Giant Propel Review: The Best Value Aero Bike in 2023? 

I own this bike and it’s comfortable and a rocket. This is actually more comfortable than my Canyon Ultimate w/ a deep carbon wheel setup as well. It’s really a great bike, good for climbing, and super fast on the flats and downhills too. It’s by far the best bike I’ve ever owned.

I owned TCR Pro 2021, but switched to Propel 2023 Pro since last week. I am, again, impressed with how good value for money Giant did, not only on TCR, but also on Propel 2023. I live in hilly town where there are a lot of climbing section compare to flat. I can say I love more when climbing with Propel. TCR was good, its design allow the center gravity a bit lower, thus a perfect climbing weapon. I thought Propel would be “Aero only” type as people around labeled it as it is. But when you see it, Giant never state Propel 2023 as Aero bike instead of all-rounder. Surprisingly, I got smoother feeling when climbing with Propel 2023, got a lot PR in climbing segments with Propel 2023. The impact against cross-wind is not as high with TCR. I just switch the frameset only and I got reduction around 1 kg. That is why compare to the other competitor, Giant is cheaper on its class. Yes there may better bike brand compare to Propel, but it comes with waay expensive. Love it very much!

Nearly bought one of these today in the shop but wasn't quite sure. Came home and saw your video, so excellent timing and good to get another point of view! Thank you.

Advanced Pro 0 Ultegra version here. I literally love the bike. ❤

Giant has the best warranty available. I had the 2014 propel and cracked it hitting a pothole hard. They gave me a 2022 frame replacement after 6 years and disk also. 😅

I recently purchased the 2023 Propel Advanced 1 with Sram’s Rival etap and wow what an amazing bike and value for the money compared to other manufacturers!

Great review, thanks. Its very useful to hear about the differences in ride feel, stiffness, etc. Im a bit surprised that Giant havent updated the wheels to be a few mm wider.

merci David. Very instructive.

Looks amazing. Gonna wait and see what the new emonda looks like next month.

really great content. just bought a new giant propel advanced pro 1 based on all your reviews on the channel about bikes and components (ex: supersix 2019). loved your holistic and objective view. please keep up the good work 💪👌

I got a new propel and I got them to put a 11-32 rear on. Also changed my wheels for some hunt 50 and it’s deffo faster than my normal bike at average flat road speed

This bike is AWESOME! Upgraded to this exact model this summer from an 11 year old Ridley Noah RS. It’s like a spaceship! Having a lot of fun. Also picked up the new clip on aerobars for some triathlons and TTs. Amazing value from my standpoint. Cheers!

I test rode one of these recently and loved the clean look with the cables hidden. It’s a shame Giant don’t do the same with the Defy and TCR.

Thanks for the helpful video. Is propel as comfortable as the TCR? Also, would you please compare the propel to the aeroroad. Aeroroad offers better package and features for the same price but it would be good to know how they compare in handling and comfort departments.

Giant loves to stick narrow tires on their bikes. On my Propel from 2017 which came with 700x23's I couldn't swap them out fast enough after trying to ride them for a couple of months after I got it.

Not a huge fan of the propel unless it’s advanced sl. Just wondering if you might get your hands on a 2023 or new tcr advanced sl and how you’d compare it against advanced pro. Again, there doesn’t seem to be a single review of it from recent years!! Thanks for your honest review as always.

What is the weight difference with your TCR (using same wheels)?

Hi David. Would be good to know how this compares to the new Scott Foil. Any plans to review that as well ?

Anything to say about the performance of the wheels? 50mm deep, 22.5mm internally, hookless, 1500g- a high end wheelset. I own a pair and enjoy them but would be keen to hear your views

Really nice bike but due to neck problems and my long legs (90cm / 180cm), I’m interested in more relaxed bikes. Could you review the Basso Astra 2023?

That's a cool bottle cage, I'm buying that

I’d be curious to see the difference between the two in the wind tunnel.

привет ,тоже обновил модель 2021 ,на 2023 года и заметил что он стал очень жёстким по сравнением с старым ,руль очень понравился и теперь можно поставить любой лежак ,цвет кстати у меня Orion Nebula ,очень понравился этот обгрейд велосипеда ,уже поставил новые покры 30 Konti Str .

How do you compare this to the Orbea Orca? Considering that the Orcas are about 0,5kg heavier.

What ist better buy? Propel or cube litening aero?

I recently visited the Giant factory and museum in Tai Zhong... Was very good. Would be a good video if you went to Taiwan.

hi David, what size is this bike?

Is this the same “New “ propel that was released last year ? Or have they made more updates and literally just released this one ??

Can’t imagine there’s a massive difference between the TCR and the Propel. My TCR has a one piece 38cm wide handlebar and I’ve got DT Swiss 1100 50mm wheels and dura ace gearing and I’d put against the propel any day. My bike is 7.5kg with pedals, bottle cages and garmin mount.

Thinking to buy this bike, 4 years with XC mountinbike i have to try new think :D

How is the comfort compared to your TCR?

How does it compare to the Merida Reacto?

I want one so bad !!

really, what are the best compatible tires for those slr1 wheels? not sure if the new continental grand prix 5000 S TR are compatible with those rims. thank you

Ben Norby has been severely injured by a Giant Propel. Apparently his forks broke due to faulty manufacturing. Cycling Weekly have reported this.

What ia the difference from this 23 to 24 pro ??

David , how you doing this ? you always have great weather :)

Thanks for the thorough review..sorry to ask but what size did you try on and how tall are you??”

Do those bottle cages also match the tube sizes of the TCR?

Lovely bike but was surprised how the factor was faster. I’d say a tcr with aero narrowish bars wouldn’t be any slower at normal rider speeds

For the 9.2% stiffness improvement and the 85% compliance improvement could you provide the raw data from which they’ve calculated these percentages?

Nice bike but at that price I would want a better looking integrated bar/stem

Hi mate , how tall are you plesse . I see your bike is M/L , woukd a medium not have been better?? Cheers

From leaked pics the new Defy will have the same handlebar set up

I’ve been watching videos of all the new bikes and am beginning to wonder … are the new frames actually better performing than frames built 10+ years ago? I gotta wonder, are they designed to be less expensive to build allowing for higher profits for bike manufacturers? I ride a 1st-year Pinarello Dogma 60.1 with an aging SRAM Red eTap group and non aero wheels. I regularly pass by riders on the newer frames sets with new components. Shouldn’t they be passing me? Why should I retire my 15 year old frameset and pay over $6000 for a new frameset ($14,000+ for the complete bike)?

giant propel or factor ostro? At this point i have to go for factor ostro because giant is no longer available

👏👏👏

I would really like to know how the Propel climbs as opposed to the TCR. Havent seen or read anything on how the Propel as a climbing bike. Hope someone does it.

10:33 isn’t tiny! It’s the biggest cassette anyone would ever want for hills. I use 50/37 and 10:33 and it’s perfect for hills.

Hi David what tyres would you recommend I fit to the standard giant rims that come on the bike? Thanx lee

10-33t is now tiny? Hah.. I just bought the 105 version for racing and swapped the bars for Prime 38cm, the wheels for Hunt 48 Limitless, power meter pedals and an 11-28 cassette.

I don't understand the comment about the cassette being tiny 33 big cog is far from tiny!

Not sure I agree that race bikes should be given Sportive gearing. You answered the question ourself by saying the TCR is a better fit for your riding style. Conversely I find it annoying that bikes built for crits often come with gearing made of mountain sportives - it makes no sense as these bikes would often literally be a pain in events over 3 or 4 hours and weigh a fair wack to use for Everesting adventures. I understand the Propel is on the more versatile spectrum of aero race bikes, but Giant has plenty of better options for longer slower riding TCR, Revolt, Defy etc.

10-33 cassette doesn’t sound tiny??

what kind of bottel cages are on the bike?

Looks much nicer with the tan wall tyres 😊😃👍🚴🏻Pete

I'm 182,5cm and struggling to choose M or ML, bike fitter said that he would take M, but size guide and Giant fit calculator in bike shop said ML. You at 181 ridding on ML?

Put the same tires on the Propel and you'd pick the Propel.

I think the bike looks great but the stem looks a bit clunky. I like the look of the rear half if the bike - slim.

@8:40 you can see both the wheels being labeled as hookless and the tire pressure range of 85-125 psi...hookless maxes at 73psi. This is ridiculous

Love it apart from the boring colour

So wow, £6.5k mid range is good value now......boy have bikes got expensive

The new Propel is excellent but I still ordered a lovely TCR 0 at a great price. Approx 7.3 kg.

Shame they dont have a frameset

Stiffer and more comfortable seem to be contradictory

New Trek Madone is not faster then the Aeroad, Tour Mag tested it. The Propel is behind both of them, 4-5 watts.

7.8kg thats a proper tank

I get an allergic reaction at the mere sight of “hookless” sign. 😅

not much difference then my "Once" model Giant TCR 1999 Tour Champ bike Cosmic frames I have got with aero steering reels composite mix of carbon and ala and totally very good for long 100-200K rides. I live in Rotterdam so perfect for me for the last 6 years. Giant TCR is revolutionary

Love the bike. But compared to other 'aero' bikes; I think the Canyon Aeroad may still edge this one out. And Giant doesn't make many options available like Canyon (like CFR, CF SLX, CF SL, etc.) so they don't have the range of options and price points that some others may have. But still; the new Propel is a massive step in the right direction for Giant.

@4:16 did he really say "blue" ? damn... which one of us should get their eyes checked?

Распаковка. Удачи всем

Not sure about hookless rims

lighter, stiffer, more aero, more comfortable copy and paste

It is brand snobbery. Put Pinarello or S-Works on that and people would buy and pay 50% more.

I will NEVER in my life buy a hookless wheelset. And if i see a guy with hookless in my group, i just continue on my own or i will keep in front of the person. Looks like im not gonna buy giant for my next bike, before they make the change back to hooked rims. Shame cause I've been on a TCR for 5 years and i used to tell others to buy giant, not anymore.

Like every other bike in the world, it would look better in red.

7.8kg wow......

I will wait two years until they have have perfected their marketing oh sorry the bike.

Hookless rims are definitely faster then hooked I’ve have them both !

Stupid comment warning. Is it just me or does Giant really struggle with bike aesthetics. The paint colours and the decals always just make them look a bit rubbish. I can’t quite put my finger on it but they have almost never got it right. Maybe it’s partly the fault of their clunky logo. Aside from that, they do build a damn good bike these days.

yeah but its a Giant. so all the girls at Starbucks will think your riding a discount store bike

Hookless rims. No go.

Hookless rims. Nope. Giant power meters nope. I’m out….

first!

Its lighter, and stiffer, and more aero 🥱 🥱