New bike sizing

[goody]

I think the Defy 1 won top bike under a grand in a magazine review last year so it's not a bad choice. The difference between M/L and L are 15mm top tube length and 20mm head tube length. If you prefer arse up head down racing tuck then maybe them M is for you (but maybe with a longer stem), if you prefer a more relaxed higher bar position then maybe the M/L is the one. (you may need to change stems flip them to get what you think is the right position for you). What seems like a perfect fit now may not seem so in a few months time especially if you are new to road bikes.

 

[themosquitoking]

Nope, it fits like a glove. 1 year on and i love it more than ever. Upgraded the saddle to a fizik airione as the original was starting to show signs of wear, and recently ordered some blue/black vittora rubino tyres as the originals have done 1500 miles.

i might get the missus to measure me in the morning to see if i've put on the extra half inch recently then.

 

[Kies]

 

[themosquitoking]

I think the Defy 1 won top bike under a grand in a magazine review last year so it's not a bad choice. The difference between M/L and L are 15mm top tube length and 20mm head tube length. If you prefer arse up head down racing tuck then maybe them M is for you (but maybe with a longer stem), if you prefer a more relaxed higher bar position then maybe the M/L is the one. (you may need to change stems flip them to get what you think is the right position for you). What seems like a perfect fit now may not seem so in a few months time especially if you are new to road bikes.

I think i'd prefer the more relaxed position tbh, no of us are getting any younger after all.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

i might get the missus to measure me in the morning to see if i've put on the extra half inch recently then.

Too much information....

 

[themosquitoking]

View attachment 22184

They are sexy although the new ones are red which i have been guaranteed are faster.

 

[Kies]

1/2 an inch can be adjusted out imo. A shorter stem or the seat forward by a couple of mm. Try the medium and the m/l ...... Either way the Defy 1 is an excellent bike.
My ride buddy recently bought a low end carbon cube at £1250 with Tiagra ..... There is no difference in weight!!!!

 

[Kies]

They are sexy although the new ones are red which i have been guaranteed are faster.

Ha ha ..... The 2012 Defy 1 was so good , they changed the colour but left it alone for 2013 ...... Nuff said i think. Pics when you buy it!

 

[themosquitoking]

Too much information....

That was careless although i will refrain from mentioning how she ascertains her measurements.

 

[themosquitoking]

1/2 an inch can be adjusted out imo. A shorter stem or the seat forward by a couple of mm. Try the medium and the m/l ...... Either way the Defy 1 is an excellent bike.
My ride buddy recently bought a low end carbon cube at £1250 with Tiagra ..... There is no difference in weight!!!!

It was so light i thought maybe it was a souffle.

 

[themosquitoking]

1/2 an inch can be adjusted out imo. A shorter stem or the seat forward by a couple of mm. Try the medium and the m/l ...... Either way the Defy 1 is an excellent bike.
My ride buddy recently bought a low end carbon cube at £1250 with Tiagra ..... There is no difference in weight!!!!

I'll go back to the shop tomorrow and see what someone else says, hopefully they will agree and this whole conversation will turn out to have been pointless. But enjoyable.

 

[vickster]

As someone who developed chronic tennis elbow riding a bike too big which needed surgery, I certainly wouldn't buy a bike that I think might be too big...but you need to sit on them, ride them and see how you feel.

FWIW I looked at the 2012 Defy and the M felt too big for me, I am 5'10...I bought the women's Avail in an M which I believe has a shorter stem, slightly shorter top tube, and importantly narrower bars.

Assume you have looked at the geometry specs on the Giant site to see where ther differences are...

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.1.white.black.red/11833/56802/#geometry

 

[themosquitoking]

As someone who developed chronic tennis elbow riding a bike too big which needed surgery, I certainly wouldn't buy a bike that I think might be too big...but you need to sit on them, ride them and see how you feel.

FWIW I looked at the 2012 Defy and the M felt too big for me, I am 5'10...I bought the women's Avail in an M which I believe has a shorter stem, slightly shorter top tube, and importantly narrower bars.

Assume you have looked at the geometry specs on the Giant site to see where ther differences are...

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.1.white.black.red/11833/56802/#geometry

I never thought about injury being caused, now i'm even more worried about getting it wrong. I have looked at the geometry but don't really understand it that much.

 

[Andrew_P]

I would opt for a Medium. The thing I hate about guidance in LBS is that I always get the feeling they are suggesting it based a bit on height and leg length and bit on what stock they have on out going models..

I would ride them and try and feel if you are stretched, easier to lengthen a bike a bit that shorten it. Plus I like a lot of seat tube showing!

 

[vickster]

Do you have a Giant store nearby, that would be my first port of call if buying a Giant