Giant Defy 1 v Bianchi Nirone 7 v Boardman Road Team Carbon

[tudor_77]

Hi Guys,

My trusty Boardman Road Race has finally come to the end of its service with me and it is now time to buy a new machine and was hoping for some advice.

I've got a budget of a £1000 and have narrowed my selection down to these three candidates:

http://www.giant-liverpool.co.uk/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.defy.1.black.red/14977/66543/

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-xenon-compact-2014-road-bike-ec059372

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_992004_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

I need something that it is comfortable for long rides and durable. Ideally I would love to have 105 groupset.

Now, the Giant has the 105 and I quite like the look of it too although I am not so sure about the little squggly line graphic thingy on the side there but that a minor niggle, I think its quite a nice looking bike for the most part and it always gets amazing reviews.

The Boardman has the Carbon frame which I have never experienced before so unsure about it and it also has a mixed groupset of 105 and Tiagra ( Tiagra shifters etc) and would certainly prefer full 105 if possible.

The Bianchi is sold in my LBS (didn't have a link so used Evans) who I trust as honest and reputable as they have always serviced all my bikes and always sell you exactly what you need as opposed to pushing expensive gear on you. I also absolutely LOVE the look of the Bianchi (who doesn't!) with its celeste green sexy paint job. However, I know nothing about campagnolo as all my bike have always been Shimano equipped.

What do you guys think? Anyone on here have any direct experience with any of these bikes? Any advice on Campag Xenon vs Shimano 105?

Should also point out that I have a 10% off voucher for my local Giant store (another LBS, albeit very modern and upmarket but always get great service there too) which would put the Defy at £900.

Any advice or experience with these bikes would be most welcome. Thanks for looking.

Cheers!

 

[Cyclist33]

Have a look at Pauls cycles dot com, the other week they had Giant carbon Defys and TCRs for under 850 quid... Find the right size in the giant shop and then buy online. Bargain.

Have a qualified bike builder build it for you.

 

[toptom]

Giant looks good. Have you looked at a cannondale Caad 10/Caad 8 ,I picked up a Caad 10 105 last year for £1200 and love it

 

[tudor_77]

Cheers mate,

Those look nice but prefer to buy from LBS if possible, buying online can be a major headache if anything goes wrong.

Edit: The Giant TCR looks awesome but its more of a race geometry as opposed to a relaxed sportive style like the Defy.

 

[tudor_77]

Those Cannondales are nice and stocked by LBS but I ruled them out because of their more aggressive geometry. I am looking to be doing more and more longer rides up to 100 miles etc so that was a big consideration. I know the Synapse is the more relaxed bike in their line up but wasn't 'feeling it' too much in the shop.

 

[AndyRM]

Xenon is Campags lowest level groupset but is totally fine, not as smooth a shift as you get with 105.

Personally I'd go with the Bianchi, I used to have the Via Nirone and absolutely love it. Is still be riding it today had it not been crashed.

 

[tudor_77]

Cheers Andy, how did you find the Nirone comfort wise? Was it well suited to all day long(ish) distance riding?

 

[AndyRM]

Yep. Took me on many 100+ mile journeys.

 

[Kevoffthetee]

Consider the Ribble Evo Pro Carbon at £699. I may be ordering one later this week if 1 or 2 more bets come in

 

[AndyRM]

Consider the Ribble Evo Pro Carbon at £699. I may be ordering one later this week if 1 or 2 more bets come in

Got one of them. Also a cracking bicycle! Shame I buggered my chainset on it last weekend...

 

[toptom]

I've gone on 100 + mile ride on my caad 10 and it's been fine and the next week done the same 100 mile ride on my scott CR1 carbon bike more sportive bike and the only difrance I could say was the CR1 is better up the hills. But all riders are different. The best thing to do is try as many as possible Evans have a good stock to try

 

[Cuchilo]

Cheers mate,

Those look nice but prefer to buy from LBS if possible, buying online can be a major headache if anything goes wrong.

Edit: The Giant TCR looks awesome but its more of a race geometry as opposed to a relaxed sportive style like the Defy.

I really don't get this race / sportive geometry stuff . Its just sales talk as far as I can tell . I could set my TCR up the same as my Defy if I wanted too . There really isn't a lot in it .

 

[winjim]

I'm sure the Giant and the Boardman are capable enough but the Bianchi wins on sex appeal. But then I would say that

 

[tudor_77]

Thanks for the replies so far guys, I'm taking my old Boardman into the LBS tomorrow to get the spoke fixed so will have a closer look at the Bianchi then and also check out the Cannondale's as per Toms suggestion.

I realised that with my 10% off the Giant I could get this for £1080:

http://www.giant-liverpool.co.uk/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.defy.0/14977/66542/#overview

Same as the Defy 1 but with Ultegra. So lots to consider.

Not sure if Ultegra is a huge step up from 105 though or if I would notice too much difference. My current Boardman has Sora with the annoying thumb shifters.

 

[uclown2002]

You can also get 10% off the boardman at Halfords if you're a member of British Cycling.