Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 Disc

[scotthunter]

Hi there,

I am looking for a sportive bike with a budget of £2500. I want something with disc brakes but very light, fast but also comfortable for 60-120 mile rides, and with better than average wheels.

What are your thoughts on the Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1? It’s a lot of money but want to make sure it’s good value before I invest.

Let me know what you think of the colour scheme too! Thanks!

https://www.certini.co.uk/38983/pro...anced-pro-1-road-bike-carbon-smoke-green.aspx

 

[gds58]

I work in the Cycle retail trade and this is a model I sell (along with many other brands too) This is a truly superb bike. The ‘Advanced Pro’ range sits in the middle of the three frame qualities and in my opinion is the best option as it doesn’t have the (slight) inconvenience of the SL models integrated seat mast. This has the latest version of Ultegra with the new shifter/lever design AND carbon wheels and all for a little over two and a half grand. Super comfy, and still bloody quick, I think it’s a ‘no brainer’ really! Colour is a personal thing, I like it and it looks better in the flesh than on screen but only you can make that call!
If you go for it you won’t be disappointed I can guarantee that! Hope this helps.
Graham

 

[scotthunter]

I saw it in the shop and it looks like a fine machine. But for the same money I could have the Cube Agree C:62 Race Disc. I was fortunate enough to be able to compare both bikes side by side and liked the look of both. They weigh about the same, but I think the carbon wheels on the Defy are lighter.

 

[scotthunter]

https://goo.gl/images/jGta5B

 

[vickster]

I saw it in the shop and it looks like a fine machine. But for the same money I could have the Cube Agree C:62 Race Disc. I was fortunate enough to be able to compare both bikes side by side and liked the look of both. They weigh about the same, but I think the carbon wheels on the Defy are lighter.

Go test ride them both and see which you prefer

 

[Oldbloke]

I've ridden the previous model a few times, superb ride. Go for it

 

[scotthunter]

I am in a bit of a dilemma. I am struggling to justify the high price of the Defy Advanced Pro 1. If I can live without full Ultegra and discs, I can get a new 2018 TCR Advanced 2 for £1232 with my 15% discount.

https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/giant-tcr-advanced-2-2018-Q2315118.html?colour=4525

The Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 is £2550, a huge £1318 more, and is heavier (7.9kg vs. 8.2kg). I can't get a discount on it either, although it is already in a sale.

https://www.certini.co.uk/38983/pro...anced-pro-1-road-bike-carbon-smoke-green.aspx

I could even upgrade the wheelset of the TCR 2 to Mavic Ksyrium Elites to bring the weight down to 7.5kg and still be £850 better off.

The other option, which is sort of half way between the two, is the Giant TCR Advanced 1 Disc, which has full Ultegra and discs, which I can get for £1700, which still represents a huge saving over the Defy Advanced Pro.

https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/giant-tcr-advanced-1-disc-Q2315120.html?colour=3657

Specs aside, what are your thoughts on the full orange vs grey/green paint jobs? I would be interested to have a second opinion.

Thank you!

 

[Heigue'r]

The orange on the tcr disc looks great imo,I see one on the commute everyday and very tempted myself

 

[gds58]

TCR and Defy are vastly different bikes. In your original post you stated that you want a 'Sportive Bike'. The TCR is anything but a Sportive bike. It is a full on race bike with race geometry and handling. Yes it's lighter than a Defy but don't get it just for that. Don't get me wrong, the TCR is a fantastic bike but it is not appropriate for your requirements. Furthermore, you are comparing the base level 'Advanced' frame TCR against the much better 'Advanced Pro' of the Defy. Don't get hung up on the 300g weight difference either as this is almost certainly in the slightly heavier frame of the Defy which has massively better wheels and therefore will far out-perform the TCR on longer rides and give you much greater comfort.
The choice is obviously yours but you have contradicted yourself from what you stated as your requirements in the first post. Defy all the way for all day comfort AND performance.

 

[gds58]

Sorry, forgot to mention that because of the significantly different geometries of the TCR and Defy, the TCR will put you over 2cm (20mm) LOWER at the front end and therefore mean that your riding position is very different (more aggressive position) and on longer rides this will be quite noticable. Obviously with an online purchase they will sell you whatever you ask for but if you were a customer of mine (I think you're well out of my area) I would strive to sell you the bike YOU NEED not necessarily the bike that you at first might want!
Hope this all helps.
Graham

 

[scotthunter]

Thank you - useful summary. I am a little inexperienced when it comes to choosing bikes as I've only had one bike which I've done 3000 miles on and have not tested any other bikes so I don't really know what I'm looking for geometry wise.

Having read your post and from readings the review of the older model below, I am leaning towards the Defy Pro. It sounds like it's both comfortable and fast for the average Joe's needs and has a top-spec which should make it future-proof.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...nced-pro-bike-preview-carbon-road-martin-love

http://www.cyclist.co.uk/giant/defy-advanced/2170/giant-defy-advanced-pro-1-review

What are your thoughts on the grey/green combo? Better or worse than the grey/blue of the 2017 model?

 

[scotthunter]

By the way, this is my current bike, which has served me very well until now:

https://www.tweekscycles.com/clearance/clearance-bikes/cube-peloton-pro-road-bike-2013

I won't want anything radically different, riding position wise...

I can just about manage 18-19mph average over 60 miles of very undulating Devon roads on that bike, but it's not easy.

 

[vickster]

Colour is very personal. Some people even like plain black!

Go look at them in the plastic

What’s wrong with your current bike? 3k miles it’s barely broken in you can even only be on your second chain

 

[gds58]

Thank you - useful summary. I am a little inexperienced when it comes to choosing bikes as I've only had one bike which I've done 3000 miles on and have not tested any other bikes so I don't really know what I'm looking for geometry wise.

Having read your post and from reading the review of the older model below, I am leaning towards the Defy Pro. It sounds like it's both comfortable and fast for the average Joe's needs and has a top-spec which should make it future-proof.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...nced-pro-bike-preview-carbon-road-martin-love

What are your thoughts on the grey/green combo? Better or worse than the grey/blue of the 2017 model?

Personally I like it, but I have had a number of Cannondales which have the same green as their signature colour. You will find it impossible to locate a NEW 2017 model now as they sold out long ago (unless you are very very lucky!) and now even the 2018 ones are getting quite scarce in the popular sizes (M and M/L)
Graham

 

[scotthunter]

Why are 2018 models getting scarce? I would have thought Giant makes enough bikes?