE – 8 TOP TIPS —

The Verdict:

The Giant Defy advanced 2 disc is definitely a notch above a lot of the endurance road frames we’ve seen. Playful, versatile and responsive through the corners whilst remaining stiff on the climbs. The D-Fuse handle bars do a great job of swallowing any bumps so that your arms & back don’t have to! We’d recommend this bike for anyone that loves to hit long miles in the saddle.