Product news: The Giant Propel is one of the most established aerobikes in the professional peloton and has been able to win a number of major tours over the years. With a completely new development, Giant is now taking its Propel models to the next level and aims to offer a carbon frameset with improved aerodynamics, efficiency and adjustability compared to the previous generation. According to the manufacturer, this makes for a more versatile and capable choice for performance-oriented road cyclists. With the Giant Propel Advanced SL, Propel Advanced Pro and Propel Advanced, the new Propel range includes a total of three model series.
Even before the new Giant Propel was shown to the public, it was able to make a name for itself in the professional peloton and even secured several stage victories at this year's Tour de France. From now on, cycling fans and hobby cyclists can also benefit from the performance plus of the new development and look forward to better aerodynamics, higher efficiency and user-friendly adjustability.
After years of development and testing in both the wind tunnel and on the road, the flagship of the new range, the Propel Advanced SL, was unveiled to the world in July when sprinter Dylan Groenewegen of Team BikeExchange-Jayco launched the third stage of the Tour de France won. Thirteen days later, Groenewegen's teammate Michael Matthews proved the new Propel could do more than just sprint as he launched a solo attack and rode his aero machine to victory on a mountainous stage 14.
The new Propel offers not only a race-proven stiffness-to-weight ratio, but also a dynamic handling with better control in a variety of situations. From smooth tarmac to rougher roads, from crisp climbs to rapid descents. Alongside the improved aerodynamics, the seatstays have also been slimmed down and a new Vector seatpost developed to improve ride quality. There are two versions: the integrated Vector seatpost on the Propel Advanced SL and the standard adjustable Vector seatpost on the Propel Advanced Pro and Propel Advanced.
The new Giant Propel with AeroSystem Shaping Technology
The leading design principle of the new Propel is the AeroSystem Shaping Technology. The engineering team began using airflow simulation software called Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to develop the tube shapes, angles and transitions. This led to the use of elliptical profiles in key areas of the frameset, including the head tube, down tube and seat tube. In collaboration with renowned aerodynamicists, the engineers used a dynamic test dummy to analyze not only the bike, but also the rider and bike together. This process was introduced by Giant over a decade ago with the first generation Propel. While most bicycle manufacturers commonly use a static test dummy, it was found that only a dynamic test dummy could most accurately represent the effects of a rider pedaling in different wind speeds and angles. Unlike a human driver, the test dummy can maintain precise, repeatable position and leg movement.
The front end, where aerodynamics are most important, features curved lines and the truncated ellipse shape to minimize drag. As part of this holistic approach, there are two different aero-optimized bottle cages, one for the down tube and one for the seat tube, to further minimize drag.
When it comes to improving aerodynamics, the new Contact SLR Aero handlebar and stem also play an important role, as they also reduce drag. Comparing the all-new Propel Advanced SL to the previous generation, the new model improves drag by 6,21 watts. This corresponds to a time saving of 27 seconds over 40 kilometers at 40 kilometers per hour.
The new Giant Propel with the best power transmission
For racers, nothing is more important than the power-to-weight ratio. It was important to make the new Propel both stiffer for better power transfer and lighter. Tests of the Propel Advanced SL show that the new frame is 9,9% stiffer than the previous generation. Pedal stiffness has been increased by 7,5 percent. The overall stiffness of the frameset, including the frame and fork, is 9,2 percent higher. In the case of the new Propel Advanced SL, the reduced weight and increased rigidity result in a gain of 26,4 percent in overall efficiency. But in order to optimize all-round performance under real conditions, compliance and control also play an important role. That's why the rear half of the new Propel has been redesigned to deliver a smoother ride, making it a more capable all-rounder. With the integrated Vector seat post, you also get over 85 percent more compliance at the rear, according to Giant.
The new Giant Propel with easier adjustability
The new two-piece Contact SLR handlebar/stem combo makes it easier to change components and set a precise seating position. It hides the cables and wires from the wind, yet avoids the complexity associated with fully integrated bar/stem designs.
The new Giant Propel – availability and prices
The new Giant Propel models should be available from November and come for the following prices:
- Propel Adv SL 0: 11.999 euros
- Propel Adv Pro 1: 5.699 euros
- Propel Adv 1: 4.799 euros
- Propel Adv 2: 2.999 euros