New Defy Endurance Road Range Wins Big With Media!

04 April 2024

Reviews & Product News

Reviews of the recently introduced Defy range have been pouring in over the past few months, with media giving the new collection of endurance road bikes overwhelmingly positive ratings.

The fifth generation Defy range includes a wide range of models at various price points, offering all levels of road riders the ability to ride farther and faster with greater efficiency, comfort and control.
 
The range contains three series: Defy Advanced SL, Defy Advanced Pro and Defy Advanced. Each is handcrafted by Giant, from raw carbon threads to finished machines with integrated components, to achieve significant gains over the previous generation Defy bikes in weight, stiffness and compliance.
 
While each series is built on a unique frameset with its own composite grade and weight, all share key feature and technologies including a new D-Fuse seatpost design for improved compliance, along with new Contact D-Fuse handlebars applying the same road-smoothing design principles to the front end of the bike. The entire range also features internal cable routing using new stems with an aero-optimized shape, and more clearance to fit tires up to 38mm in width.
 
Many of the reviews focus on the Defy Advanced SL, which features a frameset that’s nearly 20 percent lighter than the previous generation. This flagship series earned praise for achieving smooth efficiency without using shock absorbers, bushings or other add-ons that are often seen in other endurance road bikes.
 
“There are no little gizmos added to the frame or fork, but the Defy Advanced SL 0 still manages to be superbly comfortable,” wrote Mat Brett from road.cc. “This is a smooth-riding machine that doesn’t leave you feeling shaken about, even when the road surfaces are shot to bits.”
 
Bicycling Australia shared that appreciation, with Peter Maniaty writing: “In an industry awash with hyperbole, Giant is keen to point out its blueprint for the continued evolution of the Defy remains simplicity. In other words, this bike is all about sticking to the basics and doing them very, very well.”

James Huang from Escape Collective was also impressed, writing: "It's as light as many brands' flagship road racers and feels just as efficient. It prioritizes rider comfort but doesn't resort to anything weird to get there. Visually, it presents like a full-blown performance machine but there's clearance for 38mm-wide tires and mounts for front and rear fenders." 
 
As to how it performs out on the road, several testers pitted the new Defy Advanced SL directly against top competitors in its category. BikeRadar compared it to the Specialized Roubaix SL8, and the Defy came out the clear winner.
 
“I love that the Defy keeps the riding experience focused on the road, and Giant hasn’t felt the need to muddy the boundaries of endurance road bikes,” wrote BikeRadar senior technical editor Warren Rossiter. “The Defy’s latest iteration has kept the class-leading smoothness and handling of its predecessors. Wider tyre clearances modernize the bike, of course, but without sacrificing the element of race-bred excitement. It’s this exciting ride quality, matched to essential compliance that doesn’t erode that excitement, that makes it my favorite of the two.”
 
Meanwhile, road.cc put the Defy in a group test with the Canyon Endurace and Lauf Uthald, posing the question: “Which will win the battle of the ultimate bikes designed for mere mortals?” Editors evaluated several factors including geometry, tire clearance and weight. The Defy Advanced SL was the lightest in the test, and tester Jamie Williams found that to be a winning factor in its performance, calling it the liveliest of the three, writing: “It’s this bike that feels the most lively, especially on the climbs.”
 
Road.cc also selected the Defy Advanced SL as one of its “best superbikes” of the year, citing its “exceptional blend of comfort, agility, and practicality.” Editors added that “the D-Fuse seatpost adds a surprising amount of downward flex, and a new version of Giant’s Contact SLR handlebar provides plenty of vibration absorption up front.”

Germany’s Tour magazine also tested the Defy Advanced series, praising the smooth ride quality produced by the D-Fuse seatpost and handlebars, claiming that the more entry-level Defy Advanced 2 model “rolls smoothly over bumpy roads.”
 
For more, check out the links below for full reviews. 
 
And for all the details on the full new Defy range, click here.
 
Bicycling Australia (Aus)

Bike Café (France)

BikeRadar (U.K.)

BikeX (Germany)

Cyclist (Australia)

Escape Collective (USA)

Just Ride Bikes YouTube (U.K.)

La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy)

Global Cycling Network (U.K.)

Road.cc (U.K.)

Tour Magazine (Germany)

Velo (USA)

Wielerflits (The Netherlands)

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