Cube Peloton Compact Racing Road Bike 2014 or Giant Defy 3 2014

[PhilyBoy]

Hello,

A bit of background first. This will be my first road bike which I'm buying through the cycle2work scheme. I'm a tad overweight and the commute to work and back will be 9 miles each way with a bit of a hill in part of the journey.

Although its with Halfords I've found a couple local shops which I can use my vouchers with and I have narrowed it down to these two bikes.

They are very similar specs and I think both bikes are stunning, I'm leaning more towards the Giant but I would appreciate the view of people with more experience and knowledge with racing bikes in general and these two as well if possible.

Looking and reading up on the specs I can see some differences but not enough to make a 100% informed decision.

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/14396/cube-peloton-compact-racing-road-bike-2014

or

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/15050...gin=pla?kwd=&gclid=CK3MuoPnwr4CFa3LtAod2jMAtg



Thank you,

 

[Kies]

The Cube has a racier geometry meaning more ass up face down riding position. The Giant has a slightly relaxed geometry and a taller headset meaning your not in such an aero position.

My advice would be to try them both out and see which is more suited to you.

 

[The Brewer]

Try first, but I'd say the cube would be better for an ample rider..... as I said try first

 

[333]

I've just placed an order (C2W) for the Cube Peloton at the very shop you linked above (Leisure Lake Bikes), go down and have a look / try them out, for me it was between the Trek Madone / Domane and the Peloton in the end, I went for the latter due to the gear included in the price (thanks to peoples advice on here).

The Trek Domane might be comfier though....

This is what I went for:

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/14380/cube-peloton-race-compact-racing-road-bike-2014

Its best to go down and have a look, you will be amazed at what bikes are available now - the technology is awesome (call me an old timer).

 

[SteCenturion]

@PhilyBoy

1st thing's 1st

Now to the beef.

I recommend both brands.

I have owned a Giant Defy for 1yr (sold as was wrong size/fit for me, bought 2nd hand).

The Giant's are great bikes but I now lean more towards the Cube (better kit for the £££), same quality.

Both the Giant & the Cube are comfortable & quick, lightweight bikes for aluminium.

@Louch @Ste pt1 & @333 have also bought a Cube Peloton fairly recently as well as Ste's mate, plenty more Cube fans & Giant fans on here.

One thing to mention is sizing.
Cube tend towards being a little smaller than frame size suggest & Giant a little larger.

My Giant was size Large (really needed a M/L) which wasn't a size Giant did back then.
I have been sized for a size 60cm for the Cube by L.Lakes Bury but I feel better on the 58cm so that's what I will get.

Try as many as you can as they are expensive purchases to get wrong.

Best of British.

 

[Louch]

I'm a bit festively plump, and cubes been fine even on its lower number of spokes

 

[Ste pt1]

As mentioned I've bought the peloton race £999 from leisure lakes with full 105 group set I looked for ages and it cd me fine to the cube ,giant defy1 or a ribble sporting azzurro in the end the cube shaded it over the giant ps my Nate was do impressed with mine he went out and got one ,mine the one on the left

 

[Louch]

one last half marathon this morning, and I can get back to riding mine the way she should be!

 

[Ste pt1]

Went out for the first decent Ride very comfy ride out to be honest .nice steady pace ,not been out as much as I wanted considering my new purchase but work commitments cone first

 

[333]

Nice one Ste, hows the saddle on the Cube lol I'm only just getting used to the MTB one, so the switch over should be interesting. I know what you mean about work commitments, that and family! Can't wait to get my new bike next Sunday though.

 

[Ste pt1]

I've bought a forza (4za) saddle a lot more comfy that the selle italia that was on the cube
did a 48km ride in 2hrs 20 not earth shattering but just getting used to a road bike
https://www.strava.com/activities/142086920

 

[Ste pt1]

Off out again shortly but going clipless for the first time so I'll see how I measure up lol

 

[PhilyBoy]

Hello everybody and thank you very much for your replies.

I've just been down to Leisure Lakes and my LBS and had a look and try on the Cube and the guy recommended the Trek 1.2 as well which they had in stock. At the LBS I tried the Giant

The guy at LL didn't know much about the Giant but provided differences between the Cube and Trek. Basically he said that the Trek had a much better frame but the components aren't as good, but he'd still choose the Trek over the Cube.

Components are easier to change and in a year or two years time I can upgrade the Trek's components whereas it would be wasting money doing that on the Cube was his argument and in his exact words "polishing a ****" upgrading the components.

I'll be honest, didn't fill me with much confidence with his talk but I still had a try on both of them. I found the posture on both to be similar and didn't notice any difference with the gearing/brake system.

I then tried out the Giant at the LBS. I found the posture a bit "softer" and comfortable and I found the steering a bit more steady and not as "jumpy".

Forgive me for not knowing technical terms, I hope it makes sense.

All in all, although I liked some features from every bike, the one that edged it for me was the Giant and as I've read so often "At this level, go for the one you'll enjoy riding the most". And after today I think that would be the Giant (although not looking forward to keeping it clean in the winter with it being white)

 

[Ste pt1]

Congratulations on your decision however ill disagree with the sales assistants analysis of the cubes frame and the fact that the cube had had excellent reviews in the magazines

 

[jim55]

i can only add that iv got a cube peloton(see avatar)and its a very good bike, fits me well ,gearchanges are oh so smooth (105 works brilliantly) its very light and a great spec ,i think it looks really good and other people have said the same ,all in all its a great bike ,i was the same as you and nearly bought a trek 1,2 (i think it was -_same price anyway ,however the fit and finish of the cube sealed it for me ,i keep banging on about spec but mavic aksium wheels and complete 105 throughout for a grand ,,,great buy