Giant Contend AR 1 2020 review: Fresh and affordable all-road
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- If the lines between road and gravel bikes were already murky, then the way things are trending is likely to confuse you further. All-Road bikes are relatively new and aim to do everything a good endurance-style road bike does, albeit with a pinch of additional versatility. As the name says, they’re designed to handle all roads. If you can point the family sedan at it, then an All-Road bike can go there too.
Recent examples of this include the Allied Alfa Allroad, a gravel bike that’s just as happy on the road. And certainly, Trek’s new Domane, with room for 38mm tyres fits the bill. But amongst all of those options, you’ll notice a common theme - they’re all premium models.
Enter the Giant Contend AR, a bike that clearly aims to simplify the decision process for newer or budget-minded riders, and one that seeks to be capable of going wherever it’s pedalled. The new Contend AR is a part of a larger Contend range overhaul for 2020, and where the Contend name was traditionally kept for endurance-style entry-level road bikes, the AR adds an obvious All-Road flair.
Music by EpidemicSound - Sport
Thank you for an honest review of a bike that people can actually afford! More of these reviews please! I’m tired of seeing reviews of bikes I will never be able to afford. This review is actually useful.
Donut Endurance 100%
a tip : watch movies at KaldroStream. Been using it for watching loads of movies lately.
@Paul Harry yup, been using kaldroStream for months myself :D
Aha, I've been waiting for ages for this to come out 👍👍
Giant consistently makes great bikes in all of their price ranges.
Giant and Trek may finally be listening to the market by giving us the correct groupset and tire clearance. It's cheaper to swap out tires over buying a second bike. The Domane, Checkpoint, Contend and Hatchet share the same groupset but the Contend is the least expensive because it is aluminum. The Hatchet and Checkpoint are similarly specced and priced while the Domane is the most pricey. Wider tires are great for training whereas slimmer ones do the job for group rides and races. Nice to have that flexibility.
One of the bikes I would recommend to somebody totally new to the sport; good on the road and good enough to get started on gravel with some different tires.
I've been looking at this and the specialized Elite or a used Sprint for my first bike. Good to finally see a review on the Contend. Should I get this as my first road bike? I'm still saving money, but trying to do research while doing so.
Had that buzz noise on my giant advanced 2 2020 at the handlebars.
The mechanic stuck a bit of rubber in the right side lever and sorted it.
Good review.
I'm buying this bike, only one left near is red. Your review was very helpful!
Thanks for the review, I just picked the 2021 version of this bike from my local shop on July 26th and really love it!
I had to drive to Folsom from Los Angeles to get my hands on one. It’s a beast!
@@MaddDoggie is it a good bike?
@@hamidbazmi7948 it is my best buddy! I can’t say that in front of my Specialized Allez Sprint but it does everything I ask it to. It’s my commuter and adventure bike and it’s fast enough to hang with group rides that don’t get too hot.
I tell everyone who rides a $5K bike to pick up one of these as a backup/commuter/bulletproof/adventure/get out of my way workhorse. Get a set of spare wheels with some 28’s and you’ll have an all purpose street weapon!
@@MaddDoggie thanks.
I will hopefully get one when I find one.
I’ve had mine for 2years and up it’s awesome . I can actually fit 700cx40 maxxis refuse in the frame with now worries
I have the 2017 version of this, and believe me - it is a FANTASTIC bike for the money! Jealous of the improved clearance for wider tires on the new one, as mine can only handle around 30mm max. However, it is a touch lighter, at around 9.2 kg in its original trim, and I'm pretty sure I dropped close to 0.5 kg when I had a carbon wheelset built last year to replace the OEM PR2.
Hi
In need of a serious help here..
Planning my first road bike.. really confused between two options.. Merida Scultra 100 2020 and Giant Contend 2 2020
What would be the perfect choice..
I have the AR3 . I swear is my favourite bike. I love it so much that even if i could afford a Dogma i would still get the AR. It is comfortable it is fast and it is reliable. I love it. I aim to find the best upgrades for the bike. Not only the groupset but the wheels,tyres,crank,bb,brakes this kind of stuff.
Is a versatile machine. I LOVE IT!!!! My only complaint is that they should use better colors for the bikes. The black AR1 one of 2020 was beautiful. The blue of 2021 is meh... I would love some red,yellow,silver,gold.turqoise. These kind of colors.
This is the one I want AR3... I'm holding back... Dunno why... I should just buy it. So indecisive. I think it would be a great entry road bike for me. Do I need hydraulic brakes? No lol... The sora groupset I feel is enough to for me... It's at my bike shop for $1,250
They say AR1 is better but I do have a budget too...
@@albert333pool Make sure you like the colors before you get one. The black ar3 is my favorite. Also make sure you get the right size. Sora and 105 are the best choices i believe. Reliable and fast.
@@xelseartheonlyone1267 Black! 👍 Looks like this will be the one that will suit me...
@@albert333pool Enjoy it.
Anyone knows the weight of the frame only not counting the fork? And the fork separate.
Thanks.
Domane, Checkpoint, Hatchet and Contend share the same groupo and tire clearance. 50/34, 11/34 with 38c clearance. The Hatchet is the least expensive carbon bike while the Contend the least expensive because it is aluminum. I have not decided which to get. I like the shape and color of the Domane but I also like the price point of the Contend. Since I don't race, I will likely get the Contend. I can always rent a carbon bike for the annual race day. :-)
This or Trek Domane AL5? In my country both are similarly priced.
How easy or difficult can this bike climb steep gradients with only 1:1 gear ratio (34:34)? Almost all Giant Bikes have 50:34 in front and 11:34 cassette.
I've had a L Red AR1 for about 3 weeks now and love it. It's definitely light enough for me. The red is beautiful (the pics on web didn't do it justice). Ask me anything
I've also had my red AR1 for 3 weeks and I couldn't agree more with everything you said. It's a gorgeous color for a bike, and that bike is a blast to ride so far.
@@MrBensa what about rattle of the Brake Lever setup as said in the video? Did you get any? Any solution?
Hi, how it's working the bike so far? What about the tires on 32mm? You feel enough speed on the road? Thanks for your help. Did you improve something on the bike? Any recomendation?
@@MrBensa Hi, how it's working the bike so far? What about the tires on 32mm? You feel enough speed on the road? Thanks for your help. Did you improve something on the bike? Any recomendation?
How much does it weigh
Apparently none left in the UK market!
Is this endurance road bike frame ?
How stiff is it at the bottom bracket?
awesome
Can this bike actually do curbside drop or bunny hops without compromising the cf fork? Thank you!
Its heavy, thus more robust and not some fragile feather that breaks in a bump in the road. Some of us arent in the pelathon. These channels wanna be pro, but the audience rides mid level bikes.
What's a pelathon, is it a type of a snowflake? ;)
Does anyone know what fenders fit on this bike?
What is that red box thing @ 2:20? A tire gauge or inflator?
It's an electric air pump by Fumpa. It offers both an accurate pressure gauge and inflates the tyre. You can see my review of it here: cyclingtips.com/2019/06/fumpa-and-minifumpa-electric-bicycle-pumps-review/ . Dave.
Can you go smaller than 32 mm tires?
I like it a lot, about what is the price?
They mentioned the 3 price tiers very clearly in the video.
What's the difference between this and the regular Giant Contend?
Mam go 😍🚴♂️ tylko ompony zmieniłem na 28c. Bardzo dobry sprzęt. 👍
I jak wrażenia z użytkowania? Dlaczego oponki zmieniłeś na 28c? Gdzie byś polecił go kupić w dobrej cenie bo sam się przymierzam :)
Wrona Olesnica. Właściwości użytkowe jak dla mnie ok.
@@joozek2901 Wrona Olesnica. Właściwości użytkowe jak dla mnie ok.
@@joozek2901 nie ma już rowerow w dobrych cenach, masakra 😂
Really wish gravel/allroad bikes had lower headtubes. It's much easier to get a high position on a short headtube (hello spacers!) than it is to go the other way around.
Helicase21 The majority of people ride with a high bar position. So, it only makes sense for mainstream manufacturers to build bikes that hit the average user since that’s mostly who they’ll be selling too. The Norco Search XR and Cervelo Aspero both have pretty low front ends. You can always size down a frame or use a -17* degree stem with deep drop bars.
So maybe have a look at the Giant Tough road. Lower head tube, then space it up or down or get some higher bars. I think Specialized has an elevated drop bar.
Better than Trek domane al 4? Its cheaper and lighter
can a child seat be attached to the back?
what size is your frame
I’ve been really debating between this and a Cannondale Topstone
I would go for a Merida Scultura 400. That is if you don't mind having less tyre clearance and caliper brakes.
@@Jorge_Rodriguez83 why would you recommend a rim brake road bike when the topic seems to be road/gravel bikes that need wider tyres? What's the advantage to the Merida?
I would say the Cannondale Topstone is more comparable to Giant's Revolt gravel bike, while the Giant Contend AR is closer to what the Cannondale Synapse is. The decision should come down to how much gravel riding you intend to do, and how rough the terrain is. Dave @ CyclingTips.
@@VeloVeloVeloTV I like a compact crankset like the 50/34 coupled with 11/34 cassette with wider tire clearance because I can train on tubeless bigger tires and experience less downtime because of flats and race on slimmer tires on group rides and race day.
@@VeloVeloVeloTV With tire clearance for up to 38 on the Domane, Checkpoint, Hatchet and Contend, we can swap out our rubber anytime. The bikes are specced the same with 50/34 groupo, 11/34 cassette with up to 38 tire clearance. The Contend is aluminum whereas the others are carbon.
I got it, best bike ever....:-)
price?
Straight gauge tubes...Not where I would cut corners. It probably does feel stiff though.
Some corners have to be cut at this price. :) The composite D-Fuse seatpost, full carbon fork and big-bag 32mm tubeless tyres do a great job of masking what would otherwise be a stiff ride. This is something the full review on CyclingTips.com delves into. Dave.
how to eliminate those rattle at front?
Ride on Tarmac :))
this or the revolt ?
What's the difference between the Contend and Giant Any road? Too many models!
Good question - I think it's the groupset and frame shape.
Red color AR1 available only in the USA and Canada :(
That really sucks. I'm tired of black, black, charcoal grey, black and more black. I want red and I'm now looking at the Canyon who do offer red.
So the endurance bike is the new gravel bike. Thanks for keeping it confusing.
Can you race with this bike?
With better wheels this would be an excellent bike.
Super Giant Contend AR1 🇵🇱🚴 Super film 👍 CHICAGO 👍🇵🇱🚵🇵🇱🚴🇵🇱🚲
You got like three feet of air that time
Weight is strength
Not sure a $1500 bike is exactly entry level... a beginner is much more likely to buy the $680 Contend 3. An ambitious beginner will go for a Contend 1 at $950 or the $1k AR 3
So... it's a sportier commuter.
I love how 10kg bike is considered "heavy" and 7kg is "light" and what pros ride. I mean.. People will spend hundreds or thousands on gear to lose a few 100 grams on the bike.. while alot of them should go for a cheaper option and lose some weight themselfs.. being 90kilograms or even heavier on a 7kg bike wont really help.
Get yourself in shape before spending thousands on a lighter bike 😀
LETS DO SOME MATH :
$1550=1550 x75=116250 RUPEES
AND HE STILL CALLS IT A BUDGET BIKE MULTIPLE TIMES .