Bike models › Road
Giant Contend 3: specs, upgrades and what fits
A budget aluminum road bike with an alloy fork, 8-speed Claris shifting and rim caliper brakes, set up with a balanced, not-too-aggressive riding position. Best for: Entry-level road riding and fitness on pavement.
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My take, from the specs
A sensible first road bike for fitness and group rides on pavement, with a balanced position that is easier on the back than a race bike. The 2x8 Claris gearing with an 11-34 cassette gives a low enough gear for most climbs. The rim brakes and 28 mm tire limit keep it a pavement bike, and rim brakes lose bite in the wet and slowly wear the rims.
Sizes: XS: 5′2″–5′7″ (157–169 cm) · S: 5′5″–5′9″ (165–175 cm) · M: 5′7″–5′11″ (171–181 cm) · M/L: 5′10″–6′2″ (177–187 cm) · L: 6′0″–6′4″ (183–193 cm) · XL: 6′2″–6′6″ (189–199 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Price when new | $900 |
| Sold at | Giant dealers / giant-bicycles.com |
| Wheels | 700c × 28 mm tires |
| Gears | 2×8 · 50/34T · 11–34T |
| Brakes | Tektro TK-B177 |
| Fork | Giant Alloy, OverDrive steerer |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Claris |
| Shifter | Shimano Claris, 2x8 |
| Crank | FSA Tempo, 172.5mm |
| Bottom bracket | Giant Cartridge |
| Axles | Quick release |
| Sizes | XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL |
| Stock colors | Knight Shield, Cold Iron |
Upgrade limits
How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.
| Part | Limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest tire (current wheel size) | 28 mm | No measurement yet. Estimate from owner reports and frame design. Your 19 mm internal rims suit roughly 28–49 mm tires. |
| Other wheel sizes | 700c only | Rim brakes are set to the rim height, so the wheel size cannot change. |
| Tubeless | Yes (tubeless-ready) | Tubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires. |
| Valve type | Presta | Decides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way. |
| Replacement wheels | Quick release · 100/130 mm | Any wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub. |
| Biggest rear cog | 34T (now 34T) | Set by the rear derailleur (Shimano Claris RD-R2000 (long cage)): max low sprocket 34T, total capacity 39T. A hanger extender can add a few teeth (hit-or-miss on non-Shadow derailleurs); a new derailleur is the reliable way to get more. |
| Brake pads (rim) | Road cartridge or road pads (dual-pivot caliper) | Rim brake pads are sorted by how they mount, which depends on the brake: threaded post with a nut (V-brakes, U-brakes), smooth post in an eye bolt (cantilevers), road cartridges (dual-pivot calipers) or short threaded pads (side-pull calipers). Any compound… |
| Front gears | 2x (50/34T) · needs 39T capacity | A 2x drivetrain needs a front derailleur and left shifter. Your rear derailleur must take up (biggest − smallest ring) + (biggest − smallest cog) = 39T; yours handles 39T. Going 1x drops the front derailleur: simpler and quieter, with a slightly smaller range. |
| Chainring size | Unknown (now 50T) | Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (? mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle. |
| Gear count upgrades | 8 → 9 or 10 speed | Shimano HG 8/9/10-speed freehub: takes 8, 9 or 10-speed cassettes, Shimano 11-speed MTB and CUES/LinkGlide cassettes (7-speed needs a 4.5 mm spacer; most 11/12-speed road cassettes need an 11-speed road freehub, though the 11-34 HG700/HG800 fit). Shifter,… |
| Cranks & bottom bracket | Square taper · 68 mm shell · ? mm spindle | Any square-taper crankset fits with the right spindle length. Upgrading to Hollowtech II needs a new BB (same threaded shell). |
| Pedal thread | 9/16" × 20 | Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2". |
| Stems & bars | tapered steerer · 31.8 mm bar clamp | Any stem for a tapered steerer with a 31.8 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider. |
| Seatposts | ? mm | Buy posts in exactly this diameter. |
| Racks, fenders, bottles | No rack · No fender · 2 bottle | Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages. |
| Max load (rider + cargo) | 300 lb | Wheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage. |
Best upgrades by area
Three options that fit the Giant Contend 3 as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.
Upgrades that fit as-is
Gearing
- Shimano CS-HG31-8 cassette 11–34, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- SunRace CSM66 8-speed cassette 11–34 (nickel), $$. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- Shimano Alivio CS-HG51-8 cassette 11–32, $$. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- Shimano Acera RD-M3020-8 SGS 7/8-speed rear derailleur (40T max), $$. 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain · Shimano cable pull ↔ your shifter
Brakes
- Shimano R55C4 road cartridge pads (2 pairs), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Shimano R50T2 road caliper brake pads (2 pairs), $. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Kool-Stop Dura 2 salmon road brake pads, threaded (2 pairs), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
- SwissStop Full FlashPro Original Black road pads with holders (2 pairs), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Shimano Sora BR-R3000 dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
- Shimano Tiagra BR-4700 dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
- Shimano 105 BR-R7000 dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
- Tektro R539 long-reach dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
Comfort
- 35° rise 60 mm stem, $. tapered" steerer matches · Get the 31.8 mm clamp version for your bar
- WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
- Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
- Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
- Cinelli Cork Ribbon bar tape, $. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
- Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
- Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
- Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 2.5 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 4.6 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Redshift ShockStop suspension stem 31.8 (±6° or +30°), $$$. tapered" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer
- Redshift ShockStop PRO suspension stem 31.8 (±6°), $$$$. tapered" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer
Control
- Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
- ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
- Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
- Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
- Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
Utility
- USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
- Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
- Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
- Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
- Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
- Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
- Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.
Tires
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
- Continental Ultra Sport III 700x28 folding (pair), $$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
- Michelin Power Cup 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
Drivetrain
- KMC X8 8-speed chain with Missing Link, $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- KMC Z8.3 6/7/8-speed chain (116 links), $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- KMC X8 EPT 6/7/8-speed anti-rust chain with Missing Link, $$. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
Tubes
- Continental Race 28 Wide 700x25–32 Presta 60 mm tubes (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
- RideNow TPU road tubes 700x18–32 Presta 65 mm (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
- Pirelli P ZERO SmarTUBE 700x23–32 Presta 60 mm (pair), $$$. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
- Tubolito Tubo-CX/Gravel-All 700x30–50 Presta 42 mm (pair), $$. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
Wheels
- Shimano WH-RS100 700c rim-brake wheelset, QR 100/130, 8–11 speed, $$$. 700c wheel size matches · 100/130 mm hubs ↔ your frame
Fits with small changes (6)
- Continental Ultra Sport III 700x25 folding (pair), $$. Outside the ideal range for your 19 mm rims (28–49 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Michelin Power Cup 700x25 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 19 mm rims (28–49 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x25 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 19 mm rims (28–49 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Stan's NoTubes tire sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Orange Seal Endurance tubeless sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
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Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($900), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | 1 year old | 3 years old | 5 years old |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like new | $510–$670 | $410–$540 | $335–$440 |
| Good | $445–$590 | $360–$475 | $295–$385 |
| Fair | $365–$480 | $295–$390 | $240–$315 |
| Needs work | $280–$370 | $225–$300 | $185–$240 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size M)
| Stack | 563° |
|---|---|
| Reach | 378 mm |
| Head angle | 72.5° |
| Seat angle | 73.5° |
| Chainstay | 412° |
| BB drop | 75 mm |
| Wheelbase | 990 mm |
| Head tube | 158 mm |
| Seat tube | 500 mm |
| Standover | 774° |