New Giant TCR Disc: Giant Conduct hybrid-hydros vs Shimano RS505?
08-26-18, 12:34 AM
#1
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New Giant TCR Disc: Giant Conduct hybrid-hydros vs Shimano RS505?
Hi,
I’m looking at the Giant TCR Avanced 1 Disc, and see that the new 2019 model has Giant’s own “Conduct” hybrid (cable+hydro) brake system, which replaces last year’s Shimano RS505.
Is this a step backwards, going from “full hydro” to hybrid? I know the RS505 brifters are aesthetically challenged, but they seem to have a good reputation for working. The new TCR has less obtrusive (Ultegra) brifters, but houses some of the braking mechanism in a large stem faceplate. It all looks quite non-standard, which worries me for future support.
Has anyone tried the Giant Conduct brakes, and can compare them to Shimano 505s?
Thanks!
John.
I’m looking at the Giant TCR Avanced 1 Disc, and see that the new 2019 model has Giant’s own “Conduct” hybrid (cable+hydro) brake system, which replaces last year’s Shimano RS505.
Is this a step backwards, going from “full hydro” to hybrid? I know the RS505 brifters are aesthetically challenged, but they seem to have a good reputation for working. The new TCR has less obtrusive (Ultegra) brifters, but houses some of the braking mechanism in a large stem faceplate. It all looks quite non-standard, which worries me for future support.
Has anyone tried the Giant Conduct brakes, and can compare them to Shimano 505s?
Thanks!
John.
08-26-18, 12:40 AM
#2
Senior Member
Cant answer your question, but I will mention that Shimanos own hydro shifters are a step down from the mechanical ones, in the gear shift department. They only do 2 gears at a time where the mechanical does 3. Fairly annoying if you change chain rings a lot because the compensation shift in the back is usually 3 gears. In that sense Giants solution may work better for some riders.
08-26-18, 02:20 AM
#3
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Cant answer your question, but I will mention that Shimanos own hydro shifters are a step down from the mechanical ones, in the gear shift department. They only do 2 gears at a time where the mechanical does 3. Fairly annoying if you change chain rings a lot because the compensation shift in the back is usually 3 gears. In that sense Giants solution may work better for some riders.
I've not ridden a bike with the 505 brifter, and I know some people find them uncomfortable. I have SRAM Rival & Ultegra hydros on my current bakes, which both have very upright hoods, so it'll be interesting to see how the 505s feel.
John.
08-26-18, 05:04 AM
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No way I could have that monstrosity on my bike. The 505's are fine. And if you wanted to upgrade you can get the whole RS685/RS785 setup for $265 on ebay right now.
08-26-18, 05:49 AM
#5
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I have it on my Revolt ‘gravel bike’. It fits the ‘industrial’ look of the Revolt, but I do not think I would want it on my TCR.
Keith
Keith
08-26-18, 05:50 AM
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08-26-18, 06:10 AM
#7
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08-26-18, 07:32 AM
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Have not tried the Conduct hybrid and do not care to - when they swapped over from the full hydro set, it took Giant off of my radar as a potential purchase.
I have RS505s on my gravel bike - shifting/braking performance is great and I think that they're perfectly comfortable, but I hear that others like to wrap their hands around the horns a differently and the bulbs can interfere with that.
I have RS505s on my gravel bike - shifting/braking performance is great and I think that they're perfectly comfortable, but I hear that others like to wrap their hands around the horns a differently and the bulbs can interfere with that.
08-26-18, 10:45 AM
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The Conduct brake system that Giant is using keeps me from buying one. I'd have to agree with @Lazyass "No way I could have that monstrosity on my bike."
08-26-18, 02:54 PM
#11
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Thanks for your replies. I’m now looking at a 2018 Giant TCR withe the RS505 brakes, which is also considerbly cheaper than the new model. It does seem to be a step backwards for Giant. Who wants to bet that the 2020 model will go back to Shimano brakes?
08-26-18, 05:13 PM
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I can see it being a cool upgrade if you have a bike with the lower end 8-10sp groups, especially if you wanted to build up a triple and have hydro brakes, since Shimano killed the triple with 105-up. But besides that, I don't know why you would put it on an Ultegra or 105 bike. One thing I like about hydros is the firm lever since there's no cable stretch.
08-27-18, 12:19 AM
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I had a friend race the entire cross season on the giant hybrid system and will do so again this year. I'd take them over a mechanical disc bike any day.
08-27-18, 01:19 AM
#14
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Why not just have the cable run all the way down or the hydraulics run all the way up?
Its just dumb having a junction box in the middle.
Its just dumb having a junction box in the middle.
08-27-18, 07:46 AM
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I have the 2017 Defy with the RS505 shifters. Part of the reason I went with 2017 was to get these instead of the silly converter which the 2018 defy had. So far I have no complaints.
08-27-18, 07:51 AM
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08-27-18, 09:07 AM
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Yea, I would have bought a TCX if not for the goofy brake setup.
08-27-18, 10:27 AM
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If people are not fond of the hydro brifters, I could see why they would do this. It would allow for use of a more familiar lever but avoid a long cable, so stretch would not be an issue. There may also be some benefit using a different size hydraulic cylinder, which may be possible in the new configuration.
08-27-18, 01:05 PM
#19
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I test rode a Giant Contend SL 1 with the hybrid brakes probably 6 times over a couple of weeks. It actually worked very well and the braking felt significantly better than full mechanical. The design is good and it addresses the primary issue that it is going after - using standard brifters with hydraulic brake cylinders. This way, they can use any Shimano or SRAM groupset (Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, etc.) and any hydraulic (Tektro, Shimano, etc.) brake and it can be made to work. It is actually a pretty cool idea but is more benefit to Giant (manufacturing flexibility) than to the end user.
However, I just could not get past the proprietary nature of the design as well as the somewhat unattractive adapter up on the front of the stem.. I was (and still am) afraid that Giant will ultimately abandon it and anyone who bought into it. I ended up going with a used Defy with full 105 Groupset for the time being.
However, I just could not get past the proprietary nature of the design as well as the somewhat unattractive adapter up on the front of the stem.. I was (and still am) afraid that Giant will ultimately abandon it and anyone who bought into it. I ended up going with a used Defy with full 105 Groupset for the time being.
08-29-18, 07:48 AM
#20
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My Domane ALR 5 came with RS505 levers/hydro-brakes and I find the hoods very comfortable, no problems at all. The shifting seems pretty much flawless as well, despite some things I've read.
08-29-18, 10:58 AM
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The only problem that I've ever had with them, and I don't think that they're the only Shimano levers affected, is that the small lever will not shift if you fat-finger it and catch a little bit of the large lever. Usually not a problem other than when wearing heavy gloves, but it was a little frustrating until I figured out what was happening.
