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Giant Contend AR3 review

Great-looking all-rounder from one of cycling's biggest names

Our rating

4

1250.00
1099.00
1599.00

Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Published: July 9, 2021 at 2:00 pm

Our review
Great looks and long-distance comfort but loses a little on value

Pros:

Great looks; lovely all-round ride; long-distance comfort

Cons:

Not great value when compared with the competition

At first glance, the 2021 Giant Contend AR3 doesn't quite match some of this year's other bikes when it comes to the level of its groupset, and this year's bike is also £150 more expensive than last year's model.

Though, as we've seen elsewhere over the last few months, that sort of year-on-year price increase no longer raises eyebrows around here, which itself is quite a statement. But we know from experience that Taiwan's Giant knows more than a thing or two about making high-quality bikes whatever the price.

Giant describes this Contend as a "versatile all-rounder… for those road riders who have a thirst for adventure" with a "balanced, smooth-riding frame" designed to take you "from fast pavement to bumpy backroads with confidence and control".

Pack shot of the Giant Contend AR3 road bike
While you may not get as much for your dollar as other similar bikes, this bike is great for long-distance riding. - David Caudery / Immediate Media

Giant Contend AR3 geometry

Giant has as much experience as anybody in setting up an all-rounder and the geometry nicely balances the need for speed and distance-riding comfort.

The frame angles are certainly more aggressive than that of the Genesis CDA 30 and Boardman ADV 8.9 for example, but it doesn't go for full-on roadie nose-to-the-handlebar geometry.

Seat angles throughout the Contend's five-bike range are close to the classic 73 degrees, with the head angles only slightly shallower at around 72.5 degrees.

But the wheelbase is longer than you'd have seen on a road bike a decade ago, with even the smallest Contend's wheelbase over a metre long, which adds stability to the liveliness offered by the geometry.

SMMLLXL
Seat angle (degrees)7473.5737373
Head angle (degrees)71.87272.572.572.5
Chainstay (cm)42.242.242.242.242.2
Seat tube (cm)46.55053.555.558.5
Top tube (cm)53.55556.55859.5
Head tube (cm)13.515171921.5
Fork offset (cm)5.35.35.35.35.3
Trail (cm)6.135.965.6456.456.4
Bottom bracket drop (cm)88888
Wheelbase (mm)1,0031,0111,0151,0311,041
Standover (cm)75.978.38182.985.6
Stack (cm)55.957.459.561.463.8
Reach (cm)37.53838.339.240
Edit Table

Giant Contend AR3 kit

The Contend comes with a Shimano Sora groupset, and while most bikes around this price are specced with Shimano's 10-speed Tiagra, fortunately, the differences between Tiagra and Sora aren't really that noticeable if you're just out riding; they're mechanically similar and you don't really notice the lack of a gear.

This is partly because Sora's shifting is just as accurate with a similar feel and also because the Giant maximises gear range with the 11-34 cassette giving a one-to-one ratio for a low bailout gear.

The AR3 comes with mechanical disc brakes, which these days are the brakes you're most likely to find on a bike at this price, and thru-axles. The wheelset is tubeless-ready, so you can run the tyres at lower pressures for extra comfort without fear of pinch punctures.

Another up-to-date feature is that the frame, fork and rims can take 38mm tyres. It may not be a gravelling all-rounder but with the right tyres you could easily take this off of the tarmac and onto grit and gravel tracks.

Cabling on the on the Giant Contend AR3 road bike
Internal cabling is a neat touch. - David Caudery / Immediate Media

Giant Contend AR3 ride impressions

The Contend AR3's long-distance comfort is exemplary. This is down to a combination of the compact aluminium frame, Giant's own D-Fuse seatpost that's shaped to absorb road shocks and vibrations and the volume of the 32mm tyres.

If you're riding competitively or looking mainly to maximise your speed then 28mm tyres are your best call, but I'd go for 32mm rubber for day-to-day riding. This hits the sweet spot between narrower race tyres and wider, slower tyres.

You're getting extra comfort without carrying too much extra weight and the Giant's tyres also coped superbly with some truly dreadful countryside lanes.

Giant Contend AR3 road bike is equipped with a Giant D-Fuse seatpost
Comfort is superb, partly due to the slim D-Fuse seatpost. - Russell Burton / Immediate Media

The Giant's single strongest quality is its handling, which is hard to better. Of course, lighter would always be better, but the Contend still climbs well.

The 34×34 bottom gear lets you stay in the saddle and spin, while the stiff, compact frame comes into its own when you're cranking out of the saddle.

Descending is confident and controlled with decent grip from the 32mm tyres and there's good braking from the Tektro mechanical discs.

Female cyclist riding the Giant Contend AR3 road bike
Its hour-after-hour comfort is welcome with enough stiffness for a final exhilarating sprint home. - Russell Burton / Immediate Media

The AR3 is not necessarily a bike for throwing aggressively into corners like more race-focused bikes, such as the Vitus Zenium or Van Rysel EDR AF, but the Giant's hour-after-hour comfort is welcome on day-long rides, while there's enough stiffness for a final, exhilarating sprint home.

Giant Contend AR3 bottom line

Of all the bikes I had on test, the Contend was the one that really turned heads on its arrival. People were wowed by the Contend's 'garnet' paintjob, which stands out in comparison with the blander-looking, largely monochrome bikes it's up against. It is also available in black – inevitably – if the thought of colour makes you blanch!

It's an ideal long-distance commuter – especially with its mudguard/fender compatibility – and would be equally good as a fitness and leisure bike, where the long wheelbase, low gearing and tyre clearance gives it some rough-stuff capability.

It has a plush ride that you will never grow tired of and it tackles potholes and winter-scarred roads with a 'so-what' attitude.

If you look purely at the headline numbers though, this Giant can't compete with other similarly specced bikes when it comes to value, but the Contend AR3 is still a bike worth your serious consideration.

Product

Brandgiant
Price1599.00 AUD,1099.00 GBP,1250.00 USD
Weight10.1000, KILOGRAM (L) -

Features

ForkAdvanced-grade composite, OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle
br_stemGiant Sport alloy
br_chainKMC X9
br_frameAluxx-grade aluminium, 12mm thru-axles
Tyres700x32 Giant S-R3 AC
br_brakesTektro MD-C550 mechanical discs, 160mm rotors
br_cranksShimano Sora 50/34
br_saddleGiant Approach
br_wheelsGiant S-R2 Disc wheels with tubeless-ready rims
br_headsetGiant Overdrive
br_shifterShimano Sora
br_cassetteShimano CS-HG50 11-34
br_seatpostGiant D-Fuse alloy
br_gripsTapeGiant
br_handlebarGiant Connect alloy
br_bottomBracketShimano BB500 sealed cartridge
br_availableSizesS, M, L, XL
br_rearDerailleurShimano Sora
br_frontDerailleurShimano Sora
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