When it comes to riding fast, there’s one obstacle that we just can’t get away from. Wind resistance is the biggest hindrance to speed, which is why pro riders spend many hours in wind tunnels figuring out ways to beat it. Minimising the effects of wind resistance is the key to hitting top pace, to reaching that finishing tape first, to beating your mates to the town sign. With the Propel, Giant have developed a wind-cheating aero bike that takes a lot of the effort out of riding fast but without the harsh ride sometimes found on competing bikes.
Giant bikes are used by some of the world’s best, ridden in the toughest of races by the likes of current Olympic road race champ Greg Van Avermaet of the CCC Team. The feedback from these top guys trickles down through the entire range, so you know when you throw your leg over a Giant road bike you’re getting help from the very best.
Propel yourself forward – fast!
With the 2019 Propel, Giant has brought a frighteningly fast whip to within the budget of everyday riders. They have also developed an aero bike that is light and comfortable to ride – not always a given.
Aero-shaped tubes and stiff frame geometry traditionally put aero gains ahead of ride comfort and bike weight, with riders forced to compromise for those watt-saving benefits. That’s not the case with the Propel however, with the medium/large sized Advanced 1 coming in at a smidge over 8kg. The ride quality is firm but not harsh, with Cycling Weekly proclaiming it as having “satisfyingly responsive handling that’s not twitchy.â€
At the heart of this speed machine is the carbon frameset, engineered using Giant’s AeroSystem Shaping technology, which means that every tube shape and angle is optimized for minimal drag. The brains at Giant have spent some serious time in the wind tunnel and crafted a bike that delivers aero performance without sacrificing the ride feel.
The Propel is crammed full of wind-cheating tech. The brakes are integrated with the frameset, sitting flush with the fork blades and seatstays, and hidden away from the wind – but don’t worry, they still offer powerful braking and plenty of modulation.
The integrated stem and handlebar, aero seatpost, internal cable routing and PA-2 wheelset all nick a few more watts back from the breeze. The Propel comes equipped with some of the best components in their price range: Shimano’s 105 on the Advanced 2 model, Ultegra on the Advanced 1. With superb Shimano reliability and unmatched shifting, there’s nothing to stop you crossing the line first.
Ditch the inner tube – go tubeless!
Unusually for an off-the-peg bike, the 2019 Propel comes with tubeless Giant Gavia tyres, saving you a lot more than just the weight of a pair of inner tubes. Without a fragile inner tube to pinch, you’re able to run tubeless tyres at lower pressures than you normally would. Along with the larger air chamber of the 25mm tyres, this means a plush ride even when the road surface is less than ideal.
Tubeless tyres have been the go-to option for mountain bikers for years for this very reason. They also make coping with a puncture a lot easier than traditional set ups – with a rubber sealant solution inside the tyre minor cuts and nicks are quickly sealed, often without you even realising. It’s just another great detail from Giant, demonstrating their drive to create the ultimate fast bike for everyday riding.
When respected reviewers like Cycling Weekly say of the Advanced 1, “there can't be many faster bikes than this for under £2000. If you're after pure speed you won't be disappointedâ€, who are we to argue?
Get yourself down and check out the 2019 Giant Propel. But don’t hang around, they’re going fast!
