2015 Giant Propel Advanced 1
chubbo
Posts: 20
Hi all
I am a new member of this great site.
I have recently come back to cycling after not doing much of it for about 10 years (I am 35 now). Initially I purchased a basic bike - 2013 Trek 1.1. However, now that I am really getting into cycling, I am considering purchasing something more advance in near future.
I have not tested any bikes yet, but was considering choosing between Specialized Tarmac and Roubaix (since my friendly LBS specialised in Specialized). However, I just noticed that another LBS sells 2015 Giant Propel Advanced 1 for about 1,375 pounds.
http://www.rrsport.co.nz/product/2015-Giant-Mens-Propel-Advanced-1-Road-Bike?p=124087
Would this be a good deal? I don't know much about Giant bikes and I cannot find an identical bike on Giant's website - so I am not sure where it fits in among their bikes. (although their website has a slightly differently looking bike with the same name, but for much more money - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-nz/bik ... ifications).
Also, I have heard that aero frames are not that good on hilly terrains when compared to race bikes such as Tarmac. Is it really the case (there are many hills where I live)? This particular bike has 11-28 cassette, which I understand should be fine on hills.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
I am a new member of this great site.
I have recently come back to cycling after not doing much of it for about 10 years (I am 35 now). Initially I purchased a basic bike - 2013 Trek 1.1. However, now that I am really getting into cycling, I am considering purchasing something more advance in near future.
I have not tested any bikes yet, but was considering choosing between Specialized Tarmac and Roubaix (since my friendly LBS specialised in Specialized). However, I just noticed that another LBS sells 2015 Giant Propel Advanced 1 for about 1,375 pounds.
http://www.rrsport.co.nz/product/2015-Giant-Mens-Propel-Advanced-1-Road-Bike?p=124087
Would this be a good deal? I don't know much about Giant bikes and I cannot find an identical bike on Giant's website - so I am not sure where it fits in among their bikes. (although their website has a slightly differently looking bike with the same name, but for much more money - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-nz/bik ... ifications).
Also, I have heard that aero frames are not that good on hilly terrains when compared to race bikes such as Tarmac. Is it really the case (there are many hills where I live)? This particular bike has 11-28 cassette, which I understand should be fine on hills.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
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1375 for a propel frame and full Ultegra 6800. That's an awesome deal.0
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Seems like a great deal. Snap it up!
The theory is that aero frames will be less comfortable than more traditionally shaped ones, but that seems often not to be the case in practice, and the wheels and tyres will make a bigger difference.
If the bike has a standard 53/39 on the front, 11-28 will still leave you needing to work on the most extreme hills, but it should be fine on most lumpy terrain.0 -
Just had a look at the spec of the bike you link to. It has 52/36 so your gearing should be good for almost anything.0
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Thanks for responses lawrences and Jonny.
I actually found the bike on the US's Giant website - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... 723/76093/
lawrences, you mentioned the fact that it is a "propel frame". I wonder whether Giant uses identical frames for all of their Propel bikes, or do SL/Pro models get more advanced frames.
I might go and check the bike out in person. I am still a bit worried, however, that aero technology, with it advantages and disadvantages, might be too unnecessary for my kind of riding.0 -
I assume they use the same mould but different layups with different quality fibres. i think some of the propels have an integrated seatpost so that is a different mould too.
I have an aero frame and it's comfortable and compliant and not overly heavy. "Unnecessary" isn't a word that should be used in relation to bike purchases.0 -
Again, thanks lawrences.
Another general question - is there significant quality in the ride quality / speed / efficiency between a basic bike like Trek 1.1 and something like Spech Tarmac / Giant Propel? I know a lot of price difference comes from the components, but surely the frame also makes significant difference?
I know the above question is probably very silly, but Trek 1.1 is the only road bike I have been on.0 -
A friend of mine has this bike , his dad bought it for him a few weeks ago he paid £3000 ish. something strange going on here ??
regards
ILG0 -
ilovegrace wrote:A friend of mine has this bike , his dad bought it for him a few weeks ago he paid £3000 ish. something strange going on here ??
regards
ILG
I managed to find Giant advertising the identical bike on their US website - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... 723/76093/.
That official Giant site lists the RRP in USA is US$ 2,775 (about 1,630 pounds). This is about 120 pounds more expensive than the normal price for this bike in my local bike store. In addition, the store gives me an additional discount for being the "store member" - so the final price would be about 1,360 pounds.
Your friend probably has one of the higher level versions of this bike.0 -
Your friends dad has been mugged off.
Chubbo the frame will have a small effect on all of those but mainly effects efficiency. Ride quality is more down to your choice of wheels and tyres and speed is most greatly effected by your legs.
It should ride nicer than a Trek 1.1 so will be more enjoyable to ride.0 -
Has your local bike shop actually said they will sell you a propel 1 with ultegra for that amount of money
because the 2014 propel 3 with 105 is £2000
the 2014 propel 2 with ultegra is £3150
and the frameset is £1350
I just cant see they are going to half the price of an propel ultegra bike from 2014 to 20150 -
mega9 wrote:Has your local bike shop actually said they will sell you a propel 1 with ultegra for that amount of money
because the 2014 propel 3 with 105 is £2000
the 2014 propel 2 with ultegra is £3150
and the frameset is £1350
I just cant see they are going to half the price of an propel ultegra bike from 2014 to 2015
Look at his link first post....
(and remember to translate from NZ $)0 -
mega9 wrote:Has your local bike shop actually said they will sell you a propel 1 with ultegra for that amount of money
because the 2014 propel 3 with 105 is £2000
the 2014 propel 2 with ultegra is £3150
and the frameset is £1350
I just cant see they are going to half the price of an propel ultegra bike from 2014 to 2015
Yes, it is sold for the price of approximately £1360 here. I went to the shop yesterday and saw the bike and checked the price (did not test it as I was not dressed for it).
I can only find that particular bike on US Giant website and the price is approximately the same (as described in one of my earlier posts).
As lawrences mentioned, I am guessing they are probably using lower quality carbon for the cheaper frame to be able to sell it for less. Still, I hope (in case it fits and I decide to buy it) it would be reasonably good quality.0 -
it should be a fine upgrade. at that price you'll be getting a fantastic bike ( couple of club colleagues have this bike and its a top top ride).
make sure you get some suitable aero wheels, it will look and go very nicely!0 -
lawrences wrote:Your friends dad has been mugged off.
Reputable bike shop , well used by Bike radar members http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/giant- ... 14-p232656
No rip off going on here (apart from the fact that bikes are overpriced anyway , but that is for another thread)
regards
ILG0 -
@ilovegrace that's a different spec bike to what we're talking about here. Deep sections wheels, better finishing kit and an arione. Looks like quite the premium for it though compared to this model.
@Chubbo what I meant by lower quality fibre isn't that it's bad quality just that the frame will be ~100 grams heavier than the top of the range model. It will be just as stiff but a tad heavier. I assume this is what Giant do because other companies do it.0 -
Looks like quite the premium for it though compared to this model.
Thats the LBS for you !
regards
ILG0 -
Cheers everyone. Your views convinced me that this Proper Advance 1 seems like not a bad choice for a first carbon bike...
I am looking to buy a new bike over the next month, and this will definitely be one of the first bikes I test.
Any other bikes costing up to approximately £1,700 which you would suggest to look at?0 -
Hi again, everyone.
Just an update - I have done more research and talked to LBSs and I can get a 2014 Propel Advanced 2 for about 1,700 pounds.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... 795/66228/
How does it compare with the 2015 Propel Advanced 1 which I considered above? (bearing in mind that in 2015 Giant introduced a new category of "Advanced Pro" - as I understand, "Advanced" from 2014 is a class above of "Advanced" from 2015). Would the frame quality still be the same? I would pay 300 pounds more for the 2014 version than for 2015 version (which would cost me about 1,400 pounds) -- is the difference in price worth it when looking at components, etc?0 -
I suggest you buy it before I do.0
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yes!! If I had the money,was in the market for a new bike and a local shop was doing a propel at that price I'd be on it in a heartbeat. IMO they're one of the coolest and fastest looking frames about!0
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It does look like a good deal but after looking at the Giant site it appears the lowest spec Propels of the new model year are all even cheaper than last year. So is this just a standard deal or a discount deal?
The only thing that bothers me is that the cheaper ones don't include the RideSense sensor. But I've seen it sold separately and fingers crossed, it can still be attached to the chainstay. The Propel has been my object of desire for a while and at last I have enough room at home for one.0 -
I was in my LBS yesterday who are Giant stockists and they were talking about the new Propel having a model at £1350, but they only had the prices not the specs. They've ordered a couple in anyway and were expecting them in store tomorrow so I'm going to be taking one for a test at the weekend if the weather's dry enough.0
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Yes, the lower level 2015 Propels seem to be cheaper than last year's. Whereas in 2014 there were two categories of Propels - "Propel Advanced" and "Propel Advanced SL", in 2015 they appear to have three categories - i.e. "Propel Advanced", "Propel Advanced Pro" and "Propel Advanced SL". Seems like 2015 Propel Advanced have more non-carbon components than the other categories from 2014 and 2015. I am not sure how the non-SL frames compare in 2014 and 2015.
Owen, would be great if you could give us an updated once you had a chance to test ride a new Propel. I was hoping to do it this weekend, but will be going skiing instead.
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chubbo wrote:Yes, the lower level 2015 Propels seem to be cheaper than last year's. Whereas in 2014 there were two categories of Propels - "Propel Advanced" and "Propel Advanced SL", in 2015 they appear to have three categories - i.e. "Propel Advanced", "Propel Advanced Pro" and "Propel Advanced SL". Seems like 2015 Propel Advanced have more non-carbon components than the other categories from 2014 and 2015. I am not sure how the non-SL frames compare in 2014 and 2015.
Owen, would be great if you could give us an updated once you had a chance to test ride a new Propel. I was hoping to do it this weekend, but will be going skiing instead.
I looks like the Advanced Pro has the lower spec frame with non-integrated seatpost and T700 carbon with the components from the SL range. I would rather it were the other way round. I would like the top end frame but could live with a 105 groupset and I have my own carbon tubulars already.0 -
The Giant Range now goes something like this in descending order or spec. and equipment.
Advanced SL (ASL) - Integrated Seat Post only
Advanced Pro (APro) - full carbon forks
Advanced (A) - composite/aluminum forks
The A and APro range shares the same frame carbon T700 material. There is no T600 as previously used on the Composite line of other Giant bikes (TCR/Defy). I think the A also uses OD1 forks with aluminium and composite steerer. The brakes are also apparently an improvement over last years so I am told (although I think it was the higher end Propels with carbon rims had the problems).
No idea if the construction of the A and APro T700 frames are exactly the same (i.e. does one use larger pieces of carbon, differing layup technique?) No info on this.
I have been looking at the Propel range myself and was close to pulling the trigger as soon as one could put an order in. However I am now stuggling to decide between the TCR and the Propel.
Rethinking, I am not sure why one would order a Propel. I have read that it is less stiff than the TCR, which would be a good thing if it fitted into the middle ground between the Defy and the TCR, because the roads are all shot in SE of England. However speaking to shop owners, they say it is a harsher ride than the TCR, which in my mind doesn't add up.
However the Propel do look lovely and are shiny new. I believe the Propel Advanced 1 will probably be sold at £1650 and Propel Advanced 2 at £1400 in the UK.
Other than for hilly or flat TT's as a do it all bike (or if I have a Giant Shimano lead out train) I can't think of a reason why someone would buy a Propel over the TCR (especially for crits where you rarely do solo efforts). If anyone can explain, especially if you own either a TCR or Propel then it would be helpful.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Trek Fuel Ex 8 full susser(2008) , Trek 6700 hardtail (2004), Giant TCR 9speed0 -
Popped in the shop yesterday, they've ordered the bikes but Giant won't ship them until they've been on the trade day next Thursday apparently.chubbo wrote:Yes, the lower level 2015 Propels seem to be cheaper than last year's. Whereas in 2014 there were two categories of Propels - "Propel Advanced" and "Propel Advanced SL", in 2015 they appear to have three categories - i.e. "Propel Advanced", "Propel Advanced Pro" and "Propel Advanced SL". Seems like 2015 Propel Advanced have more non-carbon components than the other categories from 2014 and 2015. I am not sure how the non-SL frames compare in 2014 and 2015.
Owen, would be great if you could give us an updated once you had a chance to test ride a new Propel. I was hoping to do it this weekend, but will be going skiing instead.
Was a bit gutted as I made a special trip. They seem to think the 1399 one is mainly 105, but they only have a price list at the moment not the specs0 -
OwenB wrote:Popped in the shop yesterday, they've ordered the bikes but Giant won't ship them until they've been on the trade day next Thursday apparently.
Was a bit gutted as I made a special trip. They seem to think the 1399 one is mainly 105, but they only have a price list at the moment not the specs
Owen, this could be this bike.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/propel.advanced.2/18723/76094/#overview0 -
I am planning to test ride a 2015 Propel Advanced 1 and 2014 TCR Advanced TDF edition this weekend. The LBS only has these two Giant bikes in-store, but they may be able to order other versions of the bikes, once I decide whether I want to go Propel or TCR route.
This is TCR TDF - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-nz/bik ... ifications
I am, however, now confused even further because it appears that they also sell 2013 TCR Advanced 0. It looks like its retail price used to be 3,500 pounds and I can get it for 1,700 pounds. It must have been a good bike two years ago, but I wonder if the frame quality went up since that (i.e. if compared to "Advanced" Giants from 2014/2015). Also, it only has 10 speed Ultegra Di2, whereas now 11 speeds are the norm.
Here it is:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... ifications0
