Can the Giant Contend Replace the SCR as the King of Entry-Level Road Bikes?

Last updated: 8 October 2026

The Giant Contend 1 is Giant's aluminium entry-level road bike. The 2024 model has a carbon fork, Shimano Sora 2x9 (18 speeds) with an 11-34T cassette and 28c tyres, and our size S weighed 9.625 kg without pedals. Its geometry is almost identical to the SCR, which Jollymap no longer sells, but the gearing is easier and the tyres are wider, which makes it a sensible first drop-bar bike.

This article is based on our January 2025 YouTube comparison video, with specifications checked against Giant's official websites. Jollymap no longer sells the Giant SCR and will not restock it. At the end we compare the four Contend models in our online shop, all of which are supplied on pre-order.

Giant Contend 1 review: who is it for?

Jason's verdict in our Contend vs SCR video was that the Contend can fully take over the SCR's place as the go-to entry road bike: the parts and design are basically the same, but the tyres and gearing are clearly better, the paint looks more modern, and there is a disc-brake version. If you are still weighing up an SCR, he said, go for the Contend. At HK$6,280 for the 2022 model or HK$6,840 for the 2024 model (our October 2026 web prices), the Contend 1 is a safe first drop-bar bike, and Giant Taiwan says its 28c tyres let you ride poorer road surfaces with confidence.

For comfort it uses a carbon fork and Giant's D-Fuse seatpost, which is round at the front and flat at the back. Giant Taiwan says it flexes 2.4 times more than a standard round post, so long rides are less tiring. The frame follows Giant's Compact Road design, with smaller front and rear triangles that save material and reduce twisting under load.

What are the downsides?

The Contend 1 uses Tektro TK-B177 rim callipers rather than disc brakes, so braking in the rain is weaker than on a disc bike. Giant UK makes the same point for the disc-braked Contend AR 3, saying disc brakes give more consistent braking in wet weather and on rough roads. When BikeRadar reviewed an earlier Contend 1 in 2018 (with 25c tyres and an 11-32T cassette), it found the ride harsh on rough roads and the Tektro brakes weaker than Shimano equivalents. Tyre clearance is also limited (see the FAQ).

Contend 1 specifications and weight

Our size S Contend 1 weighed 9.625 kg without pedals, measured on a hanging scale in our video. Giant Taiwan does not publish a weight for the 2024 model. Giant Japan does for the 2022 model: 9.6 kg in size M without pedals. The two model years share the same main components; the colours differ.

Sources: Giant Taiwan, Contend 1 (2024); Giant Japan, Contend 1 (2022); checked 8 October 2026. Our earlier version of this article gave the chainset as 53/34T, which was wrong: it is 34/50T.

How is the Contend different from the SCR?

Comparing Giant Taiwan's geometry charts for the SCR (2022) and the Contend 1 (2024), the stack, reach, top tube length and head and seat angles are identical. The differences are in gearing, tyres and seat tube length.

Every Contend 1 size has a seat tube 20 mm longer than the SCR (465 mm vs 445 mm in size S) and 1.3 to 1.4 mm less trail; everything else matches, so on Giant's figures the two should handle almost the same. Giant has not said publicly that the Contend replaces the SCR, but on paper it is the direct successor.

Both use a 34/50T chainset, but the Contend 1 and Contend 2 have a 34T biggest sprocket against the SCR's 28T. The lowest gear drops from about 1.21 (34÷28) to 1:1 (34÷34). By our calculation that is about 18% slower at the same cadence, which means each pedal stroke on a climb is lighter; Jason called the extra 6 teeth "a blessing" on climbs for new riders whose legs are still developing (video, 6:50). The Contend also ships with 700x28c tyres (Giant quotes about 30 mm actual width) where the SCR had 700x25c. Jason compared the two frames and found little difference, so an SCR can take 28c tyres too, but buying the Contend saves you the cost of new tyres (video, 6:32). Weight is a draw: 9.64 kg for our size S SCR 2 and 9.625 kg for the Contend 1.

Has the Giant Contend been discontinued? What about the SCR?

No sign of it for the Contend. On 8 October 2026 Giant Taiwan's Contend (2026) range page still listed the Contend 1 and Contend 3, with the 2026 Contend 1 moving to Shimano CUES 9-speed and an 11-36T cassette. Giant Japan lists 2025 Contend 1 and Contend 2 models, and Giant US a 2025 Contend AR 3. We sell the 2022 and 2024 models.

Giant has not announced the end of the SCR either, and Giant Taiwan still has a page for the 2024 SCR 2. Jollymap, however, has stopped selling the whole SCR range (2022 SCR 1, 2022 SCR 2 and 2024 SCR 2) and will not restock it. For the differences between the SCR 1 and SCR 2, see our Giant SCR 1 and SCR 2 guide.

Which Contend 1 size do I need?

Giant's height guide for the 2024 Contend 1 (Giant Japan gives the same ranges for 2022): XS 157–169 cm, S 165–175 cm, M 171–181 cm, M/L 177–187 cm. We stock XS to M/L. Working from Giant's figures, the stack-to-reach ratio is about 1.44 in size S (541/375 mm) and 1.49 in size M (563/378 mm), so the bars sit fairly high relative to the saddle, which suits new riders. If you fall between sizes, our bike fitting service can help.

Which of our four Contend models should I buy?

All four are supplied on pre-order, so please ask us about delivery times. In short: the 2024 Contend 1 if you want the newest model, the 2022 Contend 1 if budget comes first, and the Contend AR 3 if you want disc brakes and room for wider tyres.

Prices as of 8 October 2026; the product page is always the latest.

Contend 1 (2024): the current Sora rim-brake bike

The bike reviewed above: Sora 2x9, 34/50T with 11-34T, carbon fork and 28c tyres, 9.625 kg in size S on our scale. Dark red, sizes XS to M/L, pre-order. The limits are rim brakes and a 28 mm maximum tyre size on Giant Taiwan's spec sheet.

See sizes, pre-order details and today's price for the Giant Contend 1 2024

Contend 1 (2022): same kit, lowest price

According to Giant Japan, the 2022 Contend 1 also has Sora 2x9, 11-34T, Tektro TK-B177 brakes and 28c tyres, and weighs 9.6 kg (size M, no pedals). At HK$6,280 it is the cheapest of the four. It only comes in rosewood, sizes XS to M/L, pre-order.

See sizes and today's price for the rosewood Giant Contend 1 2022

Contend 2 (2022): the 8-speed Claris version

Giant UK's 2022 specification lists Shimano Claris 2x8, an FSA Tempo 34/50T chainset and an 11-34T cassette, again with a carbon fork and 28c tyres. Black, sizes XS to M, pre-order. The gaps between its eight gears are bigger, and at the time of writing it costs HK$220 more than the 2022 Contend 1, which is the better-equipped bike if it comes in your size.

See sizes and today's price for the Giant Contend 2 2022

Contend AR 3 (2024): disc brakes and wide tyres

Same Sora 2x9 and 11-34T, but with Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc brakes, 12 mm thru-axles, 700x32c tyres, clearance for 38 mm and mudguard mounts (Giant UK, 2024). Giant has not published a 2024 weight; Giant US lists the 2025 Contend AR 3 at 9.97 kg in size M, for reference only. It is the most expensive of the four, its published weight is higher, and the discs are cable-operated rather than hydraulic. Light blue, sizes S to L, pre-order.

See sizes, pre-order details and today's price for the Giant Contend AR 3 2024

Want to compare other brands? Browse our adult road bikes or read our entry-level road bike guide (in Chinese). Some regional Giant spec sheets list no pedals, so ask us what is included, and budget for pedals, lights and an adult cycling helmet. Before you buy, message us on WhatsApp or call 2342 0780 with your height and usual routes, and we will help you check the size.

FAQ

Does the Giant Contend 1 have disc brakes?

No, both the 2022 and 2024 Contend 1 use Tektro TK-B177 rim callipers. If you want discs, the Contend AR 3 has Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc brakes and 12 mm thru-axles.

How wide a tyre will the Contend 1 take?

Giant Taiwan's 2024 spec sheet says 28 mm, although the same page's feature text says up to 32 mm; Giant UK lists 30 mm for the 2022 model. It already comes with 700x28c tyres (about 30 mm), so please check with us before fitting anything wider.

How much does the Giant SCR 2 weigh?

Giant does not publish an SCR 2 weight. We weighed a size S SCR 2 at 9.64 kg without pedals in our video, almost the same as the 9.625 kg size S Contend 1.

Further reading

• Giant SCR 1 and SCR 2: what is the difference?
• Entry-level road bikes by budget (in Chinese)
• Jollymap bike fitting service

Update log: 8 October 2026. Refocused on the Contend: added specification and size tables, our weighed figures, charts comparing the Contend with the SCR and our four Contend models, the discontinuation question and an FAQ; corrected the chainset to 34/50T; removed an unverifiable claim about Giant's own comparisons; noted that Jollymap no longer sells the SCR; replaced short links with full URLs.

Sources

• Jollymap YouTube: Giant Contend vs SCR (Cantonese, 4 January 2025)
• Giant Taiwan: Contend 1 (2024) specifications and geometry
• Giant Taiwan: SCR 1 (2022) specifications and geometry
• Giant Taiwan: SCR 2 (2024)
• Giant Taiwan: Contend 1 (2026)
• Giant Japan: Contend 1 (2022), including weight
• Giant UK: Contend 2 (2022)
• Giant UK: Contend AR 3 (2024)
• Giant US: Contend AR 3 (2025), including weight
• BikeRadar: Giant Contend 1 review (January 2018)