AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
If you're not a fan of the thumb shifters it's worth pointing out that Campag shifters use a similar set up, though it is a much more robust feeling system, even at a lower level.
Giant Defy 1 v Bianchi Nirone 7 v Boardman Road Team Carbon
- Thread starter tudor_77
- Start date
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winjim
Straddle the line, discord and rhyme
The Campagnolo thumb shifter is in a more sensible position than the Sora's though. I can easily activate it from hoods and drops. It's the shape of the hoods I find most different. Campag's are very small, like an old fashioned brake hood, compared to Shimano's big hefty things which more akin to having a set of bullhorn bars.
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
Yeah the Campag system is much better, the shifter is more of a paddle so you get much more purchase than you do with Shimano's crappy wee triangle. The hood shape as you say is far superior as well, actually designed with ergonomics in mind rather than using a rectangular block.
Big Nick
Senior Member
All have their pluses
I considered the Defy and the Boardman but ended up with a 2013 Bianchi Vertigo for a smidge over £1000 by shopping around and it's an awesome bike which has the Campagnolo Veloce which is fantastically smooth
I think faced with just those three I'd take the carbon bike.
I considered the Defy and the Boardman but ended up with a 2013 Bianchi Vertigo for a smidge over £1000 by shopping around and it's an awesome bike which has the Campagnolo Veloce which is fantastically smooth
I think faced with just those three I'd take the carbon bike.
OP
OP
tudor_77
Veteran
Indeed Nick, I'm tempted by the Boardman but mostly I think because that is what I am used to having been riding the Boardman Road Race Sora for three years. I have noticed though that there are always a large amount of 2014 Road Team Carbons for sale on Ebay, often quite new too which makes me think that people are not getting on with them too well. Could just be a case of Halfords selling people the wrong size frame and then refusing to exchange as opposed to any deficits in the bikes quality.
OP
OP
tudor_77
Veteran
Yep, out of the three its the only one that has a carbon frame. Also has a mix of Tiagra and 105 (although mostly Tiagra) groupset.
Never owned or even tried a carbon frame, so not so sure about it. I am assuming that not all carbon frames are created equal and at that price point is it better to go for a really good aluminium frame like the Defy or the 'entry level' carbon frame of the Boardman. A problem made worse by the fact that Halfords will not let you test ride (at least not in my local branches) whereas Giant will at least let you ride around their fairly large showroom.
Never owned or even tried a carbon frame, so not so sure about it. I am assuming that not all carbon frames are created equal and at that price point is it better to go for a really good aluminium frame like the Defy or the 'entry level' carbon frame of the Boardman. A problem made worse by the fact that Halfords will not let you test ride (at least not in my local branches) whereas Giant will at least let you ride around their fairly large showroom.
vickster
Squire
I have a carbon bike and I used to have an avail, the wsd defy. The carbon was not a massively costly one, but on rough roads it is far more comfortable and rather lighter, especially now I've added decent wheels, and more exciting to ride. If you've had an alu roadbike before, I'd choose the carbon. Boardman get very good reviews, and don't forget to join British cycling for 10% off. To be fair, my avail had mudguards and a rack and tiagra (I don't get on with shimano hoods) and was comfortable enough, but it never excited me to ride like the carbon (and indeed my new steel steed)
Big Nick
Senior Member
It's probably more people taking up the cycle to work scheme and not using them I reckon!
That may explain why there are a lot of second hand ones for sale . I took a wild guess at the Boardman being carbon BTW . Boardman / carbon / Halfords . At that price point they will make loads of sales and that's what matters to them .
I did a load of research before buying into the giant brand last year and have bought another giant bike since as I'm happy with the brand . My friend however has decided to go for specialized after his research this year . I trust his judgement in finding the best bike for him .
If I where you I would do more research in what you get for your money . My searching was all about who made the frames ( not buying them in and making a bike to sell )
What service you get from where you buy is another big deal to me . I bought my Defy from my LBS . At service point I was ushered out the door and told to call later to see if it was ready . giant strip my bike and put it back together while I wait .
I guess what I am saying is you get what you pay for but also you get more if you pick the best place to buy from .
Good luck with whatever you decide on though
I did a load of research before buying into the giant brand last year and have bought another giant bike since as I'm happy with the brand . My friend however has decided to go for specialized after his research this year . I trust his judgement in finding the best bike for him .
If I where you I would do more research in what you get for your money . My searching was all about who made the frames ( not buying them in and making a bike to sell )
What service you get from where you buy is another big deal to me . I bought my Defy from my LBS . At service point I was ushered out the door and told to call later to see if it was ready . giant strip my bike and put it back together while I wait .
I guess what I am saying is you get what you pay for but also you get more if you pick the best place to buy from .
Good luck with whatever you decide on though
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
I know of 1 person buys them on C2W , waits the year and sells em brand new , he reckons he makes a profit !
Keith Oates
Janner
- Location
- Penarth, Wales
We all have different tastes regarding the colour, make, etc. but although all the bikes you have mentioned are good the Giant would get the nod from me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SteCenturion
I am your Father
- Location
- The Dark Side of the Moon.
Normally a Spotive type bike has a taller head tube & longer wheelbase Cuch (I have found through my avid reading) & this provides the rider with a more upright position & stable bike.
Your right that you can set them both up to be racy/relaxed but, & this is only my opinion, you couldn't get a relaxed geometry bike such as the Synapse or Defy as slammed (as the kids call it) as you could the SuperSix/CAAD or TCR. It's all to do with the headtube height & trail.
Changing a stem to one with a large angle, say 17° & adding spacers etc could give a more relaxed position to any bike & a low 6° angle stem (mine) & angled down with spacers removed (bar one can get it pretty slammed) there you go, I am now down with the kids.
SteCenturion
I am your Father
- Location
- The Dark Side of the Moon.
& me too. Fantastic build quality.
My mate bought his Giant Defy 3 from Giant Liverpool & is doing a team event with them soon.
My only gripe with the Giant's are that you don't quite get full 105, the chainset & often brakes too are lower tier stuff or even other brands.
The Giant wheels, while strong a good quality are quite heavy too & that's why I suggest the Cube Peloton Race which has full 105 & Mavic Asium wheelset.
SteCenturion
I am your Father
- Location
- The Dark Side of the Moon.
If that Defy 0 has 11 speed Ultegra then I would go for that, it's future proof, well more so than 105 which is only just about to go up from 10 speed to 11 & will be lighter too.
If going for the Defy 1 then use the difference towards lighter wheel set such as the Mavic Aksium S, available as a WTS (wheel tyre system) with matching tyres at around £175 from merlincycles.co.uk or some Campagnolo Zonda (very light) at around £250, these will knock around 400 - 600g off the weight easily & accelerate much quicker.
Edit.
The Zonda's are £251 from Wiggle (+12% off for platinum members, ie spent lots there over 6/12 months) & weigh 1550g, the Giant wheels are approx 2100g.
The Mavic Aksium S are 1735g & £174.95 inc tyres (WTS) from www.merlincycles.co.uk
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