The champagne corks could have been popping at Giant when the new Propel two stage wins in his first outings with Dylan Groenewegen and Michael Matthews at the Tour de France was ridden in. However, the sponsor did not really welcome the public this time, as the bike, from the Team BikeExchange-Jayco was actually still a secret:
The general public should not be aware of the new Aero flagship until the end of August. of the world's largest bike manufacturer. However, the pros reportedly insisted on being allowed to use the new model for the Tour. Almost all the riders decided in favour of it, and even on mountain stages many preferred the new bike to its lighter but aerodynamically weaker sister model. TCR from Giant before. Alongside the pros at the Tour de France, TOUR also had the opportunity to put the new Giant Propel through its paces.
Giant Propel: Fast as an arrow and predictable
To get straight to the point: We can well understand the urge of the racers. The new design turns out to be an almost perfect competition all-rounder, which hardly shows any weaknesses and is not only Predecessor modelbut should also be superior to the lighter TCR on most race tracks. Even on the first test laps it quickly becomes clear: the Giant Propel has lost none of its qualities, it is as fast as an arrow, rides directly and predictably, very stable at high speeds with a very sporty riding position. What's new is the feather-light ride feel, because the bike accelerates formidably and also hangs on to the throttle well on climbs - comparable with some significantly less aerodynamic lightweight racers.
Even lightweight riders can no longer complain about comfort, as the seat post, which is firmly integrated into the frame, provides plenty of suspension. The road bike is reminiscent of the Specialised TarmacThe Giant Propel is the best bike to date at balancing good aero performance and low weight. The new Giant Propel is on a comparable level in the wind tunnel with 209 watts, which is the pedalling power required for 45 km/h - although its predecessor was just as fast.
In order to achieve the dream score of 1.4 in the TOUR test, the Giant Propel had to become lighter. One of the main reasons for not using the previous model, despite its aerodynamic quality, was its high weight: the bike weighed less than 7.5 kilograms, even with top equipment. The successor now hangs on the TOUR scales at an impressive 6.8 kilos. The new Propel Advanced SL frame with slimmer tube shapes saves around 150 grams and the fork 30 grams compared to the previous top model.
How fast are the Cadex wheels on the Giant Propel?
But Giant also took a close look at every other component of the aero road bike. New wheels are an important component for the performance: under the own brand Cadex is being launched at the same time as the Giant Propel has introduced a new carbon wheelset with very wide carbon fibre blade spokes. Thanks to the hookless rim, it weighs around 200 grams less than competitor products of the same height and helps the bike not only in terms of weight, but also aerodynamically: despite "only" 50 millimetre rim height, the bike is just as fast as with the 60 millimetre high Zipp 404 reference wheels. According to Giant developer Andy Wollny, the new tyre, also from Cadex, also plays a part in this: its shape has been aerodynamically optimised.
DisadvantageFor safety reasons, not all tyres can be ridden on the wheels - after all, there are more and more, including models from Continental and Schwalbe.
The Propel cockpit is easy to customise
Not only the frame, but also the new stem on the Giant Propel is more delicate, hiding the cables more elegantly than the rather clunky construction on its predecessor. Unlike many, Giant does not rely on a one-piece handlebar combination, but on a classic clamped carbon handlebar, which can also be exchanged for models from other brands.
The stem can be adjusted in height with the split spacers without having to shorten the fork or adjust the brake lines - there is enough clearance in the voluminous head tube for a few centimetres of reserve. Although this means that the Giant Propel loses a few watts of aero performance, dealers and hobby riders will be pleased with the comparatively simple adjustment of the position, which is rare on modern top racers.
On the other hand, the necessity of the integrated seat post of the Giant Propel, which is inconvenient when transporting in the car or in a bike case and whose clamping head only offers an adjustment range of two centimetres. On the other hand, the seat dome offers good comfort and considerable weight savings; there is also no need for a complex integrated seat post clamp. However, it remains a feature of the expensive top version of the Propel reserved, cheaper versions come with a classic, adjustable support.
The pros won't care about such subtleties, they will be happy to have a universal workhorse that is competitive in all racing situations and good for many victories. When the new Giant Propel is just as well received by the targeted buyers, it could also be the bestseller in the retail sector. Giant TCR outstrip the competition.
Facts about the Giant Propel Advanced SL
- Price: not specified
- Info: www.giant-bicycles.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 975/411/58 grammes
Frame sizes** XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL
Seat/top tube/head tube 545/560/155 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 554/392 mm/1.41
Wheelbase/caster 990/58 mm
Equipment
Drive/Circuit Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12, 52/36, 11-34 t.)
Brakes Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm)
Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Cadex SL 50/Cadex Aero 25 mm (1092/1473 grams)
Measured values and individual grades*****
Weight complete bike Giant Propel 6.8 kilos Grade: 1,7
Steering head stiffness 114 Nm/° Grade: 1,0
Lateral stiffness fork 52 N/mm Grade: 1,3
Bottom bracket stiffness 74 N/mmGrade: 1,0
Seatpost spring stiffness 120 N/mm Grade: 1,3
Aerodynamics****** 209 watts Grade: 1,7
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer's specification test size bold.
***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from centre of bottom bracket to top of head tube; STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
****Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/ thru axles and brake discs if applicable.
*****Individual grades, which are weighted differently in the overall grade, are only partially printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for a better overview, we indicate all grades with rounded decimal places.
******Aerodynamics Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling dummy leg.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
