Propel Advanced
Origin
Giant launched the Propel in 2013 as its first dedicated aero road bike, claiming it was the fastest aero road bike in the world at the time. The platform gained disc brakes for the first time in the 2019 update, then was fully overhauled in 2023 with a lighter, stiffer, more compliant frame built around AeroSystem Shaping — truncated-ellipse airfoil tubing tuned via CFD and wind-tunnel testing. The 2023 redesign shed roughly 225 g versus the previous generation while claiming ~6.21 W less drag at 40 km/h, and brought back a one-piece aero cockpit on the top trims. The range spans an alloy-wheeled Shimano 105 Advanced 2 up to the Dura-Ace Di2 Advanced SL 0, all built in Giant's Taichung composite plant.
Specifications
- Frame
- Advanced-grade Composite carbon, modular monocoque construction with AeroSystem Shaping (truncated-ellipse airfoil tubes, CFD + wind-tunnel tuned); 12x142mm thru-axle, disc-only. Advanced SL trims use SL-grade composite; 2023 redesign trimmed ~225 g vs previous gen, claimed ~6.21 W faster at 40 km/h.
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Shimano 105 R7100 mechanical 12-speed, 52/36 crank + 11-36 cassette (Advanced 2); 105 Di2 (Advanced 1); Ultegra Di2 / SRAM Force AXS (Advanced Pro); Dura-Ace Di2 (Advanced SL 0)
- Brakes
- Shimano 105 hydraulic disc, 160 mm front / 140 mm rotors (Advanced 2)
- Wheels
- Giant P-A1 Disc alloy 50 mm deep w/ Giant P-A1 12mm thru-axle hubs (Advanced 2); Giant SLR 1 50 Carbon Disc WheelSystem on Advanced Pro; Cadex 50 carbon on Advanced SL
The verdict
- Excellent balance of aero efficiency and low weight — top trims undercut the UCI weight limit while staying genuinely fast
- Sharp, reactive yet predictable handling; relatively calm in crosswinds for a deep-section aero bike
- Smooth ride for an aero race frame thanks to the Vector seatpost compliance
- Strong value across the range — the Advanced Pro nearly matches the flagship SL at roughly half the price
- Full-carbon aero frame and fork even on the entry Advanced 2, with room to upgrade components later
- Entry Advanced 2 is heavy (~8.73 kg) with alloy wheels and mechanical 105 — the platform's potential only shows on pricier builds
- Limited tyre clearance: frame accepts only up to 30 mm, where many rivals now allow 34 mm
- Some stock spec choices feel old-school (narrow 25 mm tyres and tight cassettes on certain builds)
- Aero focus means a firmer, more committed ride position than endurance or all-round road bikes
- Integrated one-piece cockpit on Pro/SL trims complicates fit changes and travel/packing
Who it’s for
Where to buy Giant Propel Advanced in Estonia
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