Thoughts on the Giant Contend 2 2017?

[NewToThis]

Hi all,

New to this forum but I have been reading the sticky threads at the top of this sub forum and it has given me some great tips.

I'm lookin at the Giant Contend 2 2017 at the moment. The $899 price range is fitting right in to my budget, with the addition of $300 of accessories (As discussed on the beginner tips thread) it'll fit right in where I'm want to be price wise.

This is going to be my first bike, I'm mainly wanting to get a little fitter so I'm not looking to be competing with this or anything.

I was just wondering what your thoughts were on this bike as a viable option for what I'm using it for. Thought this was the best place to start!

Sorry if this has been discussed to death, but I've struggled to find reviews on this bike so I thought you may have some input.

[fergy1987]

Might be hard to get reviews just because they are so new.
In saying that definately buy it! Giant always make a quality product. Or even look to see if they have some clearance defy 4 or defy 3 2016 models.
300 on accessories? Just get a pump, helmet, water bottle and some lube and a couple tubes. The rest just buy as required.
Welcome aboard!

[Duck!]

The Contend 2 is the direct replacement for the Defy 3 of the previous model. It's a whole new frame, but geometrically very similar to the Defy it replaces. The Sora running gear on that particular model is also an updated version, although some early-build Contends will have the older model gear due to coming off the lines before the release of the new kit.

[NewToThis]

Thanks for the quick reply guys!

Am I right in seeing bikes come without pedals? Looking at the product shot on Giants website there doesn't appear to have any attached. Sorry if that's a stupid question.

[Duck!]

It does come with pedals, just basic platforms with toe straps, but many higher-level bikes do not include pedals.

[NewToThis]

Thanks for that Duck.

What do you think about swapping them out for clip in cleats? Do you think that's a good option for a first time rider or just wait until I get more advanced?

[Duck!]

Go for it.

[Mububban]

What do you think about swapping them out for clip in cleats? Do you think that's a good option for a first time rider or just wait until I get more advanced?

Clip in pedals are great, you can hop kerbs and hit some bumpy sections and don't have to worry about your feet flying off the pedals. They are just so secure you literally don't have to think about losing your footing on the bike.

However make sure the release mechanism/spring is not done up too tightly, or else when you slow down and try to stop you will fall over still connected to the bike Called a "clip stack", we've all done it, so adjust the tension so unclipping (by moving your heel outwards) is smooth and easy, but not so loose that your foot pulls out of the pedal when pumping hard.

However you'll need to budget another $200+ for pedals and shoes. Shimano SPD are very popular and affordable, if you get knee problems then the Speedplay brand seem to help a lot of riders.

[Duck!]

The Contend 2 is the direct replacement for the Defy 3 of the previous model. It's a whole new frame, but geometrically very similar to the Defy it replaces. The Sora running gear on that particular model is also an updated version, although some early-build Contends will have the older model gear due to coming off the lines before the release of the new kit.

Whoops, I got my specs mixed up.

The Contend 2 replaces the Defy 4, not 3, so the gear is Claris, not Sora.

[NewToThis]

Thanks for all the help guys!

In terms of finding some pedals for the Giant Contend 2, would something like this work well? http://www.this link is broken/au/e ... p-prod3759

I liked the look of these because they were double sided and you could adjust the tension of the clip ins?

In terms of shoes, are there any suggestions to match these pedals?

Or should I be looking for something else?

[Duck!]

They'll work. Ideally MTB-type shoes will be the best match as they'll have the necessary two-bolt arrangemet to take the cleats, and will have a little bit more flex through the sole if you're intending to do any degree of walking in them. Most road shoes will also have the two-bolt mounting, but some will only accept the three-bolt Look/Shimano SPD/SL type cleat mounting. Ultimately, get what's most comfortable for you, they're not all the same!

[2wheels_mond]

The Shimano XC51 are a bargain shoe that would suit at Bikebug at the moment, $99.99 or $119.99 depending on size.

http://www.bikebug.com/shimano-mtb-xc51 ... 43701.html

[NewToThis]

Ah awesome. Thanks for all the advise guys!

One last question (Sorry!), because these pedals are so small, are they hard to pedal with, can you still get some good power out of them? I mean, I'm not trying to sprint or anything but I don't want to get pedals that will give me problems because I can't pedal with them.

[chriso_29er]

You wouldn't use them without the specific cleated shoes. Be very uncomfortable for anything other than up and down the street.
Clipped into shoes no issues with power. I actually use basically the same pedal on my road bike matched with a MTB shoe.

[Duck!]

When you're cleated in the whole shoe effectively becomes part of the pedal, but as chriso says, decidely compromised if you try riding on them in normal shoes.

[hedgehog]

first bike?

[NewToThis]

first bike?

Yes it will be.

Perfect! I was just worried that it would be harder, but that clears it up!

I'll be going with this setup:

http://www.this link is broken/au/e ... ff9bd4c863

http://www.bikebug.com/shimano-mtb-xc51 ... 43701.html

[Duck!]

Buy them when & where you buy the bike. With the shoes in particular you want to be sure you're getting the right ones for your feet.

[NewToThis]

Will do Duck, going to get everything at once when I head into my local bike shop.