First Road Bike

[Glasgow44]

Hi again

I've been looking about and I really have my heart set on this bike:

http://www.dalescycles.com/2016-giant-defy-2-dark-blue-black-silver-small-p11779

What do you think? Would this be a good buy? Although I have my heart set on it, I won't let my heart rule my head. It has to be the right bike.

or just to add this to the mix (someone in work has this):

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/croix-de-fer-20-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec073914

 

[Glasgow44]

Hi there

As you know, I'm in the process of looking to buy my first road bike (or at least do the ground work for buying it when the weather is better) - I went to Evans today and I seen this which looks really good and has really good spec:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-105-5-2016-road-bike-ec120336

I'm now going to choose between that bike and this one:

http://www.dalescycles.com/2016-giant-defy-2-dark-blue-black-silver-p11534

What one do you think would be the best buy?

I also have a few questions - some of you have given me recommendations on puncture resistant tyres and, at the moment, I have Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres on my Specialized Sirrus Sport Hybrid; tyres which I swear by. The guy in evans today said it would be ok to fit these onto a road bike and he has recommended 700 x 28 tyres.

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/components/tyres/f/schwalbe/28-inch#!

Another guy in Evans said I would be best to go with Gatorskin Hardshell. If its ok to fit the Schwalbe ones, I would do so as I'm very impressed with the Schwalbe tyres I have at the moment.

The last thing is: I'm a complete beginner when it comes to road bikes - what is the best lock to buy and where do the cyclists on road bikes keep it - I mean I never see any road bikes with the locks attached to the frame (obviously for weight, etc) - do I just buy a new lock and take it with me, although in saying that, I very rarely see road cyclists with backpacks on, etc in the summer or anywhere to put a lock.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

J x

 

[RegG]

Hi. I am no expert in road bikes by any means having only really got into this sport 6 months or so ago.

I have a Giant Defy 0 with Shimano Ultegra gears which are one up from the 105 that the Cannondale is equipped with.

Looking at the spec of the Cannondale against that of the Giant Defy 2, I would say the Cannondale is the better buy pricewise as you are getting higher spec gears at least. Not that there is anything wrong with the Giant - I am very happy with mine and it rides well, but bearing in mind I have the 22 speed Ultegra gears it is not a direct comparison to the Cannondale.

In the end it is down to personal preference but do try to get the highest spec you can for your money.

As for the tyres, I would personally stick with the ones fitted to the bike until you get used to its handling etc before you try to upgrade. I have Giant 700 x 25 tyres on my Defy and they seem to be fine for what I need.

Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[phantasmagoriana]

The CAAD is more of a "racing" geometry than the Defy, as far as I'm aware (haven't ridden either personally). The equivalent to the Defy in the Cannondale range would be the Synapse, so the two bikes don't seem directly comparable.

Re locks: most cyclists I know don't bother if they're out on a ride with just a cafe stop. If commuting/going to the shops, a backpack or panniers works to carry stuff. Are you planning on using the bike as a commuter? If so, I'd go with something that can take mudguards, especially if you're here in Glasgow as your name suggests.... I believe the Defy takes mudguards but the CAAD8 doesn't.

 

[MikeW-71]

Don't get hung up on the groupset. The 2016 Defy will be using the new spec Tiagra, which seems to be taking more from 105. There is nothing wrong with it at all, I have used it on two bikes now and it's been fast-shifting and faultless on both.

The gearing is more beginner-friendly too.

 

[13 rider]

As a defy owner Id go for the defy obliviously . I have had no issues with the p word on the stock tyres . Do you really need to change them straight away why not run them and see how you get on

 

[Glasgow44]

Re locks: most cyclists I know don't bother if they're out on a ride with just a cafe stop. If commuting/going to the shops, a backpack or panniers works to carry stuff. Are you planning on using the bike as a commuter? If so, I'd go with something that can take mudguards, especially if you're here in Glasgow as your name suggests.... I believe the Defy takes mudguards but the CAAD8 doesn't.

Hi there - I'm not planning of using the bike as a commuter - its purely going to be a summer/good weather get myself into road cycling - want to clock up some miles and just go for it. I have my Specialized Sirrus Sport as my commuting/winter/bad weather/pannier carrying bike.

As a defy owner Id go for the defy obliviously . I have had no issues with the p word on the stock tyres . Do you really need to change them straight away why not run them and see how you get on

I suppose I don't need to change the tyres right away but from the very start, I would prefer to have as puncture resistant tyres as possible on my road bike - hence the reason I was asking about the Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700 x 28 (I really swear by these tyres - had them on two bikes now and they have been really really reliable).

The other thing is: I'm going to use the bike in the good weather, which is obviously not in the next few months in the West of Scotland - would it be ok to buy just now and leave the bike until the spring/summer before I use it? I'm going to get it through the Cyclescheme.

 

[MikeW-71]

I doubt 28s will fit. 23 - 25mm will be fine. The Marathons are about as resistant as you can get, but people often say that the trade-off is that they are heavy and sluggish, and that their wet weather grip is not so good.

I used the stock Giant tyres until they wore out (which was only 1500 miles) and only had 1 puncture in that time. Then replaced them with Conti GP4000S, which were quicker and have been fine. Slightly tougher would be GP 4 Seasons.

Staying with Schwalbe, the Durano Plus is the tough road bike tyre.