With a new Propel, the world's largest bicycle manufacturer is once again reaching for the crown of the best competition racing bike. The fourth generation of the aero racer continues the balanced race all-rounder approach of its predecessor and promises improvements in all areas: Aerodynamics, lightweight construction, suspension comfort, stiffness. If the postulated improvements prove to be true, the new Propel is once again a contender for the test crown and would not have to hide from the established racers Specialised Tarmac, Canyon Aeroad or Scott Foil, but also from recently developed competitors such as the Cannondale SuperSix EVO. The first in-depth test in TOUR will show just how true the promises are. In terms of weight, the model is already well ahead: We weighed the recently arrived top model Advanced SL0 with SRAM Red AXS groupset at a breathtaking 6.4 kilograms. At the same time as the Propel, Giant is introducing a new generation of its EnviLiv counterpart under the women's brand Liv.
Giant Propel Gen. 4: The most important facts
Manufacturer information
- Weight of complete wheel: from 6.4 kilogrammes
- Frame/fork weight: from 800/360 grams
- Stack/Reach/STR: 565/392 millimetres/1.44 (size M/L)
- Max. tyre clearance: 32 millimetres
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL
- Prices (complete wheel): 4999 to 11999 Euro
- Price (frame set): 2699 to 3899 Euro
When the first Giant Propel was launched in 2013, it was still a pure sprinter's road bike: a complicated aerodynamic design with rim brakes hidden behind the fork crown and seat stays, but quite heavy and tough as nails. Nevertheless, the fast bike celebrated immediate success: Marcel Kittel won the first stage of the 2014 Tour de France on the first generation and took the yellow jersey, while John Degenkolb won Gent-Wevelgem in the same year.
The second generation received disc brakes in 2018, but continued to follow the one-sided, specialised flat stage approach. However, the third generation presented at the Tour de France 2022 showed surprising versatility: Dylan Groenewegen sprinted to victory on stage three, Michael Matthews won solo on the hilly 14th stage. With weights under seven kilograms, competitive comfort, but still very good aerodynamics, the Propel has become an all-rounder that offers good performance on all profiles. It almost completely ousted the lightweight TCR model from the professional sport; in the meantime, the model was among the elite circle of the best competition racing bikes in our test scheme.
Aerodynamics and total drag
Giant communicates a reduction in total resistance of more than 18 watts, which sounds like a lot at first. However, Giant refers to three components: The linear air resistance at 40 kilometres per hour over angles of attack of minus 20 to plus 20 degrees, rotating resistance of the wheels and rolling resistance of the new aero tyres.
The wind tunnel tests are based on tests in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad and a similar test protocol to that used by TOUR. In contrast to the pedalling leg dummy, Giant uses a pedalling full-body dummy in wind tunnel tests, a 3D-printed replica of ex-pro Grischa Niermann. In this setup, Giant promises an improvement of around twelve watts compared to its predecessor.
It is not only new tube profiles that contribute to the leap in performance, but also new 50 millimetre high full carbon wheels (Cadex Max) with aero tyres with recesses, similar to those offered by Conti with the Aero111. The tyre alone should save more than five watts.
The new handlebars, which not only have a flatter, more streamlined design, but are also two centimetres narrower with a comparable frame size, thus reducing the arms and shoulders of the rider (or the full-body dummy), are also likely to play a large part in the aero result. The D-shaped steerer tube and matching spacers conceal the brake and gear cables, while frame-specific bottle cages for the down tube and seat tube reduce aerodynamic drag.
Weight and rigidity
For the top-of-the-range Advanced SL version, Giant promises a frame weight of 800 grams in size M without paint, 45 grams less than its predecessor. The fork weighs an unchanged 360 grams. The complete Propel Advanced SL 0 should weigh a whopping 355 grams less than the previous version: the cockpit components contribute 77 grams to the weight saving, the wheels 100 grams and the tyres even 140 grams.
The stiffness of the frameset is even said to have been minimally improved. However, the predecessor already proved to be uncritical in all respects in these disciplines. An exciting side aspect: the global company is not only orientating itself on the TOUR procedure for wind tunnel measurements, but also for stiffness tests. The presentation documents show a stiffness test rig that measures the entire system of frame, fork and wheel and is astonishingly similar to the TOUR test rig.
Comfort and tyre clearance
According to the manufacturer, the vertical compliance at the rear has been increased by 25 per cent thanks to a revised seat tube, new chainstays and the integrated seatpost on the Propel Advanced SL. The adjustable Vector seatpost on the cheaper models also offers more compliance than its predecessor. Front compliance is said to have been improved by around 13 per cent thanks to the new handlebar/stem units. Tyre clearance has increased from 28 to a contemporary 32 millimetres, which means that the Propel can now be set up more comfortably.
Model variants and equipment
Giant offers two carbon qualities: Advanced SL for the top model, Advanced for the more affordable versions. There are no differences in the geometries, both are very sporty.
The Propel Advanced SL forms the top of the line-up with an integrated seat dome, integrated carbon cockpit and the new CADEX Max 50 wheels with CADEX Aero tyres. The Advanced SL 0 is available with either Shimano's top Dura-Ace groupset or with SRAM Red AXS (11999 euros). An Ultegra version with the high-quality frame is, for whatever reason, only reserved for the Australian market. The frameset costs 3899 euros.
The Propel Advanced Pro uses a slightly heavier frame, offers an adjustable aero seat post instead of the integrated seat dome and comes with Giant wheels with 50 millimetre deep carbon rims. The CADEX Aero tyre is also fitted here as standard. The slightly less expensive model is also available with the top-of-the-range Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, which allows you to make considerable savings: € 7999 is a competitive price for a bike with this equipment. Variants with SRAM Force or Ultegra Di2 are also available for 6499 euros each.
The entry-level model is the Propel Advanced: The Propel Advanced 0 for 4799 euros comes with Shimano Ultegra Di2, the Propel Advanced 1 for 4399 euros comes with Shimano 105 Di2. At 2999 euros, the Propel Advanced 2 with mechanical 105 gears from Shimano is the cheapest option >> available here.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
