BikeRadar and Cycling Plus rounded up their top picks among 2024 road bikes and put them to the test for their 16th Annual Bike of the Year Awards. Of all the models they rode, the Defy Advanced Pro came out a clear winner, earning a perfect 5/5 score in Cycling Plus and winning both the Endurance Bike of the Year and overall Road Bike of the Year titles. The overall win marked the fifth for Giant, leading all other brands over the years.
Warren Rossiter, one of BikeRadar’s senior technical editors, explained that the Defy Advanced Pro 2 model was chosen from a list of 24 road bike candidates and five endurance bike contenders because it offers a “pure road bike experience" with an unmatched blend of performance, value and comfort.
In the endurance category, the Defy Advanced Pro outperformed the Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2, the Cinelli Pressure ADR 105di2, the Lauf Utald Force and the Specialized Roubaix Comp. Each bike was given an initial two-hour shakedown ride before being put through its paces over a diverse 132km route in a range of conditions.
Rossiter's criteria consisted of an assessment of handling characteristics, how the bikes are equipped, their value, and, ultimately, how much he enjoyed riding them. Ultimately, the Defy Advanced Pro emerged the clear winner.
Several design elements contribute to the Defy Advanced Pro's distinctive ride quality, including the D-Fuse seatpost, the D-shaped composite shaft that delivers road-smoothing compliance without adding weight, and the lightweight Contact D-Fuse handlebar, which applies the same design principles and benefits to the cockpit.
The result is a stable and comfortable ride that performs on par with a racing machine. Rounding out the package, every Defy model comes with high-volume 32mm tires that deliver efficiency, grip and all-around control.
In his five-star review, Rossiter wrote that the Defy's frame geometry "hits the sweet spot between endurance and race bikes with its 72.5-degree head angle and 73-degree seat tube angle."
“Point-to-point, over varied terrain, the latest-generation Defy is about as quick as they come,” Rossiter continued. “It handles as quickly as a race bike, but layers on stability and compliance. This translates into ride confidence and, therefore, real-world speed. As an endurance bike focused on the road, it's almost without peer.”
Summarizing the Defy Advanced Pro's award-winning performance, Rossiter wrote, “This light and fast bike is a class leader and outstrips rivals costing much more. If you're seeking your next endurance road bike, I can’t think of a better place to start (and finish) looking.”
For more, including all the tech details on the Defy Advanced Pro, click here.
And to read the full review, visit the BikeRadar website.