I've had my Merlin Extralight for over 20 years and have never owned a state of the art modern carbon bike. Needless to say, after much reading and LBS sniffing around, I find myself lusting after something new and carbon. I've studied several bikes from Cannondale, Trek, Fuji, Specialized, Scott, Cervelo, Felt, and Giant. I'm a recreational rider doing 20 - 40+ mile rides, solo and with a club, but I appreciate the attributes of a higher end performance road bike. I live in S. Florida, so I don't need a great climber. I'm looking for a light, responsive, quick accelerating, reasonably comfy bike that holds speed well. Of all the bikes I've looked at, after also considering price, the one that has really lit me up is the Giant Propel Advanced 2 (not the SL model). To be honest, it's way over my skill level and real world needs, but as I indicated, I like good stuff, even at the risk of looking slightly Fred-ish. One of the LBS's in my area is a Giant dealer and they seem to be straight up good guys, especially the owner. That's important to me as I consider after sale suport very important. I am also told that Giant is a good company to deal with in the event of warranty issues, and that they make the frames for some of the big brands.

Sooooo........does anyone own a Propel Advanced series bike? Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Thanks for any help.

Not the Propel, but I have the TCR Advanced (not SL) from a few years ago built up with my own parts choices. Great frame. No complaints. Even though my frame was bought used, an LBS that carries Giant was able to get me a replacement head badge under warranty. Giant makes really, really good stuff under their own name as well as under many others. It doesn't get the same publicity on the 41 (this forum) as do Cannondale and Specialized, but the product is IMO very bit as good.

Thanks for the info.

From what I can see, the Propel Advanced 2 is pretty identical to the old TCR SL3, which was last made in 2012. I have a 2011 SL3 and it's the absolute bomb, I think. There's no way I'd hesitate on that bike if it's what you want, you can get a good fit and it's within your budget. As has been mentioned here before, Giant makes great stuff and you often get more bang for your buck than Cannondale and Specialized.

Not so sure. Isn't the Propel aero or is it endurance?

Although the Propel is a great looking bike, I think the "aero" concept is overhyped. If you're a rec rider and not racing, I'd be inclined to go in another direction. I've been riding a TCR Advanced for the last 4 years and love the frame and bike. The frame is stiff, but still good for 70+ mile rides without getting rattled. We do have hills in the San Antonio, Brooksville, Clermont area and there's little flex while standing on the pedals. It doesn't really matter that these bikes are over your skill level - remember, its all about the engine. Do your research, compare the reviews, take a few for a long ride. You'll probably change your mind 3 times during the process, but you'll eventually figure it out.

Might find help here........https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ff-your-Giant!

I have a '13 Propel Advanced SL3 and am very pleased with it. I live in SW FL., have been to San Antonio recently and enjoyed the ride.

Yankeetowner over at 50+ has a new Propel Advanced coming in

BTW, Giant is a great company with excellent products.

i don't know anything about the bike apart that it looks beautiful. go for it, i'm sure you'll be happy.

Thanks for the info. I kind of agree about the aero concept. But I love the look and I figure I'll take any additional benefit I can get. I've read only great things about the TCR, so I expect the same from the Propel. The LBS owner has owned both a Propel (SL) and the TCR and believes I will love the Propel. The LBS's in my area don't have any bikes in my size to test ride, but the owner of my shop will let me take the bike out for a good ride when it arrives next week. If I am unhappy, he will work with me on another choice.

Did a lot of riding in the Mt. Dora/Clermont area back in the late 80's and early 90's. Great riding. Have been all through the area many times in recent years on motorcycle trips. Shame it's gotten so developed.

Anxiously awaiting the new ride. Man, it's gonna look like Star Wars next to the Merlin.

I just picked up an Advanced SL 3 and threw some Dura-Ace 9000 on it. Sweet! What is so good about it is that you don't necessarily lose any road function because of the aero benefits. It is light (mine is 15.5 lbs with 9000 series), the geometry mimics the TCR, and the BB is stiff as hell. I am especially happy with how it climbs, yet is still has aero benefit. Not to mention the looks! Giant's warranty is awesome as well. You can't go wrong. Which reminds me I promised the Giant guys a picture in the picture thread. Let us know what you do!

Propel Advanced SL3 never shown as a 2014 model. Thought the Advanced SL3 Ultegra is a 2013 with only SL0, SL1 and SL2 available as a 2014 with Zipp 404 wheels.

That is in the US, I am here in Canada. Here is the link to the stock model https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...3/17609/73448/

That's the difference. My 2013 Ultegra 10sp was $5,150.00 Got a much better price though.

2014-https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...0/14794/66230/ USA

2013-https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...3/14431/65300/ USA

I also ride a propel sl1.

Giant Canada never updated their Propel SL line for 2013 on their website. So you won't find it.

But they did introduce the Propel SL in all models. The msrp for the 2013 model of the sl3 was $5100. I believe the new 2014 is $4899, the difference in price was due to the change in material on the new giant pslr1 aero wheels. The new 2014 wheels are heavier, and different grade carbon.

so all the 2014 propel advanced (0,1,2) and the sl3 come with the cheaper and crappier pslr1 aero wheels.

the 2013 models that came with the pslr1 aero's were the nicer set of wheels.

So Giant kept the P SLR 1 Aero wheels the same "name", but downgraded them? Makes no sense.

I had to Google the bike, and my, that is one wicked, awesome looking bicycle. I would get it just for its looks

I road with a guy today that had the 2014 Propel, Ultegra, Zipp 404's. Sweet looking ride. I asked how he liked it. He's only had it on a few rides and mentioned that it was very similar to his TCR Advanced in both geometry and stiffness. I've heard that the Propel had a little more flex, but he said he didn't notice a difference.

See if you can find both, you will notice a big difference. My store still has them, next time I'm there I will take pic.

<2013
decals are under the clear cut. So can't remove
charcoal, greyish color.
spoke holes are drilled round, like the spokes.
carbon is stiff when pressed.
set comes in at 1600g.

2014
decals can be removed.
Black in color
carbon fairing feels flimsy and plasticky.
spoke holes are squarish and come down the side of the faring, similar to bontrager aura.
set comes in 1800+g due to the soft carbon.

they still use the dtswiss 240 hubs. This was the announcement at the giant canada yearly event, so the giant rep in your area should confirm this.

see if you can see it.
scroll down to the advanced propel models. See the spoke holes into the wheel they are squarish. They also are angled.

but if you see the sl3 model, that spoke hole is directly in the middle and drilled to the size of the spoke.
https://sports.qbei.co.jp/blog/bicycle/15706

Depending, if he's riding the TCR advanced, then yes. The t700 carbon should ride a little more compliant, but also it's not an ISP, which would make stiff.

the propel SL's ISP helps it being a little more compliant. I have also felt the same coming from a 2012 advanced sl3, bike was stiff as a rock. I was also told if I had the 2012 TCR sl2 which had the ISP, I would have noticed it being less stiff.

I would definitely go with the Propel over the TCR advanced. Aero is almost always more important than weight/stiffness unless you ONLY climb.

I own a TCR advanced and would love to have a Propel instead.

Giant claims 1690g for the wheels. Maybe I'll swap the wheels for the ones on my Merlin. Reynolds Assault tubulars, 1265g.

That is the old pslr1 aero's, listed on the site. The new ones are over 1800g.

R1lee is right, I am a Giant shop employee as well. When I got my wheels I was expecting something in the 1700 gram range. When I weighed them the rear was 985 and the front was 822, for a total of 1807. The bike also didn't come with composite brakes as listed. I asked the rep and he was explained the heavier wheels, though the giant website still claims 1575 grams (https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...2601/#features), so I am wondering if they have two different sets of wheels with the same name still available. Still an awesome bike but I am a bit disappointed in the wheels.

Thanks
old wheels are discontinued, they will not be producing them anymore. The new aero wheels are the replacement with the pslr0 aero to be released next year.

if you really think about it, Giant hasn't done anything different to warrant a number change. The reason is, the original wheels were still based off of the pslr1 wheelset (non aero) but with high quality carbon as the aero faring.

The new set, are still the pslr1 wheelset but now with cheaper aero faring. Hence the reason they are able to keep the pslr1 name.

Actually, I saw the "old" ones listed at 1575g. Perhaps the 1690g number is without skewers?

In any event, I picked up the Propel Advanced 2 today. Beautiful bike, but I immediately removed the ridiculous decals on the wheels, THREE on each side. That's all you see when you first look at the bike. Looks 1000% better, IMHO. Only rode it a few miles at the bike shop, so not much to report. It does feel heavier than my Merlin, but that's because it is. However, the steering is lightning quick, the brakes are great, and the ride a bit stiffer than the Merlin. The Merlin spins up quicker, but I'm sure that's due to the huge difference in wheel weight, 1800g vs. 1300g! I'll post more after I put on some decent mileage.

BTW, for those of you in S. Florida, I purchased the bike from Z Bike Shop in Davie, FL. They cut me some slack on the price, the experience was very positive, and Alex, the owner and all around great guy, spent 1.5 hours doing an expert job of fitting me to the bike. I am definitely more comfortable on the Propel than on the Merlin, thanks to the great fit job.