Giant road bikes come in a range of models. Getting to know the differences between each model is the key to understanding the value of investing in a higher spec bike as opposed to going for the initial cheap option. More often than not, you may outgrow the functionality and features of a particular model and wish to upgrade to a more feature rich design with additional benefits of better quality gearing or a lighter, stiffer frame.
Thankfully, Giant offer a huge selection of road bikes to suit beginners through to hard core, Sunday morning, cappucino (latte) drinking atheletes.
The current Giant road bike range is as follows and each suited to a particlar type of activity:
Giant Defy 1, Giant Defy 1 W, Giant Defy 2, Giant Defy 3, Giant Defy 3 W, Giant Defy A0, Giant Defy A0 W, Giant Defy A1, Giant Defy A1 W, Giant Defy C1, Giant Defy C2, Giant Defy C3, Giant Defy C3 Triple,Giant FCR, Giant FCR 1, Giant FCR 1 W, Giant FCR 2, Giant FCR 2 W, Giant FCR 3, Giant FCR 3 W, Giant Defy 1, Giant Defy 1 W, Giant Defy 2, Giant Defy 3, Giant Defy 3 W, Giant Defy A0, Giant Defy A0 W, Giant Defy A1, Giant Defy A1 W, Giant Defy C1, Giant Defy C2, Giant Defy C3, Giant Defy C3 Triple, Giant TCR, Giant TCR A0, Giant TCR A1, Giant TCR Advanced 0, Giant TCR Advanced 1, Giant TCR Advanced 2, Giant TCR Advanced Team, Giant TCR AW, Giant TCR C1, Giant TCR C2, Giant TCR C3, Giant TCR Composite W, Giant TCR W, Giant TCX 0, Giant TCX 1, Giant Trinity A0, Giant Trinity A1, Giant Trinity A2.
Giant classifies its road racing cycle models into two classifications:
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Performance/Competition
TCR Advanced SL
Frame technology
No other road bike in the world comes closer to the holy trinity of light weight, pedaling stiffness and compliance. Featuring the highest-performance Advanced SL-grade composite, meticulous hand-crafted construction and benchmark features, including an integrated seatmast and massive MegaDrive downtube, it’s built to win.
Specs
- Full Dura-Ace Di2 electronic component group
- Giant Contact SLR composite handlebar and stem- Featherweight Zipp 404 wheelset
Recomended Retail Price AU$12,999
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TCR Advanced
Frame technology
Its Compact Road Design is often imitated, never duplicated. Its frame, a stunning, lightweight Advanced-grade composite thing of beauty, is obsessively engineered for unmatched precision. Its stiff, oversize PowerCore bottom bracket area and OverDrive headtube work together to make the most of every one of your precious watts.
Specs
- Shimano Ultegra 6700 drivetrain
- Giant Contact handlebar and stem
- Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset
Recomended Retail Price AU$3999.00——————————————————————————
TCR Alliance
Frame technology
Experience the one-of-a-kind ride quality of our unique Alliance technology, which blends the best characteristics of both composite and aluminium. You get amazing power transfer for the sprints and a supple ride for long days in the saddle.
Specs
- Shimano Ultegra componentry
- Giant Connect/SL components
- Fi’zi:k Pave CX saddle
- Mavic Aksium wheelset
- Average Retail Price AU$2999.00
——————————————————————————-Trinity Advanced SL (Triathlete Models)
Frame technologyThe most advanced bicycle ever built to race against the clock. Equally adept at triathlons or time trials, the all-new composite Trinity Advanced SL features every aero advantage. It’s stiff, agile, and infinitely adjustable for the perfect fit. Add the groundbreaking AeroDrive stem/handlebar combination and aero tubing, and it seems clear-the clock has met its match.Specs
- 10-speed Ultegra 6700 shifting
- Giant AeroDrive integrated cockpit system
- Giant Carbon Matrix SL Aero 42mm wheelset
- Recomended Retail Price AU$5999.00
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Omnium (Single speed velodrome racing)
Frame technology
Built to eke out as much speed as possible on the velodrome, Omnium features an ALUXX SL aluminum frame that perfectly blends aerodynamics and stiffness. With a specially designed aero fork and no brake bosses or bottle cage mounts, Omnium beats the competition, or the clock.
Specs
- Truvativ Omnium 1.1 track – 48t crankset, KMC Devil 101 track chain
- Giant Vector composite seatpost, Fi’zi:k Alliante Delta saddle
- Giant Connect stem with Giant Omnium handlebar
- Giant Alloy SL Aero 42mm, high-flange, track specific, wheelset
Recomended Retail Price AU$1999.00
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Endurance
Defy Advanced
Frame technology
An Advanced-grade composite frame forms the heart of this aero-sculpted beauty. Laid-up by hand, Defy Advanced adds road-smoothing comfort to aggressive racing performance. Whether you’re sprinting for primes or launching a long solo break, Defy Advanced is engineered to let you ride farther, faster.
Specs
- Complete 10-speed Shimano Ultegra 6700 compact component group
- Lightweight aluminum Giant Contact handlebar and stem
- Lightest Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset
- Recomended Retail Price AU$3999.00
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Sport Endurance
Defy Alliance
Frame technology
With a redesigned frame blending the best traits of aluminum and composite, the all-new Defy finds that sweet spot on every ride. With its OverDrive headtube/steerer tube and fork, it tracks beautifully through corners. And its PowerCore bottom bracket area delivers your power straight to the pedals.
Specs
- 9-speed Shimano 105 components with R600 compact crankset
- Giant Connect SL handlebar and stem
- Lightweight Mavic Aksium wheelset
- Recomended Retail Price $2499.00
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Defy
Frame technology
Brought to you by the world’s foremost aluminum frame engineers, Defy breaks all the rules of what was previously thought possible for an entry-level road bike. With its ALUXX SL frameset, Defy is lighter, stiffer and better riding than many composite bikes on the market.
Key Differences and Upgrades over Defy 2
- 9 Speed Tiagra shifting with R600 Compact crankset
- Shimano R500 Wheelset
- Recomended Retail Price AU$1499.00
I suppose this is a start and you can sort of see where your requirements fit the Giant classifications.