Giant Defy Advanced 4 £1,500 www.giant-bicycles.com Modern and fast sportive machine

For 2009 Giant completely redesigned its SCR range of bicycles and in the process renamed the range as ‘Defy’. The Defy Advanced 4 tested here is the most affordable all-carbon framed model, providing a cutting edge frame and competitive build for £1,500.

The Defy borrows heavily from the also-redesigned-for-2009 TCR. In fact, Giant claim the new Defy is stiffer than last year’s TCR, which proved no slouch when we tested one. The Defy is clearly pitched at riders seeking a comfortable, fast bicycle for long rides and sportives then, but we found it to be no sluggard and perfectly willing when the desire to press hard on the pedals took us.

While the Defy borrows heavily from its race-orientated brother, the most notable difference is a longer headtube, which places the handlebars at a high and undemanding position – we noticed this on longer rides where it proved a good cockpit for eating the miles. The carbon layup is also different too, ensuring that it floats over the rough stuff.

One of the major changes to the frame over last year is a tapered steerer and headtube (1 1/8” to 1 1/4”) which provides a stiffer front end and gives more surface area for the large downtube to butt up against. At the far end of the profiled downtube is a new 86mm bottom bracket shell that houses press-fit bearings. This means Giant has been able to increase the size of the downtube, seat tube and chainstays, and it’s these changes that contribute to the increased stiffness.

Giant have given the seat tube an aero profile and it slightly hugs the rear wheel. Where it integrates into the wider BB shell, the tube merges from an aero shape to a box section shape and flows into the downtube, ensuring this area is sufficiently reinforced. The quest for stiffness continues in the chainstays – Giant has used huge box section tubes here. The seat stays are similarly large as well.

It all suggests stiffness, then, but the top half of the frame is rather more delicate in comparison. A thin, gently-bowing top tube flows organically into the down tube and on into the seat stays. The carbon fork, which gets mudguard eyelets, is also slender in its build. It’s a well built frame, as we’ve come to expect from Giant, and the understated three-tone grey and exposed carbon weave finish and small decals give the bike a classy and sophisticated presence.

The Defy Advanced range lists four bikes, the 4 being the entry-level option. While the specification list isn’t exactly electrifying, it is competitive for the price. A mostly Shimano 105 transmission meets FSA’s Gossamer 50/34 chainset and Tektro’s R530 brake calipers. The wheelset is a combination of Mavic CXP 22 rims laced to Giant branded hubs via Sapim Race spokes. Giant-branded parts also supply the handlebars, stem, seatpost and saddle.

Heading into the quiet lanes of my regular loop, which takes in the rolling (and occasionally very steep) hills of Kent and Surrey, I was immediately impressed with just how composed the Defy was. It possesses a sporty character that manages to be both comfortable and fast, depending on how the mood takes you.

The frame and fork are perfectly capable of being pushed fast and the machine ridden as though it was an out-and-out race bike, with the substantial changes to the frame meaning it doesn’t wallow under power but instead leaps into life. It doesn’t lack in comfort though, and despite all that oversizing Giant have clearly got the balance just right. With many sportive riders opting to ride regular race bikes it’s clear that Giant have taken this into account, and delivered a rewarding package.

It has a bit of a split personality, the Defy. On one hand it’s happy pottering around country lanes taking in the view, but on the other it’s quite happy to have its neck wrung – hard. It’s also an easy bike to ride, with a nice neutral feeling and steering that strikes a balance between fast and steady. It felt planted at all times, and was a lot of fun on descents, as it was too on the climbs.