Giant unveils the new Propel, an even more aero and even lighter bike

Winner of multiple stages of the Tour de France, the new Giant Propel improves aerodynamics, efficiency and adjustability.

Source: CP

Giant, the world leader in the bicycle industry, presents the new Propel. Each version is built on a composite frame with improved aerodynamics, adjustability and efficiency over the previous range, making it a more versatile and competitive bike for cyclists looking for performance. This new range is made up of three series: Propel Advanced SL, Propel Advanced Pro and Propel Advanced.

After years of research and development, followed by tests in the wind tunnel and real world conditions, the flagship of the new range, the Propel Advanced SL, was introduced to the world by BikeExchange Jayco sprinter Dylan Groenewegen when he won Stage 3 of the Tour de France in July. Thirteen days later, teammate Michael Matthews proved that the new Propel was not just about sprinting. On the hilly profile of Stage XNUMX, his solo attack led to a fantastic victory, proving that the new Propel was capable of more than just sprinting.

For optimum finishers Like Groenewegen and Matthews, victory is often decided in those tense moments that accompany the final kilometers. Position yourself, attack, counter. Play elbows, take angles, relaunch. This is where the new Propel takes the reins of the peloton. Compared to its predecessor, it performs significantly better in the tests aerodynamic while the frame is lighter and stiffer.

Beyond its stiffness-to-weight ratio designed for victory, the new Propel is also designed for dynamic rides with better control in a variety of situations. From smooth asphalt to routes more rugged, from steep climbs to the steepest descents. Other improvements enrich the riding experiencetage like the thinner seatstays or the new Vector seatpost design. There are two versions: the integrated Vector seatpost on the Propel Advanced SL, and the adjustable Vector seatposts on the Propel Advanced Pro and Propel Advanced.

Aerodynamic integration

The philosophy under which the new Propel was designed has a name:Aerosystem Shaping. To develop the shapes of the tubes, corners and junctions, the engineering team used airflow simulation software called computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This led to the use of truncated ellipse-shaped lines in key areas of the frame such as the head tube, down tube or seat tube.

From there, the development team created the physical shapes. Working with renowned aerodynamicists at the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad, Germany, to accurately simulate riding conditions, they used a dynamic dummy to analyze the aerodynamics of not only the bike but the rider/bike assembly. This is a process that Giant pioneered over a decade ago when working on the first version of the Propel. While most bike manufacturers use a static dummy, Giant engineers believed that only a dynamic dummy could accurately replicate the stresses experienced by a rider. Unlike a human, the dummy can maintain the same position and perform precise, repeatable leg movements.

The frontal surfaces, where aerodynamics are most important, feature sculpted lines that transform into truncated ellipses to minimize drag. Following the overall approach to aerodynamic design, Giant has gone so far as to create two differentiated bottle cages: one for the down tube, another for the seat tube.

When it comes to aerodynamic gains, the frame has made some history, but not all of it. The new Contact Aero handlebar and stem also reduce drag, as do the new CADEX 50 wheels fitted with CADEX Aero tires. When comparing the new Propel to the previous generation, the improvement in aerodynamics represents 6,21 watts. This equates to a gain of 27 seconds over 40 km at 40 km/h.

Winning efficiency

For competitors, nothing is more important than power-to-weight ratio. Making the new Propel both stiffer, to improve power transfer, and lighter, was essential. tests reveal that the new Propel has 9,9% more frame stiffness than its predecessor. Pedaling stiffness is increased by 7,5%. Overall stiffness of the entire frame and fork is improved by 9.2%.

When you combine these numbers with the total weight of the frameset, you get the magic number that reveals overall efficiency: the stiffness-to-weight ratio. In the case of the new Propel Advanced SL, the reduced weight and increased stiffness translate into a 26,4% gain in overall efficiency.

Most of the stiffness gains come from changes made to the head tube, down tube and bottom bracket area. But just making a frameset super stiff doesn’t necessarily make it faster. To optimize overall performance in real-world conditions, comfort and control also play a key role. For this reason, the rear triangle of the new Propel has also been redesigned to provide a more enjoyable ride quality, making it a more versatile, and capable, bike.

The seat tube, chainstays and integrated seatpost have been redesigned, with thinner diameters compared to the previous generation. This new design helps reduce weight and also gives the new Propel better handling. route. Compared to the previous Propel Advanced SL, the new model has 85% more comfort in the rear triangle (with the new integrated seatpost), making it more versatile on long, hard days in the saddle, reducing fatigue. The higher clearance also allows for the use of larger section tires (up to 30mm) for an even smoother ride.

Easily adjustable

The cockpit has been completely redesigned to create an all-new Contact SLR Aero bar and stem assembly, making it easier to change components and adjust your position. This new OverDrive Aero assembly keeps housings and hoses protected from the wind while avoiding the complexities of full integration seen on many of today's aero bikes.

The new Contact SLR Aero carbon handlebar features a flattened top for improved aerodynamics and hand comfort. It also features a deeper drop for increased control when sprinting, cornering and descending. The entire Propel line features the new OverDrive Aero assembly, which combines a D-shaped steerer with matching spacers for an internally routed brake and derailleur cable system that’s extremely dynamic and easy to maintain.

While the previous Propel's cockpit routed cables and hoses above the stem and into the head tube behind the fork steerer, the new Propel's cables and hoses run through the handlebars, under the new Contact SLR Aero stem, and into the frame, ahead of the D-shaped steerer. This protects the cables from the wind and allows for better adjustability.

From Team BikeExchange Jayco sprinters to Olympic triathlon champion Kristian Blummenfelt and two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Gustav Iden, both of whom use the bike for the Olympics or short formats, the new Propel brings victory closer. Whether sprinting, breaking away, or beating your personal best, the new Propel is designed to achieve ultimate speed.