Test 2015 road bikes with disc brakes: Giant Defy Advanced - Giant Defy Advanced on test

The Defy offers a relaxed riding position, plenty of suspension comfort and comfortable contact points without looking unsporty. The compact handlebars with little drop and a comfortable hand rest on the upper handlebars are a good match. At first glance, the high-quality wheels and well thought-out components leave little room for criticism. However, we were disappointed by the small and inexpensive Shimano brake discs, which leave the potential of the brakes unused. In terms of braking performance, they offer little more than a good rim brake; in addition, a loud squeaking noise at low speeds could not be remedied even after a long run-in period and retightening all the screws.

CONCLUSION Comfortably designed bike with nice details and mostly good components; rather weak brakes

Price 2,900 Euro
Weight 7.9 kilos
Info www.giant-bicycles.com
available in specialised shops

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 1,020/435/55 grammes
Frame sizes*** XS, S, M, ML, L, XL
Seat/top tube/head tube 520/560/192 mm plus 9 mm headset cap
Stack/Reach/STR**** 587/380 mm/1.55

EQUIPMENT

Drive/Circuit Shimano Ultegra (50/34 t., press-fit)
Brakes Shimano BR-RS 785 (160/140 mm)
Wheels/tyres Giant SL-0 Disc/Giant P-SLR1 25C

*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.

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