An Advanced-grade composite frame forms the heart of this aero-sculpted beauty. Laid-up by hand, Defy Advanced adds road-smoothing comfort to aggressive racing performance. Whether you’re sprinting for primes or launching a long solo break, Defy Advanced is engineered to let you ride farther, faster.
* Complete 10-speed Shimano Ultegra 6700 compact part group
* Lightweight aluminum Giant Contact handlebar & stem
* Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset
FEATHERY: Giant beat past plush winners (Cervelo, Specialized) in our 2009 Editors' Choice contest by proving that the section could also encompass light bikes: Our size-medium check bicycle weighed barely 16 pounds, a actual coup at a comparatively (compared to pure race bikes) affordable cost.
AGILE: The Advanced 1 also won because it proved both nimble and infinitely predictable, a rare combination of traits.
CHEAPER: The 2010 version is actually $250 less pricey than last year's, despite sporting Shimano's brand-new Ultegra 6700 drivetrain and a BB86 press-fit bottom bracket.
Looking for a speedy, light & comfortable bicycle to do dash & interval training, long weekend rides, plenty of hill climbs, etc. I used to race a lot, but time & age (50+) limit how much competitive riding I can do. I was fundamentally looking for a road race bicycle with added comfort & lightness compared with my 1989 Trek Carbon Pro 2500. I found it in the Defy Advance 1. There's other models from Look (kg565) & specialized & Cannondale that may have similar rides, but I found this Giant to fit my needs perfectly. Light for climbing ( over 17lbs), stiff for sprinting (massively stiff bottom bracket), huge head tube area makes for exact steering through corners, rear triangle is vertically compliant combined with 25mm Michelin Pro3 tires, takes the edge off the bumps. This bicycle is a actual keeper!