Giant Propel Review: The Best Value Aero Bike in 2023?

My review of the 2023 Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS. It costs £6,399 specced with SRAM Force AXS, SLR 1 carbon wheels and Giant’s own dual-sided power meter and a brand new 2-piece carbon aero handlebar and stem.

Giant claims the new aero bike is faster, lighter, stiffer and more comfortable but is it good enough to compete with a Canyon Aeroad and Trek Madone or even the all-rounders like the Specialized Tarmac or Giant TCR Advanced?

Content
00:00 Intro
00:36 Bike details
1:11 How much does it weigh?
2:01 How fast is it on the road?
2:50 New handlebar
3:52 Good looking bike?
4:31 Price and Value for money
5:37 Likes
7:33 Dislikes
9:03 Handling and performance
11:32 Compared to TCR?
12:27 Should you buy the Propel?

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[FastMKVSupra]

I own this bike and it’s comfortable and a rocket. This is actually more comfortable than my Canyon Ultimate w/ a deep carbon wheel setup as well. It’s really a great bike, good for climbing, and super fast on the flats and downhills too. It’s by far the best bike I’ve ever owned.

[raphaelriemann]

really great content. just bought a new giant propel advanced pro 1 based on all your reviews on the channel about bikes and components (ex: supersix 2019). loved your holistic and objective view. please keep up the good work 💪👌

[nibelungvalestiii]

I owned TCR Pro 2021, but switched to Propel 2023 Pro since last week. I am, again, impressed with how good value for money Giant did, not only on TCR, but also on Propel 2023. I live in hilly town where there are a lot of climbing section compare to flat. I can say I love more when climbing with Propel. TCR was good, its design allow the center gravity a bit lower, thus a perfect climbing weapon. I thought Propel would be “Aero only” type as people around labeled it as it is. But when you see it, Giant never state Propel 2023 as Aero bike instead of all-rounder. Surprisingly, I got smoother feeling when climbing with Propel 2023, got a lot PR in climbing segments with Propel 2023. The impact against cross-wind is not as high with TCR. I just switch the frameset only and I got reduction around 1 kg. That is why compare to the other competitor, Giant is cheaper on its class. Yes there may better bike brand compare to Propel, but it comes with waay expensive. Love it very much!

[MiataBRG]

Nearly bought one of these today in the shop but wasn't quite sure. Came home and saw your video, so excellent timing and good to get another point of view! Thank you.

[robertkehl]

Giant has the best warranty available. I had the 2014 propel and cracked it hitting a pothole hard. They gave me a 2022 frame replacement after 6 years and disk also. 😅

[magnusschroeder]

Advanced Pro 0 Ultegra version here. I literally love the bike. ❤

[jimblock]

I recently purchased the 2023 Propel Advanced 1 with Sram’s Rival etap and wow what an amazing bike and value for the money compared to other manufacturers!

[steadster]

What is the weight difference with your TCR (using same wheels)?

[BurgerTime]

Great review, thanks. Its very useful to hear about the differences in ride feel, stiffness, etc. Im a bit surprised that Giant havent updated the wheels to be a few mm wider.

[brentcharlton]

This bike is AWESOME! Upgraded to this exact model this summer from an 11 year old Ridley Noah RS. It’s like a spaceship! Having a lot of fun. Also picked up the new clip on aerobars for some triathlons and TTs. Amazing value from my standpoint. Cheers!

[jmurphy]

Looks amazing. Gonna wait and see what the new emonda looks like next month.

[shanegreen]

I got a new propel and I got them to put a 11-32 rear on. Also changed my wheels for some hunt 50 and it’s deffo faster than my normal bike at average flat road speed

[almic]

What ist better buy? Propel or cube litening aero?

[scottwatson]

I test rode one of these recently and loved the clean look with the cables hidden. It’s a shame Giant don’t do the same with the Defy and TCR.

[SNS]

I’d be curious to see the difference between the two in the wind tunnel.

[rajarizal]

I would really like to know how the Propel climbs as opposed to the TCR. Havent seen or read anything on how the Propel as a climbing bike. Hope someone does it.

[andrewbaggett]

For the 9.2% stiffness improvement and the 85% compliance improvement could you provide the raw data from which they’ve calculated these percentages?

[Smoky]

привет, тоже обновил модель 2021, на 2023 года и заметил что он стал очень жёстким по сравнением с старым, руль очень понравился и теперь можно поставить любой лежак, цвет кстати у меня Orion Nebula, очень понравился этот обгрейд велосипеда, уже поставил новые покры 30 Konti Str .

[duffyrides]

Is this the same “New “ propel that was released last year ? Or have they made more updates and literally just released this one ??

[holdenc]

Not a huge fan of the propel unless it’s advanced sl. Just wondering if you might get your hands on a 2023 or new tcr advanced sl and how you’d compare it against advanced pro. Again, there doesn’t seem to be a single review of it from recent years!!
Thanks for your honest review as always.