2024 Canyon Endurace vs Giant Defy Advanced

In this article, our bike expert Bernard Lu breaks down the differences between the Canyon Endurace and Giant Defy Advanced, comparing the models, features, technologies and pricing.

Experienced cyclist turned writer with 7+ years working in bike shops, overseeing retail and workshop operations.
Updated:

This article compares the Canyon Endurace and Giant Defy Advanced.

I’ll help you understand the bike model lineups, specifications, and suggested retail prices in USD. I’ll explain the carbon fiber technology (Canyon Carbon Fiber and Giant Advanced Composite) and innovative frameset technologies on each bike.

The objective is to provide you with a clearer understanding of Canyon Endurace and Giant Defy Advanced.

Canyon EnduraceGiant Defy Advanced
Type of bikeEnduranceEndurance
Frame materialCF SLX carbon
CF SL carbon
Advanced carbon
Frame sizesXS, S, M, L, XLXS, S, M, ML, L, XL
GroupsetShimano, SRAM (12-speed)Shimano, SRAM (12-speed)
BrakesHydraulic discHydraulic disc
CablingExternalExternal
Price (USD)$2,699 to $7,899$2,800 to $6,500
Overview of Canyon Endurace and Giant Defy Advanced

Canyon Endurace

Canyon Endurace SRAM Red eTap AXS
Canyon Endurace CF SLX 9 eTap. Photo : Canyon

The Canyon Endurace is an endurance bike. It’s designed for comfort over stiffness and performance. The frame geometry is more relaxed and puts the rider in a more upright position than the Canyon Aeroad.

Although designed for the tarmac, its 33mm wide tires have no problems tackling hardpacked gravel or dirt roads. Just make sure it’s not a single track.

Sits atop the Canyon Endurace lineup is the CFR, followed by CF SLX and CF at the bottom end.

ModelFrame materialGroupsetWheelsetRetail price (USD)
Canyon Endurace CF SLX 9 eTapCF SLX carbonSRAM Red eTap AXSDT Swiss ERC 1100$7,899
Canyon Endurace CF SLX 9 Di2CF SLX carbonShimano Dura-Ace Di2DT Swiss ERC 1100$7,899
Canyon Endurace CF SL 8 eTapCF SL carbonSRAM Force eTap AXSDT Swiss ERC 1400$4,999
Canyon Endurace CF SL 8 Di2CF SL carbonShimano Ultegra Di2DT Swiss ERC 1400$4,999
Canyon Endurace CF SL 7 eTapCF SL carbonSRAM Rival eTap AXSDT Swiss Endurance$2,999
Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTapCF SL carbonSRAM Rival eTap AXSDT Swiss Endurance$2,999
Canyon Endurace CF 7 Di2CF SL carbonShimano 105 Di2Fulcrum Racing 900$2,699
Canyon Endurace models lineup

Giant Defy Advanced

Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 Shimano Ultegra Di2
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1. Photo : Giant

The Giant Defy Advanced is an endurance bike.

Unlike the Giant Propel Advanced and TCR Advanced, the Giant Defy is designed for you to go longer distances and be comfortable.

To achieve this, the Giant Defy has a more relaxed geometry with a shorter reach and higher stack than a similar size Giant TCR Advanced. The frame can take up to 700x35c tires.

ModelFrame materialGroupsetWheelsetRetail price (USD)
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1Advanced carbonShimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100)Giant SLR 1 36$6,500
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2 AXSAdvanced carbonSRAM Rival eTap AXSGiant SLR 2 36$5,200
Giant Defy Advanced Pro Di2Advanced carbonShimano 105 Di2 (R7100)Giant SLR 2 36$4,800
Giant Defy Advanced 0Advanced carbonSRAM Rival eTap AXSGiant P-R2$4,100
Giant Defy Advanced 1Advanced carbonShimano 105 Di2 (R7100)Giant P-R2$3,900
Giant Defy Advanced 2Advanced carbonShimano 105 (R7000)Giant P-R2$2,800
Giant Defy Advanced models lineup

Canyon vs Giant carbon fiber

Canyon Carbon Fiber (CF)

Canyon’s innovative approach to bike design includes the utilization of advanced carbon fiber technology, resulting in performance-oriented bicycles that offer remarkable strength, reduced weight, and improved ride quality.

Canyon employs three main types of carbon fiber in their range of bikes; CFR, CF SLX, and CF SL, each offering unique benefits to cater to your needs and budgets.

  1. Canyon CFR (Canyon Factory Racing) Carbon is the top-tier carbon fiber used by Canyon, designed for maximum performance. Bikes built with CFR carbon are the lightest and stiffest in the Canyon line-up, favored by professional racers and serious enthusiasts alike. The CFR series represents the pinnacle of Canyon’s engineering prowess and innovation, employing state-of-the-art materials and advanced manufacturing techniques.
  2. Canyon CF SLX Carbon is a step below CFR, but it still offers exceptional performance characteristics. It used to be the highest-grade carbon in Canyon’s arsenal until the introduction of the CFR series. Bikes with CF SLX carbon frames provide a perfect balance of weight, stiffness, and comfort, making them highly versatile for a range of riding conditions.
  3. Canyon CF SL Carbon is the entry-level carbon fiber in Canyon’s range, but it still offers excellent performance. While it doesn’t quite match the extreme weight savings and stiffness of the CFR and CF SLX grades, CF SL frames are still impressively light and stiff, providing excellent performance for the value. Ideal for cyclists who desire a high-quality, performance-oriented bike without breaking the bank, the CF SL series is a testament to Canyon’s commitment to delivering value and performance.

Giant Advanced Composite Carbon

Giant’s Advanced Composite Carbon is a proprietary carbon fiber technology used in constructing bicycle frames. It’s a high-quality composite material with carbon fibers embedded in a resin matrix.

Using Advanced Composite Carbon, Giant can design frames with specific performance characteristics tailored to different riding disciplines. The material offers excellent vibration-damping properties, enhancing comfort and reducing fatigue on long rides. It also provides efficient power transfer, enabling riders to maximize their pedaling efficiency and accelerate easily.

The Giant Advanced Composite Carbon is available in standard and SL (Super Light) versions.

  • Advanced SL represents the pinnacle of Giant’s carbon fiber engineering and construction. Advanced SL frames undergo additional optimization, utilizing a higher grade of carbon fiber and meticulous layup techniques. It’s found in Giant’s top-of-the-line bikes.
  • Advanced is a step down from the top-tier Advanced SL carbon fiber, but it still offers an impressive balance of performance and value for money.

Frameset technologies and innovations

Canyon Endurace and Giant Defy Advanced framesets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance their bikes’ performance and ride characteristics.

Here’s an overview of the technologies used in each bike model.

Canyon Endurace

NameDescription
CF SLX CarbonCanyon’s CF SLX Carbon is an optimized carbon fiber that strikes the perfect balance between weight, stiffness, and compliance. It’s used to construct the high-performance models in the Endurace range, offering excellent ride quality and power transfer.
Sport GeometryUnlike Pro Geometry, Sport Geometry caters more towards long-distance comfort rather than aggressive race position. It’s designed for the riders who are seeking both performance and comfort for longer rides.
Endurace System CompleteFollowing a similar design principle to the Ultimate, the Endurace is also developed as a complete system, incorporating all elements, from frame to fork, seat post, stem, handlebars, and spacers, during the design process. This integrated approach enhances performance and rider comfort, making the Endurace an ideal companion for endurance riders.
Aero TestingCanyon uses sophisticated tools and technologies like wind tunnel testing and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize the aerodynamics of the Endurace. By simulating air flow over the bike and fine-tuning the design based on these insights, Canyon ensures that the Endurace combines speed with long-distance comfort.
Canyon Endurace’s frameset features and technologies

Giant Defy Advanced

NameDescription
Advanced Composite TechnologyUtilizes Giant’s High Performance Grade raw carbon material and Modified Monocoque Construction technique to create a custom frame material. This carbon composite offers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, balancing lightweight performance and strength.
OverDrive 2Features advanced steerer tube technology with oversized headset bearings and a tapered steerer tube (1 1/2″ lower, 1 1/4″ upper).

This design optimizes the front-end steering performance, resulting in superior steering stiffness, enhanced control, and precise handling.
Compact Road DesignOriginating with the professional Team ONCE in the 1990s, Compact Road Design revolutionized high-performance road bikes.

It involves a downward-sloping top tube, creating smaller front and rear triangles for a lighter, stiffer bike. The design also enables riders of all sizes to find a perfect fit and maintain optimal power transfer.
Giant Defy Advanced’s frameset features and technologies

Where to buy

Canyon shops

Giant retailers

Bernard Lu at Mr.Mamil

Bernard Lu has 7+ years of experience working in a bicycle shop, overseeing the retail and workshop operations. He’s a qualified bicycle mechanic who understands a cyclist’s needs and speaks the same cycling lingo.

If you meet him at the cafe, he will happily talk to you for hours about all the intricacies of bikes and cycling tech. Just buy him a coffee next time you see him.