Cycling in Singapore is a joy, but buying your first serious road bike can be a minefield. The market is flooded with featherlight carbon race machines with eye-watering price tags. But what if you’re not a competitive racer? What if you're looking for a reliable, comfortable, and versatile workhorse for those glorious Round-The-Island (RTI) adventures, daily commutes, and weekend spins up Mandai Road?
Enter the Giant Contend SL 2 from 2019. For years, it has been a quiet legend in cycling circles, lauded for punching far above its weight class. But now, in late 2025, with technology having moved on, we have to ask the critical question: is this six-year-old aluminium bike still a smart purchase, or just a relic of the past? Let's find out.
Why an Endurance Bike is the Smart Choice for Singapore Roads
Before diving into the bike itself, it's crucial to understand why its category—the endurance road bike—is arguably the perfect fit for our island's unique conditions.
Comfort Over Kilometres
Unlike aggressive race bikes that force you into a low, aerodynamic tuck, endurance bikes feature a more relaxed, upright geometry. This small change makes a world of difference on long rides. It reduces strain on your back, neck, and shoulders, allowing you to finish your 120km RTI feeling accomplished, not broken.
Taming Imperfect Tarmac
Let's be honest, not every road in Singapore is silky smooth. Between patched-up sections, industrial area roads, and the occasional bumpy Park Connector Network (PCN) path, our terrain can be jarring. Endurance bikes are specifically engineered with features to absorb this road buzz, keeping you fresher for longer.
Versatility for the Everyday Rider
The beauty of an endurance bike is its "do-it-all" nature. It's comfortable enough for a long weekend expedition, fast enough to keep up with group rides, and practical enough to handle a daily commute to the CBD. It’s the Swiss Army knife of road bikes for the non-professional cyclist.
A Deep Dive into the 2019 Giant Contend SL 2's Key Features
The Contend SL 2's magic lies in its spec sheet, where Giant masterfully balanced performance and cost. Each component was chosen for reliability and function over flashy marketing hype.
The Frame: ALUXX SL Aluminium
The heart of the bike is its superb aluminium frame. This isn't just any generic alloy; Giant's proprietary ALUXX SL grade is lightweight, stiff, and delivers a ride quality that genuinely rivals some more expensive, lower-grade carbon frames. The welding is clean, the construction is robust—it's a frame built to last a lifetime.
The Drivetrain: Shimano Tiagra's Workhorse Reliability
Equipped with the Shimano Tiagra 4700 series, the Contend SL 2 hits the absolute sweet spot for value. Think of Tiagra as the Toyota Corolla of groupsets: it's not the fanciest, but it is incredibly reliable, durable, and just works, every single time. You get the crisp shifting feel inherited from its more expensive big brother, Shimano 105, without the higher price tag.
The Brakes: Why Hydraulic Discs are a Non-Negotiable
In 2019, hydraulic disc brakes on a bike at this price point were a game-changer. Six years later, they are an essential. Whether you’re navigating a sudden downpour or controlling your speed down Mount Faber, the predictable, powerful stopping power of hydraulic brakes offers a level of safety and confidence that older rim brakes simply can't match.
The Comfort Trio: D-Fuse Seatpost, Carbon Fork, and Tubeless Wheels
This is where the Contend SL 2 truly shines in the comfort department.
D-Fuse Seatpost: The unique D-shaped carbon composite post is designed to flex slightly, absorbing jarring bumps from the road before they reach your body.
Composite Fork: The carbon fork up front performs a similar duty, damping vibrations from the tarmac to reduce hand and arm fatigue.
Tubeless-Ready Wheels: It came stock with a tubeless setup, allowing you to run lower tyre pressures. This means more grip, a smoother ride, and a massive reduction in frustrating punctures from small debris.
| Feature | Giant Contend SL 2 (2019) | Trek Domane AL 3 (2019) | Specialized Allez Elite (2019) |
| Groupset | Shimano Tiagra (10-speed) | Shimano Sora (9-speed) | Shimano 105 (11-speed) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Rim Brakes | Rim Brakes |
| Frame | ALUXX SL Aluminium | 100 Series Alpha Aluminium | E5 Premium Aluminium |
| Est. MSRP | ~S$1,500 | ~S$1,200 | ~S$1,900 |
| Value Point | Hits the sweet spot | More basic brakes/gears | Higher price |
My Long-Term Ownership Experience: 6 Years and Thousands of Kilometres Later
I've owned this exact model since it was released. It has carried me on countless RTIs, through torrential rain, and across every corner of Singapore. Here’s the unfiltered truth.
What Stood the Test of Time
The frame is as solid as the day I bought it. The Shimano Tiagra groupset, with nothing more than routine cleaning and tuning, still shifts reliably. It has proven to be the very definition of a dependable workhorse, never failing me on a ride.
The First (and Only) Necessary Upgrade: The Saddle
While the stock components are excellent, the one area I found lacking was the saddle. I’ll never forget my first 100km ride to Tuas Lamp Post 1 on this bike. By the 80km mark, that long, hot stretch along Changi Coast Road was making itself known. Everything felt great except for my sit bones. This led me to discover the world of aftermarket saddles. Upgrading to a better-fitting saddle (in my case, a Giant Fleet SL) was a complete game-changer, unlocking the bike's true potential for all-day comfort. This is a common and highly personal upgrade for any cyclist, not a fault of the bike itself.
The Verdict: Is the Contend SL 2 a Smart Buy in 2025?
This is the ultimate question. In a world of new bikes, does a six-year-old model make financial sense?
New vs. Second-Hand
A well-maintained 2019 Contend SL 2 can now be found on second-hand platforms like Carousell for approximately S900. To buy a new bike in 2025 with a comparable Tiagra groupset and hydraulic brakes, you'd likely be spending upwards of S$2,000. The Contend SL 2 offers nearly identical performance for less than half the price. That is exceptional value.
As Ben, a veteran mechanic at a popular Joo Chiat bike shop, told me recently, "We still see plenty of these 2019 Contends. The frames are bombproof, and the Tiagra group just keeps going. For the price you can get one for now, it's probably the best deal in cycling."
Who Should Buy This Bike?
The new cyclist looking for their first "serious" road bike that won't hold them back.
The budget-conscious enthusiast who wants 90% of the performance for less than 50% of the price.
The dedicated commuter who needs a reliable, comfortable, and fast machine for daily use.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
The competitive racer seeking every possible aerodynamic advantage and the absolute lowest weight.
The tech enthusiast who wants the latest electronic shifting and fully integrated components.
For everyone else, the 2019 Giant Contend SL 2 remains an almost unbeatable proposition. It’s a testament to smart design and a reminder that you don’t need the latest and greatest to fully enjoy the freedom of road cycling in Singapore.
FAQ Section:
1. What is the main difference between the Giant Contend SL 1 and SL 2?
The primary difference is the groupset. The 2019 Contend SL 1 came with a higher-tier Shimano 105 groupset (11-speed), while the Contend SL 2 uses the highly reliable 10-speed Shimano Tiagra. For most non-competitive riders, the Tiagra on the SL 2 offers fantastic, durable performance and represents better overall value.
2. Can I fit wider tyres on the 2019 Contend SL 2 for more comfort?
The 2019 Giant Contend SL Disc series has official clearance for tyres up to 28mm wide. This is plenty for road cycling and provides a good boost in comfort over older 23mm or 25mm tyres. While some users have managed to fit 30mm tyres, it is a very tight squeeze and not recommended.
3. Is buying a six-year-old aluminium bike a good idea?
Absolutely, provided it has been well-maintained. Unlike carbon fibre which can hide structural damage, an aluminium frame's condition is usually easy to assess visually. A 2019 model like the Contend SL 2 features modern standards like hydraulic disc brakes and a tapered headtube, ensuring it is not functionally outdated and represents an incredible bargain on the second-hand market. Always check for cracks and major dents before purchasing.
No comments:
Post a Comment