{"product_id":"giant-contend-ar-1-2027","title":"Giant Contend AR 1 (2027)","description":"\u003cp data-block-id=\"c639d5c5-e6b0-4ece-be3d-550f7e7cb710\" data-pm-slice=\"0 0 []\"\u003eThe 2027 Giant Contend AR 1 is an aluminium all-road bike built for long rides on mixed roads: smooth tarmac, broken country lanes, and the odd stretch of gravel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"08e49722-d5c9-4586-88a1-a1899096b1c7\"\u003eIt pairs a lightweight ALUXX SL alloy frame with a carbon fork, runs a simple 1x Shimano CUES drivetrain with hydraulic disc brakes, and rolls on 32mm tubeless tyres with room for up to 43mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-block-id=\"202e74f4-393a-4ecb-9233-aa1816d71547\"\u003eOne chainring, and why that matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"1d2ffc30-54ad-4afe-a34d-68e996983c18\"\u003eMost road bikes have two chainrings at the front. The Contend AR 1 has one: a 42T ring paired with a wide 11-50T cassette at the back. This 1x setup changes how the bike rides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"fa7ccd1a-85f3-4c4a-bfb1-da3620263087\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you gain:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne shifter to think about. Right hand for every gear change, and no working out which chainring you're on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNothing to adjust at the front. With no front derailleur, there's no chain dropping off the inside ring on a bumpy road.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA very easy climbing gear. The 42 x 50 bottom gear is lower than the 34 x 34 on most road bikes with a compact chainset, so steep hills are more manageable seated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"9d66fb8c-90ac-4580-9658-a5e973363abe\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you give up:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTop speed when pedalling. The 42 x 11 top gear runs out at around the high-30s km\/h at a normal cadence. On fast descents or in a quick group bunch, you'll be freewheeling where a two-ring road bike would still be pedalling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmaller steps between gears. Covering 11 to 50 teeth with 11 cogs means bigger jumps between gears, so it's harder to find exactly the right cadence on flat roads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"5df68f7c-5dd0-48d3-8e6e-652444c62b56\"\u003eFor commuting, fitness riding, hilly routes and riders newer to drop-bar bikes, that's a trade worth making. If you ride in fast bunches or race, a two-chainring road bike will suit you better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat changed from the 2026 Contend AR 1\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name carried over, but the build didn't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2026 Contend AR 1's Shimano 105 build has moved up to the 2027 \u003cstrong\u003eContend AR 0\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the 2027 AR 1 is a new build around a better frame and a simpler drivetrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003e\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003e2026 Contend AR 1\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003e2027 Contend AR 1\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFrame\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eALUXX-grade aluminium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eALUXX SL-grade aluminium, UDH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTyre clearance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDrivetrain\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShimano 105, 2x12-speed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShimano CUES, 1x11-speed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGearing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50\/34T, 11-36T\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e42T, 11-50T\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eBrakes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShimano 105 hydraulic disc, 160mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShimano CUES hydraulic disc, 160mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWheels\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGiant P-R2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGiant P-AR 2, tubeless prepared\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTyres\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGavia Fondo 2, 32mm tubeless\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGavia Fondo 2, 32mm tubeless\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's better on the 2027:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eALUXX SL is Giant's higher grade of aluminium, using thinner, more refined tubing than standard ALUXX for a lighter frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2027 frame also adds the UDH hanger and 5mm more tyre clearance, so it's more capable on rough roads and gravel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's different:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe drivetrain moves from 105 2x12 to CUES 1x11. That means a lower climbing gear and a simpler setup, but a lower top gear and bigger steps between gears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're after the 2026 AR 1's 105 two-chainring setup, look at the 2027 Contend AR 0, which now carries it on the new ALUXX SL frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-block-id=\"aa2b35a8-91cf-4a0d-94c5-e0b178b41566\"\u003eRoom for wider tyres\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"6a690786-704a-48a7-9f61-5172dcf9a806\"\u003eThe 2027 Contend AR has tyre clearance for up to 43mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"d572d0a8-c796-4cfe-8769-4fb28692caa1\"\u003eIt comes tubeless prepared, on Giant P-AR 2 alloy wheels with 32mm Giant Gavia Fondo 2 tubeless tyres, which already run at lower pressures than skinny road tyres for more grip and comfort on rough surfaces. They have a Race Shield puncture-protection layer under the tread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"dcd38dfb-0df0-4597-ab97-13f8ab8088d7\"\u003eThe extra clearance lets you fit wider, knobbier tyres for gravel roads and rail trails, turning the Contend AR into a light gravel bike without changing anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-block-id=\"cac970c9-a0da-4704-87d1-e4ef80b7e7c6\"\u003eComfort built in\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"bbc45a02-96d8-43e5-bae6-347365ef2de4\"\u003eThree parts do most of the work of smoothing out rough roads:\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD-Fuse carbon seatpost: its D-shaped profile is designed to flex slightly under the saddle, taking the edge off bumps from the rear wheel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdvanced-grade carbon fork: carbon damps high-frequency road buzz better than an alloy fork, so your hands and wrists stay fresher on long rides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWider tyres: the single biggest comfort factor on any road bike, and the reason the clearance matters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"5cb812da-bc68-4b8a-852f-f75f2b678b8d\"\u003eThe Giant Contact handlebar has a 7.2 degree flare in the drops. The drops sit wider than the hoods, for more control when descending and cornering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-block-id=\"4e924adb-2f80-40ce-b3d8-307511551892\"\u003eUDH and hydraulic disc brakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"50dccb1c-930d-452c-be14-c85facc7dbdc\"\u003eNew for 2027, the frame uses a UDH derailleur hanger. It's a universal standard, so a replacement is easy to find if you bend one, and it keeps future drivetrain upgrades open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"d0349254-f5c8-4802-9f00-9e2923eff7cc\"\u003eBraking is Shimano CUES hydraulic disc with 160mm rotors front and rear, and the bottom bracket is threaded, which stays quieter and is simpler to service than press-fit designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"a0b11c5c-15b5-4c82-96bd-3831182d0f8e\"\u003eHydraulic discs need less hand effort than cable brakes and stay consistent in the wet, which matters on long descents and Melbourne winter commutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-block-id=\"08bd95f7-52ca-4fa9-b5e1-daf5d99e83b6\"\u003eSizing and collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"65f8e598-89bc-449f-b0b5-4256c90f7131\"\u003eThe Contend AR 1 comes in six sizes: XS, S, M, ML, L and XL.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"c2f96a8f-74ea-4ac8-a076-1f7521b4985e\"\u003eHandlebar width, stem length and crank length are matched to each size, with 165mm cranks on XS and S, 170mm on M and ML, and 172.5mm on L and XL.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"d09d273a-772b-44c0-b7fe-83e5eb10d5f3\"\u003eGiant bikes are Click \u0026amp; Collect or in-store purchase only and can't be shipped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"212711ab-8ef4-4dcd-a48e-64ecdbb23891\"\u003eClick \u0026amp; Collect is free, and every new bike includes a free first service within 6 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-block-id=\"1635ec62-9664-47d3-995c-682568b2217a\"\u003eGiant Contend AR 1 FAQs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-block-id=\"2e00e6c4-9990-4b20-8f56-9d326da631dd\"\u003eIs the Giant Contend AR 1 a 1x bike?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"2e00e6c4-9990-4b20-8f56-9d326da631dd\"\u003eYes. It uses a single 42T chainring with an 11-50T, 11-speed Shimano CUES cassette. There's no front derailleur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-block-id=\"cfe86e2d-235b-4178-a907-f3ad91456399\"\u003eIs a 1x road bike good for hills?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"cfe86e2d-235b-4178-a907-f3ad91456399\"\u003eYes. The Contend AR 1's lowest gear (42 x 50) is easier than the 34 x 34 found on most compact road bikes. The trade-off is a lower top gear on fast descents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-block-id=\"3a5cd913-64ce-4a79-8ef7-d48c0dfb0ab3\"\u003eWhat is the tyre clearance on the 2027 Giant Contend AR?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"3a5cd913-64ce-4a79-8ef7-d48c0dfb0ab3\"\u003eUp to 43mm. It comes with 32mm Giant Gavia Fondo 2 tubeless tyres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-block-id=\"64f259a8-827b-4571-bb3b-673749b12086\"\u003eIs the Contend AR 1 tubeless ready?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"64f259a8-827b-4571-bb3b-673749b12086\"\u003eYes. It comes tubeless prepared, with Giant P-AR 2 wheels and tubeless Gavia Fondo 2 tyres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-block-id=\"38b75c90-61e5-4e34-9a82-669e2044ea40\"\u003eWhat's new on the 2027 Contend AR?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"38b75c90-61e5-4e34-9a82-669e2044ea40\"\u003eTyre clearance up to 43mm, a UDH derailleur hanger and updated styling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-block-id=\"b9149685-c960-42d2-868d-3586bd252713\"\u003eWhat is the difference between the Giant Contend and Contend AR?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"b9149685-c960-42d2-868d-3586bd252713\"\u003eThe AR (all-road) version has more tyre clearance and wider tyres for rough roads and light gravel, with a more relaxed, comfort-focused setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-block-id=\"d1798884-f84a-4b07-a382-4cc600a9d23b\"\u003eCan the Contend AR 1 be delivered?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-block-id=\"d1798884-f84a-4b07-a382-4cc600a9d23b\"\u003eNo. Giant bikes are Click \u0026amp; Collect or in-store purchase only. Click \u0026amp; Collect is free.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant","offers":[{"title":"XS","offer_id":67594084221237,"sku":"9024034123","price":2399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"M","offer_id":67594092183861,"sku":"9024034125","price":2399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L","offer_id":67594092216629,"sku":"9024034127","price":2399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"ML","offer_id":67594092249397,"sku":"9024034126","price":2399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL","offer_id":67594092314933,"sku":"9024034128","price":2399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"S","offer_id":67594092347701,"sku":"9024034124","price":2399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0700\/3468\/6261\/files\/giant-contend-ar-1-2027-storm-grey.jpg?v=1790652263","url":"https:\/\/ivanhoecycles.com.au\/products\/giant-contend-ar-1-2027","provider":"Ivanhoe Cycles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}