Defy 3 vs Ribble Sportive

[DaveK]

Hi guys, I have a dilemma which I need suggestions on. I've pretty much decided on one of the above two bikes, but am having trouble choosing between the two. Both are £680.

The Ribble has Tiagra groupset, whereas the Defy 3 has Sora 3500 (2013 version so has the same style shifters as Tiagra). The benefit of the Defy 3 is I get to actually sit on/hopefully test the bike at a LBS, but I wont have this luxury with the Ribble. I also prefer the red of the Defy over the white of the Ribble. I'm not sure if the Rodi wheels on the Ribble will be better than the Giants wheels, or if the frame will be better than Giant. Apparently the whole Defy range uses the same frame (according to Cycling Plus and they say the frame is worthy of upgrading wheels, even on the Defy 1)

I would love the Defy 1 or a carbon Ribble, but I dont want to spend over £700. Bare in mind I have been using a second hand Viking Giro d'Italia for 2 years and have covered many hundreds of happy miles on it, both these bikes will be a big step up in quality and ride.

Where would you spend your money?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[black'n'yellow]

Moda Intro, with 10sp tiagra - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/moda/intro-2013-road-bike-ec043962

There's actually quite a few choices at that price...

 

[spock]

ill have a sportive for sale only done 50 mil like new tiagra and uprated seat carbon stem spd pedals cost me 800 lookin for somewhere near 650 im in lancs ,,nothing wrong with the bike ive just ordered a tt bike

 

[DaveK]

Unfortunately I'm in Scotland so too far a journey. Thanks for the offer though.

I like the look of that Moda, very good colour scheme, will add that to the "pile"

 

[2Loose]

Now that Giant make their own wheels, (and the fact that I already own an earlier Defy) I'd not hesitate in buying another.

The fact that you can personally check the Giant for size\fit makes all the difference though. After trying a few different brands, I was surprised at how differently they each felt when I sat on them - don't buy anything unless it 'feels' right.

 

[Arjimlad]

My 2011 Defy 2 has Sora shifters with the side button & I get on fine with them. But your proposed Defy 3 sounds very nice. I paid only £550 for mine new in Spring 2012.

 

[DaveK]

£550 sounds like a very good purchase, especially for a defy 2 which is now £800 for a 2013 version.
The bike I have just now is actually too big for me, and I'm not sure whether I would be a M or M/L in Giant sizing, so having a shot on them is definitely going to help. I think I may be getting talked into the Defy 3 here

 

[Arjimlad]

I'm 5`11" tall, wear 31" inside leg trousers, etc. Sat on a M/L in the shop locally to prove it was the right size for me. There's no substitute for actually sitting on the thing, in my view. When I bought mine there were limited stocks left nationwide, so it was an internet purchase. Three weeks later, local giant store then got a load in at similar prices .