Giant Propel 2.. Perhaps?

[Boon 51]

I'm thinking on getting a 2016 Giant Propel 2 (105 11sp ) and some reviews claim the ride is harsh and Giant say this years model is better for comfort.
So how much harsher are they over a road/race bike say a Giant TCR 2 Advanced and would 25cc tyres aid or hinder ?
Any views would be helpful.

Cheers.

 

[Citius]

If you ride on smooth roads, the ride will not be harsh on any bike. On rough roads, the opposite will be true. Pro tour riders ride these bikes all day long. Wider tyres at appropriate pressures will obviously help, whatever the conditions.

 

[Boon 51]

That's helpful Citius ta..
I should of added that my first choice was the Giant TCR Advanced 2 (2016) then add some aero wheels (£500) afterwards. The difference of the Propel 2 with aero wheels and the TCR 2 is £100 so a cheaper way of doing it... I think.

 

[Cuchilo]

One of the managers at my LBS has had the TCR and Propel . He said the TCR has everything you need and the propel wasn't that nice to ride . He's a leisure rider .

 

[zizou]

Ive done several centuries on mine and never had any comfort issues. If using aero deep sections then it does feela bit harsher than riding the bike with 'standard' rims but the same will be true for the TCR or other bikes too. If someone has found the ride harsh, it might be because they arent used to riding with such wheels. The TCR is a great race bike too, it is however known for its stiffness. Which is very positive thing in my book, you will be happy with either choice they are both very capable bikes.

The only drawback with the Propel is that 25c tyres are a tight fit, there is enough clearance with the frame and the brake calipers it is the brake cable that is the issue, some tyre brands are ok some are not.

 

[Boon 51]

Thanks zizou..
I have a Trek SL 8 Dura Ace over here in Spain and the stiffness is perfect so I thinking the TCR 2 or Propel 2 wont be much different. The draw back might be the 25cc tyre issue?
I'm going to buy the bike from Pedalon so they might have a demmo bike I could try for the Propel perhaps?
But I do understand what you say about deep section rims have a different feel.

 

[Cuchilo]

Erm , ive never found deep section wheels a harsh ride

 

[vickster]

But that's because you ride the silky smooth surfaces of Hounslow...yeah right

 

[Cuchilo]

But that's because you ride the silky smooth surfaces of Hounslow...yeah right

It is like a velodrome around here

 

[Boon 51]

OK now I have had a few days to think about things here's where I'm at..

I have just started doing the hour TT as my friend in the UK got me onto it, he has wanted to do 20 miles at an average of 20mph. he has done 31 km over the hour and my first attempt I did 30.9 km so after a jiggle with the course I did 32 km (20mph ) with an average of 32 km (20mph) so now I want to go faster over the hour.

Do I get a Propel 2 ( bit iffy on the 25cc tyre fitment) or buy some Dura Ace wheels and save 500g or perhaps buy some planet X wheels and fit on to the Advanced 2.
I will get a lighter stem, saddle, tyres and skewers all the normal stuff.
I am of course 64 and wont have many years at being able to push so hard. Doing the hour TT I can recover a lot better than doing 200+ kms on a days ride?

 

[Cuchilo]

A new bike wont make you faster and the propel will only have an aero benefit if you are in an aero position while sat on it . That would mean changing the front end and shifters .
I have the TCR Advanced 1 with giant P-SLR1 deep section wheels . Its fast and expensive but my alu shiv is alot faster . Its cheap and rather heavy .

 

[Boon 51]

I have a Specialized Diverge dirt bike (10kg) an a Trek Domane 4.3 Disc (9.6 kg) at home in the UK but need a race bike to go with them hence the new Giant Advanced 2. I will of course lighten the bike up but just wondering which avenue to take but perhaps the Propel might not be the way to go?
The replies have been very helpfull Cheers

 

[Cuchilo]

I don't know myself , just adding my opinion . Aero gains are big gains but it all needs to work together to get the advantage . No point having an aero bike if your sat on it upright . If you lose power to the pedals to gain aero on the frame but then don't get aero yourself then you are actually slowing yourself down .
I think

 

[Boon 51]

At the moment all I want to do is an hour TT and I'm 32 km or 20 mile an hour over the hour but would like to go faster over that distance?
This is my aim but how to get the best out of one upgrade or the other I'm not sure hence the post.. But to your post above I use the drops every moment I can and your dead right about sitting up in the saddle... its a waste of time.
At the moment in Spain I have a Trek Emonda SL 8 Dura Ace with 52/36 front chainring which I'm using, I could of course get a pair of aero wheels and see where I go from there that might be a better bet perhaps..
Thanks for your thoughts on the matter

 

[Cuchilo]

Maybe look at a second hand TT bike or frame that you could build up ?