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

[Cuchilo]

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.

While its true that you cant slam the defy as much as the tcr there is only 15mm in it and while the tcr is a more responsive bike that doesn't make it unstable compared to the defy . There defy is only 20mm longer than the tcr from centre of the crank to the centre of the rear wheel .
My tcr and defy are both set up at the same slammy level . That wasn't planned its just how I have adjusted each bike to suit me and having just checked it how they have ended up .
I'm sure there is some argument for race and relaxed geometry but it seems to be a massive point raised when people are buying a bike and I don't think it is a massive detail to be bothered about . Compact or standard double would be a bigger issue for me .

 

[SteCenturion]

While its true that you cant slam the defy as much as the tcr there is only 15mm in it and while the tcr is a more responsive bike that doesn't make it unstable compared to the defy . There defy is only 20mm longer than the tcr from centre of the crank to the centre of the rear wheel .
My tcr and defy are both set up at the same slammy level . That wasn't planned its just how I have adjusted each bike to suit me and having just checked it how they have ended up .
I'm sure there is some argument for race and relaxed geometry but it seems to be a massive point raised when people are buying a bike and I don't think it is a massive detail to be bothered about . Compact or standard double would be a bigger issue for me .

Yes Cuch, I would 2nd the chainset thought.

As you know, I was looking for a TCR myself, I think mainly due to the fact I find the more Racy bikes with a shorter headtube more pleasing aesthetically rather than the liveliness or comfort factors.

I am sure that the TCR would in no way be twitchy, although it has been suggested by some bike reviews that other brands Race orientated bikes are a little.

I would no more worry about doing 100 miles on a TCR or SuperSix/CAAD than I would on a Defy or Synapse, it doesn't bother the Pro's who do 200 > 250k on really Race set up bikes.

 

[Saluki]

Having had a Defy (great bikes) and the OH has the Boardman (also a great bike), I would still probably go for the Bianchi as it's just so darn sexy.

 

[Cyclist33]

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

Granted you are right about the weight savings of the Zonda etc but just for the record the Giant SR2 wheels weighed in at exactly 2kg and these are the ones on the Defy 3, so the ones on the Defy 1 (either PR1s or P-Elite Cs) will be lighter than that. So approx 2100g is probably a bit over cautious on the estimate, Ste.

 

[SteCenturion]

Granted you are right about the weight savings of the Zonda etc but just for the record the Giant SR2 wheels weighed in at exactly 2kg and these are the ones on the Defy 3, so the ones on the Defy 1 (either PR1s or P-Elite Cs) will be lighter than that. So approx 2100g is probably a bit over cautious on the estimate, Ste.

Yeah, my mistake.

I sold my unused Ritchey wheels to a mate a few months back (approx 1550g) he has a Defy 3 & we weighed his at near 2100g so he saved half kilo easy.

The PR1's are prob lighter but maybe 100 - 150g (just estimating)

 

[themosquitoking]

My Pr1s were weighed by the bike shop when they fitted my nice new wheels the other day. They are nearly 2kg for the pair so more or less bang on Ste.

 

[SteCenturion]

My Pr1s were weighed by the bike shop when they fitted my nice new wheels the other day. They are nearly 2kg for the pair so more or less bang on Ste.

Cheers pal.

I had a google for actual weights but Giant don't list them. I was directed to several old forum discussions (on different forums) & got no definitive answer, but a ball park figure of around 2 kg, so your post confirms this, cheers.

 

[themosquitoking]

Cheers pal.

I had a google for actual weights but Giant don't list them. I was directed to several old forum discussions (on different forums) & got no definitive answer, but a ball park figure of around 2 kg, so your post confirms this, cheers.

I don't know why i didn't bother to weigh them myself when i was changing tubes and tyres one time. My new wheels feel noticeably lighter in the hand if not maybe on the road yet.

 

[tudor_77]

Hi guys, thank for all the help/suggestions and replies.

Went to the first LBS today and had a good look at the Bianchi, really is a sexy bike and the Campag Xenon seems pretty decent in terms of aesthetics and functionality. I left the place fairly confident I would go for the Bianchi.

However, I then popped over to Giant and had a look at the Defy range.

Really liked the Defy 0 with Ultegra groupset but then got shown one of these:

http://www.giant-liverpool.co.uk/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.defy.composite.2/14976/66540/

Full carbon frame and 105! Also, only £1170 with my 10% off so possibly worth stretching to. I also love the look and the paint job on the composite. I am supposed to be going in tomorrow to see about getting properly fitted up for the right size frame so they can order one in if needs be.

So... One final question, what would you go for? The Giant Defy 0 with Aluminium frame and Ultegra or the Defy Composite 2 with 105 and full Carbon frame???

I want this bike to be my main machine for the next 5yrs or more so durability and reliability are key issues as is comfort as I want to start doing longer rides as previously mentioned.

Thanks for all the help so far guys, it is very much appreciated!

 

[Cyclist33]

The Composite, hands down.

 

[SteCenturion]

I would go Comp also, not that the Defy 0 is shabby at all, a very fine bike imho.

As long as you look after it, I.e don't t**t it with the mower in the shed & gouge it or suchlike it will be fine.

If you crash it though, take it to be properly assesed by the Giant Store or wherever you bought it.
www.paulscycles.co.uk have some last year stock in cheap, but if the store have been good with you, give them your trade, it might pay dividends in the long run.

 

[Big Nick]

Out of those two the Giant (you will always secretly lust after a Bianchi though!)

 

[tudor_77]

Lol indeed Nick, I'm thinking the Bianchi will be the 'one that got away' for me but the carbon frame and 105 combo of the Defy is just too good to pass up!

Thank you all for the input and advice!

 

[MikeW-71]

I'd go for the Composite 2. Then save a few pennies and upgrade the wheels later, it makes quite a difference.

 

[Cuchilo]

Lol indeed Nick, I'm thinking the Bianchi will be the 'one that got away' for me but the carbon frame and 105 combo of the Defy is just too good to pass up!

Thank you all for the input and advice!

I doubt you will regret riding a carbon Giant