Editor's Choice Award
Giant DEFY Advanced 1
In winning its second consecutive Bicycling Magazine Editor's Choice award, the Defy confirmed its place among the best road bikes in the world. "The forgiving chassis does an impressive job of muting road bumps while still maintaining a responsive ride that is ready to snap out of turns."
Bicycling Magazine June 2012
In winning its second consecutive Bicycling Magazine Editor's Choice award, the Defy confirmed its place among the best road bikes in the world. "The forgiving chassis does an impressive job of muting road bumps while still maintaining a responsive ride that is ready to snap out of turns."
Bicycling Magazine June 2012
2012 Editors’ Choice Women’s Road Bikes:
Giant TCR Advanced W
Giant dominates this category for the fourth straight year. The Advanced W was the lightest bike of the test group, and felt the fastest and most efficient—especially when the road pointed up. Testers reported that the bike “accelerated with a smooth jump” and was “stiff yet still comfortable on rough pavement.”
2012 Editor's Choice Entry-Level Road Bikes
Giant Defy 2
Ideal for first-timers
Taking its third consecutive Editors’ Choice crown, the Defy 2 again demonstrated Giant’s mastery at manipulating aluminum to give cyclists an impressive ride feel.
Ideal for first-timers
Taking its third consecutive Editors’ Choice crown, the Defy 2 again demonstrated Giant’s mastery at manipulating aluminum to give cyclists an impressive ride feel.
Also on the podium
Felt F6
With the unbeatable performance of a lightweight UHC Performance carbon fiber frame, built to exacting standards through Felt’s Modular Monocoque Construction, the F6 road bike is equally adept at city limit sprints or long mountain climbs. Balancing a high level of stiff pedaling efficiency with precision handling in sprints, corners and twisting descents, it’s a versatile all-rounder for everyday performance. "Dives easily into corners and holds tight line," said one tester. "Snappy and quick," another observed. The ride is smooth, but the F6 seems at its best when pushed Hard.
With the unbeatable performance of a lightweight UHC Performance carbon fiber frame, built to exacting standards through Felt’s Modular Monocoque Construction, the F6 road bike is equally adept at city limit sprints or long mountain climbs. Balancing a high level of stiff pedaling efficiency with precision handling in sprints, corners and twisting descents, it’s a versatile all-rounder for everyday performance. "Dives easily into corners and holds tight line," said one tester. "Snappy and quick," another observed. The ride is smooth, but the F6 seems at its best when pushed Hard.
Voted best buy for Entry-Level Tri bike Triathlete Magazine
FELT S22
If you want a bike designed with true triathlon geometry that’s well suited to a fairly aggressive position and built with a trustworthy component kit, the S22 is just about the most affordable bike to fit the bill. It is offered in seven frame sizes to make it easier to find a perfect match, and the Sram Apex component kit is more than worthy of a place on the race course. The saddle and brakes aren’t the best we’ve tried, but the highly adjustable aerobar creates a comfortable grip position. Triathlete Magazine Buyers Guide 2012
If you want a bike designed with true triathlon geometry that’s well suited to a fairly aggressive position and built with a trustworthy component kit, the S22 is just about the most affordable bike to fit the bill. It is offered in seven frame sizes to make it easier to find a perfect match, and the Sram Apex component kit is more than worthy of a place on the race course. The saddle and brakes aren’t the best we’ve tried, but the highly adjustable aerobar creates a comfortable grip position. Triathlete Magazine Buyers Guide 2012
Triathlete Magazine top pick
FELT DA2
With Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 components and carbon clincher Reynolds wheels spec’d on Felt’s new DA frame design, this bike is a complete dream machine straight out of the box. Its new, wider fit range makes this bike a reality for more people than before, as long as the price tag isn’t a deal breaker. Felt’s Bayonet3 stem system and new aerobar assembly pieces give the newest DA a broad range of potential positions. Not only does this system enable many riders to fit the DA2, but it also contributes to its stiffness and excellent handling characteristics. Triathlete Magazine Buyers Guide 2012
With Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 components and carbon clincher Reynolds wheels spec’d on Felt’s new DA frame design, this bike is a complete dream machine straight out of the box. Its new, wider fit range makes this bike a reality for more people than before, as long as the price tag isn’t a deal breaker. Felt’s Bayonet3 stem system and new aerobar assembly pieces give the newest DA a broad range of potential positions. Not only does this system enable many riders to fit the DA2, but it also contributes to its stiffness and excellent handling characteristics. Triathlete Magazine Buyers Guide 2012
GIANT TRINITY COMPOSITE 1
Giant quietly released a new line of triathlon bikes this year based on the Trinity Advanced SL, the bike that triggered the landslide of integrated tri frames. The Composite uses a typical stem instead of an integrated system. Offered in three frame sizes, the seat tube angle gets progressively steeper as saddle height increases. Triathlete Magazine Buyers Guide 2012
