GIANT CONTEND 1
£749 > Value-friendly all-rounder
Giant has done its usual, thoughtful job in setting up and kitting out its Contend 1, the least expensive in Giant’s extensive road bike range.
The compact aluminium frame is paired with a carbon-bladed fork, the geometry isn’t too extreme in any direction – shortish wheelbase for sharp, agile handling, tallish head-tube for a slightly relaxed riding position – and the sub-10kg weight is decent for the price. Wheels and tyres are at the upper end of what you’d expect for around £750 and the handling, aided by Giant’s tapered OverDrive steerer, is never less than precise.
The wide-range nine-speed Shimano Sora gearing covers all bases, the 34-tooth sprocket proving a real boon on steeper slopes, the 50x11 letting you crank it up to the max with no frame flex apparent. The 25mm Giant S-R4 tyres offer good grip and comfort, and there’s room for 28mm rubber and many 32mm tyres will fit. With the tyres fitted there’s room for mudguards, for which there are fittings, and Giant makes a pair of Contendspecific ’guards. It’s a bit of a surprise to see external cabling, but this has no impact on shifting and is easier to service.
The brakes are one area of cost-cutting and we would up-spec to grippier cartridge blocks, but this represents a very fine first road bike upgrade from a ‘supermarket special’, and the ability to fit mudguards adds to its versatility.