Smooth, lightweight and efficient. Real performance gains without any gimmicks to help road riders go farther and faster.
Made for real riders
One of the hallmarks of Defy is a commitment to improving performance without overcomplicating the design. Based on market feedback over the years—along with input received from top pros who have raced Defy bikes at events like Paris-Roubaix—the development team chose not to rely on shock absorbers, bushings or other add-ons that are used in many of today’s endurance road bikes. While those shock-absorbing technologies can sometimes achieve certain performance attributes, they compromise weight, durability and ease of maintenance—all factors that matter to real riders.
Functional simplicity
Free of cumbersome gimmickry, the frameset is one of the lightest in its category. With a perfect balance of a dynamic, high-performance handling and all-day comfort, it offers a “less is more” experience for modern endurance road riding. The frame for the flagship Defy Advanced SL is a feathery 785g (medium), weighing a full 195g (19.9 percent) less than the previous generation’s top-of-the-line model. It also boasts 8.9 percent greater transmission stiffness. At the front end, the fork used on the new Defy Advanced SL series weighs 345g, 61g lighter than the previous generation.
Key features of the Defy range
The Defy features integrated components with a focus on compliance. The first is the D-Fuse composite seatpost, created by Giant a decade ago and now commonly used by other brands. The heart of the design is a D-shaped composite shaft that absorbs shocks and adds a small amount of flexing action (up to 7mm). This significantly reduces the energy of bumps and vibrations that travel up through the saddle. Together, the Defy Advanced SL frameset and seatpost improve compliance by 42 percent compared to the previous generation Defy Advanced Pro.
Defy Testing Results
The development process of the new Defy range included comprehensive testing of key performance factors including frame stiffness and weight.
Defy Advanced SL
Superlight and silky smooth, the flagship series of the new Defy range, built on a pro-level Advanced SL-grade composite frame and fork, holds the title as the pinnacle of endurance road. It’s the perfect choice for the all-day sportive or challenging gran fondo that’s circled on your calendar.
Defy Advanced SL frameset
Your dream endurance road bike starts here. The frameset is handcrafted with Advanced SL-grade composite for an ultralight weight of 785g (size medium) and 28% greater pedaling efficiency than the previous generation, along with an equally lightweight composite fork (350g). And the integrated D-Fuse SLR seatpost improves compliance by 40%.