Coming in a hair under that magic £1000 mark, the Contend SL 2 Disc maximises on value for money while maintaining the advantages of disc braking and a top notch ALUXX SL aluminium frame. The SL frame is lighter than the base aluminium model and has a tapered (or Overdrive as Giant call it) head tube to accept the carbon fork which is standard across the range. This tapering gives a more positive, stiff feeling to the front end to sharpen up the steering. It is a great example of how technology is seeping down through the price brackets to every level these days, giving impressive ride characteristics and specifications right down to budget levels.
Tiagra levers drive Giant's own Conduct disc brakes, while the drivetrain is a sensible clean sweep of Tiagra kit which, despite being at the budget end of the Shimano range, will serve for a good long time before needing replacement. A D-Fuse carbon composite seatpost has been specially designed to iron out smaller, road chattering shocks that can otherwise fatigue the rider over long periods - another welcome addition for longer rides and handy to take the edge off what might be a fairly harsh ride to the aluminium frame.
Verdict: A very capable and intelligently specified road bike making it an ideal contender for getting into road cycling, or for use as a reliable winter hack for more seasoned riders.
