New bike choice - Spec and LBS or not?

[Paulq]

Hi all,

I am looking to get a road bike on the C2W Scheme and have a few choices that I am looking at:

Giant Defy 1 - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.defy.1.black.red/11833/66132/

Lovely and everyone tells me it's the best £1k bike out there. Good spec and my LBS sell it.

Scott Speedster 20: - http://www.scott-sports.com/gb/en/products/227786019/bike-speedster-20-cd20-xxs47/

Similar to Giant and if anything a bit more pleasing on the eye than the Giant. LBS also sell this.

Pinarello FP Uno: http://www.evanscycles.com/products...=mkwid__pcrid_19178812976_kword__match__plid_

LBS don't sell it.

Cannondale Synapse 6: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-6-tiagra-compact-2013-road-bike-ec042920

LBS don't sell it.

I actually really like them all and am having the devil's own job choosing the best one. Spec wise the Giant/Scott probably have the edge but the Cannondale frame is something else. My research tells me that the Giant and Scott frames are 'ok' but internally not in the same league as the 'Dale.

Any views?

One of my main hesitations is that I have always tried to support my LBS and, whilst they never outwardly complain, there's naturally a little pulled face when you take a bike in for service that hasn't been bought from them. Added to which it's literally 5 minutes from where I live and very handy to take in if I have a problem with anything. I know that should never sway a bike choice in the case of one being a clear winner but....it does.

 

[User482]

Don't underestimate the importance of a good fit. I'd be wary of mail-ordering a new bike unless you're very sure the dimensions and geometry will suit you.

 

[Paulq]

I agree and would never mail order. Of the 2 non LBS bikes above I would be buying from other shops and making sure I get the right fit.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sound advice above.

My take? Haven't bought a bike from an LBS in the flesh since 1994. Have a lot of bikes. Either built them myself which isn't applicable on cycle2work or bought them (sight unseen in some cases) off the interwebs. One was bought that way from an LBS in Manchester. We did the whole thing by email. It fits like a glove but I had another bike to take the dimensions from.

If an LBS turns its nose up at servicing good quality bikes you didn't buy there check their calendar, and their fashion sense. They think it is still the 1980's. And they are allergic to making money so why give them yours and find another LBS or skill yourself up.

 

[Paulq]

Hmm I guess I am just too loyal and swayed by the fact that they are very local to me so very handy. They also tend to give me a fairly hefty discount on the bikes they do but this time say they can't on the Giant as it's being bought on the C2W Scheme. There's another shop I use in Liverpool for the hybrid I have who are altogether more welcoming no matter what you take in to them.

Soo..I am gonna get my ass out there tomorrow and try them all and buy the one that fits me/I like best and then probably take it to the 'nice guys'.

Any thoughts on which steed is better quality?

 

[vickster]

I looked at the synapse at one point and found it heavy compared to my giant avail. Didn't ride though. I don't think the pinarello will be as good a spec, you pay for the name

Scott look good. I think the big us brands are much of a muchness. Ultimately giant and Merida make most of the worlds frames. Just depends on brand and aesthetic preference, as well as fit

 

[bigup]

Giant Defy 1, from lbs, try it, if it fits buy it

its one awesome bike!

 

[Kies]

Giant Defy 1, from lbs, try it, if it fits buy it

its one awesome bike!

Couldn't have said it better - so I won't

 

[Paulq]

Giant Defy 1, from lbs, try it, if it fits buy it

its one awesome bike!

It is I agree. I know I am gonna sound like a wuss with this but they only have the 2014 models in and I'm not mad on the colours (blue or black). The 2013 ones, particularly the white, looked impressive.

 

[bigup]

It is I agree. I know I am gonna sound like a wuss with this but they only have the 2014 models in and I'm not mad on the colours (blue or black). The 2013 ones, particularly the white, looked impressive.

yep, totally agree mate, that's why i went for the 2013 white model from: http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-1-2013-white as it was the only place i could find it in stock, in my size and cheapest price!

size chart for the defy attached, there are 5 different sizes

 

[vickster]

Cab

It is I agree. I know I am gonna sound like a wuss with this but they only have the 2014 models in and I'm not mad on the colours (blue or black). The 2013 ones, particularly the white, looked impressive.

Can the lbs not source from giant?

The blue is lovely though

 

[Paulq]

Cab
Can the lbs not source from giant?

The blue is lovely though

No I tried last week and the Defy has been so popular that they simply can't get hold of them. There are still some knocking about at other stores but, as per above, sometimes it's better to buy from LBS. It was when I was in there last week that I spotted the Scott and it does look like a really nice bike. I was just put off a little by some alleged concerns over frame quality but, as said above, all the mass produced bikes tend to be like for like.

Not sure about the blue one Vickster - it's the white bar tape that puts me off.

The conventional sizing would suggest I need a medium/large but I've always tended to go one size up due to pressure on my wrists on the size I am fitted to. I think I have a (very) funny body shape

 

[vickster]

Wash your mouth out on the tape!!

 

[Paulq]

Wash your mouth out on the tape!!

Nah - don't like it at all. Even the black one has red tape and that's a definite no no

 

[musa]

what about a tarmac sport ?