I don't know the exact weight, and Giant doesn't advertise it either, but it doesn't feel a whole lot lighter than the FX2, which tips the scales around the 12kg mark. While the Contend is a solid ride, there's a huge emphasis on the 'solid' part. (we knew there was a but coming, right?)īut it doesn't feel like the step up that I was maybe expecting. Even the Sora groupset is a step-up from the mountain bike mishmash was on the old bike.īut. Sure, it's a step up from the Trek and I'm riding 20km almost every day - something that I don't think is possible with the Trek and yes, it's way more fun than the Trek too.
It's been three weeks of solid riding the Contend and well, I'm not sure I love it. Only thing to note is that I swapped out the factory fit 25mm tires to a set of puncture resist 28mm. I also got a solid deal on the 2018 model, so overall very, very happy and now I can see why so many people were suggesting I try the drop bar over the hybrids. The shifting was crisp and solid and I glided down Lygon street with no qualms at all zipping around the increasingly busy Saturday morning traffic. the tires that little more comforting to someone coming to their first road bike. A lower spec than the Scultura (going down from the 105 groupset to a Sora), but the frame just felt that little more comfortable. After a little back and forth I finally got on the bike and hallelujah. So, off we trekked to the Giant Store on Lygon street. However, my sensible self (actually, more my partner) suggested I go try that Giant Contend 1 before I committed to anything. Now I got why I had been struggling so much on my morning commute. I zipped through my circuit and then ate that climb for breakfast (it was 11am by that time, so probably more brunch, but never mind).
So I swapped over to the Scultura and I had my 'road to Damascus' bike moment. However, going up a hill back to Queens Parade, I realised that I was struggling a little and when I finished, I couldn't escape the feeling that it wasn't going to be the significant change from my current hybrid. Solid ride, the gears shifted crisply and I was able to bomb around my test circuit much more comfortably than on my FX 2. I took the Speeder out first and it was good. Very similar bikes, both fitted out with the 105 groupsets, but the Speeder had carbon forks and disc brakes.
My first stop was at 99 Bikes in Clifton Hill to try the Merida 400 Speeder flat bar and the Scultura 400 roadie. Reading that back, it sounds very wrong, but never mind. So, Saturday was B-Day and several hours spent admiring, looking, touching, riding. So a couple of mm here and a mm there make a huge difference so most important is get the size right first time or you will be going back for bike #2 before you know it! The Giant Contend is a good bike also the Defy Advanced for the $$ if you are getting right into it.Īlso just remember sizing is everything. But if you are not doing longish rides with lots of small commutes then flatbar whatever you like mostly is fine.
Drop bars are good at distance rides with hand placements so with me rides over 30kms I were having a few troubles with my hands and the drop bar solved all those issues. A really nice flatbar bike, prob the best I've test ridden a few years back now though.įlat bar vs Drop bar is a matter of choice and your riding conditions. Another to put on your test list is the Giant Cross City 0 disc. If the Cannondale is the bike that does it for you then don't hesitate to grab it if it ticks all the boxes better than the others and feels like a really good upgrade. The Cannondale name is a quality brand so you know the frame will be good and Sora components are a lot better than they use to be (but the 105 should be a lot slicker on the Merida). I've recommended the Merida Speeder 400 in the past so I know its a solid bike choice. Good initial post and sounds like you have already put a bit of thought into it.