Advice with choosing a disc braked endurance bike

[User16390]

I have ridden touring bikes most of my life.

I now wish to take the plunge and buy a bike which I will ride for the sheer enjoyment of going out and eating up the miles. I live in Birmingham, and it takes miles before you even start to approach anything resembling proper countryside. I am in my late 40's and prefer a road bike with a more upright geometry and endurance bikes have grabbed my fancy especially those with disc brakes. After riding a bike with them I was impressed with their ability, especially in the wet.

I have been looking at the Giant Defy range and there are three I am thinking of going for, which I will list below with links to their specs.

My price limit is £2,300 max.

So, out of the three is it worth paying for the most expensive one or should I go for the cheaper one.
Are there alternative endurance bikes out their that the knowledgeable ladies and gents on this forum would recommend me to consider.

Any other advice is most welcome.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.pro.2/24966/90510/#specifications

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.pro.3/24966/90511/

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.1/24965/90512/#specifications

 

[vickster]

The Middle one seems a sweet spot, 105 with hill friendly gearing and hydraulic discs. Not much difference between 11 speed 105 and ultegra in use

The shiny blue one is prettiest however

Get a test ride of them if you can

 

[User16390]

Will most bike shops allow you a test ride ? sorry if that sounds a silly question.

 

[jowwy]

Cannondale ultegra disc


http://m.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-ultegra-disc-2015-road-bike-ec071017

 

[rb58]

Cannondale ultegra disc
http://m.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-ultegra-disc-2015-road-bike-ec071017

I'd also highly recommend the Cannondale Synapse. Ship it in from Germany and save plenty (that's what I did with the Di2 version). These are the people i used.

 

[Onyer]

Will most bike shops allow you a test ride ? sorry if that sounds a silly question.

If they have demo bikes then they will. Otherwise it will be a short ride around the local area but only in the dry. (They don't want to spend time and effort cleaning the bikes after a wet ride). I would always go for a bike with the best frame - you can always upgrade later.
there are loads of bikes out there that would fit your criteria. A lot of the fun in choosing a new bike is in the research and trying them out. The cycle show is on soon so maybe you could have a look around there before making a final decision.

 

[jowwy]

I'd also highly recommend the Cannondale Synapse. Ship it in from Germany and save plenty (that's what I did with the Di2 version). These are the people i used.

Its one of the few off the shelf disc bikes i would consider

 

[User16390]

I'd also highly recommend the Cannondale Synapse. Ship it in from Germany and save plenty (that's what I did with the Di2 version). These are the people i used.

Thanks for the link, unfortunately they do not have any in my size. I am 6' 2'' and the largest available size is a 51 frame. It looks a great bike and was voted one of the best bikes for 2015.

If they have demo bikes then they will. Otherwise it will be a short ride around the local area but only in the dry. (They don't want to spend time and effort cleaning the bikes after a wet ride). I would always go for a bike with the best frame - you can always upgrade later.
there are loads of bikes out there that would fit your criteria. A lot of the fun in choosing a new bike is in the research and trying them out. The cycle show is on soon so maybe you could have a look around there before making a final decision.

I am going to the cycle show. I am in no rush to buy, the research is fun and its great asking others who have experience on the subject.

 

[Joffey]

Wow, costs £500 more to have hydraulic brakes instead of mechanical. Never knew that! Me being a tightwad would be getting the cheap one - isn't it same frame and groupset just mechanical brakes???

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I have ridden touring bikes most of my life ( I have a Thorn Club Tour and a Dawes) which I use for shopping, commuting and regularly cycle 15 miles or so with very heavy panniers, Altura 56 ltrs normally full of veg and assorted gardening tools, I don't have a car.

I now wish to take the plunge and buy a bike which I will ride for the sheer enjoyment of going out and eating up the miles. I live in Birmingham, and it takes miles before you even start to approach anything resembling proper countryside. I am in my late 40's and prefer a road bike with a more upright geometry and endurance bikes have grabbed my fancy especially those with disc brakes. After riding a bike with them I as so impressed with their ability, especially in the wet.

I have been looking at the Giant Defy range and there are three I am thinking of going for, which I will list below with links to their specs.

My price limit is £2,300 max.

So, out of the three is it worth paying for the most expensive one or should I go for the cheaper one.
Are there alternative endurance bikes out their that the knowledgeable ladies and gents on this forum would recommend me to consider.

Any other advice is most welcome.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.pro.2/24966/90510/#specifications

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.pro.3/24966/90511/

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.1/24965/90512/#specifications

Yum yum yum, I love all those bikes.

 

[vickster]

Will most bike shops allow you a test ride ? sorry if that sounds a silly question.

I wouldn't spend 2k on a bike thee if they didn't, even if it's a good try out on a turbo

For test rides, Evans are best (no Giants, but they'd have the cannondale, plus trek, specilaized etc) but they wouldn't be my choice of retailer to buy from. I prefer smaller independents

There aren't many actual large bike companies in the exhibitor list for Birmingham, Planet X will be there. Worth looking at their range

 

[I like Skol]

I have been looking closely at the GT Grade carbon 105 since it was introduced and still feel this is a great bike for the all-round rider.
THIS RECENT REVIEW on BikeRadar confirms my initial thoughts that it is a road bike with a rougher side, rather than CX bike. A true Jekyll & Hyde that won't leave you floundering in any company.
It's what I would buy if I were in the market for a disc braked carbon road bike

 

[AndyJ14]

I've just purchased a Rose Xeon 3100 Di2 and it's absolutely stunning. Endurance, fast, light, very well built.

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xeon-cdx-3100-di2/aid:756153

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/rose-xeon-cdx-3100-di2.186070/

It's at the top end of your price range, but exceeds all the specifications you've listed by some way. It's also fully customisible when you order, so every component can be changed for your favourite and to match your dream spec. Not that I had to change very much.

You don't have to look at this bike and worry about gear ratios for example. You can choose your own.

 

[vickster]

Can't try them though....

 

[AndyJ14]

Can't try them though....

They can be demo'd through the UK rep (Finlay) who's details are on the website. Many bikes sold (even at LBSs) can't be demo'd either, so this isn't a new or unique issue to Rose.