Aero road bikes for around 5000 euros: The Giant Propel Advanced 1 on test

The industry giant's aero machine is now in its third model year, with the Advanced 1 being one of the two basic models. Comparatively simple components clearly set it apart from the lightweight workhorse of the Jayco AlUla team - and only stop the scales at well over eight kilograms. This makes the Propel the heaviest bike in the test field. In addition to the simple aluminium handlebar/stem combination and the relatively heavy SRAM drivetrain, the carbon wheelset in particular contributes to the sobering result. At around 3250 grams, they reach the level of simple aluminium wheels.

Giant Propel Advanced 1: Aerodynamics and comfort

Thanks to the 50 millimetre high rims, the Advanced 1 looks fast, but during the test in the GST wind tunnel it only finished in the back half and, with 216 watts, it also kept its distance from the professional racer from its own stable and the fastest bikes in the test field in this discipline. Faster wheels only bring a slight improvement, so higher-quality wheels would primarily be a tuning tip to reduce weight. The riding position is identical to the recently presented TCR and is decidedly stretched. The steering behaviour of the two Taiwanese competition bikes is also very similar, with the Propel tending to be more directional.

The suspension comfort is remarkable: the nominally quite narrow tyres arch almost 30 millimetres wide over the rims and, as with all Giant racing bikes, are mounted tubeless, which noticeably smoothes out bumps. The bike giant from the Far East offers five equipment variants for the German market. With the exception of the 2999 euro Advanced 2 all models are equipped with electronic groupsets and carbon wheels. If you have a budget to spare, the Advanced Pro 0 is an interesting alternative: thanks to lighter add-on parts, the 6499 euro version is a full kilogramme lighter than the test bike.

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Giant Propel Advanced 1

• TOUR grade: 2,4
• Price: 4799 Euro >> available here
• Weight of complete wheel: 8.6 kilos
• Aerodynamics: 216 watts
• Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL (test size greased)

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 545/565/156 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 572/391 millimetres/1.46
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 617/593 millimetres/1.04
• Wheelbase/caster: 995/58 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Rival AXS (2 x 12; 48/35, 10-30 t.) | Grade: 1.0
• Brakes: SRAM Rival (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
• Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 1, 25 mm (eff.: 29 mm) | Grade: 2.5
• Impellers: Giant SLR 2
• Impeller weights: 1403/1844 grams (front/rear)

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Tubeless tyres cushion well, easy position change and maintenance
• Minus: High total weight, heavy wheels, only five sizes

>> How TOUR tests: You can find details about the tests of our bikes here.