Giant Defy Advanced 0: In top form on a wide range of terrains

​Anyone who considers country lanes and forest tracks to be the natural habitat of a road bike will find the Giant Defy to be a true all-rounder for a variety of terrains.

​The Giant Defy has, almost as a matter of tradition, consistently claimed the title of the most comfortable bike in its class. Even the most affordable frame variant, the Advanced, is no exception. The carbon seatpost, which is flattened at the rear – a feature Giant first introduced on its comfort models back in 2015 – offers fantastic suspension when extended fully and guarantees top marks in this category. Many manufacturers have copied this design.

Wide tubeless tyres

The more expensive Defy Advanced Pro and Advanced SL versions are hardly any more comfortable thanks to the additional taper in the seat tube, but they are, above all, lighter due to better-quality carbon and higher-spec components. The 32-millimetre-wide tubeless tyres, which appear significantly wider on the rims, also contribute to the test bike’s comfortable ride. However, they need to be meticulously adjusted for the effect to be felt. The relatively heavy, thick tyres are difficult to adjust; depending on the tyre pressure, the line between a stiff, bouncy ride and a mushy, sluggish rolling sensation is quite fine. At the very least, their shallow tread pattern makes them ideal for the occasional ride on unpaved terrain.

Giant Defy: 200 grams lighter

Anyone who doesn’t plan to do this should swap the tyres for faster, high-quality models from established manufacturers, which should make the ride even more enjoyable. The bike can accommodate tyres up to 40 millimetres wide, which also makes it a viable option as a lightweight gravel bike. Apart from that, the bike is well-equipped: the electronic Shimano 105 groupset is paired with relatively lightweight in-house carbon wheelsets. As a result, the model has made a significant leap in the weight rankings, shedding around 200 grams: a Defy with comparable spec that we tested last year weighed 8.4 kilograms.

Optional: no luggage, but mudguards

Although the marathon bike blurs the line between itself and an all-road bike thanks to its generous tyre clearance and comfort-oriented geometry, Giant has omitted other typical features such as a storage compartment or mounting points for a frame bag. Such features are more commonly found on bikes from other manufacturers. The Defy is equipped solely for riding in the rain: a matching set of mudguards, available in two widths, is available for 70 euros and can be screwed onto the designated threads on the frame and fork.

Another appealing feature is how easy the model is to maintain: the handlebars and stem can be replaced without any complicated work, and the stem can be adjusted slightly in height without having to disconnect the brake lines. The riding position on the current Defy is slightly more sporty than on earlier models, but it still meets the requirements of an endurance bike suitable for long distances.

Ready for tough climbs

The only thing that seems a little dated is the wide handlebars, though they do offer a good grip. People with small hands in particular are likely to appreciate the slim upper section of the handlebars, which is pleasantly flattened at the top. We also found the saddle and handlebar tape to be extremely comfortable. In terms of handling, the bike is good-natured and free of surprises; the Defy performs as expected in every situation and rides without a single quirk. On steep climbs, this spec even benefits from a slightly lower gear ratio – though this comes at the cost of slightly larger gear steps on the 11–36 cassette.

Fairly priced

The bike now also comes fitted with proper brake discs for descents: Shimano’s IceTech discs reliably harness the full potential of the hydraulic brakes, unlike cheaper variants or alternatives from Tektro, which Giant used to fit frequently as a cost-saving measure. Aerodynamically designed bottle cages and a tubeless kit are included as standard; overall, the bike offers good value for money. The version with mechanical 105 groupset and aluminium wheels costs €2,699, which we still consider worth recommending. The entry-level model with Shimano’s Cues groupset does not, in our view, justify the saving of a further 400 euros due to its outdated 10-speed drivetrain. At the top end, however, there are no limits: with the Advanced Pro (from 4,999 euros) and the top-of-the-range Advanced SL (11,999 euros), specifications are available right up to high-end level.

The Giant Defy Advanced 0 at a glance

Strengths

• ​very comfortable
• excellent handling
• plenty of tyre clearance

Weaknesses

• Original tyres with a stiff ride