Hybrid to Road Bike

[Sixmile]

Like so many on here have done, I think it is time for me to get a roadie after a brief flirtation with a hybrid. I'm keeping the hybrid for the family riding and a bit of commuting but have found a few bikes locally that have perked up my interest and are tempting me to finally bite the bullet.

I'm a sucker for a bargain and hate being ripped off. Some say I'm a skinflint but all I want is the feeling that I have got value for money. I'd appreciate any opinions on a few of the bikes below. One is a gumtreer nearby me and the other an ex-demo from CRC. Both bikes are within about 1 mile from me but before I have a look, I thought I'd garner some of the expert opinion and experience on here.

The one on Gumtree is a 2015 Giant Defy 2. The guy has Keo Look pedals on it and says it has done around 10 journeys. Does anyone have experience of this bike and what do you think? It's exactly like the one in the link. The guy will accept £350 for it.
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/p...ike_50102546?gclid=CKC98M2S_8oCFcQp0wodDxUG4A

The other bike I've been looking at is an ex-demo in CRC. At £690 it is a brave bit dearer but I'd use the 0% 12month option. Is something like this worth double what I'd get a nearly new Defy 2 for? Again opinions appreciated. The exact bike is below.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-zenium-sl-road-bike-ex-demo-2015/rp-prod144449

 

[vickster]

Are they the right size. Crucial with a roadbike or a bargain can soon become an albatross

 

[Sixmile]

Yea they're both 54s which going by any guide I've read is right for me. Having never did much riding on a roadie I probably won't notice if it is the wrong size until it's too late anyway.

 

[vickster]

Yea they're both 54s which going by any guide I've read is right for me. Having never did much riding on a roadie I probably won't notice if it is the wrong size until it's too late anyway.

You need to compare the geometries, not all 54s are the same. You'd be best off riding them and seeing which works for you

Happy shopping

 

[rugby bloke]

Yea they're both 54s which going by any guide I've read is right for me. Having never did much riding on a roadie I probably won't notice if it is the wrong size until it's too late anyway.

An easy mistake to make - too late for me was about 10 miles from home after a long ride ... the longest and most uncomfortable 10 miles of my life ....
I would definitely recommend testing before buying.

 

[Sixmile]

I'll definitely test them but how will I know the size isn't right on a 5 or 10 minute ride? It normally takes me 2 hours to bring on the 'I'm not comfortable' pains on the limited hybrid.

 

[vickster]

I'll definitely test them but how will I know the size isn't right on a 5 or 10 minute ride? It normally takes me 2 hours to bring on the 'I'm not comfortable' pains on the limited hybrid.

Get a proper test ride, can't see how it's an issue with a demo bike? Might be more of an issue buying second hand. I think you'll know quite quickly if it's the right frame size, you may find later you need a different stem or bars, but those are quite easy to swap

This is why buying from a knowledgable LBS can be better, but you might have to pay more

How tall are you? What is the current bike? A 'hybrid' could be anything

 

[rugby bloke]

That's a good point to be honest, when I bought my current roadie I was able to take it out for a 30 min test but I'm guessing that you may not have that luxury. Having said that it did just feel more comfortable from the start, which is not particularly scientific.

 

[Sixmile]

How tall are you? What is the current bike? A 'hybrid' could be anything

5ft 10, 32" inside leg.

Current bike is last years Crosstrail..
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Crosstrail-Disc-2016-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_72128.htm

 

[vickster]

Similar height to me, I ride 54s. But for example Giant claim(ed) the medium defy to be a 54cm but when I sat on it, it felt huge, partly due to massive wide bars (for me). You need to look at the geometry closely

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.1/19187/77294/#geometry

CRC have a size chart on your link but can't get a link from iPad

Btw your Winstanleys link just goes to the homepage

 

[Sixmile]

Similar height to me, I ride 54s. But for example Giant claim(ed) the medium defy to be a 54cm but when I sat on it, it felt huge, partly due to massive wide bars (for me). You need to look at the geometry closely

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.1/19187/77294/#geometry

CRC have a size chart on your link but can't get a link from iPad

Btw your Winstanleys link just goes to the homepage

The link works ok for me.

The CRC size guide reckons I may be a 56 but I've seen some downsize on purpose.

The Defy is a M/L.

 

[RegG]

I bought a Defy 0 last year (2015) model and have been very pleased with it. The Defy 2 is a nice bike and for the price being asked seems very good value.
Here is a link to the full spec for the 2015 Defy 2 so you can check it is correct....

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.2/19187/77295/

The Vitus does have a better spec in that it seems to have a full 105 groupset....

As others have said, you could do with trying the bikes for size and giving them a quick ride if possible. Good luck.

 

[vickster]

The link works ok for me.

The CRC size guide reckons I may be a 56 but I've seen some downsize on purpose.

The Defy is a M/L.

Well based on my experience of sitting on a M and M/L defy and then owning a medium Avail (similar to a smallDefy) I would finitely get a proper test ride. For me the ML would have been huge (I ended up with chronic tennis elbow and needing two operations due in no small part to riding a too big bike so I'm extremely wary)!

 

[biggs682]

Yea they're both 54s which going by any guide I've read is right for me. Having never did much riding on a roadie I probably won't notice if it is the wrong size until it's too late anyway.

@Sixmile dont go on the guides only go and try before you buy its easy enough to do , and dont just think a 56cm Giant is the same as a 56cm Marin for example they can all be different

 

[but goody]

I am also a skinflint. I would go for the used Giant if (and only if) it really has done few miles. When you have worn it out buy another. My Giant defy 3 is a 54 size and I like the size though it might be a tad small for me. I am a smidge under 6 foot.
Seems that all bikes in this sort of price range do wear bits out in less than 2 years. Chains, cassettes, forever break pads, etc. Depends on miles but on average I probably do 50 miles per week.

I would like 105 - but not at double the cost.