Giant Contend Ar 3 2024 Road Bike

The Giant Contend AR 3 (2024) is an all-rounder road bike with an ALUXX aluminium frame and carbon fork, Shimano Sora 2x9 (18-speed) shifting and Tektro mechanical disc brakes. It comes on 700x32c tyres and the frame takes tyres up to 38mm. It suits entry to intermediate riders who want comfort and control on everything from smooth tarmac to rougher roads.

Key highlights

• Category: Aluminium all-rounder road bike, disc brakes, mechanical shifting
• Brand: Giant (Taiwan), Contend AR range, 2024 model year; Jollymap colour Light Blue (Giant's official colourway name: Aged Denim)
• Frame and fork: ALUXX-grade aluminium frame; Advanced-grade composite fork with full-composite OverDrive steerer; 12mm thru-axles front and rear
• Groupset: Shimano Sora 2x9 (18-speed), 34/50T crankset with 11-34T cassette
• Brakes: Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc, Giant MPH 160mm rotors front and rear
• Wheels and tyres: Giant S-R2 Disc alloy wheelset (22mm inner width), Giant S-R3 AC 700x32c tyres; up to 38mm tyre clearance and fender mounts
• Best for: A first drop-bar road bike, weekend training plus commuting, or riders who often meet broken road surfaces and want wider tyres for comfort

Contend AR 3: from smooth tarmac to bumpy back roads

Break out of the box and expand your road riding adventures. From smooth pavement to bumpy backroads, this ultra-capable road bike has built-in compliance and high-volume tyres, so you can ride any road with confidence and control.

Balanced road geometry

The frame is engineered to produce a balanced, all-rounder feel that blends confident rider positioning with agile cornering and acceleration. In size M, Giant's official geometry gives a stack of 574mm and a reach of 380mm.

Smooth ride quality

The Giant D-Fuse alloy seatpost (14mm offset) reduces road shocks and vibrations, and according to Giant, the Giant WheelSystem lets you run tubeless tyres up to 38mm for a smoother ride and reduced risk of flats. The bike ships with 700x32c Giant S-R3 AC tyres (34mm actual width).

Total control

Seamless disc brake integration, including flat mounts and 12mm front and rear thru-axles, produces more consistent braking power for better control, even in wet weather and on rough roads, according to Giant.

Who is it for?

The Contend AR 3 suits riders who want a drop-bar road bike for getting started, weekend training or daily commuting. With 38mm tyre clearance and fender mounts, you can fit wider tyres for rougher routes or add fenders for the rainy season. If race speed and a lighter carbon frame matter most, see the carbon option in the comparison table below. If you mostly ride smooth roads and prefer narrower tyres with rim brakes, take a look at the Giant Contend 1 2024 Road Bike.

Size guide

Jollymap offers this bike in S, M, ML and L. Use Giant's official recommended rider heights and key geometry below as a starting point:

Height ranges are Giant's official guide, not a guarantee of fit; riders whose arm or leg length is out of proportion to their height may need a different size. Source: Giant official product page (2024 model).

Full specifications

Brand / model	Giant Contend AR 3 (2024 model year)
Frame	ALUXX-grade aluminium, disc, 12mm thru-axle
Fork	Advanced-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, disc, 12mm thru-axle
Shifters	Shimano Sora 2x9
Front / rear derailleur	Shimano Sora
Brakes	Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc, Giant MPH rotors, 160mm front / 160mm rear; Shimano Sora brake levers
Crankset	Shimano Sora, 34/50T (crank length: S 170mm, M/ML 172.5mm, L 175mm)
Cassette	Shimano CS-HG400, 11-34T
Chain	KMC X9
Bottom bracket	Cartridge
Wheels	Giant S-R2 Disc, alloy, 22mm inner rim width; Giant alloy hubs, 12mm thru-axle; Sapim spokes
Tyres	Giant S-R3 AC, 700x32c (34mm actual width)
Max tyre clearance	38mm
Handlebar	Giant Connect (width: S 400mm, M/ML 420mm, L 440mm); Velo cork tape with gel
Stem	Giant Sport (length: S 90mm, M/ML 100mm, L 110mm)
Seatpost	Giant D-Fuse, alloy, 14mm offset
Saddle	Giant Approach
Extras	Fender mounts
Colour (Jollymap)	Light Blue
Sizes (Jollymap)	S, M, ML, L

Specification source: Giant official product page (giant-bicycles.com), Contend AR 3 (2024 model year). Giant reserves the right to change specifications; parts may vary by region and production batch, so please check with us before ordering.

How it compares with other Giant road bikes

Below we compare the Contend AR 3 with the 2024 Contend 1 and with the carbon endurance Defy Advanced 2 listed in our shop:

Source: Giant official product pages (Contend AR 3 2024 on Giant UK, Contend 1 2024 on Giant Taiwan, Defy Advanced 2 2026).

Jollymap's advice

If your rides often include rough patches or you want the option of wider tyres later, the Contend AR 3's disc brakes and 38mm clearance give you more flexibility than a traditional rim-brake road bike. Not sure which size? Find out about Jollymap's size fitting and bike fit service, or chat with us or message our Facebook page before ordering, with your height, inseam and usual routes.

FAQ

How much does the Giant Contend AR 3 weigh?

Giant does not publish a weight for the 2024 Contend AR 3. Giant says weight varies with size, finish, hardware and accessories, and the most accurate figure comes from weighing the bike at a dealer. For reference only: Giant USA lists 9.97 kg (size M) for the 2025 Contend AR 3, which uses the same Sora, Tektro MD-C550 and S-R2 Disc parts, but that figure should not be taken as the weight of this 2024 model.

Which Contend AR 3 size should I choose?

Start with Giant's official height guide: S 165–175 cm, M 171–181 cm, ML 177–187 cm, L 183–193 cm. If you fall between two sizes, compare the stack and reach figures, or use Jollymap's size fitting service before deciding.

What is the maximum tyre size for the Contend AR 3?

38mm. It ships with 700x32c Giant S-R3 AC tyres (34mm actual width), and Giant says the WheelSystem can run tubeless tyres up to 38mm. If you want to convert to tubeless, please check with us before ordering which parts are needed.

How many gears does the Contend AR 3 have?

18. A Shimano Sora 34/50T double crankset is paired with a Shimano CS-HG400 11-34T 9-speed cassette (2x9). The 34T small chainring with the 34T largest cog gives a 1:1 low gear for climbing.

What is the difference between the Contend AR 3 and the Contend 1?

Brakes and tyre clearance. The Contend AR 3 has Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc brakes and 12mm thru-axles, ships on 700x32c tyres and takes up to 38mm. The Contend 1 2024 uses Tektro TK-B177 caliper brakes and ships on 700x28c tyres. Both share an ALUXX aluminium frame, carbon fork and Shimano Sora 2x9 drivetrain.

Has the Giant Contend been discontinued?

We have found nothing to suggest the Contend range has been discontinued. This page is the 2024 model; Giant USA and Giant Australia already list a 2025 Contend AR 3, and Giant Taiwan and Giant Japan list a 2025 Contend 1. Colours and some parts can differ between model years, so please check with us before ordering.

Can I fit fenders to the Contend AR 3?

Yes. Giant's official spec lists fender mounts on the frame, which is handy for Hong Kong's rainy season or commuting. Fenders need to suit your tyre width, so please check with us before ordering.

"Easy Take" Bike Delivery Service

- Bike 100% assembled

- Easy and comfortable to pick up

- Anti-collision packaging for protection

You can select the "Easy Take" Bike Delivery - Home Delivery or Drop Off Point in the Checkout Page.  

Please click here for more details.

Specifications and components follow the manufacturer's latest release and may change without notice. If in doubt, please contact us to confirm before ordering.

Last updated: October 2026