Giant Contend SL 1

Author
Discussion

mellowman11uk

Original Poster:

3 posts

159 months

Sunday 8th May 2022
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Having decided to get a road bike after a 10 year lay off, I've been offered the above by a friend of a friend.
Does anyone have any experience of these bikes, or any other bikes to consider?
I've got a budget of around £500. I would rather spend less if possible and see how I get on back on the roads.
The bike he's got is a 2017 contend sl 1 and he wants £350 for it.
Cheers

IJWS15

1,914 posts

91 months

Sunday 8th May 2022
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I found a new SL1 disc in a lbs last year and grabbed it. Delighted with it.

Does the SL1 of that vintage have 105?

mie1972

182 posts

159 months

Monday 9th May 2022
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Alloy Giant Defy's (now called Contend) are the ford focus of road bikes - does everything well, is light, reliable etc.
Perhaps not massively exiting but as do everything you need and do it well. As long as nothing needs replacing anytime soon then £350 is a decent price.

The 1 and 2 models have a better/lighter fork that the 3 4 5 models I believe too so the ones to go for.

Ive got a 2013 Defy thats had replaced groupset/wheels etc but its still a great bike - now used for winter club rides with a set of mudguards on.

If its the disc model, then be aware its probably either mechanical discs or the giant connect hydro/mechanical hybrid that Giant only specced for a couple of years.

Edited by mie1972 on Monday 9th May 17:07

ucb

1,029 posts

218 months

Monday 9th May 2022
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Pretty sure that 2017 contend SL1 uses the hybrid mechanical hydraulic system. Looks a right PITA.

loskie

5,579 posts

126 months

Monday 9th May 2022
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I have the hybrid disc brakes on my Contend AR 2

They are impossible to adjust work ok ish though

It's an ok bike

mellowman11uk

Original Poster:

3 posts

159 months

Monday 9th May 2022
quotequote all
Good to hear. I'll hopefully be going for a look at it this week.
Not sure regarding 105, although a quick Google suggests it mostly is. I know for definite it isn't the disc model.

mellowman11uk

Original Poster:

3 posts

159 months

Monday 9th May 2022
quotequote all
ucb said:
Pretty sure that 2017 contend SL1 uses the hybrid mechanical hydraulic system. Looks a right PITA.
Not sure if it was optional, but this one just has calipers.

J886ATV

136 posts

96 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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Have a slightly newer (2018) SL1 - caliper brakes, 105 (11 speed on mine - suspect 2017 might be 10 speed) - it currently has 33,000 kms on it according to Strava.

Was a direct replacement for a 2014 Defy - both aluminium frame / carbon forks.

As per comments above - good workhorse, but depending on how rough your roads are, there is only space for 25mm tyres which would be the complaint I have