I got an unexpected E mail a couple of weeks ago, one those that I had to read two or three times because not being the sharpest I thought I’d misunderstood it. It was from the marketing department at Giant UK asking if it would be OK if they sent me some of their brand new Cadex ultra performance components to try, wheels and tyres and a saddle that would go really well on my Giant Propel … oh go on then.
The cafe whip now looks whippier than ever
The instruction manuals for the wheels came in Cadex branded wallets and in case you’re wondering what was in the cylindrical package on the right of the picture above, it contained a very carefully packed Cadex wind stopper vest … obviously. I was well impressed straight away, even before I had paid much attention to the actual products.
The Cadex brand although part of Giant is a completely separate company which makes sense because naturally they don’t want Cadex products just to appeal to Giant owners. Cadex has its own engineers and designers and as it’s backed by the company that first developed carbon bikes their intention is to build on Giant’s existing knowledge and expertise to produce the very best in cutting edge cycling components.
I have been a big fan of Giant bikes since way back, I got my first carbon TCR for my 50th birthday, here I am suffering on it at the 2007 European Age Group Duathlon Championships. I loved that bike, I really did and I also loved those little stubby clip on aero bars too, in fact, I’m still using them on my Giant Revolt gravel bike. During my multi-sport racing years I was really lucky in that I can remember very few race days when the weather was really bad. I remember this day though for sure, going all in up Arthur’s Seat in the centre of Edinburgh five times, with a run before and a run after, all in torrential rain, a painful memory that one.
Even on the gravel I’ll take every aero advantage I can get these days
While I am being nostalgic here’s another of my TCRs I loved this one too, at the time without a shadow of a doubt the best bike that I had ever owned, a fantastic machine, I wish I’d kept it.
Above – what ultra performance looked like in 2006, not one of mine this time but my son Jack’s TCR the first with a moulded monocoque frame. I remember when he got it, we both thought it was the best looking bike we had ever seen, another one that I wish we had held on to.
Before the Cadex wheels went on to my Propel I first tried them on the dining room table (as you do) for Instagram purposes only obviously and it was bit of a risky shot to pull off to be honest but I got away with it, only because Mrs Rees or to use her official title ‘The Team Principle’ wasn’t home at the time.
After getting the initial E mail and even after the Cadex stuff arrived, I’m not sure why, but it hadn’t actually dawned on me how high end the Cadex products were. My Giant Propel Advanced was already a great bike equipped with Giant’s own excellent SLR deep rim carbon wheels but it was instantly transformed by the Cadex components, I couldn’t believe how different it felt – in a really good way.
Final shot of the Cadex equipped Giant Propel at one of my regular Instagram locations. I’ve only done a couple of hundred miles on it since the Cadex upgrades but each time I’ve ridden it I’ve been a bit more impressed and noticed some other improved sensation. I’ve started writing them down so I don’t forget. In the new year when I’ve done a few more miles I’ll post a detailed review on what I have already realised are components that are of a much higher standard than anything I’ve ever used before.
