Giant Contend SL1 Review | Editor's Choice 2019 | Cycling Weekly

We awarded the Giant Contend SL 1 a top score, as it is an amazing handling bike and great value for money! And for 2020 this bike has got better, with a totally new frame, new full carbon fork. A bike for under £1000 that is totally worth a sport on this years Editor’s Choice.
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[@RobertWaldron1]

At last a bike review of something more sensibly priced, thanks

[@allanzayden2200]

A trick : watch series on KaldroStream. Been using it for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.

[@leeford5492]

@Allan Zayden Yup, been watching on flixzone} for years myself :)

[@atlasreed281]

@Allan Zayden yup, have been using flixzone} for years myself :D

[@stevemcdonald8108]

Lovely bike

[@tcat600]

Hi have that bike. First of all I love the colour :-) I know... it is very subjective. I've bought it for commuting. In Ireland it comes with semi-compact crank-set (52-36) and I replaced it with compact one (50-34) as it is more suitable for city riding and some hills with 11% gradient. It doesn't feel heavy. This is endurance bike and in that role it is fantastic. It could be commuting or spins with friends, it will do those things quite nicely. For the fist time I use 11-speed 105 and it works very well. Shifting is very smooth and light. I think it is better than Ultegra 6700 on my other bike. Ride is very smooth and more comfortable than on my second bike due to 28mm tyres. I use 23/25mm on my other bike. Position is quite comfortable but it depends on so many factors (stem length, stem angle, saddle etc.) This bike has bottom mounting points for carrier/rack which is very useful. I put a rack on it. It looks terrible now ;-) but I can take a lot of stuff with me to my work. Overall I'm very happy with that purchase. At that price it is very good offer.

[@Youtube_deleted_my_favourites]

I pick this up on Thursday, the only downside is the cassette is 11-30. Hope I can still get up them hills as I'm losing my granny gear - 34

[@kamiljuszczyk2963]

I have this bike and having done thousands of miles on it for a year...I can really recommend it. This bike feels like an extension of your own body! The only issue I've ever had is the head fork mechanism isn't of the highest quality. I would maybe recommend switching it with a third party compression plug.

[@arpitagrawal214]

Anyone tried bikepacking trip on this bike? i am planning to install panaracer gravel king 700*28c along with a ortlieb 11L Saddle bag, 4 L Frame bag and 4L handle bar bag for a 7 day trip? Also not sure if carbon seatpost can take the saddle pack

[@Ava481]

I'm happy with my Contend SL and it's my first road bike. I have to agree though that when riding over 25 MPH it's a struggle to keep up with my mates on their time machines. Those are much more expensive bikes though. A good winter bike the Giant salesman said to me. I think that's a good summary. Enjoyed the review. Thanks

[@Ava481]

Probably the user as well!@Immortal__

[@user-iq3oj3qu6f]

I have this.I feel it is best for commuting to work.Enjoy everyday!

[@graemeashton4356]

Great review ! I have just bought the SL1 disc 2020 so exited to get it and test it out.

[@Gdsamplify]

Great bike, got one myself last month

[@Youtube_deleted_my_favourites]

Are you running tubeless?

[@deanheylen]

GIANT bikes are the best. I love these things. I have a Propel Advanced 2 Aero bike which is awesome. I can only imagine how much more awesome the SL version is!

[@joeinglesfield7446]

In my experience they're some of the best bikes to work on 🔧

[@craigallen2097]

Great bike for the price, have a cube of the same spec and this outclasses it massively

[@rtaskyy]

Is it just me or does the brake release lever look open?

[@arpitagrawal214]

Anyone tried bikepacking trip on this bike? i am planning to install panaracer gravel king 700*28c along with a ortlieb 11L Saddle bag, 4 L Frame bag and 4L handle bar bag for a 7 day trip? Also not sure if carbon seatpost can take the saddle pack

[@Youtube_deleted_my_favourites]

best bike I ever owned!

[@JamesSocialCycling]

Is the frame set the old Defy Alu frame? I loved the 2016 Defy frame set, felt quite lively. Good review guys, nice affordable bike😉

[@tamudawson]

Yup

[@Free__Speech]

The problem with giant sizing is it just add extra weight to the bike. Sizing frames shouldn't have a big gab of a sizing. I forgot it's to throw out as many bikes as possible to increase sales.

[@andrew30m]

Bought it yesterday, happy bunny 👍

[@fishontv123]

For my first bike, would you guys recommend this, a specialized brand, or something else? Trying to not spend more than $1,300ish. Also been looking at used bikes due to the high price reduction.

[@ronitdebnath]

Allez Elite is pretty good too

[@TheMisterBlueberry]

this is a heavy bike at 9 kilos. me, coming from a 17.5kg trekking bike -_-

[@allangrg1000]

I had the exact same reaction lmao

[@ishhodcollins5220]

Lol Try riding my ‘77 Peugeot. you kids don’t know the meaning of a heavy bike 😂

[@robsparrow5578]

This was such a great review. Thanks

[@th0masvu]

thoughts on Contend AR 1 vs Specialized Diverge E5

[@stevemcdonald8108]

Lovely bike , very knowledgeable!

[@andriusjuknys1738]

Have 2017 contend disc version really comfortable bike.

[@tcat600]

It is OK. Road bikes are not comfortable in general

[@andriusjuknys1738]

tcat600 get bike fit done

[@tcat600]

@@andriusjuknys1738 I've done it. I didn't say that I suffer from any pain.

[@mfa2800]

Hi, it is still relevant to buy contend sl 1 disc 2017 for now? The price is quite cheap in my country.

[@tomagergo]

Perfect example of why you should NOT listen to people like these to form a decision. I flip bikes, this one was by far the most bumpy, uncomfortable ride out of all aluminium bikes I tried. Not even a contest. I guess you see Giant, you know facts and that's it. Brain overwrites senses. I know a lot to do with wheels, but you buy bikes, not parts. Try a 2017 Cube Attain SL for example after this and you'll be giggling. Obviously can't be as good as Giant, just look at the revenues ;-)

[@jimhernandez7712]

Love my carbon Giant, but taking a kilo or 2 off the bike in no way compares to taking that weight off of my fat ass. luv as always.

[@helloworld9134]

Well said!

[@lothburke2243]

I am going to buy a axxl or a sl. Which is best ?

[@voiceofreason9780]

Presenter (5:27): _" hasn't got a full carbon fork."_ Video Description: _"...new full carbon fork."_

[@jonathonsnowden5295]

The forks are full carbon. In the past Giant have used alu steerers for the lower end models but for 2020 (and maybe for 19 i cant remember), if the forks are carbon they are full carbon

[@voiceofreason9780]

@@jonathonsnowden5295 Thanks for the clarification.

[@jiffijaffi]

@@jonathonsnowden5295 19 is carbon too

[@tamudawson]

Jonathon Snowden I have 2018 disc version, carbon fork

[@user-pt3dd5zz4i]

What is the weight?

[@mikehansen1368]

good job guyss

[@stevemcdonald8108]

Lovely bike

[@JohnYoungPhotographer]

Canyon AL

[@ItachiGT]

Not available in Germany

[@lothburke2243]

I got a kom on a carrera 250 quid bike. And i took it off a double world record holder. Lol

[@DarkPa1adin]

What is KOM?

[@eilrach299]

King Of (the) Mountain - a term originally meant for the cyclist who won a mountain stage/climb but now used for anyone who gets the fastest time on a 'Strava segment'. I hope you understand what a Strava segment is!

[@marcios.4069]

Contend sl is a endurance bike?

[@tcat600]

yes

[@bike_lain]

Hybrid. A happy medium between endurance and aggressive geometries.

[@mosescortes9176]

That saddle is NOT Comfortable ....That really the only things i don't agree there

[@macvos]

Saddles are very personal. What works for you might not work at all for the next guy or woman.

[@TeoSluga]

Canyon Endurace AL 7.0 retailing for 999GBP is defenitely a much better bike then Giant. It is 0.7kg lighter, which is a huge margin.

[@ronitdebnath]

Agree but not out of Europe

[@tcat600]

Canyon is lighter but Giant looks better :-) I bought Giant

[@goalboy19]

@@tcat600 Yes i'm between Canyon AL 7.0 and Giant SL1 for light i go for Canyon , for dsesign with Giant,,????

[@tcat600]

@@goalboy19 if you want light bike go for Canyon. It is good bike

[@leesuuton5083]

5 month waiting list for canyon ! Won't be buying one this year

[@TeoSluga]

Not the best bike in 999GBP group. Absolutely not. There are plenty other bikes with 105 R7000 components and less weight. 9kg is really not good enough... My Fuji for example costs less and weighs half a kilo less...

[@jiffijaffi]

How does the Fuji ride compared to the giant though..

[@TeoSluga]

@@jiffijaffi both are entry level bikes. Fuji has lighter frame. By changing saddle and seat post on Fuji one an gain additional 330g. Verified. So uphill Fuji is better. Riding fast on a straight road, I would say equal, as none of them is aero...

[@TeoSluga]

Canyon, for example, already has carbon seat post and lighter saddle, so changing those components will not save any weight...

[@macvos]

If you use weight as the sole measure of performance and value, then yes.