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2015 Giant Defy Advanced Road Bikes Get Disc Brakes Across the Line, Plus More New Models!

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2015 Giant Defy Advanced disc brake carbon fiber endurance road bike

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).

2015-Giant-Defy-Advanced-2-disc-brake-road-bike 2015-Giant-Defy-Advanced-2-disc-brake-road-bike2

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.

2015-Giant-Defy-2-alloy-endurance-road-bike

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.

2015-Giant-Liv-Avail-Advanced-1-womens-disc-brake-road-bike

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.

2015-Giant-TCR-SLR2-race-road-bike

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.

2015-Giant-Revolt-0-alloy-adventure-road-bike

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!

Giant-Bicycles.com

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not_tyler
10 years ago

From the bike radar article – and the prices stated there, it seems as if the Defy Advanced is the equivalent of the Defy Composite. With the “Pro” Model slotting in between. Especially as the price is only marginally more expensive.

Eg.

Defy Advanced SL
Defy Advanced Pro
Defy Advanced

If you look at the Defy Ad. SL disc images on BR the hydraulic shimano callipers are clearly not being used with Freeza rotors and the hubs i think are 6 bolt.

It would be of interest to know the spec of the rotors and hubs of the two hydraulic equipped Defys.

jon jon
jon jon
10 years ago

does this mean that road disc will be UCI legal next year?

Endurobob
Endurobob
10 years ago

Well, that’s it then. Once one of the big three dive into the pool, there’s no turning back. Get ready to throw away all your sets of road wheels and get new ones with disc hubs.

Velociraptor
Velociraptor
10 years ago

Looks similar to the Jamis.

I welcome our new disc brake overlords. i just wish the manufacturers could get together and hash out some standards.

Champs
Champs
10 years ago

OK, *now* the Jamis Renegade looks like a Giant. The seatstays are a little different, but…

Eyal
Eyal
10 years ago

@jon jon Most likely they’ll be!

Disc brake rollouts, by everybody at the high-end will happen at the Eurobike/interbike, I’m sure that will include Campagnolo, Look, Time, etc…

John
John
10 years ago

IMO, the lack of thru axle is a missed opportunity. My gravel bike has disc brakes with QR skewers, and repositioning the rotors precisely after a wheel change can be a PITA.

For being the largest bike manufacture in the world, I have to wonder why a company like Giant isn’t out in front on a design for fast wheel changes with thru axles.

ChrisC
ChrisC
10 years ago

@Endurobob

I know what you mean. It was such a pain when all my 10 speed stuff instantly stopped working with the release of 11 speed. I had to throw all of it away since it was utterly useless and not supported by *ANY* manufacturer.

softreset
softreset
10 years ago

I agree with ChrisC. I was commuting home on my 10 speed bike when the 11 speed announcement occurred and sure enough the rear derailleur just stopped working. I really wish Endurobob had given me a head’s up!

Craig
Craig
10 years ago

@ ChrisC and softreset, ha! you guys made me laugh. That’s comedy that is.

Castor/Pollux
Castor/Pollux
10 years ago

Other bike portals are reporting that Giant rep at the presentation said they didn’t go for thru axles because current systems are way overbuilt for road use.

Also:
Apparently, bike companies are working together on a standardized road bike specific thru axle diameters and also standardized quick release thru axle system (both a must before UCI approval for road racing).
They should be announced around Eurobike/Interbike.

Flip
Flip
10 years ago

Lesson being: Don’t be an early adopter. Wait until 2016/17 model years, when the industry has arrived at a standard and you’re not left with Mavic Zap.

Alb
Alb
10 years ago

Yep, read between the lines with the whole no thru-axle thing – rather than use the current OTT mtb standards for one model year only to change the moulds in 8 months times (when there’s new road disc axle standards introduced) they’ve played it safe with QR. I’d expect the MY16 Defy Disc to tick all the boxes and then some! For those that can’t wait – see above.

bielas
bielas
10 years ago

very elegant lines and graphics, Giant looking very good for 2015.

And the new Giant logo is a nice update too

RED
RED
10 years ago

@beilas Sarcasm ?

That Giant logo looks like something you’d find on a Walmart bike.
Plus it fails the drive-by-identification test…

“What kind of bike was that?”

“I dunno, I think it said “SQUAT”… “

drewsey junction
drewsey junction
10 years ago

I, too, have standardising issues. When i try to ride my 7speed cross bike with a square taper, the crank falls off and the downtube shifters disappear entirely. I wish all this old stuff wouldn’t stop working every time someone comes up with something new. My cantis don’t even tough the rim, cos the rim is 17mm external and not 27mm, and my tubed tyres won’t take any air. Guess that’s why I’m fat and old.

Durianrider
Durianrider
10 years ago

These came off the same production line in Taiwan as the Domane’s but are already testing stiffer AND more compliant. Thats cheeky.

I think I will grab one of these still though.

BrandontheGinger
BrandontheGinger
10 years ago

Man, with exception of the Advanced 0, the paint schemes on the lower models looks like total CRAP.

Flip
Flip
10 years ago

@Durianrider – Just splitting hairs here, but it’s actually a different building and production line. Trek gets its own building, according to my friend the Giant rep. Makes sense, since it’s Trek and they make a whole lot of bikes.

wigs
wigs
10 years ago

I like Giant. Lots of bang for the buck, but when are they going to venture away from spiritless graphics and colorways?

mah
mah
10 years ago

Meh its the usual thru axles will be next year so that ppl buy twice.
Then brakes standard will change. Then axle standard will change.

Sad reality. Its all artificial.

Eye Spy
Eye Spy
10 years ago
Superstantial
Superstantial
10 years ago

@ Champs – I told you!

matt
matt
10 years ago

@wigs. Couldn’t agree more. Their graphics department needs to be fired. Just leaving them all one color would be a huge upgrade.

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