Giant Defy2 Composite 2014 or Specialized Tarmac SL4 2014

[simon007]

Hi all, just starting to become a more serious rider this year as due to age/deteriorating back have to do less running. Aims are: training with cycle club, keeping up with peleton! Perhaps some triathlons but not at 'crazy level'. After a few months on my old KTM have decided to upgrade with a max budget of £1500 to included carbon frame (want the compliance for NewForest roads/old back plus I like the latest technology) and Shimano 105 at least for changers and rear derailleur. Have narrowed down to the above two bikes...now the difficult bit. The Specialized seems to have more reputation but Giant seems to be quietly good at what they do... Both do lifetime guarantees on the frame. Both have the right spec, though I have no idea whether the included wheels on one are better than the other. But the non-Giant dealers tell me the carbon spec/build is better on the Specialized. The Giant dealer says Giant is the world expert on carbon and wouldn't knock anyone else but Giant knows what its doing and that I will not regret even saving just £150 on the GD2C at £1300 vs £1450 discounted price on the STSL4. I know £150 is very little difference in the end but why would I spend more on the Specialized?
Your independent thoughts would be much appreciated

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I would take the SL4 over the Defy any day... It's an amazing frame set, stiff, light and responsive. The SL4 is also one of the only mass produced composite framesets which has a different carbon layup respective to frame size.
A smaller person like myself riding a smaller bike requires a different level of stiffness and compliance to someone on a large bike weighing an extra four stone. The Tarmac SL4 frameset offers this while the Defy does not.
As your looking at getting into racing improves its worth noting that Specialized sponsored world tour teams have great bikes such as the Venge and Roubaix to choose from as well, yet many still select the SL4 tarmac and it has many wins to its name including the 2012 London Olympic road race. I am not aware of to many Giant Shimano team riders on Defy's the bikes they generally select are the TCR and Propel.

Although the Giant dealer is correct that giant are experts in carbon component production it means nothing imho. For example Henry Ford developed the production line for motor vehicles and going by the same assumption Ford could be considered the expert due to their experience yet times have moved on Ford are no longer the only expert and some are producing higher quality, some producing higher performance, some producing cheaper but they all remain experts in their own right.. The question is does Giant's expertise offer you something you need, or something no other cycle company can offer?

 

[Cyclist33]

I would take the SL4 over the Defy any day... It's an amazing frame set, stiff, light and responsive. The SL4 is also one of the only mass produced composite framesets which has a different carbon layup respective to frame size.
A smaller person like myself riding a smaller bike requires a different level of stiffness and compliance to someone on a large bike weighing an extra four stone. The Tarmac SL4 frameset offers this while the Defy does not.
As your looking at getting into racing improves its worth noting that Specialized sponsored world tour teams have great bikes such as the Venge and Roubaix to choose from as well, yet many still select the SL4 tarmac and it has many wins to its name including the 2012 London Olympic road race. I am not aware of to many Giant Shimano team riders on Defy's the bikes they generally select are the TCR and Propel.

Although the Giant dealer is correct that giant are experts in carbon component production it means nothing imho. For example Henry Ford developed the production line for motor vehicles and going by the same assumption Ford could be considered the expert due to their experience yet times have moved on Ford are no longer the only expert and some are producing higher quality, some producing higher performance, some producing cheaper but they all remain experts in their own right.. The question is does Giant's expertise offer you something you need, or something no other cycle company can offer?

Small people can be heavy, and tall people light, though...

 

[simon007]

Thanks Mr H. very good points you make. I take your points about racers choice but I wonder if anyone can comment on whether the carbon and its layup are inferior in the Defy 2 vs the SL4

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Small people can be heavy, and tall people light, though...

Agreed but usually I would not expect to see to many 15 stone plus guys on a 49/52 frame sizes that I ride. I know I haven't
The size of bikes I ride are generally reserved for the vertically challenged or children

But your point is valid which is why each size has a weight limit which the retailer can advise about.. They might just say, your safe shorty like they did to me.
Mum told me the good looking kids get picked on

 

[the_mikey]

Nothing beats trying the bikes out for yourself before you buy, I can't offer any insight into the diffences between the two bikes, but small diffences in frame geometry can make a big difference to your experience.

 

[MikeW-71]

If you are down to two bikes, you need to test ride them both and see what's most comfortable for you. IMHO, they are two great bikes and you'd be happy whichever one you chose. The Defy will have a slightly more upright geometry than the Tarmac and if you have any back worries it may make the difference.

Giant-Shimano will be using the Defy Advanced SL in at least some of the cobbled Classics.

 

[simon007]

Thanks Mike, I see you're a Giant rider - do you find the frame strong enough but also compliant enough (as I think my dodgy lumbar needs)? My Specialized dealer seems reluctant to let me trial an SL4 as he doesn't have a demo one...tricky... Need to find another dealer!

 

[MikeW-71]

I find it remarkably compliant, and it's certainly taking the knocks of bumps and holes, yet it's noticeably stiffer than my alloy Defy. I just love riding it, it turns well but isn't twitchy, puts the power down well and comfortable all day long.

 

[Cuchilo]

I buy Giant after looking into things a while ago . I have the Defy 5 and the TCR1 Advanced . I do notice the difference between the two bikes but that's obvious as one is carbon the other isn't but I bet a carbon Defy is a dream to ride .
I still havnt beaten some of my times on the TCR that I did on the Defy and i'm pretty sure my stock TCR isn't spec'd the same a s a pro riders TCR . I guess that goes the same for any stock bike that is claimed to be a team bike ?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Thanks Mike, I see you're a Giant rider - do you find the frame strong enough but also compliant enough (as I think my dodgy lumbar needs)? My Specialized dealer seems reluctant to let me trial an SL4 as he doesn't have a demo one...tricky... Need to find another dealer!

If your in London your welcome to try my SL4 or you can get one of the test fleet delivered to any concept store.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Thanks Mr H. very good points you make. I take your points about racers choice but I wonder if anyone can comment on whether the carbon and its layup are inferior in the Defy 2 vs the SL4

It's not quite as simple as stating one has a better carbon layup than the other, things such as the epoxy used in construction change the characteristics of the frame.
You really have to ride them and find the one which suits you.
I have read up vast amounts on carbon technology on bikes and this matters not one bit compared to the experience and feel of the ride. Simply put both bikes are up to the job IMHO.

I love my SL4 as do the cycling media
http://pelotonmagazine.com/video/tarmac-sl4-video-review/