2024 Giant Defy

[js]

Hi All - there seems to be enough interest and positive response for this new bike, as well as a number of questions that would be nice to have answered as these come into the wild, so I figured a dedicated thread might be worth while.

What we know, and I'll start with weights because that's our site:

Weights

Advanced SL Frame weight is 785g for an unpainted medium frame
Advanced Pro & Advanced have a medium frame weight of 860g - presumably also unpainted

Advanced SL fork is 345g and is used on both the Advanced SL and Advanced Pro models
Advanced fork is 381g and only used on the Advanced (non-Pro) models

For comparison, it seems the new S-Works Roubaix come close to that with an 828g frame weight, but once you add 200+g for the Futureshock, that's much further away. A Canyon Endurace is 930g (w 350g fork) in it's lightest CFR version. So Giant seems to be leading the weight wars for Endurance bikes - which reminds me of the 'kinda like being the smart kid in the special class' burn from some movie, but is still something I'm happy to see.


Specs

Adv SL 0 - SRAM Red, Cadex 36 Road wheels (1302g & i22.4mm), Quarq power meter on SRAM Red crank and SLR cockpit
Adv SL 1 - Ultegra Di2, Giant SLR1 36 wheels (1442g & i22.4mm), Giant Power Pro on Ultegra crank and SLR cockpit

Adv Pro 0 - Ultegra Di2, Giant SLR1 36 wheels (1442g & i22.4mm), Giant Power Pro on Ultegra crank, SLR bar & seatpost, with SL (alloy) stem
Adv Pro 1 - 105 Di2, Giant SLR1 36 wheels (1442g & i22.4mm), no power meter and SL cockpit

Adv 1 - 105 Di2, Giant P-R2 wheels (specs?), no power meter on 105 crank, D-Fuse SL bar, D-Fuse composite post and Aerolight stem
Adv 2 - 105 mech, Giant P-R2 wheels (specs?), no power meter on non-series crank, D-Fuse SL bar, D-Fuse composite post and Aerolight stem
Adv 3 - Tiagra, Giant S-R2 wheels (specs?), no power meter on Tiagra crank, D-Fuse SL bar, D-Fuse composite post and Aerolight stem

* - one other nice point to note on the specs is that Ultegra Di2 builds have an Ultegra chain. Giant has previously spec'd KMC chains (as they do) on Hyperglide+ bikes, so this is a nice change to see. The 105 builds stick with KMC chains, as 105 cassettes aren't HG+

Images

It's a good looking design, but for my money, the nicest colours are below:

Frameset - Digital Blurple


Adv Pro 0 - Carbon / Blue Dragonfly


Adv 1 - Charcoal / Milky Way


Adv 3 - Kelp Forest / Silver



Questions

Can you run any other stems?
For the time being, the answer to this one seems to be no. Just like the Propel (and likely the next TCR?) the fork's D-shaped steerer requires a proprietary stem and so far only Giant appears to be making those. Hopefully someone designs a wedge at some point that could fill that gap and allow 'normal' 1.1/4 stems to be used?

Is the new D-Fuse SLR post compatible with previous frames that used D-Fuse posts?
This one has been answered as yes in the comments on Escape, and it would be surprising to see Giant change the spec of D-Fuse posts after 10 years of use across so many models, but I'd still like to see that new post swapping into other frames to make 100% sure.

Has the geometry changed?
After watching a few reviews, it seems this is something being mis-reported in a few places - that the new Defy has a more aggressive position than the previous model. If you look at the charts, it's clear that the headtube has shrunk by 10mm across most sizes, but there is also a required 10mm spacer to route the cables into the front of the fork. Once that 10mm is added back into consideration, all control placements appear to be as they were on previous models.

Beyond the headtube change (and corresponding impact to stack and reach - again, all neutralized once the required 10mm spacer is in place), BB drop, angles and trail all seem to be the same as the 2019 generation.

I suppose the only other question to ask right now is, Who has one of these in the wild?

[Ritxis]

Hi All - there seems to be enough interest and positive response for this new bike, as well as a number of questions that would be nice to have answered as these come into the wild, so I figured a dedicated thread might be worth while.

What we know, and I'll start with weights because that's our site:

Weights

Advanced SL Frame weight is 785g for an unpainted medium frame
Advanced Pro & Advanced have a medium frame weight of 860g - presumably also unpainted

Advanced SL fork is 345g and is used on both the Advanced SL and Advanced Pro models
Advanced fork is 381g and only used on the Advanced (non-Pro) models

For comparison, it seems the new S-Works Roubaix come close to that with an 828g frame weight, but once you add 200+g for the Futureshock, that's much further away. A Canyon Endurace is 930g (w 350g fork) in it's lightest CFR version. So Giant seems to be leading the weight wars for Endurance bikes - which reminds me of the 'kinda like being the smart kid in the special class' burn from some movie, but is still something I'm happy to see.


Specs

Adv SL 0 - SRAM Red, Cadex 36 Road wheels (1302g & i22.4mm), Quarq power meter on SRAM Red crank and SLR cockpit
Adv SL 1 - Ultegra Di2, Giant SLR1 36 wheels (1442g & i22.4mm), Giant Power Pro on Ultegra crank and SLR cockpit

Adv Pro 0 - Ultegra Di2, Giant SLR1 36 wheels (1442g & i22.4mm), Giant Power Pro on Ultegra crank, SLR bar & seatpost, with SL (alloy) stem
Adv Pro 1 - 105 Di2, Giant SLR1 36 wheels (1442g & i22.4mm), no power meter and SL cockpit

Adv 1 - 105 Di2, Giant P-R2 wheels (specs?), no power meter on 105 crank, D-Fuse SL bar, D-Fuse composite post and Aerolight stem
Adv 2 - 105 mech, Giant P-R2 wheels (specs?), no power meter on non-series crank, D-Fuse SL bar, D-Fuse composite post and Aerolight stem
Adv 3 - Tiagra, Giant S-R2 wheels (specs?), no power meter on Tiagra crank, D-Fuse SL bar, D-Fuse composite post and Aerolight stem

* - one other nice point to note on the specs is that Ultegra Di2 builds have an Ultegra chain. Giant has previously spec'd KMC chains (as they do) on Hyperglide+ bikes, so this is a nice change to see. The 105 builds stick with KMC chains, as 105 cassettes aren't HG+

Images

It's a good looking design, but for my money, the nicest colours are below:

Frameset - Digital Blurple


Adv Pro 0 - Carbon / Blue Dragonfly


Adv 1 - Charcoal / Milky Way


Adv 3 - Kelp Forest / Silver



Questions

Can you run any other stems?
For the time being, the answer to this one seems to be no. Just like the Propel (and likely the next TCR?) the fork's D-shaped steerer requires a proprietary stem and so far only Giant appears to be making those. Hopefully someone designs a wedge at some point that could fill that gap and allow 'normal' 1.1/4 stems to be used?

Is the new D-Fuse SLR post compatible with previous frames that used D-Fuse posts?
This one has been answered as yes in the comments on Escape, and it would be surprising to see Giant change the spec of D-Fuse posts after 10 years of use across so many models, but I'd still like to see that new post swapping into other frames to make 100% sure.

Has the geometry changed?
After watching a few reviews, it seems this is something being mis-reported in a few places - that the new Defy has a more aggressive position than the previous model. If you look at the charts, it's clear that the headtube has shrunk by 10mm across most sizes, but there is also a required 10mm spacer to route the cables into the front of the fork. Once that 10mm is added back into consideration, all control placements appear to be as they were on previous models.

Beyond the headtube change (and corresponding impact to stack and reach - again, all neutralized once the required 10mm spacer is in place), BB drop, angles and trail all seem to be the same as the 2019 generation.

I suppose the only other question to ask right now is, Who has one of these in the wild?

Giant already had a Contact SLR D-Fuse seatpost....as you say, we had to know if Giant has made changes to the shape of the "D" to make them incompatible......or not???

I love this Defy, but with the reduction of the head tube (many Endurance are a bit tall) if I can next year I will get one.....

[js]

Yes - I'm running a previous version of the SLR post on my current bike, but this one appears to be a revision, with a deeper cut-out. They also refer to it as a new post, which allows increased deflection.

Here's a 2023 model with the D-Fuse SLR post for comparison:


And a full side view of the 2024 model with D-Fuse SLR:

[Mocs123]

I wonder how aero it is? I'm not sure when I'll upgrade from my 2020 Emonda (H2) but would like something more aero Bikes like SL8 are a little too aggressive for me. I've been thinking about the Cannondale SS Evo 4 but the Defy SL looks like a decent option as well as a frame only option.

[pmprego]

Any idea why there is no sram force or shimano dura ace in offer??

[Mocs123]

I'll be really interested in what real world weights are on the SL frameset. Listed weights are unpainted and the "Digital Burple" frame only colorway doesn't look like lightweight paint.

[pmprego]

I'll be really interested in what real world weights are on the SL frameset. Listed weights are unpainted and the "Digital Burple" frame only colorway doesn't look like lightweight paint.

The escape collective has a very detailed review (those guys do the best reviews on the whole Internet) wrote the following: "the whole thing tips the scales at just 7.07 kg (15.59 lb) for my small-sized tester without pedals or accessories"

This is with the 32c (measured 34mm) cadex tires and a 10-36 force axs cassette.

This can be a Bike made to weight 7kg ready to ride with some lightweight choices (red cassette or instead dura-ace groupset), saddle can loose some weight also and of course... Some lighter tires for specific days

[chris1234]

Shame the frameset only isn't available in the UK. Then I don't have to buy with wrong size handlebar, stem, cracks and hookless wheels I will throw in the bin. Would definitely consider but otherwise it's a no from me.

[robertbb]

Hard fail on this, in my view.

2023 model still had sensible external cable routing.

2023 model is still a relatively relaxed geometry while they made the 2024 model more aggressive.

Still don't provide bento box mounts on the top tube.

But hey you get an extra 3 mm of tyre clearance.

[Ritxis]

I wonder how aero it is? I'm not sure when I'll upgrade from my 2020 Emonda (H2) but would like something more aero Bikes like SL8 are a little too aggressive for me. I've been thinking about the Cannondale SS Evo 4 but the Defy SL looks like a decent option as well as a frame only option.

You give a lot of "importance" to the word marketing mantra....."Aero" do you seriously believe everything that is said about it?

[Nickldn]

I wonder how aero it is? I'm not sure when I'll upgrade from my 2020 Emonda (H2) but would like something more aero Bikes like SL8 are a little too aggressive for me. I've been thinking about the Cannondale SS Evo 4 but the Defy SL looks like a decent option as well as a frame only option.

You give a lot of "importance" to the word marketing mantra....."Aero" do you seriously believe everything that is said about it?

Have you seen the outpouring of angst generated by a 1w difference between framesets in Tour tests?????

[pmprego]

Hard fail on this, in my view.

2023 model still had sensible external cable routing.

2023 model is still a relatively relaxed geometry while they made the 2024 model more aggressive.

Still don't provide bento box mounts on the top tube.

But hey you get an extra 3 mm of tyre clearance.

You can't please everyone. In my case, the change in geometry (I know some say its the same when one accounts for the required spacer but I categorizar geometry in a different way) and the focus on being light with huge tire clearance made this new offering enter my radar and move to the top of a personal shortlist.

[Mr.Gib]

Kudos to Giant for an endurance bike at a very low weight. That alone makes it a big win in the current market. A great option for cyclists that need relaxed geometry but don't want to ride a tank. And I think the potentially more aggressive front end is a good thing. The previous model was a no go for many because of the massive stack.

I know it's a superficial concern, and I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc., but I just cannot warm up to the shape of this frame. In particular the amount of slope on the top tube gives the bike a slow, non aggressive, uninspiring appearance. Something about the top tube meeting a laid back seat tube at exactly 90 degrees. The whole thing just look oddly tilted, like it's always riding up hill.

A friend of mine has the previous generation which he uses as his fender bike, and compared to his older Synapse, he finds the steering too slow. So there's that as well assuming same handling as this new model. Maybe slower handling is better for the intended customer.

[pmprego]

A friend of mine has the previous generation which he uses as his fender bike, and compared to his older Synapse, he finds the steering too slow. So there's that as well assuming same handling as this new model. Maybe slower handling is better for the intended customer.

I guess one can't have it all... Clearance for 38mm tires and 410mm chainstay. Enve kind of pulled the impossible with 410mm chainstay and road life feel and clearance for 35mm (not 38) - even though some were able to fit some 40mm tires on it.

[js]

A friend of mine has the previous generation which he uses as his fender bike, and compared to his older Synapse, he finds the steering too slow. So there's that as well assuming same handling as this new model. Maybe slower handling is better for the intended customer.

James Huang specifically mentioned that the handling may be too racy for many. It even made his bullet points:
"Bad stuff: Composed-but-not-cushy ride quality, handling is arguably too quick, questionable wheelset spec, still a proprietary stem."

I appreciate that's a relative comparison to other endurance bikes, but the Trail on the Defy is sub-60mm. In my size, the trail on the Propel is actually longer (P=59.2 vs D=58.6). There's 15mm longer chainstays, so that definitely makes it a bit happier in a straight line, but input at the handlebars sure does get rewarded.