A more relaxed ride?

[zexel]

The Giant Defy is designed for the Audax/Sportive market so should be relaxed and comfortable.

You sure you got the set up right? Sore neck and shoulders sound like a set up issue.

Aye, the Defy is supposed to be one of the 'comfortable' road bikes.

 

[KingstonBiker]

This is sound advice.
However if you can't stretch to the Roubaix then how about the Secteur. It has very similar geometry to the Roubaix. It's a very popular choice of bike on this forum. It has Sram rather then Shim or Campag, but that sure ain't no bad thing.

+1. Being a Secteur owner I'd have to go along with that. I have the 2010 model (which is becoming difficult to purchase now). It has 105 and a triple (However after my ride in the wind yesterday I might be looking at a quadruple).

 

[ianrauk]

+1. Being a Secteur owner I'd have to go along with that. I have the 2010 model (which is becoming difficult to purchase now). It has 105 and a triple (However after my ride in the wind yesterday I might be looking at a quadruple).

Yup, have the 2010 triple also.