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@@JitinMisra You can definitely ride them but everyone I know who has gotten a flatbar bike that has wanted to ride it on the road will put some some of drop extensions on them or bar ends to try to get the alternate positions that a drop bar gives. I usually say if you are not riding singletrack and mainly on road/gravel, go drop bar because it will allow you to be more comfortable which in turns means more miles and more fun.
@@BlackWaterCyclist is it harder to brake on the drop bar in the hood position compared to flat bar? Especially for sudden stops in neighborhoods and such? Also what about being more upright on flat bar, is that good reason to buy?
@@JitinMisra You can really set up a drop bar to do well with any of those situations. You can move the bats higher and further back with a different stem if you feel too stretched out. Also you can rotate the hoods back towards you so you can reach the brake levers better.
The Contend AR 3 was the perfect bike for helping me get back into cycling and finding my cycling legs again. Plenty of headroom for growth, from where I started anyway, even with the 9 speed group set. After about 4 months of riding, though, I did have a pretty serious issue. I somehow managed to strip the threads on the drive side of both the frame and the BB. The frame's threads were stripped smooth and the BB is done. The great news is that it only took Giant a week and a half to send a replacement frame, completely covered by the warranty. The first frame was metallic black and the warranty replacement is garnet. I really liked the metallic black but I think the garnet is stunning. Couldn't be happier with the outcome.
Fred, so happy the bike is working out for you. That is one of the huge advantages of using Giant bikes, their warranty is the best in the business! There really is not a color I dislike on all the Contend bikes so that garnet will look sharp!
Yes the giant colors are awesome I have been wanting to get the navy blue AR as soon as it is available at my bike shop I've been wanting that since 2020
Thanks so much for this video. I am one of your neighbors here in the panhandle (JayFL). I do alot of running, really love the trails around Bear lake, but it’s high time I got into bikes, so today I bought my first lol, yep it’s a AR3. Mark, the guy over in Milton turned me on to this bike and me, not knowing a single thing bike related, I am sure he steered me right. I had an hour or so to kill while he built it up so I decided to do my scheduled run right there down that beautiful run/bike trail. I ran 6 miles, then got back, he had the bike ready and I took it out doing the same 6 mile course. OMG! I pushed her a little just to get my heart rate up and get a feel for what this road bike riding thing is all about. MERCY! What I have been missing all these years! LOL. If this is what an entry level bike feels like, I can’t even begin to imagine what a 6k machine would be like! Anyways, after getting home, I started looking ip info on this model and found your video. Thanks big time. It looks like I have been steered in the right direction. I hope to see you out on the roads some time. The guys at the shop said to connect with the Blackwater Riders group. I will look into that. Sincerely, Dan
Dan thank you so much for checking out the channel! You have yourself an amazing bike and happy to hear locals riding! I hope to see you around when I make my weekly treks up to the Farmers Market in Jay for a quick snack. :)
Thank you for this awesome video I definitely enjoyed watching and I am a giant man myself I have the giant contend 3. I purchased October 2018 for $650 and put a pair of gatorskins on there and almost five years later I am finally doing a major overhaul and it will cost me $611 with new gatorskins and a new drivetrain.
I guess I should have watched this before I commented on the 3 notch and the bottom bracket measurement. Great review. 17.5 pounds is incredible. I should have mentioned I'm currently riding an all steel Marin Nicasio that was 28.6 lbs off the showroom floor. After some careful upgrades, its now just under 25 lbs.
After 2 years on the Contend AR1, below are my negatives. 1. Creaking seatpost. Usually creaks if rainwater gets in 2. Low bottom bracket. Pedal strike can occur when going around corners at an angle 3. PR2 wheel bearings grind after a few months 4. Usually have to clean out dried sealant from PR2 rims every 12 months in order to seat new tubeless tyres 5. 105 shifters rattle 6. Bottom Bracket needs replacement every 12 months (I ride 6-8km per year) 7. Exposed cables. Things I like about the bike: 1. Very comfortable riding position 2. Smooth ride with 28mm tyres 2. Reliable Shimano 105 set. 3. Have raced crits, and able to beat TCR's, Cervelo's, Bianci's, Trek's etc This is a great entry road bike that needs annual maintenance
Haha, that is a great question! I just want to share my experiences with other so maybe you can avoid any mistakes or problems I have had with my bikes.
@@BlackWaterCyclist mate I'm wondering if you could confirm for me that the 2020 contend ar3 wheels are in fact tubeless compatible, the Australian website doesn't specify but it does say the wheels are sr-3 disc but makes no mention of tubeless
@@MrBrady691 From my understanding, the rims themselves are tubeless compatible but the tires are not. So you should be good with upgrading to tubeless tires on those wheels with no issues. They are the same rims as what comes on the AR 2, they 3 just does not come with tubeless compatible tires.
Excellent & super useful review! Even a couple of years down the line, with Giant having changed the spec of the bike slightly, this looks like a really good "do it all" bike. I'm looking at getting an AR1 for the kind of use you've described - mostly road/commuting/winter training bike, but with some easy (fairly smooth) trail riding thrown in, and am wondering how this bike would handle the occasional touring trip? I'm thinking with a pannier rack and handlebar bag. What do you think, or is the geometry a little steep for multiple days in the saddle with the extra weight of baggage on the bike perhaps? Considering the small amount of touring, or multi-day rides I'm likely to do, I'd rather not buy another bike "just" for touring, so if the AR1 can handle that as well then it's the perfect "do it all" ride ! Thanks for any input....
I used to own a cannondale caad road bike but the largest tire I could get on was a 25. I’m 6 foot 3 and 290 pounds and wanted 32c road tires. This bike checked all the boxes. I bought a 2021 AR 3 in black and had to drive 150 miles to find a size 61. I swapped out stock tires for Contis and love the bike. Then a month later I was in a bike shop near my home and saw another 61 in maroon. Giant did not have that bike listed on its website so I asked about it. Apparently a guy ordered it and never picked it up. I bought it on the spot. I put 38c gravelkings on it and it’s now my gravel bike. I have two of these and I love them.
@@BlackWaterCyclist unfortunately no. I piddle around sometimes but I moved to shalimar/fwb and it’s just far too sketchy. Considering getting a pass for the range camp rd or making the drive to ride 30A (it’s an hour away though). I hardly bring my motorcycle out lol.
@@BlackWaterCyclist I also am thinking about breaking out my old steel frames and getting a couple of group sets to get them up and riding again. The newer Claris,sora, and tiagra are looking sweet and perform unexpectedly well compared to the older clunky stuff. Would run perfect on my old bikes I think. Was also tossing around the idea of a giant contend sl but after having the aria I dunno if I’d like it lol I traded it in for a mountain bike and quickly realized I messed up 🫤 bad about impulsive actions
I just rode the Belgian Waffle Ride on mine. Crashed. Again. Broke the left shifter off. Again. Had to ride 103 miles in the big ring with only a rear brake. I think the 105 is a bit delicate. I suggest wrapping each shifter with gaffers tape and perhaps a piece of impact plastic beneath the hood. I know you all don’t care about me so I’ll tell you the bike is fine. I had to replace the bars. My cuts and bruises from the fall will be healed in time for the big bear fondo. I suggest at least 35 gravel (knobby) tires for any gravel race. Too many riders forces you to take quick evasive maneuvers which may result in compromised traction with the stock tires. The pros and faster riders don’t have to contend with those sketchy riders so they can ride road tires.
Oh no Bruce! I hope you are ok. That is a bummer to hear. What size tires were you running? Yeah it is super sketch in a group on rough terrain because you do not know what's up ahead and also others may go down in front of you. Way to finish with the broken shifter...Beast mode!
That paint fail is interesting! The AR 2 I have does seem to scratch easy. My first ride, a rock kicked up and hit the frame and left a decent gouge. Wonder if its the process they use to paint it?
I am not sure, I know they have like a metallic paint under the red or blue because I had a bike carrier rub the paint off the fork in one area. Paint usually does not like aluminum anyway. They have to paint it before the raw aluminum oxidizes from the oxygen in the air. Everywhere else the paint has held up great but just where my corrosive sweat lands causes some bubbling. I think it is more my fault than anything so not super concerned.
Love the bike, I have one and considering upgrading the wheelset to 35mm Bontrager elite carbon. Found for a good price, you think it would be a good upgrade? Currently averaging 28-30km/hr in group rides but sluggish on hills. Or should I just save and upgrade whole bike. Thx
HAHA, that would be nice but I enjoy reviewing and talking about all things bike related so that's ok. Maybe they should send me bikes to review ;). You are making a great decision for the AR. It is such a great bike!
I upgraded to Pirelli P Zero race tires and flipped the stem, I ride road exclusively. Hopefully new wheels in the future.For the price, it's a great bike.
Hi Tomas, thanks! I do not measure with a torque wrench with the Thru Axles. I am always switching wheels so just tightening them snug works for me. You can try tightening them a little harder. Usually the ching noise you are hearing is pretty normal and does not cause extra drag, it is just a little annoying. You can also try to center your brake calipers a little better with a tool like this: amzn.to/3v4YIHy. I hope that helps.
Thanks again for your excellent tips, advice, and information. You taught me a ton. For now I’ve gone with an AR1 but the more I ride the more I’m enjoying this terrific sport. Down the road I’m considering having one carbon bike such as a Defy for road and pavement and a separate bike for gravel, rail trails, etc. A couple of options. 1. Sell the AR and buy two separate new bikes. (When bikes are available of course) 2. Purchase a carbon road bike and modify the AR with perhaps a 32/48 crankset and 40mm tires. One question I don’t have an answer to. Is a true gravel bike built heavier and/ or more sturdy than the AR since it is actually designed for rougher terrain? Your opinion is tremendously appreciated. Thanks
Hi Alan, I wrote you a long response a day or so ago and the internet dropped and I lost it. Sorry for the delay. I think if you are going to have a second bike then the Defy is the one to go with because it is essentially the same fit as the Contend AR. As far as Gravel Frames being sturdier, I do not believe companies change much in their manufacturing process on the frames and even if they did, they labeled the Contend AR a ALL ROAD bike so that would have been involved the in the design process. All bicycles are made to withstand a lot of abuse and thats all the way from road down to mountain bike. I would keep the Contend and just make it your dedicated gravel bike but if you really wanted to hit some more technical trails, you may want something that you could put 45mm or even larger in. I hope that helps.
@@BlackWaterCyclist I think you have given me excellent advice. Although I am very fit for my age, at my age I do not anticipate doing any technical trail riding. I think I will do exactly what you suggested. In fact I think I will continue to ride my AR until bicycles become more available. At that time I will add some wider tires to the AR and look at a Defy. Again thanks as always. You’ve been an extremely valuable resource of knowledge and I appreciate your willingness to assist.
Hi great video! Thoughts on the AR 2 vs the AR 1? About a $500 price difference here in Canada. Considering getting the cheaper AR 2 with the Tiagara and possibly upgrading the groupset later.
Hi Harman, sorry for the delay. I really think the 1 is worth the extra money. The groupset with hydraulic disc brakes in my opinion alone is worth the extra money. The only thing the AR1 needs is better wheels which you can upgrade later. The AR 2 is still a great bike but you lose a gear, it's mechanical brakes which will cause drag in the brake lines over time and they don't work as well. Then you still need the better wheels and tires eventually. I say pull the trigger for the 1.
This is probably subjective, but how well does this bike accelerate? Currently I'm on a hybrid bike, but would like something a bit "quicker" for my commutes. I demo'd a TCX a long while back and noticed it's super quick off the line, but given it's a cross bike, not sure that would make the best commuter. I like comfort, but would also like something with some zip so I'm really looking into the endurance road category.
Hi Jason, I actually have a video comparing the TCX, Revolt, and Contend AR. The TCX is definitely the most peppy in acceleration. The Contend AR is perfect for commuting. It is peppy enough not to feel like a boat but stable enough for commuting.
Had to get my AR 2 shipped from Bloomington, Indiana. So far the bike has done me wonders since it is my first road bike and a entry level not too expensive bike. That being said, the lower bracket sitting so low has almost gotten me killed about half a dozen times when descending down hills here in Los Angeles. Bike has 300 miles on it and I’m currently getting it refurbished to sell so I can buy a better model meant for road. 7.5/10. Amazing bang for the buck but the lower bracket sitting so low is an issue for me since I do a lot of climbing and descending plus add the atrocious traffic in LA and it’s a closed casket.
Yeah that is definitely one of the issues with the Contend. It is great if you are running the largest tire you can in the bike but I feel they should have gone with a 70-75mm drop instead of the 80mm. I believe they were trying to get it lower for newer riders so they wouldn't be as far off the ground as well. Are you thinking about a TCR or another bike?
what size did you go with Contend AR? I am thinking to buy it...From a large size it has longer crank length, which is 175mm. I think if you ride the large size it can have more issues with a low bottom bracket..I am not sure though haha
@@benchoi9474 I’m about 5’10” atm and I rode a Medium/Large and worked perfectly granted that I never got a bike fitting up until now with my new bike. Personally if this bike will be your forever bike for now i would get a pre fit assessment to make sure you don’t buy the wrong sized bike. Enjoy!
@@drchris103 Oh...I have to do something again. 5'10" atm? how much is it for centimeters? I am 182cm 84 inseam and I have ridden Giant SCR M, ML respectively each day. ML size was good for me M felt small and I haven't ridden L size yet. Contend AR has a reasonable price for a first road bike, but I don't like to go with such a problem. I think a bottom bracket is power source...Contend AR users say it's a good bike..I think they are not tough users. Headache..hh
Hi Kim, thanks for the feedback. Here are some rings I found on ebay that would fit directly on your 105 cranks. You can also look at FSA, they have several options. www.ebay.com/i/113800283451?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=113800283451&targetid=1068221385260&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011691&poi=&campaignid=11615402087&mkgroupid=113550961375&rlsatarget=pla-1068221385260&abcId=9300455&merchantid=101745314&gclid=CjwKCAiAoOz-BRBdEiwAyuvA61dNnIlTSk98A_RC3SWBsynS3UXm2Cx8p3Pn8ca4IKVXDSGh9gcfMxoCDEEQAvD_BwE
Thanks so much for watching! Yes I bought it as the AR 1 but it is basically just the AR frame and fork. I put all my own stuff on it later so it is far from a stock build. If I were new to cycling, I would get the AR1 and upgrade wheels and tires and you have no need for another road or gravel bike.
Unfortunately the AR1 is unavailable for me right now. Which would you recommend for best value out of the remaining models? 2, 3, 4 are all available. Any guidance on which would provide best value and have the potential to last me the longest with future component upgrades would be great
Thanks for great video and review. What would be your suggestion between giant contend sl 1 disc and giant contend AR 1? which one to go for? Both are of same price (costing 1550 euro) and almost same configuration. Thanks in advance.
Good luck! I hope you find one. I know many people will drive up to 4 hours to buy one from a shop who is carrying one. I would check the Giant site for shops close by and see if they have any in stock and give them a call to confirm if it is a long drive.
The paint bubbling like that is really odd, I've been working at a Giant partnered bike shop for 6 months now and I've never seen something like that before.
I actually put in for a warranty replacement and Giant denied it. They claimed it was from leaving the bike out in the elements like the rain. I always keep my bikes inside so that was just an excuse. I was very surprised they denied that because I am afraid it will lead to a structural failure later on and Giant is usually pretty amazing with warranty claims. I may contact Giant myself and see what they say.
I'm thinking of buying a contend as my first road bike but the crash you show worried me.However when studying it I'm thinking it's more rider technique error than low BB problem. Anyone have any views? I don't want to buy this bike if it's unsafe in this area.
What do you run for pedals? Looks like you like to mix road and off-road, so do you like mtb ones? Or do you switch to road ones depending on your ride?
I mostly just use the Shimano MTB SPD pedals now. I did have some Favero Power Meter pedals that were road only so I was using those for awhile but they died on me. I usually do not like to change because they do have slightly different stack heights when switching between road and mtb but in the past 8 months, it has been 100% MTB pedals, even on the road group rides. Now next summer, I may run some lighter, more airy road shoes due to the heat and sweat so my feet can breath a little more and the shoes are easier to clean since they don't soak up the sweat like the thicker mtb shoes do. I will run some Shimano 105 Road pedals if I run road shoes.
@@BlackWaterCyclist that's some good info. I have the stock, flat pedals still and I want to get some clipless ones with shoes to try. I am leaning to road ones since I do short rides (1-2hrs max) and rarely get off the bike. Although I do like finding dirt roads and going down those too, like sometimes powerlines that cut through to connect to a different road, so I don't know if road is my best bet still
@@kourman12 If you have never used clipless before you may want to try some mtb style because they are a little easier to get in and out of. You can adjust the spring tension on both but the MTB SPDs are always a little easier.
I had tested a Revolt in the comparison videos and it can clear 45c easy. I have checked the tire clearance on the Defy advanced in the shop and it would not clear larger than a 35c. It is a tight fit on the Defy.
Hey Mike, yes there are some bridge adapters that come with the bike. I did an install of fenders and I show it in there. ua-cam.com/video/rXqFTCtmB18/v-deo.html
Hi. I love my new AR but i wish i could change the red stickers it has to black. The bike is grey and i think black stickers will make it a lot more beautiful. Is that doable? I will lose my warranty?
I would not try to get it painted, I would look online for some Giant Vinyl Decals that you could just put on top of the stock Logo. That way if you have a warranty issue or decide to sell the bike later, you can just pull the decals off. You can also contact a company and give them the measurements and they can make it pretty close.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Thank you for the information. Though red is not bad at all. I just have to find a red kit and a red chain though. I am a bit of needy in terms of looks and colors.
Have you got the red stuff to match the Contend yet or still rolling with all the stock stuff? My neighbor bought the same model as you and he has matching red pedals and it looks great.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Sadly no. I am in a financial crisis right now. But I already found the parts i want. I will keep the bike as it is and put a red sticky kush bar tape from Supacaz, red bullet dust caps and new black pedals. Also will get red jersey,gloves,shoes and helmet. Red pedals might be good too yeah. I absolutely love the bike. Now i struggle to find a new job and lose weight. I am 110kg right now.
Yes it does. I have been riding it with a tire that measures 41mm with no issues and even did a nice muddy race and did not have any rubbing on the frame or fork. 42mm would be pushing it.
Is it a good road bike? I'm debating on getting one but it's going to be a dedicated road bike for now. Would there be any problems or advantages to running a 28c or 25c tire?
Hi Alex, It serves as an amazing road bike and I use it probably 75-80% of the time on the road just due to training and time constraints to get to the gravel. The Contend AR does have a low BB (80mm drop compared to 70mm) so running the 25 or 28c will have that BB even lower. I always run 32c and they are just as fast if not faster than the 25/28c I used to run in the past and much more comfortable.
Sounds great with the 32s for commuting. Got a 6km commute with 80% of it flat light gravel, 20% paved road. Put an order in yesterday hopefully it'll be here at the end of August.
I am sure the rim brake version is great as well. The main reason I wouldn't go that route is tire clearance: rim is 25c while the Contend SL disc is 35c and the Contend AR is 41c. If you are riding road only, the rim version would probably be fine for you.
Hi, i have followed all your review and found it to be very informative! I like to know which particular model of the light bicycle aero rims did you install? they have a bunch in their product line up. thanks. continue to churn out more video!
Thanks Brian! I actually do not think they make the ones I have anymore. They are a narrower profile, like 19mm internal width. If you go with some for the Contend AR, try to go 21mm or wider. I actually wouldn't mind getting some that are around 24mm wide. I also prefer hooked bead. I have heard of some horror stories of people using hookless for road or gravel and the tire blowing off the rim. As far as aero, I would go for some around 40mm deep just as a good all arounder. I hope that helps.
Cheap titanium is usually an oxymoron but a few off the top of my head would be the Motobecane Ti Gravel bike and the Planet X Tempest Gravel bike. I may do my own in the future and make it affordable but that would probably be a few years down the road before I decided to pursue that.
Love the Contend AR-1! I purchased one in June based on your initial review and really love it. On another note, could you recommend a mid range cycling computer? I ride about 100-150 miles a week about 80% rode 20% trails. I'm interested in cadence and the usual stats. Thank you for the videos!
Hi Mitch! Thanks for watching and glad you are enjoying that Contend AR! One of my favorite little computers is the Garmin Edge 130. You can find some decent deals on them right now. DC Rainmaker gave it great marks. www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/04/garmin-edge-130-in-depth-review.html
I would lean towards the M/L or L. I am 185cm and inseam of about 86cm and ride a Large. It really depends on your riding style. If you ride more forward in the wheelbase, then I would go with the Large and if you ride more rearward, then go with the M/L. You really can't go wrong with either. I would also make sure the Seat Tube Length will be long enough for you. I believe the Large is around 55.5cm long and the M/L is 53.5cm.
It is really disappointing that the price has gone up. I think it all about supply and demand. A lot of people want a Giant Contend AR and the supply chain for parts have been more limited due to Covid19 and because of that, unfortunately, the price has gone up.
Hi I was trying to get a review on Giant Contend 2 and ended up on your video. Your review is neat. Do you have any comments on Contend 2? I am looking for an entry road bike.
The Contend AR 2 is a great bike as well. If you can find one, I would pull the trigger on an AR 1 just because the groupset is so much better than the other entry level ARs. The 2 is still a great bike though and if that is all your budget will allow for, then get it.
Thanks a lot for the video. I bought AR 1 after watching your original review and am so happy I did. I agree with every point you make in the video. One minor gripe I have about my bike is that the front thru axle requires crazy amount of force to get it tight enough so that there is no disc rub. And the seatpost, although super supple, is a propriatory stuff. I sometimes think maybe I should get a spare one just in case, because if it fails after a couple of years this will render the bike useless, especially if Giant discontinues this particular seatpost model
Thank you for watching my videos and glad you have enjoyed the AR. You can actually adjust the front brake caliper for it not to rub when it isnt super tight. Just tighten the axle down to where you want the tension and then you can adjust the caliper. It can be finicky so you may not want to mess with it. I agree about the seatpost. It is a great feature and adds comfort but hate that you are stuck with a certain seatpost. Maybe in the future they will do what they did with the new TCX and it is actually just a round 27.2 seatpost insert but the D fuse shape is higher up on the post so you can use other seatposts if you want. Giant is a pretty large maker of bike parts and have been making this D-fuse seatpost since around 2012 so I think you will have no issues finding one in the future.
Hi Matt, The Contend AR is way different than the alloy Defy of the past. The AR stands for All-Road and while it does have the Giant Defy Geo (AR has 2mm longer chainstays, 10mm lower BB), it separates itself with tire clearance. The Defy Advanced can get 35c in them and that is it. I would not test that with mud. The Contend AR has clearance for 41c with plenty of room. So if the bike has clearance for 41c tires, I would classify that as a gravel bike. There are labeled "gravel" bikes that have less clearance than that. So yes while it is labeled an endurance road bike and under the road bike division with Giant, it is very much a gravel bike as much as any out there. In my opinion it is the future of road bikes. I think road bikes (Tarmac, Defy, TCR, etc.) will eventually clear 38-40c tires and then your pure gravel bikes will be clearing up to 50c for the very long events like Dirty Kanza. Companies will always come up with more genres to sell more bikes. I appreciate you watching and your comment.
@@BlackWaterCyclist i find that giant likes all of their bikes to serve more of a purpose than most in the category. Look at the tcr, its made as aero as they can and is good for endurance but is a climbing bike, or the defy being endurance but still holds its own in races against tcrs etc i feel like its just to make easier sales in a way, like people leaning more towards one kind of bike but need features of another, just a wider market. Its pretty smart and to us its pretty useful lol
Yes I know what AR stands for but what is the difference in All Road and Gravel? It just depends on the severity of the gravel. Gravel is so different for everyone, from chunky boulders to super hardpack limestone, your "All Road" is someone else's "Gravel". If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...
@@BlackWaterCyclist Brakes were about the only thing I was ok with. Just hated the ride, the geometry, the tires, the clunky Claris shifting ... everything. Really turned me off on anything Giant brand. Believe it or not bought a Triban - and for the price, great bike. - Tires suck on it as well.
@@BlackWaterCyclist I know very little about this stuff, but i think you can buy packs of beats or riffs that don't require any further editing, just pop em in. as long as it's pleasant to the ear, i doubt anyone would notice or care if they may have heard the same beat or generic rock song 20 videos ago
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Im impressed with what you put the bike through and how well it appears to handle it all. It's a sleeper!
Thanks Derek! Sleeper is right!
@@BlackWaterCyclist what are your thoughts about flatbar road bikes like fast road by giant?
@@JitinMisra You can definitely ride them but everyone I know who has gotten a flatbar bike that has wanted to ride it on the road will put some some of drop extensions on them or bar ends to try to get the alternate positions that a drop bar gives. I usually say if you are not riding singletrack and mainly on road/gravel, go drop bar because it will allow you to be more comfortable which in turns means more miles and more fun.
@@BlackWaterCyclist is it harder to brake on the drop bar in the hood position compared to flat bar? Especially for sudden stops in neighborhoods and such?
Also what about being more upright on flat bar, is that good reason to buy?
@@JitinMisra You can really set up a drop bar to do well with any of those situations. You can move the bats higher and further back with a different stem if you feel too stretched out. Also you can rotate the hoods back towards you so you can reach the brake levers better.
The Contend AR 3 was the perfect bike for helping me get back into cycling and finding my cycling legs again. Plenty of headroom for growth, from where I started anyway, even with the 9 speed group set. After about 4 months of riding, though, I did have a pretty serious issue. I somehow managed to strip the threads on the drive side of both the frame and the BB. The frame's threads were stripped smooth and the BB is done. The great news is that it only took Giant a week and a half to send a replacement frame, completely covered by the warranty. The first frame was metallic black and the warranty replacement is garnet. I really liked the metallic black but I think the garnet is stunning. Couldn't be happier with the outcome.
Fred, so happy the bike is working out for you. That is one of the huge advantages of using Giant bikes, their warranty is the best in the business! There really is not a color I dislike on all the Contend bikes so that garnet will look sharp!
Yes the giant colors are awesome I have been wanting to get the navy blue AR as soon as it is available at my bike shop I've been wanting that since 2020
Thanks so much for this video. I am one of your neighbors here in the panhandle (JayFL). I do alot of running, really love the trails around Bear lake, but it’s high time I got into bikes, so today I bought my first lol, yep it’s a AR3. Mark, the guy over in Milton turned me on to this bike and me, not knowing a single thing bike related, I am sure he steered me right. I had an hour or so to kill while he built it up so I decided to do my scheduled run right there down that beautiful run/bike trail. I ran 6 miles, then got back, he had the bike ready and I took it out doing the same 6 mile course. OMG! I pushed her a little just to get my heart rate up and get a feel for what this road bike riding thing is all about. MERCY! What I have been missing all these years! LOL. If this is what an entry level bike feels like, I can’t even begin to imagine what a 6k machine would be like!
Anyways, after getting home, I started looking ip info on this model and found your video. Thanks big time. It looks like I have been steered in the right direction. I hope to see you out on the roads some time. The guys at the shop said to connect with the Blackwater Riders group. I will look into that. Sincerely, Dan
Dan thank you so much for checking out the channel! You have yourself an amazing bike and happy to hear locals riding! I hope to see you around when I make my weekly treks up to the Farmers Market in Jay for a quick snack. :)
Thank you for this awesome video I definitely enjoyed watching and I am a giant man myself I have the giant contend 3. I purchased October 2018 for $650 and put a pair of gatorskins on there and almost five years later I am finally doing a major overhaul and it will cost me $611 with new gatorskins and a new drivetrain.
What a review! This is how it's done 😍 every concern was addressed!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks!
I guess I should have watched this before I commented on the 3 notch and the bottom bracket measurement. Great review. 17.5 pounds is incredible. I should have mentioned I'm currently riding an all steel Marin Nicasio that was 28.6 lbs off the showroom floor. After some careful upgrades, its now just under 25 lbs.
Haha, no worries Todd. Yeah it is a very light bike for being a "budget" oriented bike.
After 2 years on the Contend AR1, below are my negatives.
1. Creaking seatpost. Usually creaks if rainwater gets in
2. Low bottom bracket. Pedal strike can occur when going around corners at an angle
3. PR2 wheel bearings grind after a few months
4. Usually have to clean out dried sealant from PR2 rims every 12 months in order to seat new tubeless tyres
5. 105 shifters rattle
6. Bottom Bracket needs replacement every 12 months (I ride 6-8km per year)
7. Exposed cables.
Things I like about the bike:
1. Very comfortable riding position
2. Smooth ride with 28mm tyres
2. Reliable Shimano 105 set.
3. Have raced crits, and able to beat TCR's, Cervelo's, Bianci's, Trek's etc
This is a great entry road bike that needs annual maintenance
I have to wonder how many contend ar you have had a part in selling, your reviews definitely played a large role in my decision to purchase one.
Haha, that is a great question! I just want to share my experiences with other so maybe you can avoid any mistakes or problems I have had with my bikes.
@@BlackWaterCyclist mate I'm wondering if you could confirm for me that the 2020 contend ar3 wheels are in fact tubeless compatible, the Australian website doesn't specify but it does say the wheels are sr-3 disc but makes no mention of tubeless
@@MrBrady691 From my understanding, the rims themselves are tubeless compatible but the tires are not. So you should be good with upgrading to tubeless tires on those wheels with no issues. They are the same rims as what comes on the AR 2, they 3 just does not come with tubeless compatible tires.
Just bought a 2021 ar 3 because of these videos lol. The dark garnet looks so good in person.
Excellent & super useful review! Even a couple of years down the line, with Giant having changed the spec of the bike slightly, this looks like a really good "do it all" bike. I'm looking at getting an AR1 for the kind of use you've described - mostly road/commuting/winter training bike, but with some easy (fairly smooth) trail riding thrown in, and am wondering how this bike would handle the occasional touring trip? I'm thinking with a pannier rack and handlebar bag. What do you think, or is the geometry a little steep for multiple days in the saddle with the extra weight of baggage on the bike perhaps?
Considering the small amount of touring, or multi-day rides I'm likely to do, I'd rather not buy another bike "just" for touring, so if the AR1 can handle that as well then it's the perfect "do it all" ride !
Thanks for any input....
I used to own a cannondale caad road bike but the largest tire I could get on was a 25. I’m 6 foot 3 and 290 pounds and wanted 32c road tires. This bike checked all the boxes. I bought a 2021 AR 3 in black and had to drive 150 miles to find a size 61. I swapped out stock tires for Contis and love the bike. Then a month later I was in a bike shop near my home and saw another 61 in maroon. Giant did not have that bike listed on its website so I asked about it. Apparently a guy ordered it and never picked it up. I bought it on the spot. I put 38c gravelkings on it and it’s now my gravel bike.
I have two of these and I love them.
That is great! They are such a bargain and you can set them up for different types of riding, why not have two! 😁 N+1
Didn’t know you had a UA-cam channel! Funny running across you lol. RIDE BIKES! ~storm
Hey Storm!!! Great to hear from you man. Have you been riding at all?
@@BlackWaterCyclist unfortunately no. I piddle around sometimes but I moved to shalimar/fwb and it’s just far too sketchy. Considering getting a pass for the range camp rd or making the drive to ride 30A (it’s an hour away though). I hardly bring my motorcycle out lol.
@@BlackWaterCyclist I also am thinking about breaking out my old steel frames and getting a couple of group sets to get them up and riding again. The newer Claris,sora, and tiagra are looking sweet and perform unexpectedly well compared to the older clunky stuff. Would run perfect on my old bikes I think. Was also tossing around the idea of a giant contend sl but after having the aria I dunno if I’d like it lol I traded it in for a mountain bike and quickly realized I messed up 🫤 bad about impulsive actions
I just rode the Belgian Waffle Ride on mine. Crashed. Again. Broke the left shifter off. Again. Had to ride 103 miles in the big ring with only a rear brake. I think the 105 is a bit delicate. I suggest wrapping each shifter with gaffers tape and perhaps a piece of impact plastic beneath the hood. I know you all don’t care about me so I’ll tell you the bike is fine. I had to replace the bars. My cuts and bruises from the fall will be healed in time for the big bear fondo. I suggest at least 35 gravel (knobby) tires for any gravel race. Too many riders forces you to take quick evasive maneuvers which may result in compromised traction with the stock tires. The pros and faster riders don’t have to contend with those sketchy riders so they can ride road tires.
Oh no Bruce! I hope you are ok. That is a bummer to hear. What size tires were you running? Yeah it is super sketch in a group on rough terrain because you do not know what's up ahead and also others may go down in front of you. Way to finish with the broken shifter...Beast mode!
Thanks for the review of this bike. Just realized you are from Milton area. I grew up in Fort Walton. My GF in high school worked at Blackwater Canoe.
NO WAY! Thats awesome Doug! Glad to see a local benefitting from some of the videos.
That paint fail is interesting! The AR 2 I have does seem to scratch easy. My first ride, a rock kicked up and hit the frame and left a decent gouge. Wonder if its the process they use to paint it?
I am not sure, I know they have like a metallic paint under the red or blue because I had a bike carrier rub the paint off the fork in one area. Paint usually does not like aluminum anyway. They have to paint it before the raw aluminum oxidizes from the oxygen in the air. Everywhere else the paint has held up great but just where my corrosive sweat lands causes some bubbling. I think it is more my fault than anything so not super concerned.
Love the bike, I have one and considering upgrading the wheelset to 35mm Bontrager elite carbon. Found for a good price, you think it would be a good upgrade? Currently averaging 28-30km/hr in group rides but sluggish on hills. Or should I just save and upgrade whole bike. Thx
I have the Contend AR 4 and I'm curious how you went about upgrading the groupset.
Gaint should give you a contender AR discount code to get a kickback from haha, I'll be confirming it as my first road bike purchase soon
HAHA, that would be nice but I enjoy reviewing and talking about all things bike related so that's ok. Maybe they should send me bikes to review ;). You are making a great decision for the AR. It is such a great bike!
I upgraded to Pirelli P Zero race tires and flipped the stem, I ride road exclusively. Hopefully new wheels in the future.For the price, it's a great bike.
I have not tried the Pirelli's. What do you think of them? I would love to try them in the future just to see how they do.
nice video, i am 5.10, can you suggest what bike size I should get
Do you prefer external BB over push fit?
Great review! Was wondering what torque you tighten your wheels to? having some trouble with disks rubbing when im out of the saddle.
Hi Tomas, thanks! I do not measure with a torque wrench with the Thru Axles. I am always switching wheels so just tightening them snug works for me. You can try tightening them a little harder. Usually the ching noise you are hearing is pretty normal and does not cause extra drag, it is just a little annoying. You can also try to center your brake calipers a little better with a tool like this: amzn.to/3v4YIHy. I hope that helps.
Thanks again for your excellent tips, advice, and information. You taught me a ton.
For now I’ve gone with an AR1 but the more I ride the more I’m enjoying this terrific sport.
Down the road I’m considering having one carbon bike such as a Defy for road and pavement and a separate bike for gravel, rail trails, etc.
A couple of options.
1. Sell the AR and buy two separate new bikes. (When bikes are available of course)
2. Purchase a carbon road bike and modify the AR with perhaps a 32/48 crankset and 40mm tires.
One question I don’t have an answer to.
Is a true gravel bike built heavier and/ or more sturdy than the AR since it is actually designed for rougher terrain?
Your opinion is tremendously appreciated.
Thanks
Hi Alan,
I wrote you a long response a day or so ago and the internet dropped and I lost it. Sorry for the delay.
I think if you are going to have a second bike then the Defy is the one to go with because it is essentially the same fit as the Contend AR.
As far as Gravel Frames being sturdier, I do not believe companies change much in their manufacturing process on the frames and even if they did, they labeled the Contend AR a ALL ROAD bike so that would have been involved the in the design process. All bicycles are made to withstand a lot of abuse and thats all the way from road down to mountain bike.
I would keep the Contend and just make it your dedicated gravel bike but if you really wanted to hit some more technical trails, you may want something that you could put 45mm or even larger in. I hope that helps.
@@BlackWaterCyclist I think you have given me excellent advice. Although I am very fit for my age, at my age I do not anticipate doing any technical trail riding. I think I will do exactly what you suggested.
In fact I think I will continue to ride my AR until bicycles become more available. At that time I will add some wider tires to the AR and look at a Defy.
Again thanks as always.
You’ve been an extremely valuable resource of knowledge and I appreciate your willingness to assist.
Hi great video! Thoughts on the AR 2 vs the AR 1?
About a $500 price difference here in Canada. Considering getting the cheaper AR 2 with the Tiagara and possibly upgrading the groupset later.
Hi Harman, sorry for the delay. I really think the 1 is worth the extra money. The groupset with hydraulic disc brakes in my opinion alone is worth the extra money. The only thing the AR1 needs is better wheels which you can upgrade later. The AR 2 is still a great bike but you lose a gear, it's mechanical brakes which will cause drag in the brake lines over time and they don't work as well. Then you still need the better wheels and tires eventually. I say pull the trigger for the 1.
I have this bike with Sora. Wanna sell that 105 group set? I’d love to upgrade. Love the bike otherwise. Great video.
Thanks! I actually already sold it so I no longer have it. Just ride the mess out of that Sora and upgrade later :)
This is probably subjective, but how well does this bike accelerate? Currently I'm on a hybrid bike, but would like something a bit "quicker" for my commutes. I demo'd a TCX a long while back and noticed it's super quick off the line, but given it's a cross bike, not sure that would make the best commuter. I like comfort, but would also like something with some zip so I'm really looking into the endurance road category.
Hi Jason, I actually have a video comparing the TCX, Revolt, and Contend AR. The TCX is definitely the most peppy in acceleration. The Contend AR is perfect for commuting. It is peppy enough not to feel like a boat but stable enough for commuting.
Had to get my AR 2 shipped from Bloomington, Indiana. So far the bike has done me wonders since it is my first road bike and a entry level not too expensive bike.
That being said, the lower bracket sitting so low has almost gotten me killed about half a dozen times when descending down hills here in Los Angeles.
Bike has 300 miles on it and I’m currently getting it refurbished to sell so I can buy a better model meant for road.
7.5/10. Amazing bang for the buck but the lower bracket sitting so low is an issue for me since I do a lot of climbing and descending plus add the atrocious traffic in LA and it’s a closed casket.
Yeah that is definitely one of the issues with the Contend. It is great if you are running the largest tire you can in the bike but I feel they should have gone with a 70-75mm drop instead of the 80mm. I believe they were trying to get it lower for newer riders so they wouldn't be as far off the ground as well. Are you thinking about a TCR or another bike?
@@BlackWaterCyclist I’m snagging a 2021 TCR Advanced 1.
what size did you go with Contend AR? I am thinking to buy it...From a large size it has longer crank length, which is 175mm. I think if you ride the large size it can have more issues with a low bottom bracket..I am not sure though haha
@@benchoi9474 I’m about 5’10” atm and I rode a Medium/Large and worked perfectly granted that I never got a bike fitting up until now with my new bike.
Personally if this bike will be your forever bike for now i would get a pre fit assessment to make sure you don’t buy the wrong sized bike.
Enjoy!
@@drchris103 Oh...I have to do something again. 5'10" atm? how much is it for centimeters? I am 182cm 84 inseam and I have ridden Giant SCR M, ML respectively each day. ML size was good for me M felt small and I haven't ridden L size yet.
Contend AR has a reasonable price for a first road bike, but I don't like to go with such a problem. I think a bottom bracket is power source...Contend AR users say it's a good bike..I think they are not tough users. Headache..hh
It's been a year huh? Feels like it was just yesterday when I bought the bike after watching your video!
I know dude! It's crazy how time flies and this bike ceases to amaze me all the time.
Great review! Is it possible to swap out the 50/34 crankset with a 46/30? 😊
Hi Kim, thanks for the feedback. Here are some rings I found on ebay that would fit directly on your 105 cranks. You can also look at FSA, they have several options.
www.ebay.com/i/113800283451?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=113800283451&targetid=1068221385260&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011691&poi=&campaignid=11615402087&mkgroupid=113550961375&rlsatarget=pla-1068221385260&abcId=9300455&merchantid=101745314&gclid=CjwKCAiAoOz-BRBdEiwAyuvA61dNnIlTSk98A_RC3SWBsynS3UXm2Cx8p3Pn8ca4IKVXDSGh9gcfMxoCDEEQAvD_BwE
did u ever ride contend 3 how does it compare
Is it cheap? ;) Nice video buddy! Impressive what you have done with the contend!
You have definitely helped push the bike and myself to the limits on several occasions! Thank you!
Which AR model are you using in the video? AR 1? Love your videos, by the way.
Thanks so much for watching! Yes I bought it as the AR 1 but it is basically just the AR frame and fork. I put all my own stuff on it later so it is far from a stock build. If I were new to cycling, I would get the AR1 and upgrade wheels and tires and you have no need for another road or gravel bike.
Unfortunately the AR1 is unavailable for me right now. Which would you recommend for best value out of the remaining models? 2, 3, 4 are all available. Any guidance on which would provide best value and have the potential to last me the longest with future component upgrades would be great
Thanks for great video and review. What would be your suggestion between giant contend sl 1 disc and giant contend AR 1? which one to go for? Both are of same price (costing 1550 euro) and almost same configuration. Thanks in advance.
Honestly I would go with the AR. Not much difference in geometry but the AR can clear larger tires so that gives you more options in the future.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Thanks for your reply. Will book AR1 :)
Hope shops have a large in stock?
Good luck! I hope you find one. I know many people will drive up to 4 hours to buy one from a shop who is carrying one. I would check the Giant site for shops close by and see if they have any in stock and give them a call to confirm if it is a long drive.
The paint bubbling like that is really odd, I've been working at a Giant partnered bike shop for 6 months now and I've never seen something like that before.
I actually put in for a warranty replacement and Giant denied it. They claimed it was from leaving the bike out in the elements like the rain. I always keep my bikes inside so that was just an excuse. I was very surprised they denied that because I am afraid it will lead to a structural failure later on and Giant is usually pretty amazing with warranty claims. I may contact Giant myself and see what they say.
Hi I thought giant ar1 2021 was navy blue!
Thanks for video.
Hi Hamid, yes the 2021 model is Navy Blue. Mine is the 2020 model so it is the metallic red color.
@@BlackWaterCyclist thanks
Hopefully I will get one soon.
I'm thinking of buying a contend as my first road bike but the crash you show worried me.However when studying it I'm thinking it's more rider technique error than low BB problem. Anyone have any views? I don't want to buy this bike if it's unsafe in this area.
I was just wondering what model of Contend AR model it was (1,2,3,4) and what year the bike manufactured. Thanks.
Hi Blake, it was the Contend AR 1 from the first year they introduced the AR which was 2019 but I got it in The fall of 2018.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Cheers Mate
What do you run for pedals? Looks like you like to mix road and off-road, so do you like mtb ones? Or do you switch to road ones depending on your ride?
I mostly just use the Shimano MTB SPD pedals now. I did have some Favero Power Meter pedals that were road only so I was using those for awhile but they died on me. I usually do not like to change because they do have slightly different stack heights when switching between road and mtb but in the past 8 months, it has been 100% MTB pedals, even on the road group rides. Now next summer, I may run some lighter, more airy road shoes due to the heat and sweat so my feet can breath a little more and the shoes are easier to clean since they don't soak up the sweat like the thicker mtb shoes do. I will run some Shimano 105 Road pedals if I run road shoes.
@@BlackWaterCyclist that's some good info. I have the stock, flat pedals still and I want to get some clipless ones with shoes to try. I am leaning to road ones since I do short rides (1-2hrs max) and rarely get off the bike. Although I do like finding dirt roads and going down those too, like sometimes powerlines that cut through to connect to a different road, so I don't know if road is my best bet still
@@kourman12 If you have never used clipless before you may want to try some mtb style because they are a little easier to get in and out of. You can adjust the spring tension on both but the MTB SPDs are always a little easier.
Did you have the Giant Defy? Or it was the Revolt? Kind of curious about the tire clearance doe 35 on a Defy.
I had tested a Revolt in the comparison videos and it can clear 45c easy. I have checked the tire clearance on the Defy advanced in the shop and it would not clear larger than a 35c. It is a tight fit on the Defy.
Hey quick question! How do you attach fenders to the rear? Is there some kind of bridge adapter?
Hey Mike, yes there are some bridge adapters that come with the bike. I did an install of fenders and I show it in there. ua-cam.com/video/rXqFTCtmB18/v-deo.html
Hi. I love my new AR but i wish i could change the red stickers it has to black. The bike is grey and i think black stickers will make it a lot more beautiful. Is that doable? I will lose my warranty?
I would not try to get it painted, I would look online for some Giant Vinyl Decals that you could just put on top of the stock Logo. That way if you have a warranty issue or decide to sell the bike later, you can just pull the decals off. You can also contact a company and give them the measurements and they can make it pretty close.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Thank you for the information. Though red is not bad at all. I just have to find a red kit and a red chain though. I am a bit of needy in terms of looks and colors.
Have you got the red stuff to match the Contend yet or still rolling with all the stock stuff? My neighbor bought the same model as you and he has matching red pedals and it looks great.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Sadly no. I am in a financial crisis right now. But I already found the parts i want. I will keep the bike as it is and put a red sticky kush bar tape from Supacaz, red bullet dust caps and new black pedals. Also will get red jersey,gloves,shoes and helmet. Red pedals might be good too yeah. I absolutely love the bike. Now i struggle to find a new job and lose weight. I am 110kg right now.
Thanks a lot for the video . does it really fit a 38 or 40 tire width? I think I might have seen a video that says there are limitations with 40....
Yes it does. I have been riding it with a tire that measures 41mm with no issues and even did a nice muddy race and did not have any rubbing on the frame or fork. 42mm would be pushing it.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Thanks a lot
Was his knee up on the right going into the turn?
If you are talking about Stephen Hyde, It was a section where the course actually would flick to the left so he was getting set up for that turn.
Is it a good road bike? I'm debating on getting one but it's going to be a dedicated road bike for now. Would there be any problems or advantages to running a 28c or 25c tire?
Hi Alex, It serves as an amazing road bike and I use it probably 75-80% of the time on the road just due to training and time constraints to get to the gravel. The Contend AR does have a low BB (80mm drop compared to 70mm) so running the 25 or 28c will have that BB even lower. I always run 32c and they are just as fast if not faster than the 25/28c I used to run in the past and much more comfortable.
Sounds great with the 32s for commuting. Got a 6km commute with 80% of it flat light gravel, 20% paved road. Put an order in yesterday hopefully it'll be here at the end of August.
Any opinion on the rim brake contend ? ( non disc )
I am sure the rim brake version is great as well. The main reason I wouldn't go that route is tire clearance: rim is 25c while the Contend SL disc is 35c and the Contend AR is 41c. If you are riding road only, the rim version would probably be fine for you.
Hi, i have followed all your review and found it to be very informative! I like to know which particular model of the light bicycle aero rims did you install? they have a bunch in their product line up. thanks. continue to churn out more video!
Thanks Brian! I actually do not think they make the ones I have anymore. They are a narrower profile, like 19mm internal width. If you go with some for the Contend AR, try to go 21mm or wider. I actually wouldn't mind getting some that are around 24mm wide. I also prefer hooked bead. I have heard of some horror stories of people using hookless for road or gravel and the tire blowing off the rim. As far as aero, I would go for some around 40mm deep just as a good all arounder. I hope that helps.
Can you recommend a cheap but all rounder titanium gravel race bike?
Cheap titanium is usually an oxymoron but a few off the top of my head would be the Motobecane Ti Gravel bike and the Planet X Tempest Gravel bike. I may do my own in the future and make it affordable but that would probably be a few years down the road before I decided to pursue that.
Love the Contend AR-1! I purchased one in June based on your initial review and really love it. On another note, could you recommend a mid range cycling computer? I ride about 100-150 miles a week about 80% rode 20% trails. I'm interested in cadence and the usual stats. Thank you for the videos!
Hi Mitch! Thanks for watching and glad you are enjoying that Contend AR! One of my favorite little computers is the Garmin Edge 130. You can find some decent deals on them right now. DC Rainmaker gave it great marks. www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/04/garmin-edge-130-in-depth-review.html
What wheels did you get?
These are some cheap carbon wheels I actually got from a friend. He got them from a website like EIE or maybe Light Bicycle. They have been bombproof.
Hi, what size would you recommend for 182cm (84cm inseam) for 2021 model? Thanks.
I would lean towards the M/L or L. I am 185cm and inseam of about 86cm and ride a Large. It really depends on your riding style. If you ride more forward in the wheelbase, then I would go with the Large and if you ride more rearward, then go with the M/L. You really can't go wrong with either. I would also make sure the Seat Tube Length will be long enough for you. I believe the Large is around 55.5cm long and the M/L is 53.5cm.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Thanks for the reference. I appreciate it.
@@BlackWaterCyclist How about for 165 cm and 77 cm inseam? Would XS suffice?
Why has the price of giant contend ar1 gone up by £200? Now it is £1800!
It is really disappointing that the price has gone up. I think it all about supply and demand. A lot of people want a Giant Contend AR and the supply chain for parts have been more limited due to Covid19 and because of that, unfortunately, the price has gone up.
Hi
I was trying to get a review on Giant Contend 2 and ended up on your video. Your review is neat.
Do you have any comments on Contend 2? I am looking for an entry road bike.
The Contend AR 2 is a great bike as well. If you can find one, I would pull the trigger on an AR 1 just because the groupset is so much better than the other entry level ARs. The 2 is still a great bike though and if that is all your budget will allow for, then get it.
@@BlackWaterCyclist yes. We don't have the AR series in our country yet (from my knowledge). Seems like I will be content with my new contend 2😎
Thanks a lot for the video. I bought AR 1 after watching your original review and am so happy I did. I agree with every point you make in the video. One minor gripe I have about my bike is that the front thru axle requires crazy amount of force to get it tight enough so that there is no disc rub. And the seatpost, although super supple, is a propriatory stuff. I sometimes think maybe I should get a spare one just in case, because if it fails after a couple of years this will render the bike useless, especially if Giant discontinues this particular seatpost model
Thank you for watching my videos and glad you have enjoyed the AR. You can actually adjust the front brake caliper for it not to rub when it isnt super tight. Just tighten the axle down to where you want the tension and then you can adjust the caliper. It can be finicky so you may not want to mess with it.
I agree about the seatpost. It is a great feature and adds comfort but hate that you are stuck with a certain seatpost. Maybe in the future they will do what they did with the new TCX and it is actually just a round 27.2 seatpost insert but the D fuse shape is higher up on the post so you can use other seatposts if you want. Giant is a pretty large maker of bike parts and have been making this D-fuse seatpost since around 2012 so I think you will have no issues finding one in the future.
You keep saying gravel bike bit its an endurance bike lol its literally the defy but aluminum, they just renamed the aluminum versiom
Hi Matt, The Contend AR is way different than the alloy Defy of the past. The AR stands for All-Road and while it does have the Giant Defy Geo (AR has 2mm longer chainstays, 10mm lower BB), it separates itself with tire clearance. The Defy Advanced can get 35c in them and that is it. I would not test that with mud. The Contend AR has clearance for 41c with plenty of room. So if the bike has clearance for 41c tires, I would classify that as a gravel bike. There are labeled "gravel" bikes that have less clearance than that. So yes while it is labeled an endurance road bike and under the road bike division with Giant, it is very much a gravel bike as much as any out there. In my opinion it is the future of road bikes. I think road bikes (Tarmac, Defy, TCR, etc.) will eventually clear 38-40c tires and then your pure gravel bikes will be clearing up to 50c for the very long events like Dirty Kanza. Companies will always come up with more genres to sell more bikes. I appreciate you watching and your comment.
@@BlackWaterCyclist i find that giant likes all of their bikes to serve more of a purpose than most in the category. Look at the tcr, its made as aero as they can and is good for endurance but is a climbing bike, or the defy being endurance but still holds its own in races against tcrs etc i feel like its just to make easier sales in a way, like people leaning more towards one kind of bike but need features of another, just a wider market. Its pretty smart and to us its pretty useful lol
@@mattball420 I think that is right on point man. Their bikes are more like a venn diagram when it comes to genres.
Contend AR is not a gravel bike. AR stands for All Road. It means its an All Road bike. Every manufacturer has one of those nowadays.
Yes I know what AR stands for but what is the difference in All Road and Gravel? It just depends on the severity of the gravel. Gravel is so different for everyone, from chunky boulders to super hardpack limestone, your "All Road" is someone else's "Gravel".
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...
Wrong AR stands for all rounder
bought an AR4 on sale last month. Rode it twice, returned it. Never again.
Very interesting. What did you not like about it? I know the brakes are not great on the lower model.
@@BlackWaterCyclist Brakes were about the only thing I was ok with. Just hated the ride, the geometry, the tires, the clunky Claris shifting ... everything. Really turned me off on anything Giant brand. Believe it or not bought a Triban - and for the price, great bike. - Tires suck on it as well.
1K bike is cheap nowadays lol
This man has an odd beard. I don’t approve
I'm a bike noob but not a music noob. that music is awful. just trying to be constructive
Great feedback! It was just some free UA-cam music they had we could use. I may bite the bullet and pay for a music service in the future.
@@BlackWaterCyclist I know very little about this stuff, but i think you can buy packs of beats or riffs that don't require any further editing, just pop em in. as long as it's pleasant to the ear, i doubt anyone would notice or care if they may have heard the same beat or generic rock song 20 videos ago
Chinese bike components are the best. Giant is a Chinese brand.
Xenomorph Alien sweat. 🥲