GIANT DEFY
ADVANCE PRO 1
The endurance bike that allows you to challenge all kinds of terrain with uncompromising comfort and performance
Giant Defy, Giant's endurance bike, a true ultra-distance machine
I have been traveling by bike for almost fifteen years now, and during my career as a guide, traveler, and commuter I have had the opportunity to try many different models of bikes. Although I am not a professional mechanic, I have had the opportunity to get my hands on a variety of bike models and types and, over time, learned to discover their merits and flaws by testing them in the field. I have noticed how many times the ideas of designers are not always matched with the issues that the reality of the trail places before you but this is definitely not the case with the Giant Defy, a vehicle designed through Giant’s experience.
Needless to talk about what is one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world. Personally, it is one of the brands I feel most connected to, for several reasons. I lived in Taiwan, Giant’s home country, and in China, and when I was there I had the opportunity to appreciate the huge variety of models this company produces. Giant stores were everywhere and it became a fixture to befriend the shopkeepers and appreciate the many models and types of bikes, some of them exclusive to the Asian market. I saw and tried out all kinds! From folding bikes to city bikes via Mtb and Road bikes; Giant is therefore one of the brands I know most about. Today, after a long test, I want to tell you about the queen of endurance bikes the GIANT DEFY ADVANCE PRO 1
Practicing Ultra-Cycling, I sensed the bikes potential early on but wanted to put it to the test and test it on different terrains, traveling by bikepacking, before sharing my opinion with you. And so in late November, riding the wind of freedom and finding myself days of relative calm from work commitments, I decided to cross three of the largest islands in the Mediterranean: Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Corsica above all is a fascinating and sparsely inhabited island, during the docking I faced very long climbs and the few villages, located many kilometers from each other, made the logistics peculiar so it was essential to rely totally on one’s own vehicle. It was on this wild and remote island that I appreciated the true potential of the Giant Defy
Frame
The Defy is an enduance bike, so although it may look like a road bike, it has comfort-oriented geometries that allow you to tackle many hours in the saddle without sacrificing comfort. Designed for both gran fondo and while long rides The carbon frame, D-fuse technology of the seat tube and manurium allow the absorption of vibrations, make it a comfortable bike to ride even on strerte roads. Equipped with powerful disc brakes the frame allows tires up to 35 mm. As the name implies: Defy (challenge), is a bike that allows you to go beyond the limits of a classic endurance bike. The frame geometry enables remarkable power output. The tapered OverDrive 2 head tube enhances cornering precision, while the MegaDrive down tube and PowerCore bottom bracket deliver precise handling and pedaling efficiency.
Wheels & Tires
The Defy mounts carbon wheels le carbon wheels Giant SLR 1; Giant is a manufacturer of high-end carbon components, just think of its spin-off CADEX, about which you can read the article written some time ago here. We all know how high-performance a rotating mass built of this material is, and I personally notice the difference both in relaunches and in maintaining speed. Once launched the Defy is really nice and smooth to pedal. The wheels mount a 32 mm Giant tire that has performed excellently on both paved and unpaved roads; eh yes because with a vehicle of this type you can easily deal with white roads that do not have particular technical sections. In more than 2,000 kilometers the tires have responded well both on the smooth asphalts of Corsica and on the rough roads of Sicily, where the asphalt is crisper than a cannoli peel. Thousands of kilometers and zero punctures.
Group
My Giant Defy mounts the groupset SHIMANO ULTEGRA Di2 2×12 with a crankset 50-34 And an 11-34 sprocket set. Personally, I am a big fan of Shimano and have been using electronic shifters on road bikes for several years; I find them to be of great reliability. The feature I appreciate most is the ease and speed of shifting. When I have to deal with many hours in the saddle and make numerous shifts throughout the day and for several consecutive days, and at times I have suffered from forearm tendonitis, with inflammation that I had to manage during a trail. The convenience of being able to shift gears with a simple click, instead of pushing the lever, is for me a factor not to be underestimated, especially in view of the ultra cycling. The disc brakes offer remarkable modulation and braking power, essential for providing the sense of security a bike should convey. Throughout the duration of the test, it was not necessary to recharge the shifter battery, and I greatly appreciated the E-Tube synchronization app, which allows you to monitor battery levels and adjust the gears.
Handlebar and Seatpost
Mention should be made of the D-Fuse seatpost and handlebars, which are designed to work as a system, absorbing road shocks and vibrations so that you can ride with comfort and power. One of the features I appreciated most along the ride was the comfort they responded well even while mounting saddle bag and handlebars.
Bikepacking mode
For travel, I used RACING SADDLE PACK 9-liter saddle bag, RACING LONG TOP TUBE PACK 2-liter bag and RACING FRAME PACK 4-liter bag from Apidura. In the front trim I used HANDLEBAR PACK and ACCESSORY BAG from Ortlieb. I traveled in winter clothing although I found good weather and good temperatures throughout the trip.
Conclusions
The Giant Defy is a versatile and reliable bike, ideal for both ultra cycling and daily rides. Designed for cyclists who seek comfort and performance and on different types of terrain straddling road and gravel.
I checked with my mechanics who took care of the bike setting and they confirmed what I thought: a high-end product.
If you have any concerns or other questions about GAINT DEFY you can contact me on Instagram and I will be happy to give you more information.
You can see the stages of my journey on the profile Komoot, Strava or follow my cycling adventures on my profile Instagram.
For technical details and more about Giant bikes visit the website.
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