Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025: Test Ride Review, Pros, Cons, Issues, Performance, Opinions - Everything You (Really) Need to Know

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025: Test Ride Review, Pros, Cons, Issues, Performance, Opinions - Everything You (Really) Need to Know

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 Test Ride Review: Build Quality

The Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 has a solid overall build quality. It's not cheap, but the frame is well-made, and a good range of sizes is available. It's a shame that the color options are so limited.

The build relies heavily on components made by Giant, which are excellent. It's important to note the significant difference in price, weight, and performance between the top-of-the-line model and the entry-level one. They share the same name and aesthetics, but they are two completely different bikes. This is a classic marketing strategy: they promote the top model with all the best features, then sell the entry-level version, which is just a normal—and even somewhat heavy—road bike.

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 Test Ride Review: Frame

The Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 is a significant evolution from the previous model. Everything is very well-made, including the new aerobar and internal cable routing. The frame weight, with the top-end build, is competitive at around 6.9 kg, but it increases in other versions, with the tested version coming in at 8.4 kg.

The integrated seat post is only available on the top-end model, which will likely only sell a handful of units. Other models feature a more practical, traditional seat post. The high build quality and size availability are combined with a competitive list price. While it's not a complete steal, the price-to-quality-performance ratio is good.

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 Test Ride Review: Component Options

The range of component options is comprehensive, making the Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 accessible to almost everyone. The build quality and components are good across all versions. Except for the top-end model, prices are good and competitive. However, a comparison between the entry-level and top-end models is unflattering. They are two different, incomparable bikes.

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 Test Ride Review: Comfort

Along with reduced weight, ride comfort is one of the areas where the Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 has improved. It's not a granfondo bike, but compared to the past, you can now ride it for a long time without major issues. It remains a stiff and, in absolute terms, not very comfortable bike, but it's a definite step forward from the past. A key point to remember before buying this bike is that it's still an athlete's bike and not well-suited for a recreational rider.

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 Test Ride Review: Handling

The Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 is a high-performance bicycle—light in the top-end configuration and good in the tested configuration. The improved ride comfort allows you to better appreciate the frame's increased stiffness and aerodynamic performance. These are small details, but for a competitive racer, those saved watts are precious seconds that can lead to a victory. For a casual rider, however, they mean nothing.

Lighter and more comfortable, it's also easier to handle. It's less twitchy, always nimble, but more precise and easier to ride on rough roads and descents. It's also easier to manage while braking. In short, the new frame is much easier to take advantage of in any condition, making this a true step forward.

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 Test Ride Review: Performance

The new Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 is undoubtedly a high-performance bike in its top-end version—light, stiff, and aerodynamic. However, in the tested version, the 8.4 kg weight limits its climbing performance. Its performance is excellent on flats and rolling hills, and sufficient on climbs.

It's clearly not a pure climbing bike, but it holds its own. As an aero bike, it's less stiff than some competitors but more versatile, even if it doesn't quite match the balance of the Giant TCR. Without a doubt, this frame and bike are not for a casual rider who just joins a Sunday group ride. It's a road bike for professional or semi-professional athletes, triathletes, and those who love circuit races. We don't see it as an ideal frame for a granfondo ride for an enthusiast.

On descents, there's nothing to say—it goes incredibly fast. This is an aero bike that is slightly different from its main competitors: less stiff but lighter. It loses a little on the flats but gains on climbs. It can be an ideal choice for races with a lot of flat terrain, where it's a top performer. Otherwise, competitors might do better.

Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 Test Ride Review: Pros and Cons

The Giant Propel Advanced 1 SRAM RIVAL AXS 2025 has proven to be a competitive aero road bike with a clear intended use. It's great for long races with lots of flat sections. On these courses, it's a very competitive road bike, perfectly combining excellent performance on flats and rolling hills. The ride comfort is good for this type of bike, and its versatility is solid—it's not just a flat-land bike.

The downside? Its weight and climbing performance. At least now the ride comfort has improved. The price-to-quality ratio of all models in the range is very good. In the end, however, it's neither the fastest aero bike nor the absolute lightest. It's a compromise that can satisfy many but disappoint others.

Editor's note: The photo does not show the specific bike tested.