Giant Propel Advanced 3 (2014)

Aero road bike for the everyday cyclist

Pros

- Quality aero frame
- Shimano 105 value and performance
- Value

Cons

- Not much

Review

Giant jumped on the aero bandwagon by adding the Propel to their road lineup which features the famous TCR and Defy series. Like other aero bikes the Propel is designed for criteriums, flat road races and generally spending time off the front in the wind.

This model is the basic Advanced 3 version which is basically an entry level introduction to the world of aerodynamic bikes. The frame incorporates many of the qualities you would expect, including a narrow, flattened aero profile, internal cable routing, deep rims and a front brake hidden behind the fork.

The Propel benefits from Giant's in-house expertise with carbon and you can expect quality from wheel to wheel. The benefit of making your own carbon is prices can be reduced while retaining this high level of quality - something which Giant is renowned for.

On the road reports suggest that while being very good at cutting through the wind, the Propel is also quite a "compliant" or comfortable bike. The Propel 3 has a basic kit comprising of Shimano 105 and brand components make up the rest. Interestingly, the use of a full size chainset is matched to a 28t cassette - I think this is good thinking as it helps a typical weekend cyclist wind it up on the flats, while at the same time gives an extra cog for the hills. It just increases versatility.

The Propel in all its forms is a fast, comfortable aero road bike. With a basic drivetrain and wheels this model is obviously targeted at a more casual rider, but still, this is a quality machine that can be ridden hard and fast and is a definite choice in the aero market.