Giant Propel Advanced Review: Performance, Comfort, and Value

Name: Giant Propel Review: The Best Value Aero Bike in 2023?
Uploaded: 2023-08-27T11:00:38+00:00
Duration: 13 min 11 s
Channel: David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes
Description: Summary and key takeaways on Giant Propel Review: The Best Value Aero Bike in 2023? — Summary, covering of the Giant Propel Advanced The Giant Propel Advanced

David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Aug 27, 2023

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13 min video

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2 min read

YouTube video ID: o-fyu512kc0

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The Giant Propel Advanced is positioned as a high‑performance road bike that blends aerodynamic efficiency with a comfortable ride. The tested mid‑range build, equipped with a SRAM Force AXS groupset, weighs 7.8 kg and costs £6,400, sitting between the £3,000 base model and the £12,000 SL version with Dura‑Ace components.

Technical Improvements

Aerodynamics and Frame Design

Giant claims an aerodynamic saving of 6.2 watts at 40 km/h. The new cockpit routes brake hoses underneath the stem and into a d‑shaped steerer tube, creating a cleaner front end and reducing drag. This integration also frees space for cables and contributes to the overall aero advantage.

Stiffness and Compliance

Frame stiffness is increased by 9.2 % in the bottom‑bracket area, turning the bike into a “power transfer machine.” At the same time, compliance rises by 85 % thanks to “super skinny” rear stays and a slimmer seat‑tube/post that flex vertically. The combination delivers efficient power delivery while smoothing out road vibrations.

Performance and Handling

Real‑world testing shows the Propel Advanced out‑performs the Giant TCR when both use identical wheels and tires. It matches the speed of the Canyon Aeroad but feels slower than the Trek Madone, likely due to subtle aerodynamic differences. Geometry now mirrors the TCR, making it easy to switch between the two models. The frame transfers power efficiently during climbs and sprints, reinforcing its reputation as a high‑efficiency machine.

Components and Value

Internal cable routing runs through the stem and into the d‑shaped steerer tube, while a spindle‑based power meter is integrated into the SRAM crankset. Aero‑optimized bottle cages and a secure front‑mounted computer add functional detail. Pricing ranges from £3,000 for the entry model to £12,000 for the top‑spec SL version; the tested Advanced model sits at £6,400, offering a solid value proposition for its component level.

Likes and Dislikes

Strengths – Integrated power meter, aero‑optimized bottle cages, secure front computer mount, and geometry aligned with the TCR enhance usability and performance.

Weaknesses – Stock handlebars are unusually wide for an aero bike, the proprietary stem system limits optional stem choices, the 10‑33 cassette restricts gearing range, and the stock 25 mm tires reduce comfort compared with wider options such as 28 mm Continental GP5000s.

Takeaways

The Propel Advanced saves an estimated 6.2 watts at 40 km/h thanks to its aerodynamic cockpit and d-shaped steerer tube.
A 9.2% increase in bottom‑bracket stiffness and an 85% boost in compliance deliver efficient power transfer while smoothing the ride, with the tested build weighing 7.8 kg.
Real‑world tests show the bike beats the Giant TCR and matches the Canyon Aeroad, though it feels slower than the Trek Madone.
Integrated power meter, aero bottle cages, and TCR‑aligned geometry are strong points, while wide stock handlebars and limited stem compatibility are notable drawbacks.
Pricing spans £3,000–£12,000; the evaluated Advanced model costs £6,400, offering competitive value for its specifications and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the d-shaped steerer tube improve aerodynamics on the Giant Propel Advanced?

The d-shaped steerer tube routes brake hoses underneath the stem, freeing space and eliminating external tubing that creates drag. This cleaner front-end layout reduces significant aerodynamic resistance, contributing to the claimed 6.2‑watt saving at 40 km/h.

What is the impact of the 85% compliance increase on ride comfort in the Giant Propel Advanced?

The compliance boost comes from thinner rear stays and a slimmer seat tube/post, allowing more vertical flex. This design lets the frame absorb road vibrations, making the ride feel smoother and less harsh, especially over rough surfaces, while still maintaining stiffness for power transfer.

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Helpful resources related to this video

If you want to practice or explore the concepts discussed in the video, these commonly used tools may help.

Tubeless Road Bike Tires 28mm Recommended

Upgrading to 28mm tires improves comfort and grip, addressing the reviewer's criticism of the stock 25mm tires.

Amazon →

Bicycle Torque Wrench Set

Essential for safely adjusting proprietary cockpit components and carbon parts on high-end road bikes.

Amazon →

Cycling Computer Out Front Mount

Provides a secure, aerodynamic mounting point for GPS devices, matching the integrated cockpit style.

Amazon →

Bicycle Chain Cleaning Tool Kit

Helps maintain the drivetrain efficiency of high-end groupsets like the SRAM Force AXS mentioned.

Amazon →

Links may be affiliate links. We only include resources that are genuinely relevant to the topic.

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Full Transcript YouTube

this is a new giant Propel Advanced a
bike you choose is all you care about
it's going as fast as you possibly can
and in this video we'll find out just
how fast it really is and compares to
other bikes in a category as well as
compared to my own teaser Advanced I'll
also share some likes and dislikes the
price and the weight and of course go
for a ride and see how it performs and
the handles on my local rows here in the
sunny Cotswold so I'm David you're
watching just ride bikes let's dive in
let's start the main changes to a new
bike and it has been totally revamped
over the old model so it's lighter
stiffer more Aero and comfort is better
as well
and a built up as you see it here with
fancy Carbon wheels and a SRAM Force AXA
group set weighs 7.8 kilos on my scales
which is pretty decent for an aero race
bike with deep wheels and at the price
point as well and to be honest with you
any bike under eight kilos is pretty
lightweight in the grand scheme of
things
giant has also worked on the Aero
performance of a bike with a new frame
design and new handlebar and stem which
we'll dive into more later for a claimed
6.2 watt sailing at 40 kilometers per
hour so a small but decent saving and
then the frame stiffness has improved
overall by 9.2 percent especially down
in the bottom bracket area
then compliance is up a whopping 85
percent which is just amazing all thanks
to super skinny rear stays and a Slimmer
smaller profile seat tube and seat post
to hopefully remedy the lack of comfort
and the hard ride quality the old bike
race suffered from so some impressive
numbers but what they'll mean when you
hit a road well let go for a spin and
find out and straight away it's clear
this is a fast bike as fast as you
expect given how it looks
once you're up to speed it really helps
you hold a higher average speed a nice
cruising speed on a flat Road really
well and with a power meter I can tell
less power is required compared to my
TCR so it's definitely faster than my
TCR not with the same wheels and tires
which I've been testing both bikes on
I think it's a lower weight you can hold
that high speed for longer on the climbs
in my opinion it's as fast as a canyon
Air Road which is a good thing very
popular bike
but I don't think it's as fast as you
track me down especially thanks a very
narrow handlebar on that bike one of the
best changes to a new bike is a new
handlebar and stem and the internal
cable routing now if you remember the
old bike had a frankly awful routing
system where the cables and hoses went
over the stem and into the top tube with
a big clunky cover over top but now we
have a much better system and More in
line with what our freight manufacturers
are using so the cables without any
cable on the bike if Wireless but the
brake hoses go inside with nice carbon
Arrow handlebar underneath a stem and
into the steering tube which are
d-shaped which is a bit of a worry
perhaps because most bike brands are
using a round steel tube but the
d-shaped steel tube gives more space for
the hoses in front so it's a much
cleaner looking system and more Aero too
and some of those Aero savings we
mentioned earlier actually come from a
new handlebar and them which is
something we're seeing a lot of new
bikes like a trek madone and a
specialized tarmac where most of the
area savings actually come from the
cockpit now when it comes to looks Giant
Bikes you should get a bashing for being
boring and not that appealing but I
think that's brand snobbery personally
to me this bike looks really smart I
love the shape of the frame and all the
proportions the horizontal level top
tube for example and the purposeful
looking down tube and Big Fork blades
and then the color this blue really pops
on a sunny day when the light catches it
just right and I really like the brush
metal logo on the down tube and a small
logo on the head tube but let me know
what you think by leaving a comment down
below am I wrong or am I right if you
don't buy giant for the way it looks you
do buy it for the fee for money which is
really strong and this is a good case in
point this mid-range Advanced costs 6400
pounds and is well expect for the money
in the most part so we have srams
mid-tier Force axle group set whereas
the old generation and not the new
generation it works the same but we have
the older bigger hoods which aren't as
nicely used as a new smaller Hood and
the older looking can components which
aren't quite as smart and a value of
money on a bike recompers nicely to
other bikes in its price range now if
all that is too much money for you then
the rage does start at just 3 000 pounds
which is pretty good for the aerial
performance you get here and if you're
feeling flush then it goes all the way
up to twelve a thousand pounds for the
SL with a Duro dit group set and that
bike as I showed you last year weighs
just 6.9 kilos so plenty of options
across three tiers or frame to suit your
budget and requirements so those are all
the main details let me share some likes
and dislikes with you of the new giant
Propel Advanced I love the fact we have
a power meter on a bike of the price
it's a bike designed for racing and if
you are racing and trading for racing
you are probably using power to have an
Empower meter makes a lot of sense and
here we have Giant's own parameter baked
into a SRAM crank set which I know has
seen before
is a spindle bait Left Right measuring
parameter and while I have done a
extensive comparison testing with my
Wahoo Speedway pedals the power figures
seem consistent with what I would expect
it's great to have clearance for up to
30 mil wide tires because while it's a
bike designed for racing lots of people
buy bikes not for racing but for riding
fast on their local roads and here in
the UK arose are far from smooth so go
into a wider tire at 28 or even a 30 to
Max my comfort makes a lot of sense I
love the fact that not only do you get
butter cages with the bike but they are
Aero optimized as well for your marginal
gains the wire on a down tube is wider
to match a profile and the shape of the
down tube while I want and the seat tube
is a bit narrower and they're good
quality of cages too good bottle
retention no rattling like that so good
quality cages a real nice tension and
detail
another nice detail is the out front
computer Mount which fits flush with a
stem and really solid and you can adjust
the angle really nicely and it fits
Wahoo and Garmin computers and really
secure in use as well the other change
with a new bike is a geometry which is
now in line with a TCR and that is a
really good move because the G8 on that
TCR having owned one for the last two
years is just fantastic and it makes it
easier to switch between the two bikes
or choose a Propel if you already have a
TCR
I don't really know why we have such a
wide handlebar on a bike Trying to
minimize your drag as much as possible
where narrow is proven to be faster and
even a trek madone has a super narrow
handlebar I'm a big fan of a two-piece
handlebar and stem for the ability to
change it to customize and tune your fit
but it's a shame that Giants have used a
system that limits your optional stems
to their own range you can't fit another
brand if you want a leaf giant does
offer a wide range of options and the
110 mil on a size ml bike it's perfect
for me at 181 centimeters tall one thing
I really hate about the bike it's a tiny
10 33 cassette on the back just too
small yes it's a race bike designer to
go first but with the lower weight and
increased Comfort it's a bike that could
be an all-rounder the only bike you ride
and for most people that will include
Hills in a world of increasingly white
ties where even the pros are using 28
and wider I don't really know why we
have a narrow 25 mil Tire on their bike
yes they may be more Aero in a wind
tunnel but out here in the real world
they're really harm the ride quality and
the comfort of the bike and going to a
wide tire made a big difference with no
real downside when it comes to speed and
run resistance so a wide tire and a
better tire is something I recommend
upgrading straight away
really sure how giant had both managed
to increase the stiffness and improve
the compliance
surely both are not possible
and where I ride my bikes here in the UK
the roads are very very smooth you're
always dodging potholes and dealing with
rough tarmac gravel and dirt you name it
and thankfully this new bike it's a big
step forward over the old model it
replaces way more smoothness way better
comfort
we're doing quite a float out of Rose
there's no magic carpets
but it doesn't beat you up but you still
feel
quite a bit of Road surface through
contact points it was very direct
feeding bike clearly a lot of stiffness
through your frame and the front end but
it's not beating you up it's no kind of
jagged edge to the Comfort that bike
offers
the tires though do you hold it back
from being as smooth as it could be so I
always switched to some mvs with 28 mil
wide Conti gp5000 the ones I'm using on
my giant TCR
and that made a big difference a big
Improvement in the comfort and the
ability of the bike
to rear Health filter out all the
harshness the generated by running over
badly maintain roads so a tire upgrade
would be my recommendation if you're
buying this bike the wheels are okay
just slapped in better tires on there
and you'll be good perhaps a reason it's
not as smooth as bike in its class it's
due to a massive stiffness it exhibits
in all situations climbing sprinting
whatever it is this is a very stiff
frame especially around the bottom of
the bike around the bottom brackets
it's like riding up a quite a bit
climbing the other day putting out some
power trying really hard you know and I
really felt the immense stiffness of the
bottom half of the frame
really felt like the frame of being
super efficient in taking all your power
every ounce of energy and turning into
Forward Motion a Cheesy as I know that
sounds but I had this unreal feeling of
just being an incredible
power Transfer Machine just astonishing
and how does it compare to my own TCR
well riding both bikes we're saying
wheels and tires on the same route the
same roads
and a propeller clearly the faster bike
more efficient more stiffness just a
faster overall package but the TCR still
wins me over it's more sprightly
more lively lighter on the climbs
and just a boy that is more fun to ride
and a bike is still puts a smart on my
face
not quite as fast
or a stiff
but still for me a better match for the
riding ID
but if you're racing I really want your
ultimate speed package
but the new Propel is a great option
it's not a bad boy in any way really it
does everything you want and it really
is a good option to consider this year
if you're in the market for an aero race
bike so should you buy the new giant
Propel advance
well if you want to go as fast as you
possibly can but don't want to sacrifice
comfort weight and handling then the new
bike is a really good option and
Compares well to average rivals in this
category
now hopefully you found the review
useful and interesting and if you did
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down below and if you want to see a
Roundup of other amazing Aero bikes on
the market right now then do watch the
video right up here
but that's all today thank you so much
for watching I'll see you again very
soon