Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 (2014)

Flagship aero road bike from Giant

Pros

- Pure quality and aerodynamic performance
- No wasted watts!

Cons

- not really a climbers bike!

Review

The Propel's aerodynamic frame featured in this years Tour de France is the result of thousands of hours of design and research, offering the best in aerodynamics and stiffness without sacrificing comfort or reliability. The frame features a tapered headtube, as well as heavily reinforced and widened bottom bracket, to maximize power transmission and reduce frame flex. The frame also comes fitted with a speed and cadence sensor built into the chainstay (removable).

A description of components is usually a little more diverse, but with a team like Giant-Shimano, it's going to be all Giant and Shimano!

Shimano C24 Tubular Rims adorn the team bike (unlike the Zipp 404's pictured), with Giant P-SLR1 Tires fitted. Interestingly, these tires are front and rear specific - much like the old Continental Attack and Force were. Sadly a concept that never really took off as it should have. Hopefully Giant will have better luck, especially from their elevated position of control within the cycling world.

A full Shimano Dura Ace Di2 Electronic groupset is fitted to every bike on the Giant-Shimano Pro Team, with a Shimano crankset and rear cassette offering 22 speeds. The 11 speed rear cassette requires a slightly narrower chain than a 10 speed system, and offers the same maximum and minimum gearing, but with slightly less severe changes in between. A Shimano Press Fit bottom bracket houses the crankset, presumably with ceramic bearings.

This years Giant Propel Advanced SL0 is one of a handful of bikes featuring a seatmast, not a seatpost. A seatmast is part of the frame, and is NOT inserted into the frame like a normal seatpost. The full length seatmast has to be cut to length. The saddle offers room for small amounts of height adjustment, thanks to an oversize mounting cup that sits over the seatmast end. The saddle is one of a selection of Shimano owned PRO seats, depending on rider preferences and stage profile.

It's amazing how easy it is to access the exact same bike as the pros, but at the end of the day, you'll never be as fast. Ever. But you can at least look good trying! The Giant Propel is designed purely for maximum speed and racing and would suit a rider with a healthy budget looking for class leading performance.