Newbie needing advice on a Giant bike for road and endurance

[copse]

Hi there,

My first post. All advice much appreciated etc. A friend said that this was the place to come for buying advice.

My situation: had a road/mountain/hybrid bike for 10 years since I was 16. Have since done a lot of growing, got a job and am now looking for my first 'serious' road bike (not sure whether to call it a 'racing' bike). Due to a deal through work, I can get 30% off any Giant bike. Budget after 30% discount is £700ish for the bike (I have decent accessories already).

On the Giant webiste, I've been looking at their On-Road>Performance>Endurance bikes, rather than Race bikes because I will be doing rides of 50 miles plus instead of sprints and races.

As I said, any advice on the best ones to get would be much appreciated.
Cheers

 

[vickster]

Giant Defy 1 - fairly relaxed geometry and great kit and frame. MRRP £999 so sorted , job done

http://www.shopgiant-bicycles.co.uk/3636/products/2014-giant-defy-1--black-red-.aspx

Looks more lush in the blue though http://www.shopgiant-bicycles.co.uk/3637/products/2014-giant-defy-1--blue-.aspx

I did 100 miles on an Avail (WSD Defy) so certainly an endurance model (unlike me )

 

[jefmcg]

I've got the same model that Vickster had, 2012 Avail 2. Furthest I've done on it is 1165km in 4 days.

 

[vickster]

@jefmcg is an endurance model

 

[Davos87]

After much deliberation, research, pondering, forensically looking at numerous bike reviews, stressing about colours and general fannying about I eventually plumped for a Giant Defy 1.
I had got to the situation where if I didn't finally take the plunge and get my wallet out I would never have the road bike I had promised myself. I think sometimes you can actually look too much!!!
There are lots of decent bikes about in your price range and I can only speak from my own experience of owning a Defy for the last few months and I Iove it.
I previously road for a few years on a Scott Sportster Hybrid and although a half decent bike when I used to go out riding with a particular mate on HIS Giant Defy he always left me for dead..........although that's not too difficult to achieve by most able cyclists?
IMHO its a beautiful frame, comfortable, light, excellent components and rides like a dream. I have the red and black 2014 one,
I did seriously consider Cannondale and Specialized but after having just a few outings on my Giant never regretted my decision.
Hope you eventually make the right choice for YOU and enjoy your new purchase whatever it is. Good luck.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

I've got the same model that Vickster had, 2012 Avail 2. Furthest I've done on it is 1165km in 4 days.

Flabbergasted! How far is that in miles?

 

[Kies]

Looked at many, tried a few, settled on one .... Defy One.

Charity ride (107) miles done with ease .... Unlike me :-)

 

[MikeW-71]

You are looking at either the Defy 1 or the Defy Composite 3. Defy 1 better fits the budget and gives you a bit more, so that's the one I would pick.

 

[jefmcg]

Flabbergasted! How far is that in miles?

:-)

700+something miles. I was trying to do 1400km in 5 days, so it's not that spectacular. But my equipment isn't what let me down.

(more here and here if you are curious)

On the subject of the bike itself, I swapped the stock saddle for a Brooks B17S, and I think you want to get SPD pedals, cause it's nice to be able to walk off the bike when doing long distance.

 

[copse]

Thanks for all the replies. Consensus seems to be the Defy 1 so I'll definitely look into that.

Can anyone explain the difference between the Defy 0 and the Defy 1 and the £200 price difference?

Davos, I know exactly what you mean about too much fannying about. I just need to go ahead and make the decision.

 

[MikeW-71]

Defy 0 = 22 speed Ultegra groupset parts. Compare the prices to 105 bits and it would be about that price difference.