Just getting into road and gravel riding. Glad I found you! The technical details of this stuff is crazy interesting. Good job and I will try to watch every video you put out!

I’ve had my 2020 AR 1 for a year now and have blown out the back tire a few times so I’m ready to shed some weight and freshen her up. I’ve watched your videos over the months and was about to message you on IG but this video is exactly what I needed. Thanks so much!

Just picked up the 2022 AR 1, and what a great value and versatile bike! So much more comfortable that the Giant Peloton Superlite (chromoly 1990) that I've been riding :) Thanks for the info, really helped with making decisions.

I picked up 2021 Contend AR1. Love it. Have to be honest I couldn’t afford a new Defy to replace my 2016 Defy2 and loved your initial review in what the Contend offers. I’m running my tires at 70psi on the stock tires. Love them.

Another great video. Totally agree with your thoughts on the Conti Ultra Sport 2 or 3. Great value on these tires. Hard to rationalize the pricing on the gp 5000 when these are 1/3 of the price.

another great info.

Useful stuff, thx!

Thanks man! Nice helpful video. Gonna pick up a contend ar1 this year. I can't help it I must try!! :)

I have Giant Contend AR 3 2020. I've been ridden stock tires since September 2020, but now I want to go to not very long trips on my bike, and roads in my region aren't so good and gravel isn't so good too. So I decided to buy Specialized Pathfinder Pro, 700×38c tires. They are slick on the center and they have some tread on both sides of the slick center, so those tires would be nice for good roads and for bad and/or unpaved roads.

I keep coming back to the ar1 videos!!! Looking for the quiver killer😉. To me the ar1 is just that. Two wheelsets, a shorter (and lighter) crankset and there u have it. Might keep it below 9kg even. There is not much more to ask. I wouldn't like u much if i owned a bike company i don't think 🤣

Greta video - Conti GP 5000 in a 700x32c, Conti Tera Speed in a 700x35c for my Trek Domane, Rims are 21 mm internal width

Based on my experience with the current (2022) Contend AR 1, I thought I would add the following: Changes for 2022: Color, potential vendor change for the PR-2 wheels (based both on the changes to the graphics and the Made in China sticker), Praxis Alba 2D compact crankset. Tires: In addition to the stock Gavia Fondo 2 32C’s (which were set up as tubeless when I picked up the bike new from the bike shop), I’ve run 28C Pirelli P Zero Road with butyl tubes and both 32C Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR and 35C Vittoria Terreno Dry as tubeless. In my opinion one could pick almost any tire off of Amazon and get better performance than the Fondo 2. Wheels: I don’t have any issues with the PR-2 wheels now that I have tires installed other than the Fondo 2. While I don’t have weight for the wheelset, they measure 22 mm inside and 26 mm outside. I have also run Hunt 4 Season All-Road Disc and HED Flanders Disc C2 Plus (OEM from my older bike). From what I have experienced, the tires I have installed make a bigger difference than the wheels in comparing the three different wheels. All of these are alloy - for me the “benefit” of carbon wheels doesn’t justify the expense. Setting aside the loose rear caliper bolt and creaking seat post (that I have since remedied), my only complaint with the Giant Contend AR 1 is the Fondo 2 tires it came with. Maybe it was a bad set or maybe my experience with the tires on my old bike (original was rebranded Chaoyang Viper H-479, upgraded this spring to the Pirelli’s) had me spoiled. Either way, my initial rides on my AR 1 had me wondering if I made a mistake buying the Giant - it was both unresponsive and gave the feeling of having to put in more effort for less speed. Adjusting pressure made no improvement. Put the wheels/tires from the old bike on the AR 1, which made clear the issue wasn’t the AR 1 itself. That said, I can think of a couple of potential uses for the Fondo 2: use on a cheap indoor trainer or road use when the intent is to build up muscle due to higher resistance when riding.

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Thanks for all your great videos on the Contend AR, I bought an AR2 recently because of the information you provided and I’m loving it. In terms of tire clearance, I’m looking at the 40mm continental terra trails. Would you recommend these and will 40mm clear the frame?

I love continental Gatorskins personally, but Im still on inner tubes and yet to be converted to tubeless. Managed to go over 2000 miles without a puncture more than once, and to me they feel plenty fast and handle nicely, especially for those really long 100+ mile rides where a puncture would be a huge morale problem. I run 25c on the road bike because its from 2001 and I don't think I could even clear 28c tyres. I like to keep the road bike nice and simple with incremental upgrades until the day I win the lottery and can buy an S-works Tarmac and get all the nice new tech!

Two things: First a thank you! Your commentary regarding the AR has helped me realize what an excellent choice it has been especially for the value. As a "mature" adult yet new rider of course I'm overwhelmed with all of the choices in bikes and components and being the anal and OCD person I am, I found myself continually looking around for the next, best, shinier object. Now I've relaxed and am enjoying my AR immensely. On that note you've probably saved me thousands of dollars since I'm not buying one new bike after the other looking for that Holy Grail bike. Next a favor if I may? In this video you mention the Continental Ultra Sport as a good yet inexpensive tire. I would like to buy a set but I want to go to 38 in width yet stay with slick tires since I primarily ride on paved bike and multi us paths. What is a good alternative that still keeps the price affordable for a supple, slick, 38 tire? I'm considering going with tubes even if the tires I purchase are tubeless capable. THANKS!

Giant should be sponsoring you

Great video. I’m just getting caught up lol. I purchased the 22 content AR. I’ve been slowly doing the same up grades. What are the rims and handle bar and stem additions ? Thanks in advance 💯💪🏾

Hey I'm planning to get my first serious bike to use on and off road and this video is helping me a lot! Question - are you away about other similar road endurance bike (budget friendly) that has similar or bigger tire cleaner to Giant contend ar? All the best!

The Gavia Fondo 32 tires seat on the PR2 rims without having to use high pressure. I have not found any other tires that fit the rims as well. They make the whole tubeless thing so much less painful.

my favourite rims for riding around farmland are the EIE IO

I just bought a giant contend AR1 after watching all your videos on them! Great content! Being new, I had a quick question. Do you think the Hunt (mason x hunt 650b) adventure sport disc wheelset that’s $499) would fit right on the contend AR1 without switching anything?

Great video, I picked up a 2021 Contend AR2 recently. Do you know if I can run 38/40 tyres on the stock rims or would I need to change the wheels? Stock tyres are 32 but I can't find the internal width of the rims online. Thanks!

Hello you provide great and a detailed information 👍🏻 I have one question. I am starting to train for races And I am confused between Contend AR 1 and trek emonda ALR 5. My only concern is can we use the contend AR 1 as a climbing and a training bike and is it fast enough for competitions?

Thank u for sharing. Since there are no known riders of CONTEND AR in Korea, ur videos are super duper helpful.! Regarding the alloy rim, how do u think bout DT-swiss R470? It's easy to find stock alloy rim in Korea.

What tire would you recommend on the Contend AR as an all-arounder that would handle urban winter riding with snow and ice, some loose trails, but would be still 80% on pavement? I want to find the best middle ground for the bike for all conditions without ever swapping out tires. Puncture protection is also important because I'm not changing a tire in the winter.

Thanks for the video, I want to finally ditch the PR2 rims due to weight. on my AR 1. So if I want to pick up a gravel wheelset with a 25mm internal width and install 38C tires, do you think it will ballon out to over 42C and I will then have clearance issues? If I install 38C tires, what internal width will work?

Great info , thank you ! I have the AR 1 and want to upgrade the wheels and hubs , but as you said it has a lot of info that I should know to pick up the right specification wheels , can you please tell me the front axle size in the ar1 and if anything else I should pay attention to while customizing , thank you

I'm waiting for Hunt 4 Season Alloy wheels for my Contend AR and I am going to run tubeless. Hunt says not to mount tires that have been previously mounted on other rims. I have a virtually brand new Panaracer Gravel King mounted on the Contend stock wheels. I don't understand what the problem would be in putting them on my new wheels. Is this a real thing, or is Hunt just being overly cautious about this?

what kind of tubeless valve do i need for the the giant contend ar..thanks and more power..

I'm looking at getting the contend AR 1 I'm 6ft 245lbs should I get different rims or are the factory rims strong enough? And all my ridding will be payment which road tires do you suggest? I wanna go fast! Lol

Hallo from Austria. Since two weeks iam watching youre videos specially about the giant contend AR1. I wanted to buy the giant revolt advanced 2 because iam new in the Road/Gravelbike Game. And there are so much great reviews out there. I drove bothe and for me bothe where great but the revolt was more easy on me. After youre videos iam realy not shure in which direction i should go bothe bikes are great and for the long term i see my future more in 80% road and 20% Gravel. What do you think should be my choice?

Did you ever end up mounting fenders on your Contend AR? What do you think the maximum tire clearance would be for this bike with fenders on?

Great video! I rode all summer and autumn on the stock wheels and tires on my Contend AR 1 and although I found them mostly adequate, I'm ready to upgrade. You provide excellent information in these videos, particularly the details about inner rim width which I hadn't considered when looking for new wheels. Those Hunt wheels look like they'd be a good upgrade, and are about a kilogram lighter than the stock PR2s, which is a nice bonus. I had one noob question with regards to those - on the Hunt website they show the profile which seems to be asymmetrical, why is that? As for tires, I'm still looking at the Pathfinder Pro 38s, since I have a lot of pavement between me and the trails and to my inexperienced eye that smooth bead will mean they'll last longer on the road - but please correct me if I'm wrong! The Triggers look great but I'm worried they'd wear down faster on pavement. Thanks again!

Kind of off topic for this video but, picking up an AR4 based on your recommendation, and adding sram axs force 2x12, wondering what diameter the BB is so can get the right dub BB

Will the Contend AR take 650B? How much clearance would you have with smaller rims?

Good hybrid 700x35c folding tyres for the ar that are kinda budget friendly puncture resistant and fast rolling? I guess a cyclocross type..? I wanna try them at summer cause i am going in kinda bad and mixed roads. And wanna see how it rides with a bigger tyre.

Is the continental ultra sport two better than the tires that come with the bike?

I've got the Contend AR1 and am looking to put it on my wheel-on trainer but it needs a new trainer axle. I'm a bit new to figuring out the bike specs. Do you know the size and thread of the axle? Thanks!

Hi what tubeless tires are compatible with the Giant PR2 wheels? something faster than the Gavia fondos?

Have you tried 650b in this bike??? 650b+

With the Speed Ride tires being 42 mm, do they work well with the stock PR2 rims? I’m wanting to do more gravel riding and have considered buying a new bike but if these tires work that may be an inexpensive fix. Thanks

Looking at an AR I’ve never owned a gravel bike. I’m 6’1 250 and a friend said I need a wider tire and should look at a different bike. Is he right?

Hey I just got a contend ar 2 2022, after watching ur videos, bike is great but I think that it is a little stiff and punishes me for every bump I ride over, I am using stock gavia fondo 2 running tubeless stock rims, I recently gt a deal of eagle f1 28c and ksyrium pro carbon ust. Is it going to make a difference in ride comfort I mostly ride on roads with broken patches. Also I changed my giant approach saddle to toseek 100 carbon saddle, is the giant approach saddle any good as I find that quite uncomfortable. Sorry for the bombarded questions but I got no other expert to ask these. Thanka

Would 28mm tyre or even 26mm tyre be okay for Giant Contend AR3 2020 model?

Has anyone tried using 650b wheels for ar1?

Rule of 105? I thought if you can't get the tire width under 105% of the rim outer width there is no point in having an aero/deep rim. Thus aero with fat tires requires $$$ - the new hunt 48 limitless or 3t wheelsets are interesting as they allow aero with a tire I'd actually want to run (but I'm not to the level I can justify the cost).

Are Giant PR2 rims hookless?