The biggest news for Giant Bikes' 2015 range is the already unveiled new Defy and Avail endurance disc brake road bikes. But that's not all that's new. On top of a few things we can’t talk about yet, Giant has also revealed a trail-ready Anthem, a budget-orientated Trance dual suspension bike called the Stance, and a small, yet important update to the Propel aero road bike range.
We take a look at the men’s range, as for 2015, Giant has split its entire women’s range into a separate brand called Liv.
Check out more of our Giant 2015 coverage.
Road bikes
Giant’s aero road racing bike – the Propel – was unveiled during the Tour Down Under in 2013. Since then, the bike has built itself a strong reputation for everything but its brakes, which were commonly considered its weak point.
For 2015, Giant will replace the carbon brakes with a new SpeedControl SL aluminium version, which shares many features found on the Fouriers DX005 model used by Marcel Kittel and the Giant-Shimano team. The new brake has two positions for the cable noodle, to enable easy changes between wide race-day wheels and skinny training wheels. Propel Advanced SL and Advanced Pro models will receive brakes with titanium hardware.
The 2015 Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0
The Propel Advanced Pro 0 (US$5,850 / AU$5,499 / £TBA) is one model that's likely to receive plenty of attention. This bright orange, Ultegra Di2 equipped bike will feature a 55mm deep Giant P-SLR0 Aero wheelset, making it completely ready for race day. Keeping the bright theme going, the Propel Advanced SL LTD (AU$9,799) in bright blue-and-yellow features Zipp 404 tubulars and a Dura-Ace Di2 groupset – unfortunately though, most markets outside of Australia will only offer this model as a frameset (US$3,900 / £TBA).
Both the road racing TCR and triathlon/TT Trinity models continue without frame changes for 2015. Instead, they've received plenty of bright paint and spec updates. Based on Giant’s typical three-year product cycle, we suspect both these models will receive some significant updates in 2016.
The all-new FastRoad Comax 1
Serving the flat-bar road market seeking a performance edge is the new FastRoad. The FastRoad Comax 1 (US$1,750 / AU$1,899 / £TBA) and 2 (US$1,500 / AU$1,599 / £TBA) both feature a composite frame with a D-Fuse vibration dampening seatpost, as found on the new Defy range. The aluminium framed FastRoad SLR 1 is slightly cheaper, at US$1,075 / AU$N/A / £TBA.
All FastRoad models feature 700c wheels and hydraulic disc brakes, and prove that bar ends aren’t dead yet.
And for the young ones, there’s the TCR Espoir 24 (US$700 / AU$699). With 24in wheels and Shimano Claris gears, this mini road bike is aimed at riders between 135 to 155cm tall.
Mountain bikes
While the road range continues with Giant’s OverDrive2 1 1/2 to 1 1/4 in tapered steerer system, many will be pleased to hear that the mountain bikes are returning to a standard 1 1/2 to 1 1/8in steerer and stem.
As with the 2014 range, Giant is surging ahead with 27.5in (650b) wheels as the main option, offering even fewer 29er bikes in the lineup for 2015. Another common theme is that all high-end models now feature 11-speed SRAM XX1 and X01 groupsets along with SRAM's new Guide brakes. Trance, Anthem and XTC models – which were all updated in 2014 – continue mostly unchanged, except for spec and paint.
Not a slimmed down Trance – this is a burly Anthem. The Anthem Advanced SX has a longer fork and dropper post
The Anthem SX is a new platform based roughly on what factory sponsored US rider Adam Craig used to race world cup cross-country on (before switching to enduro racing). It’s a standard 4in (100mm) travel Anthem with a 120mm travel front fork to rake out the head angle, along with a stealth dropper post. This creates a fast, lightweight XC bike with a little trail riding personality.
There will be two versions of the Anthem SX. The aluminium Anthem 27.5 SX (US$3,000 / AU$2,999 / £TBA) features Fox suspension and Shimano SLX and XT components. While sporting a carbon front triangle, the Anthem Advanced 27.5 SX (US$5,575 / AU$4,999 / £TBA) weighs 11.3kg with SRAM X01 drivetrain and RockShox Revelation front fork.
The Stance is a budget Trance – it drops Giant's Maestro suspension system for a simpler single-pivot design
It has been a few years since Giant last offered a budget dual suspension option, but for 2015 there is the Stance 27.5. The aluminium frame features 4.7in (120mm) of travel through a simpler suspension design that Giant has dubbed FlexPoint. It’s a single-pivot design that uses tuned flex in the seat stay and chain stay junction in place of a pivot; a concept we’ve seen from other brands before. The Stance 27.5 2 (US$1,450 / AU$1,599 / £TBA) is the starting point and has a RockShox 30 Gold fork, 27-speed Shimano Alivio components and 2.25in Maxxis Ardent rubber.
Cyclocross bikes
Having been completely revamped in 2014, Giant's cyclocross range hasn't received any frame changes for 2015. While the mountain bikes show plenty of love for SRAM, all 2015 cyclocross models move to Shimano gears and brakes.
The TCX Advanced Pro 0 features 1x11 gearing, but not from SRAM
Leading the range is the TCX Advanced Pro 0 (US$7,450 / AU$6,499 / £TBA), which now features Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 set up 1x11-speed with a custom chainguide that mounts in place of the front derailleur braze-on bracket. This setup can be programmed to allow for both left and right shifters to be used together to control the rear derailleur.
A cheaper race-focused option is the TCX Advanced Pro 1 (US$3,950 / AU$3,799 / £TBA) in a cool blue, featuring Shimano Ultegra 11-speed shifting and Shimano RS685 hydraulic disc brakes.
As indicated throughout this article, UK pricing and availability is still to be annouced. Where a price is listed as N/A, the model is not available in that region.
For a closer look at the new range, click or swipe through our gallery above.