Hey you guys!! What bike should I get?

[DWiggy]

Just a quick hello,
I'm David from Cobham down in sunny Kent!!
I'm currently riding my lovely old girl a reconditioned 80's Raleigh road bike, repainted in Orange/Black with the gears on the down tube and a double crank 54/42.
I have been riding solidly for a year, 6 days a week doing aprox 140miles a week and loving it, really have the bug!!

I'm currently trying to raise some funds for a new steed, and have whittled it down to the following two bikes, I will hopefully have £1000 to spend so my choice are the Giant Defy 1 or the Planet X pro carbon, your recommendations would be useful.
the bike would be used for commuting, Sunday rides and hopefully the London to Paris ride late in the year.

Thanks in advanced!!

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi and welcome
That's a very difficult choice. Both bikes have excellent specs and reviews.
I think that the Planet X bike has a stiffer frame than the Giant, particularly at the back end. That would make the Giant a more comfortable ride.
Certainly, Cycling Plus wrote a rave review on the Giant and put it as a contender for the bike of the year award.
Still a difficult choice though.
If pushed I would go for the Giant as it would give me a more forgiving ride, I think.
Whatever your final choice, you will have a very nice bike at your disposal.
I wish you well.

 

[Shaun]

Hello David - welcome to CC - and just to let you know, I've moved this thread to the kit section to hopefully get you a few more replies.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[Trail Child]

I haven't seen the Planet X bikes sold here in Canada (just the Planet X accessories), but I have a couple of respected friends that are big Giant fanboys. My friend Brad is even trying to resurrect his Giant after a bad car crash last summer instead of buying a new one. I don't hear anything bad about them on this side of the pond.

 

[DWiggy]

Thanks all for your input,

I just can't choose lol they both seem real good value for money. I'm leaning towards the giant as it has a lifetime guarantee on the frame,and am not sure how long the plantet x carbon frame would stand the test of time as I will be using for commuting etc but like the face its not a mass produced bike.
Also bike radar reviewed the Planet X pro carbon and gave it a 4 out of 5 stars but the review was confusing saying that the frame has quite a bit of flex under pressure, but people commented saying they didn't have these problems on there bikes (and there were a few comments like that)
Oh well the minefield of buying a bike I suppose!

 

[Rob3rt]

Hi and welcome
That's a very difficult choice. Both bikes have excellent specs and reviews.
I think that the Planet X bike has a stiffer frame than the Giant, particularly at the back end. That would make the Giant a more comfortable ride.
Certainly, Cycling Plus wrote a rave review on the Giant and put it as a contender for the bike of the year award.
Still a difficult choice though.
If pushed I would go for the Giant as it would give me a more forgiving ride, I think.
Whatever your final choice, you will have a very nice bike at your disposal.
I wish you well.

On what basis?

Thanks all for your input,

I just can't choose lol they both seem real good value for money. I'm leaning towards the giant as it has a lifetime guarantee on the frame,and am not sure how long the plantet x carbon frame would stand the test of time as I will be using for commuting etc but like the face its not a mass produced bike.
Also bike radar reviewed the Planet X pro carbon and gave it a 4 out of 5 stars but the review was confusing saying that the frame has quite a bit of flex under pressure, but people commented saying they didn't have these problems on there bikes (and there were a few comments like that)
Oh well the minefield of buying a bike I suppose!

Yes it is, it is most likely a frame produced from an open mould and sold under a number of different brands, just like most of these cheap carbon numbers offered by retailers.

I would take the Giant, because I personally don't trust PX to provide any degree of after service and don't like the fact they only offer a 2 year warranty.

 

[Peteaud]

Not a massive fan of giant but i have a defy 2 and it is fantastic.

go for the Defy.

 

[outlash]

I'm hopefully looking to upgrade later in the year and my thoughts are that I'd rather get a decent alloy frame over a cheaper carbon so my potential £1K budget includes the Defy 1 but not the Planet X. But I'm leaning towards the Canondale Synapse 105.



Tony.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Great replies by Rob3ert and outlash IMO

More importantly though is which bike fits you correctly?

You might actually find it's neither of these two.

Not sure why you've limited your choice to just these 2 either, there are loads of choices to go at if you have £1k to spend.

 

[DWiggy]

I did have a slightly larger short list

• Giant defy 1 (Got great reviews)
• Planet x Pro carbon (Wanted to be a bit different, the carbon may have helped) <--prob not the best option lol
• Felt F75 105 (Know a friend with a Felt and its very nice)
• BMC Road Streetracer SR01 (This one I do love the look of)

 

[vickster]

If you fancy carbon, and have a grand, perhaps this (although sized for a 6 footer) The Epsom store did have one in stock recently http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=182157 . However, given its a commuter and sounds like its your only bike, maybe carbon isn't the best option

I have the 2012 women's equivalent of the Defy 2 and although it's a comfy, reasonable looking bike, its looks don't really excite me (unlike my Pearson) - doesn't matter as it's my commuter, pottering bike

I think if spending that sort of money on your 'best' bike it does need to appeal to you aesthetically

 

[DWiggy]

@vickster damn shame im only 5-9' !! its a good bargain

 

[vickster]

I am pretty sure it would be too big - I am 5'10 and felt too stretched on a M but my height is more in legs than torso. Call and check they don't have a M perhaps

It's a shame you're not smaller! http://www.wiggle.co.uk/giant-tcr-composite-3-2012/

But Paul's have the full range looking at their site http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b0s6p4497
and All Terrain http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/.Giant-2012-TCR-Composite-3-Performance-Road-Bike_125706.htm

 

[musa]

what about cannondale as a brand?

 

[DWiggy]

Yer I like the Cannondale but really trying to make my list smaller lol (Maybe swap the cannon for the planet in my list)