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

[SteCenturion]

I doubt you will regret riding a carbon Giant

+1 enjoy your new ride.

 

[tudor_77]

Hi guys,

After advice from people on here and some further research I decided to go for the Giant Defy Comp 2. I went along to Giant in Liverpool to get fitted for the bike and must say, they were very thorough with the whole thing. I couldn't decide whether to go for the M or M/L so the guy actually set up a turbo trainer so I could try both and get a feel for the geometry properly! Awesome service, I would definitely recommend that store they never ran out of patience with my endless (probably stupid) questions. Went for the medium which fits like a glove, the M/L was just a little bit too stretched out for me.

Absolutely love the bike, so much better than my old Boardman Road Race (still a great bike of course) this is just a different bike altogether and I am amazed at how light and comfortable a carbon frame is. Its 8.1 kg on my scales. The ride quality is fantastic.

I've included a picture (not the best quality sorry). The stock Giant pictures do not do their bikes justice at all, the whole Defy range looks so much better in the flesh. Anyway here she is, the finish is awesome, kind of like a silvery gold colour.

Thanks for all the advice and help its much appreciated.

 

[Big Nick]

Nice bike....enjoy!

 

[Cuchilo]

The Giant store at Twickenham gives the same service . The lads in there are spot on !
Enjoy the bike , it looks sweet !

 

[SteCenturion]

I have a mate who is entered into an event as part of a team with Giant Liverpool.

He bought his aluminium Giant Defy 3 through that store & has since struck up a friendship with the manager.

He rates the store very highly too.

Nice bike BTW.

 

[tudor_77]

Cheers guys.

Yeah Ste, that would be Jon the manager. Seriously top bloke. I am entered into the same event and meant to be setting off with them tomorrow (Liverpool-Chester) from Liverpool. I think I will be letting them go on ahead though as my seatpost on the Defy Comp has creeped into the frame about an inch since yeasterday. Having no Torque Wrench yet (First carbon bike) means I cannot fix the issue myself and there is no way I would try and do it just by 'feel'. Adjusting the clamp either too tight or too loose could have disastrous consequences so looks like I will be doing the event on my Giant Roam 1. Great bike also but very heavy over long distances. I'm signed up to do the 50 mile route so that will be quite an achievement on the Roam.

 

[Cuchilo]

Just turn up with the Defy , someone will sort the seat post for you !

 

[SteCenturion]

Cheers guys.

Yeah Ste, that would be Jon the manager. Seriously top bloke. I am entered into the same event and meant to be setting off with them tomorrow (Liverpool-Chester) from Liverpool. I think I will be letting them go on ahead though as my seatpost on the Defy Comp has creeped into the frame about an inch since yeasterday. Having no Torque Wrench yet (First carbon bike) means I cannot fix the issue myself and there is no way I would try and do it just by 'feel'. Adjusting the clamp either too tight or too loose could have disastrous consequences so looks like I will be doing the event on my Giant Roam 1. Great bike also but very heavy over long distances. I'm signed up to do the 50 mile route so that will be quite an achievement on the Roam.

Sounds like you could do with a bit of carbon paste & that torque wrench for your post there, quite rightly if your unsure (as I would be) let someone else have a go.
Maybe Jon could give it a tweek if you take a multitool with hex keys on.

Say hi to Jay for me & goog luck to all of you.

 

[tudor_77]

Do you recon they will have a torque wrench with them? Never seen one up close but was assuming it would be quite a chunky piece of kit.

 

[tudor_77]

Okay, thanks for the advice, cheers Ste!

 

[Cuchilo]

Do you recon they will have a torque wrench with them? Never seen one up close but was assuming it would be quite a chunky piece of kit.

Its a tiny T bit of kit with adjustable heads . I bet half the people there will have one .
To be honest you could just do it so it doesn't slip , ive just changed tyres on my carbon rims and it took a lot more than a torque to get things on and off !
Just nip each hex screw up evenly and job done .

 

[Andy Jeffery]

I don't know about the other two you have listed but I have the Defy 1 and love it. It's comfortable and I can easily keep up with the other fancy bikes in the club I belong to. The 105 is smooth etc and brakes good.

Hope this helps

 

[tudor_77]

Okay man, so you recon just tighten each screw to just beyond finger tightness? The post has height settings so I know it needs to be at 130 (snaked down to 150) so could just keep checking it I guess.

Would much rather be doing this on the Defy than the Roam haha

EDIT: Cheers Andy, I ended up going for the Defy Composite 2 and really loving it so far apart from a few teething troubles moving over to my first carbon bike

 

[Andy Jeffery]

My next bike will be a Giant Carbon. Love the bikes brand etc etc

 

[tudor_77]

Indeed man, me and the missus both have Giant Roam's for general leisure cycling and absolutely love them to bits!