Giant Propel Advanced 1 Disc Review

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In this video I will be reviewing the Giant Propel Advanced 1 Disc. An aero road bike that I purchased a few months ago now. I will be focusing on a unique riding characteristics, price, weight, geometry, design, riding experiences and an immediate upgrade, which is NOT the Shimano Ultegra Disc nor the Giant SLR 2 carbon wheels. I will also provide my rating system which is based on:

Rating System:

COMFORT:
Front end comfort (absorbing road bumps & divots)
Rear end comfort (absorbing road bumps & divots)
Vibration on coarse roads
Bouncing on seat over bumps
General fatigue in the body after riding

SPEED:
Ability to hold speed free pedaling
Ability to hold speed in bunch
Ability fo hold speed in draft
Ability to maintain or generate speed on descents
General feel when riding a steady state
Ability to hold speed and accelerate out of corners

HANDLING
Control & feel when out of saddle climbing
Control & feel when out of saddle sprinting
Steering control around corners
Ability to quickly move to bike (avoiding potholes, riders, traffic)
General feel at steady state riding
General feel at high speed riding

PRACTICALITY
Ability to alter/change touch points with ease (Saddle and Handlebars)
Ability to easily clean the bike. Does the paint hold grit and grim?
Does the paint scratch/mark easily
Will the bike resale with ease

STIFFNESS:
Does there appear to be flex in the frame during general riding
How responsive does the bike feel when pressure is applied to the crank
How well does the bike comply when out of the saddle sprinting

VALUE FOR MONEY
For the price, how much value does the bike deliver

#Giant #propel #review

[Keule_from_Mars]

Usually i skip Ads. But i'd never skip the old Mate.

[PauloBurgio]

This was the last review I watched before finally committing to buying the 2021 Propel Advanced Disc 1. I upgraded the tyres before leaving the Giant store on the advice of this video and the Giant technician . I managed to get the bike for £3, 824 as the new 2022 models were available. Amazing value for money.
I tested the bike on one of my local 30 mile rides that I often do. The route has just over 3, 000 meters of elevation gain. I beat my all time PB set on my 2013 Pinarello by 9 MINUTES !!!! My Pinarello weighs in about 1kg lighter than the Propel but it’s aero design, tubeless tyres and the new top spec 28mm tyres just overpowered that 1kg disadvantage. I also decided not go for tue Di2 package and went back to the simple cable controlled Ultegra setup. The manual trim controls on the front crank work perfectly. If your budget is £4, 000 to £4, 500 I can’t imagine finding a better all round package. Thank you Cam for your review of the Propel. It gave me the confidence to pick the bike.

[michaelnewell]

Hi Cam. I own the 2021 SL0. It has bugger all flex. It is still compliant and it is a missile. I threw the cadex tyres in the bin. I am running Maxxis High Road tubeless. The bike weighs 7.2kg.

[inferno]

Giant is always a great value for money!! Best 1500 euro I ever spent when starting to ride bikes!! I still ride my tcr and defy and love them!! In future, I'd like to try the sworks bikes, but the dogmas are pretty hard to beat I guess....

[leander]

I bought that bike 4 months ago. Did not changed the tyres yet but after this video I will definitely do so!

[MeMurphyFeb]

Agree, have had the model up with Di2 for 2 years and just changed to the Schwalbe One's, also recommended by a Giant dealer. I did opt for the 28's and have only done 70Km's since but it does feel a LOT better. Its a great bike overall - only thing I thought you might mention is that to me compared to previous bikes it can feel a bit numb when pottering around, but when you are really pushing it does feel far more in its "sweet spot". Talking of value, I was a Trek guy before but saved over $6k from the equivalent specced Trek Madone which is crazy really.

[jamesarnold]

Be great to see how the Orbea Orca aero compares. Especially as it’s likely to be updated shortly based on bike they are using at the vuelta!

[morosis]

So apparently I can't find a Merida Reacto 8000 anywhere in my size until some time mid next year. Have a test ride down at Giant Brisbane on the Pro model of this on Thursday to check it out, thanks for the review as it has me feeling better about taking the second choice.

[rolffuchs]

It's interesting what you say about comfort. A well known German magazine wrote the ride is very harsh. But i trust your verdict more than some engineers who don't race the bikes. And of course, they tested it with the Gavia tires.

[hotcakes]

I hear the stock wheels that come with the Reacto really hold it back. Throwing on some top tier wheels and tyres really take it to another level. Will wait for your review though

[solitaryrefinement]

I'm a Cannondale man, but that's your hottest bike bro. 😍

[Ashtrax]

Before ending up with my 2018 Giant Propel Advanced 1 Disc i tried Venge Vias, S5 and Canyon Aeroad. The Giant was the cheapest and stiffest and since I'm 95kg/350 ftp i need a very rigid frame. Maybe it's up to the Giant having much better wheels at the price-point than the competitors but i disagree on the flexing part and experience almost no flex at all compared the the before mentioned competitors. Thanks for a good review.

[DeanPattrick]

Great review/video Cam.! I took your advice and upgraded to the Schwalbe pro ones on my Propel, makes a big difference.

[peterkinowski]

Great review Cam. Still can't get over you going down Gyndier Dr through turn 10 one handed while holding a camera....now that's bike handling skill! 😄

[susana.]

This comment is a day late, but Tuesday nights in the US are great because that means it’s Wednesday in Australia and Cam Nicholls will be uploading a new vid. 👌🏻 👌🏻

[nigelstanley]

Great review. Very fair assessment. Thanks Cam

[scottwatson]

Great review Cam I used to own a rim braked TCR Advanced pro 1 2018 and while I loved its speed and handling the ride for me was very unforgiven on the badly surfaced roads where I live but from what I'm led to believe about the new TCR is the ride is "far improved" though how true this is who knows.

[togabito]

I think that soft riding experience is inherent to giants 2020/21 family. The TCR 2021 is also superbly comfortable, which I suspect is why you find the 2020 propel more comfortable than the 2018 TCR.

[simonalexandercritchley]

Gedday Cam.According to Hambini the sloping top tube is no good for aero, so maybe that is better for this frame, for all the claims that are made it is often just fashion or marketing BS.It will be good to see the final comparison of the 3 bikes.

[fermoynissan]

It’s quite difficult to find a review of this particular bike online . Giant should definitely be paying you commission considering you bought the bike to review it . Excellent job .
Regarding the Winsoace Hyper wheels you have been reviewing could you try to explain the difference between a 50 & 65 version . Thanks in advance