Giant Contend AR 1 2020 review: Fresh and affordable all-road

If the lines between road and gravel bikes were already murky, then the way things are trending is likely to confuse you further. All-Road bikes are relatively new and aim to do everything a good endurance-style road bike does, albeit with a pinch of additional versatility. As the name says, they’re designed to handle all roads. If you can point the family sedan at it, then an All-Road bike can go there too.

Recent examples of this include the Allied Alfa Allroad, a gravel bike that’s just as happy on the road. And certainly, Trek’s new Domane, with room for 38mm tyres fits the bill. But amongst all of those options, you’ll notice a common theme – they’re all premium models.

Enter the Giant Contend AR, a bike that clearly aims to simplify the decision process for newer or budget-minded riders, and one that seeks to be capable of going wherever it’s pedalled. The new Contend AR is a part of a larger Contend range overhaul for 2020, and where the Contend name was traditionally kept for endurance-style entry-level road bikes, the AR adds an obvious All-Road flair.

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