Giant Defy Sizing Q.

[Jaaaaaamie]

Not sure if this is the right forum. If not, feel free to move it mods.

I am 5' 7.5" with a 31" inseam, and this puts me slap bang between the S and M sizes according to Giant's chart:

What would the common consensus be here? Go for the small, and lengthen via the stem if needed, or go for a M and fit a shorter stem?

Also, what sizes are people riding? Just to give me a general idea.

Going to try and get down to LBS over the weekend to have sit on some, but figured I would pose the question while I am on hold with my insurance company.

 

[vickster]

Go smaller, add a longer stem if needed

But definitely test ride (if only on a turbo)

I am almost 5'10, albeit female with longer legs (34") and a shorter torso relatively. I sat on a 2012 Defy which felt huge (bars too wide, stem to long). I ended up with a medium Avail, equivalent I think to a small defy in terms of TT length. I do hate being stretched out though, suffered chronic tennis elbow, one of the culprits was a too big bike

 

[uclown2002]

Small for sure.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Giant Defy's are a compact bike - I have a medium but it looks like a small. You need to try both!

 

[Cyclist33]

Not sure if this is the right forum. If not, feel free to move it mods.

I am 5' 7.5" with a 31" inseam, and this puts bang between the S and M sizes according to Giant's chart:

What would the common consensus be here? Go for the small, and lengthen via the stem if needed, or go for a M and fit a shorter stem?

Also, what sizes are people riding? Just to give me a general idea.

Going to try and get down to LBS over the weekend to have sit on some, but figured I would pose the question while I am on hold with my insurance company.

My reading of that chart is that it puts you firmly in the S size. You'll need to try before you buy. Ignore the size charts or comparisons to other brands. The geometry charts are what you need to look at.

I'm 5'11" - long in leg - ride a M/L with a stem 10cm shorter than the stock build.

 

[Cyclist33]

Giant Defy's are a compact bike - I have a medium but it looks like a small. You need to try both!

That's weird coz Giant's Medium bikes are more closely fitted for larger riders than smaller ones.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

I'm 5'6" with a 30" inside leg and I'm on a small. Be worth trying before buying if you can.

 

[Jaaaaaamie]

Cheers for the replies. As mentioned, will be trying to have a go on some this weekend. Only issue is, if I go for a small, it will be a long old wait for the stock in the model I am after to come in.

Them's the breaks, I guess.

 

[vickster]

Which one is it? Ash cycles have reduced 2014 models, possibly including the small one

 

[mrbikerboy73]

If you go by the sizing chart, you'd probably be OK on either size. It's a matter of personal preference and all will become clear when making a comparison between the two. You'll feel more "at home" on one of them. Don't buy the wrong size just because it's available quicker!

 

[Jaaaaaamie]

Which one is it? Ash cycles have reduced 2014 models, possibly including the small one

Either a Giant Defy Advanced 2, or possibly the 1, but either way the small is the last to come into the country I think.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Great bikes

 

[Dave7]

I have the defy 2 small.
Definitely try them both.
I am 5' 6 1/2" with 29" inside leg.
The seat is already high/extended and I need to raise it another 1/2".
Note that they have a funny/unique handlebar stem so you cannot simply raise it to match the saddle height.

BUT........a great bike. Far mor responsive to the Ribble I had (and I thought that was good).

 

[vickster]

How about one of these in small at a big discount? http://paulscycles.co.uk/m7b4s6p6155/GIANT-TCR-ADVANCED-2-2014

 

[Jaaaaaamie]

How about one of these in small at a big discount? http://paulscycles.co.uk/m7b4s6p6155/GIANT-TCR-ADVANCED-2-2014

Thanks for the link, Vickster. Although, I am now not sure if I will be after a small.

I Popped into the local Giant store earlier, and had a sit on a S and a M. Small felt perfect reach wise, but for the seat to be brought up to where I needed it, I would have been tipped quite far forward. So imagine a lot of weight on the wrists. Well, this was what was theorised by the guys in the shop, and it made sense.

They had a medium Defy Advanced 2 as a demo, and rode that round the carpark. It felt good, maybe would benefit from a 90mm stem, but I wasn't locked out in the arms or anything.

Long and short of it, I could probably do either reach wise, but the small would have me quite low down at the front. To the point I would be better of getting a TCR, probably!

...either way, the Advanced 2 is a lovely looking bike: