Carbon, Sporty, £1500 ish, Propel advanced?

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jowwy

Can't spell, Can't Punctuate....Sue Me
How about ridiculous delivery times, with the added bonus of having seat stays break on the first bumpy ride?
That could happen to any bike /supplier

Even cube have had rediculous delivery times in recent memory. Doesnt take away from the fact that the decathlon mach 740 is as ugly as sin.........im glad you like it and i hope you enjoy your purchase, but its not for me
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
Location
Surbiton
As much as I'm Wilier-for-life (don't ask, don't rationalise), the GTR isn't a comparative for a semi-aero bike. You'd have to look at Cento1Air for that.
Friend of mine used to run Giant Shoreham then set up his own shop in Uckfield selling Merida. The Reacto would be an aero equivalent and I like the slightly rarer label.
http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bikes/road-bikes/carbon/2016/reacto-4000-5484.html

And as my avatar demonstrates - fluorescent touches get a thumbs up from me.
 
Thanks everyone. Being shallow, I don't like the b'twin. They're a good bike, my wife has one and it has been grand.

I'm open to other brands but preferably one I could go and sit on before buying which rules out Planet X, Canyon and Ribble really with me being based in NI. I agree on the bang for buck thing though so won't entirely rule them out.

That willier is lovely indeed.

Anyone any further thoughts on the Giant? pros and cons? Any owners?
I test rode this the other week. Admittedly not the same bike you were talking about.
The Giant Propel Advanced SL 1

image.jpeg


It's lovely, and a fine piece of kit, but I couldn't live with the evil geometery. And having seen what's available for the 5 grand asking price, I think I'll leave it for the water cooler summer wobbly warriors, who will no doubt love it.

( that said, I may still be a massive hypocrite and get one, but in the Giant Alpecin colours).
 
OP
OP
*Dusty*

*Dusty*

Returning Hero.
Location
N Ireland
I test rode this the other week. Admittedly not the same bike you were talking about.
The Giant Propel Advanced SL 1

View attachment 131235

It's lovely, and a fine piece of kit, but I couldn't live with the evil geometery. And having seen what's available for the 5 grand asking price, I think I'll leave it for the water cooler summer wobbly warriors, who will no doubt love it.

( that said, I may still be a massive hypocrite and get one, but in the Giant Alpecin colours).


Very lovely indeed, slightly (ahem) out of my reach pricewise.....

I also like the Merida reacto, thanks for that @Travs.

Is there much of a difference between 105 and Ultegra in real world use? Am I safer to plump for Ultegra at the purchase stage when it obviously works out a bit better value?
 
Very lovely indeed, slightly (ahem) out of my reach pricewise.....

I also like the Merida reacto, thanks for that @Travs.

Is there much of a difference between 105 and Ultegra in real world use? Am I safer to plump for Ultegra at the purchase stage when it obviously works out a bit better value?

In my experience the Ultegra is much more precise, and light actioned , than the equivalent 105 set. If you can get the Ultegra set, over the 105, it's well worth it. When I ride my 105 specced Carbon bike, after having ridden the Ultegra specced bike, it feels clunky and agricultural in comparison.
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
Location
Surbiton
No probs - apologies for making the choice more difficult. I think the brands on the website in your link provide the classic brand-contenders but something slightly left-field is always worth consideration in my view.

I was going to say unless you're sensitive (in a good way), I doubt you'd spot the difference in the groupsets, but I shall now go and stick my oafish head in the sand. However, if I got the 105, I'd get used to it but then regret not getting the Ultegra.
 

youngoldbloke

The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
In my experience the Ultegra is much more precise, and light actioned , than the equivalent 105 set. If you can get the Ultegra set, over the 105, it's well worth it. When I ride my 105 specced Carbon bike, after having ridden the Ultegra specced bike, it feels clunky and agricultural in comparison.
Is that 11 speed 5800 105?
 

MiK1138

Veteran
Location
Glasgow
I test rode this the other week. Admittedly not the same bike you were talking about.
The Giant Propel Advanced SL 1

View attachment 131235

It's lovely, and a fine piece of kit, but I couldn't live with the evil geometery. And having seen what's available for the 5 grand asking price, I think I'll leave it for the water cooler summer wobbly warriors, who will no doubt love it.

( that said, I may still be a massive hypocrite and get one, but in the Giant Alpecin colours).
£5 grand and you need to take a saw to the seat post to get it the correct height :eek:
 

Oldbloke

Guru
Location
Mayenne, France
Thanks everyone. Being shallow, I don't like the b'twin. They're a good bike, my wife has one and it has been grand.

I'm open to other brands but preferably one I could go and sit on before buying which rules out Planet X, Canyon and Ribble really with me being based in NI. I agree on the bang for buck thing though so won't entirely rule them out.

That willier is lovely indeed.

Anyone any further thoughts on the Giant? pros and cons? Any owners?

I bought a Propel last year, not this model though. Great test ride for 2 hours or so on level roads, but using it on the hillier and less well maintained roads near home I found it harsh and uncomfortable, hard work on hills too.

Sold it after a few weeks....
 
OP
OP
*Dusty*

*Dusty*

Returning Hero.
Location
N Ireland
I bought a Propel last year, not this model though. Great test ride for 2 hours or so on level roads, but using it on the hillier and less well maintained roads near home I found it harsh and uncomfortable, hard work on hills too.

Sold it after a few weeks....

A fair assessment, do you mind me asking what you replaced it with if anything?

thanks for chipping in :smile:
 
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