Giant Propel: New aero road bike with more all-round qualities

Things couldn't have gone better for Giant with its new Propel aero racing bike. As part of the Tour de France 2022, the flagship of the new racing bike range, the Propel Advanced SLThe new bike was introduced to the world at the beginning of July, when the riders from Team BikeExchange-Jayco set off on the world's most important cycling race. They promptly won Sprinter Dylan Groenewegen takes the third stage. A few days later, Michael Matthews secured victory on the new Giant machine. Victory on the 14th stage through the Massif Central. The world's largest bike manufacturer has now officially unveiled the new Propel, which will be available in stores from November 2022. TOUR has already had the opportunity to test the new Propel intensively in advance. You can read the detailed ride test and the measured values from the TOUR test laboratory and wind tunnel in TOUR 9/22 - in stores from 24 August.

The new Giant Propel: superior to the lighter TCR in most situations

The new design of the Propel is no longer a pure aero racing bike like its predecessor, but rather a competition all-rounder. Not only the Predecessor modelbut also the lighter Giant TCR the new Propel should be superior on most racetracks. But to achieve this, the new Propel had to be lighter. The Giant bike is reminiscent of the Specialised Tarmac SL 7which has so far been the best at balancing good aero performance and low weight. According to TOUR measurements, the total weight of the new Propel Advanced SL frame, carbon fork and headset (size M/L) is 1444 grams. Overall, Giant promises that the new Propel is 225.5 grams lighter and stiffer than the previous generation. According to our measurements, the Propel frame saves around 150 grams and the fork 30 grams compared to the previous top model thanks to slimmer tube shapes. Bottom bracket and steering head stiffness are very good.

Weights of the new Giant Propel Advanced SL

• Frame: 975 grammes
• Fork: 411 grammes
• Control bearing: 58 grams

However, Giant has also reduced the overall weight of the new Propel with a new cockpit. Giant has not opted for a one-piece carbon handlebar combination, but for a classic clamped carbon handlebar that can be exchanged for models from other brands. The new aero cockpit (Contact SLR) reduces the overall weight of the new Propel Advanced SL by 102.5 grams. The 44 gram stem cover of the predecessor is no longer required. Although the classic cockpit means that Giant has lost a few watts of aero performance on the Propel, dealers and hobby mechanics will be pleased with the comparatively simple adjustment of the position, which is rare on modern top racing bikes. Unlike the old Propel, the cables are routed through the handlebars and under the stem in front of the steerer tube into the frame.

New wheels and aero cockpit make the Propel more aerodynamic

The Giant developers worked on the aerodynamics in the wind tunnel in Immenstaad, where TOUR also carries out its wind tunnel tests. The front section of the frame is characterised by curved lines and a truncated elliptical shape to minimise air resistance. But the engineers have also scrutinised every other component of the bike. New wheels are an important component: Giant is launching a new carbon wheelset with very wide carbon blade spokes under its own Cadex brand at the same time as the Propel. The Cadex wheels weigh around 200 grams less than competitor products of the same height - also thanks to the hookless rim - and help the racing bike not only in terms of weight, but also aerodynamically: despite a rim height of only 50 millimetres, the Propel is extremely fast.

According to Giant, this is also due to the new tyre, also from Cadex. Its shape has been aerodynamically optimised. However, the new Cadex SL 50 wheels also have a limitation: for safety reasons, not all tyre models can be ridden on them. Nevertheless, the number is steadily increasing, including road bike tyre models from Continental and Schwalbe. Overall, Giant promises: Compared to the previous model, the new Propel Advanced SL improves air resistance by 6.21 watts. This corresponds to a time saving of 27 seconds over 40 kilometres at 40 kilometres per hour. Read in TOUR 9/22 whether the TOUR measurements confirm this.

Integrated seatpost only on the Propel Advanced SL

With the top model Advanced SL, Giant remains true to its integrated seatpost to save weight. The seat dome offered good comfort during our ride tests and in the TOUR test lab, but the clamping head only offers two centimetres of adjustment range. The cheaper Propel Advanced Pro and Propel Advanced models use classic, adjustable standard seatposts.

Giant Propel Advanced - Models and prices

Giant offers three different frames, each in six frame sizes (XS to XL), of the new Propel Aero road bike. In addition to the lightest and fastest Advanced SL frame, there is a model with an Advacend Pro chassis and two bikes with an Advanced frame in Germany. A total of four models of the new Propel will be available in Germany from November:

• Propel Advanced SL 0: 11999 Euro
• Propel Advanced Pro 1: 5699 Euro
• Propel Advanced 1: 4799 Euro
• Propel Advanced 2: 2999 Euro

The top model Propel Advanced SL 0 is equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Cadex SL 50 carbon wheels. A Sram Rival eTap AXS is used for the gears on the Pro model, while the 50 millimetre high carbon Giant SLR 1 wheels are used. A mechanical Shimano 105 groupset changes the 22 gears on the entry-level Advanced 2 model.