Giant Defy Advanced 1 Review (2022)

Giant is a well known bike brand, and has a fantastic reputation for building bikes which deliver excellent performance at a sensible price point. The Defy has long been an important part of the Giant Range - it’s the go to ‘endurance road bike’ and has been developed to provide a relaxed riding position, whilst still providing a high level of speed and performance.

As with many Giant ranges, there’s a number of different models available - at different price points with different specifications. All of the 2022 models have the same frame and the same fork - but the entry level models do not have an integrated stem, nor do they have internal cable routing - these two aspects are left out - in order to maintain a lower price point.

The Advanced 1 benefits from a carbon fibre frame, and on first looking at the bike - it’s difficult to spot a single piece of carbon fibre which is the same. There are plenty of different tube shapes - each tube shape all serve a different purpose and have been designed as such. The rear triangle for example, is designed with form and function in mind - has small dimensions, and looks almost elegant. The top tube though, is big! And is stiff and solid to accommodate internal cable routing. The gear cables enter at the side of the headtube, whilst the brake hoses are fitted behind the stem.

As expected when it comes to geometry, the Giant Defy Advanced 1 does not feature anything too extreme - it has a pretty standard road bike geometry, which also crosses over to a gravel bike geometry. The bike has a 205mm head tube, and a 72.5 degree head angle which provides a racey feel and performance, but the longer wheelbase and long chainstays keep the bike easy to manage, on slightly rough terrain such as canal towpaths.

As with many endurance road bikes, the Giant Defy Advanced 1 comes ready and able to fit a larger range of wide tyres - tyre clearance has been increased in order for a 35c tyre to be fitted. Component wise, despite the Advanced 1 being towards the lower end of the budget range - it is still decked out with some pretty impressive components. It has the well proven Shimano Ultegra R8000 11 speed groupset - although it’s used with a RS510 chainset - which is cheaper than the Ultegra.

We are also happy to see that Giant supplies this bike with a tubeless ready setup - the P-R2 Wheels are tubeless ready, and these tyres provide decent performance out on the roads. They are not as light and as focussed as a race wheel - but they feel good, and this is an endurance bike. Tyres are 32mm in width as standard, and are the Gavia Fondo 1, these tyres roll well and provide plenty of grip in the corners, so there is very little to complain about here. These tyres also do OK on rougher terrain as well.

Carbon is found across the bike, although the handlebars are aluminium - the seatpost is carbon fibre though. There’s generous gearing with a 46/33 crankset and a 10-36t cassette. This gearing means climbs and descents are taken care of well.

One of the best things about this bike is that you can ride it exactly how you want to ride it - you can have a relaxing day plodding around, or you can get lent over the bike and focus on pace and performance. The tyres do giveaway some of the intent of the bike, with a focus on long distance work - they are comfortable, but do suit a steadier sort of riding. Those wanting to make this bike quicker, should choose 28mm rubber which should suit those looking for more pace. This bike is ideal for those with an open mind to their riding, it suits the riders intentions - especially with a few small changes, such as tyres - it’s the perfect bike for those riders not wanting to commit to a race focussed bike, or a completely endurance focussed bike.