Choice of Two - advice please!

[cambridge crawler]

In anticipation of retirement next year I want to replace my 15 year old Giant road bike with a new one suitable for day rides with local club. I want to buy locally so I can get it adjusted to fit so choice is between Giant Defy 1, ali frame with Shimano 105 or Genesis Equilibrium 10 alloy steel withTiagra components but £200 more. Does anyone have any advice - I understand that steel was reputed to give a better ride but now there is not a lot to choose between them. I have ridden the Defy but it's difficult to get a valid impression in a short time. All advice welcome.

 

[vickster]

Genesis for me. I have one (a 2013 20 frame, built up with SRAM as I don't get on with Shimano hoods) and I had an Avail (female Defy) previously and the Genesis is just so much more comfortable on rough road surfaces (looks better too but aesthetics are personal and all that)

Twaks have the lovely green 2014 Genesis on sale http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3286&g=556992&p=556990&c=215&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Road Bikes&gclid=CPXHvO-Yz8ECFSXKtAodRBwAQA

See if any local dealers will do a deal

 

[Cycleops]

As they say "steel is real". I am also considering buying a new bike, both the choices on my short list are steel with one being a Genesis. The reason being I have a few vintage bike which I bought down here and the ride on them is excellent. I also have a Giant composite and it doesn't hold a candle to the steel stuff. It may be a bit heavier than Ali but that's not the whole story.

 

[raleighnut]

Go for the Genesis, IMO, steel frames are much better

 

[bpsmith]

Genesis for me. I have one (a 2013 20 frame, built up with SRAM as I don't get on with Shimano hoods) and I had an Avail (female Defy) previously and the Genesis is just so much more comfortable on rough road surfaces (looks better too but aesthetics are personal and all that)

Twaks have the lovely green 2014 Genesis on sale http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3286&g=556992&p=556990&c=215&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Road Bikes&gclid=CPXHvO-Yz8ECFSXKtAodRBwAQA

See if any local dealers will do a deal

Is your Genesis a femal specific model? Or are you saying that the unisex model is actually more comfortable than a ladies specific model?

(Sorry, couldn't resist. )

 

[vickster]

It was built to my measurements from the frame, so yes it is specific to me

 

[vickster]

And I don't think anything in the OP suggests that the poster is female. Could be wrong though as women have been able to work outside the home and thus retire from said employment for some years now