If what we’re seeing on one of their international sites is true, the 2015 Giant Defy endurance road bike lineup becomes the first from a major bike brand to take an entire model and go disc brakes only. Well, for their Advanced (carbon) models anyway – the alloy Defy offerings keep the rim brakes.
While we don’t have official information from the brand yet, a few things are apparent. The frame appears to be entirely new, sharing nothing of the outgoing Advanced models. The biggest visual difference is the switch to thinner seat tube rather than the more aero looking, cut-out shape on 2014 bikes. The D-Fuse seatpost spec indicates it shares the shape with their TCX Advanced carbon cyclocross bikes, even sharing a hidden seatpost binder. The head tube junction is mush thicker, leading into larger cross sections on both the top and downtubes before both of those taper toward the rear of the bike. The fork legs are dramatically larger, too, with the crown settling into the frame a bit as an aero nod.
The 2015 Defy Advanced 1, shown above, gets a mechanical Ultegra build with TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes. While the spec info we have may or may not be accurate for the US, it’s listing Giant P-R2 Disc rims with Performance Tracker hubs, which look to be a new wheel system since there’s no mention of them on Giant’s website yet. They’re wrapped with Giant’s 700x25c P-R3, likely a lighter weight folding bead version of the current R3AC all conditions road tire. The fork is listed as carbon with a “Hybrid OverDrive steerer”, which implies a 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ taper and possibly some alloy around the crown race but still using a carbon steerer (our guess).
Next down the line is the Defy Advanced 2, which looks to get two paint schemes if not two build options. Spec’s listed as a mostly 105 group save for RS500 cranks, but 105 cranks are clearly visible on one of the bikes. Same wheels are listed, along with the same D-Fuse carbon seatpost and standard Giant bar and stem.
One thing that does seem to be missing are thru axles. Standard dropouts are visible in all pics, which seems a bit odd considering they went with them for the TCX’s fork.
While the alloy Defy models don’t get disc brakes, they do get a new frame with similar lines as the Advanced bikes. Compared to the outgoing model, the seatstays are a bit thinner (or flatter) and meet the seat tube a few inches lower than the top tube. That should allow for a bit more compliance, particularly since it’s also getting the D-Fuse seatpost, which was designed from the start to allow a bit of aftward flex to soak up impacts.
For the Liv women’s brand, the Avail seems to get the same makeover, availing itself of disc brakes for the Advanced (carbon) models. The Liv Defy Advanced 1 is shown above and gets an Ultegra build (with 105 cassette), TRP Spyre brake calipers, carbon D-Fuse seatpost and Giant bar/stem. Wheels and tires are listed as the same as the men’s bikes.
The 2015 Giant TCR SLR2 suggests a revamp to the SLR version, which is their answer to a high end, lightweight alloy crit racer. This new frame’s packing a couple new features – internal cable routing, slimmer seatstays that hit the seat tube lower, and a pointy protrusion from the head tube. The latter suggests there’s some serious hydroforming going on to both strengthen and stiffen the front end for sprints. The downtube looks more heavily shaped, too. The SLR 2 model gets a full 105 11-speed build with house brand cockpit, wheels and tires.
Another one that caught our eye is the Revolt 0. The frame appears to be the same as current models, which are already showing as 2015 on Giant’s main website, but the “0” looks like a new top end spec. Stated build gives it a mostly Ultegra drivetrain with TRP Spyre calipers and FSA Energy 34/48 crankset. Wheels are their alloy P-CXR1 hoops with 700×40 Schwalbe Smart Sam treads.
More info as we get it – the info here is based on limited early looks at a few models and our own visual comparisons and observations. Keep in mind, spec could be different based on your country.
Thanks to Holger for the tip!
