We caught up recently with Kylie, Gavin, and Nic to test out and rate three entry level road bikes from Giant and Liv, perfectly suited for anyone looking to experience the world famous annual Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Our route consisted of a mild 30 km loop. Starting on Signal Hill at dawn and traversing Tafelberg Road to the start of the gravel track and back. From here, we descended the winding, tree-lined Kloof Road, through Sea Point and ultimately making the compulsory coffee stop in Mouille Point.
I was lucky enough to get partnered with the best-looking bike of the lot, the new 2017 Giant Contend SL 1. We met up before sunrise and were treated with the most intense orange sunrise from Signal Hill, where we made our way to Tafelberg Road and then back down the Kloof and off to a mandatory coffee stop. Having ridden some steep climbs, fast tight descents and everything in-between, the comfort and general bang for your buck with this bike is incredible. Anyone looking to do their first Cape Town Cycle Tour or wanting to get into cycling and not have to upgrade too soon, this is the complete package for you
Nicholas Allen
Nicholas Allen
There is nothing better than starting a ride as the sun rises. The view from Signal Hill makes waking up early worthwhile: you get the feeling that the whole city is sleeping quietly below you, while you get a head start on the day and enjoy the freedom of two wheels. A quick loop on Tafelberg Road offered more incredible views of the city, and a dash down Kloof Nek for a caffeine fix in Sea Point was the perfect end to the excursion.
Kylie Hanekom
Kylie Hanekom
I have forgotten how far entry-level bikes have come in the past few years, the handling of this bike was superb, thanks to the compact geometry borrowed from its more famous cousin the TCR, this is the bike to get if you want to race and have fun but don’t want to spend crazy amounts of cash.
Gavin Salt
Gavin Salt
Riding the Avail made me realise that it is possible to have fun irrespective of the performance level or price tag of a bike. Getting outside and enjoying time with friends is the core of a good coffee ride, and you don’t need a full carbon race bike to experience it.
Kylie Hanekom
Kylie Hanekom
Kit and apparel details:
Nic and Kylie were kitted out with the latest Giant and Liv clothing and apparel.
Nic wore the Giant Race Day top and bib shorts (top R1,370; and bib shorts R1,785 ). For protection, Nic donned the Giant Compel helmet (R510) and Giant Horizon Gloves (R275).
Kylie’s shorts and jersey are from Liv’s BeLiv range. The shorts retail for R785 while the jersey can be bought for R815. The helmets and gloves are also by Liv with the Race Day gloves (at R310) and the Luta helmet retailing for a bargain R510.
Bike model details:
Giant Contend SL 2017 – R17,900
The perfect blend of confident and capable. Designed to take your road riding to the next level, Contend SL is your ticket to longer rides, faster speeds, and more fun than you ever imagined.
- SizesXS, S, M, ML, L, XL
- ColorsBlue/Black, Black/Red
- FrameALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum
- ForkHybrid Composite, OverDrive Steerer
- HandlebarGiant Connect
- StemSport
- SeatpostGiant D-Fuse Composite
- SaddleContact Forward
- ShiftersShimano 105
- Front DerailleurShimano 105
- Rear DerailleurShimano 105
- BrakesTektro TK-R540 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot
- Brake LeversShimano 105
- CassetteShimano 105 11-32, 11s
- ChainKMC X11EL-1
- CranksetRS500, 34/50
- Bottom BracketShimano, Press Fit RS500
- RimsPR2 DBL
- HubsPR2 DBL
- SpokesPR2 DBL
- TiresGiant P-SL 1, Front and Rear Specific, 700×25, Folding
For quick spins, or ambitious adventures, Avail is a confident companion for all types of road rides. Its lightweight frame and women’s specific endurance geometry keep you in control, even on rough roads or long rides.
- SizesXS, S, M, L
- ColorsIndigo, White
- FrameALUXX-grade aluminum
- ForkAluminum, alloy OverDrive steerer
- ShockN/A
- HandlebarGiant Connect, 31.8mm
- StemGiant Sport
- SeatpostGiant Sport, 27.2mm
- SaddleLiv Connect Forward
- PedalsPlatform, Caged
- ShiftersShimano Claris
- Front DerailleurShimano Claris
- Rear DerailleurShimano Claris
- BrakesTektro R312
- Brake LeversShimano Claris
- CassetteSRAM PG-850 11×32, 8-speed
- ChainKMC Z72
- CranksetFSA Tempo, 34/50
- Bottom BracketShimano, threaded
- RimsGiant S-R2
- HubsGiant Tracker Sport Road, [F] 24h, [R] 28h
- SpokesStainless Steel, 14g
- TiresGiant S-R4, 700×25, Front and Rear specific, wire bead
- ExtrasBar top brake levers
Designed and developed by the world’s leading aluminum frame engineers for the all-around road rider, Contend is the result of a focused approach to high-value road performance. Born in Giant’s own in-house aluminum forging facility, the ALUXX frame forms the heart of this balanced road machine.
- SizesXS, S, M, ML, L, XL
- ColorsBlack/White, Red/White
- FrameALUXX Grade Aluminum
- ForkHybrid Composite, OverDrive Steerer, disc
- HandlebarGiant Connect
- StemSport
- SeatpostAlloy round
- SaddleContact Forward
- ShiftersShimano Sora
- Front DerailleurShimano Sora
- Rear DerailleurShimano Sora
- BrakesTektro TK-R312 Giant Specific, Dual PivotFinish need must Match Tiagra brake color
- Brake LeversShimano Sora
- CassetteSRAM PG 950 11-32, 9s
- ChainKMC X9
- CranksetShimano Sora 50/34
- Bottom BracketCartridge
- RimsGiant S-R2
- HubsGiant Tracker Sport Road
- SpokesStainless Steel
- TiresGiant S-R4, Front and Rear Specific, 700×25
That Contend is parked in front of my desk (along with a Giant Anyroad), you are right the photos do not do the colour justice, and if you ride the Contend fast enough people may just mistake it for the TCR Adv