Test duel Giant vs Giant: Giant Propel Advanced 2 vs Advanced SL

Does this duel have anything to do with fairness? Can you pit an inexpensive basic model against a professional version that costs four times as much? Isn't the result clear from the start? All these questions were on our minds when we ordered the two versions of the Giant Propel for the TOUR test. On the one hand the comparatively inexpensive Advanced 2, on the other hand the high-performance Advanced SL. Both aerodynamically optimised road bikes, but with contrasting raison d'être.

While the luxury racer, as one of the fastest and lightest competition all-rounders in the world and a professional bike in the World Tour, doesn't need to justify its prominent position any further, one naturally wonders how its stable mate, which looks identical at first glance, stands up to it. In any case, we were intrigued by this attractive duel, which is why we pitted the two racers against each other under identical conditions in the wind tunnel, laboratory and practical tests - and were in for a big surprise.

Nominally, we are looking at two racing bikes from a product family that the world's largest bicycle manufacturer has had in its range for ten years. In reality, however, the bikes have little in common apart from the model name and frame geometry; the contrast can be recognised purely visually in equipment details such as wheels or seat posts. And it can be heard. In contrast to the Advanced 2, Giant has given the top model carbon wheels, which are characterised by low weight and strong aerodynamics in addition to a deafening freewheel. The exclusive set of wheels thus sets the style for the character of the Advanced SL as a competition all-rounder and clearly distinguishes it from its cheaper counterpart. Its simple aluminium wheels, also from Cadex, weigh a whopping 1,300 grams more and account for most of the striking difference in weight:

At just over nine kilograms (9,010 grams), the Advanced 2 hung on the TOUR scales - even robust gravel bikes weigh that much these days. The professional bike is in a league of its own. At 6,700 grams, the workhorse of last year's Tour fourth-placed Simon Yates (Team Jayco-AlUla) is 2,310 grams lighter than the inexpensive Propel and, ready to ride, scratches the weight limit of 6.8 kilograms set by the UCI.

If you adjust the weight for the wheels, the Advanced 2 still weighs 1,000 grams more. Almost half of this is due to the drivetrain: The simply equipped version shifts mechanically with a new twelve-speed 105, the Advanced SL with electronic Dura-Ace. Different carbon qualities in the frameset mean a difference of 330 grams. The high-end bike saves almost 260 grams on the frame alone, also thanks to the integrated seat dome. The Advanced 2 is also fitted with a simple aluminium handlebar/stem combination, which is around 170 grams heavier than the two-piece carbon headset of the SL.

Aha effect in the wind tunnel

But enough of the numbers for now. We were keen to find out what effect the difference in weight has in the saddle. In order to be able to compare the two speedsters as realistically as possible, they had to prove themselves one after the other on a flat circuit. The result was clear: our test rider was on average 0.9 km/h slower on the "economy version". Once underway, the Advanced 2 keeps up a good pace and glides along stoically. However, as soon as the bike computer shows a few per cent incline, you start sweating noticeably earlier and have to change gears faster than on the lightweight Advanced SL.

Our simulation based on weight and aerodynamics, the latter determined in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad, confirms the result from the wild, which is somewhat distorted by influences such as wind or road traffic: for 100 kilometres and 1,000 metres in altitude, the Advanced 2 (with 219 watts of power for 45 km/h) needs 2:59 minutes more than the Advanced SL (209 watts for45/km/h) with identical pedalling performance. But here's the thing: If you put a lighter and faster wheelset in the frame set of the basic model, it is only seconds behind the professional racer. With our reference wheelset (Zipp 404), the Advanced 2 comes within 0.8 watts of the SL and is an equal competitor on flat terrain. It is only on steeper terrain that the SL benefits from its weight advantage and pulls ahead.

The basic version would also benefit enormously from higher-quality wheels in terms of handling. After all, the Advanced 2 in its factory configuration reacts extremely sluggishly to quick changes of direction and is rather reluctant to lean. The high-end Propel is a completely different story, which turns in even with a slight shift in weight and almost dances nervously over the tarmac in comparison. The narrow aero tyres also play a part in this, as their special shape means they offer slightly less contact area than the robust rubber on the Advanced 2 and reduce the comfort advantage of the integrated seat dome.

Overall, both bikes are not uncomfortable, but the very sporty riding position is not everyone's cup of tea. This also applies to the seat dome on the Advanced SL, which can only be adjusted by two centimetres at the clamp head, which is why most hobby riders will have to reach for a saw. The cheap brake pads on the Advanced 2 are a nuisance, as they are not unconditionally stable when heated up. The new twelve-speed 105, on the other hand, works flawlessly, with a loss of ergonomics and performance compared to the electronic Dura-Ace.

Clear result - or not?

Judging by the TOUR score and the riding experience, there are no two opinions when it comes to recommending it for purchase. The Advanced SL is a prime example of an uncompromising racing machine that combines lightweight construction and aerodynamics like few other models, putting the Advanced 2 far in the shade. If it weren't for the price tag: compared to comparable models, the high-end racer in exclusive team paintwork is fairly priced, if you can say that at 11,999 euros. However, you can get the basic version for just a quarter, which leaves a budget for tuning. Starting at around €1,500, you can get a fast wheelset that fundamentally improves the riding characteristics of the Advanced 2 and puts the David among the Propel models on the heels of the Goliath.

Giant Propel Advanced 2

• Tour grade: 2,4
• Price: 2999 Euro >> available here
• Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL (tested size)

Weights and geometry

• Frame/fork/steering bearing weight: 1232/483/63 grammes
• Seat/top/head tube: 545/560/155 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 554/392 millimetres/1.41
• Wheelbase/caster: 990/58 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano 105 (160/140 mm)
• Wheels/tyres (weights): Giant P-A2 Disc/Giant Gavia Course 1 25 mm (front/rear: 1676/2185 g)

Measured values & individual scores

• Weight of complete wheel: 9.0 kilos | Grade: 4.3
• Steering head stiffness: 104 Nm/° | Note: 1.0
• Lateral stiffness fork: 62 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
• Bottom bracket stiffness: 66 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
• Seatpost spring stiffness: 204 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
• Aerodynamics: 219 watts | Grade: 2.7

Giant Propel Advanced SL

• Tour grade: 1,4
• Price: 11999 Euro >> available here
• Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL (tested size)

Weights and geometry

• Frame/fork/steering bearing weight: 975/411/58 grammes
• Seat/top/head tube: 545/560/155 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 554/392 millimetres/1.41
• Wheelbase/caster: 990/58 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm)
• Wheels/tyres (weights): Cadex Ultra 50/Cadex Aero 25 mm (f./h.: 1,092/1,473 g)

Measured values & individual scores

• Weight of complete wheel: 6.7 kilos | Grade: 1.7
• Steering head stiffness: 114 Nm/° | Note: 1.0
• Lateral stiffness fork: 52 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
• Bottom bracket stiffness: 74 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
• Seatpost spring stiffness: 169 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
• Aerodynamics: 209 watts | Grade: 1.7