Next bike or not........

[Crankarm]

Just get some tri bars and TT on your Defy and see how you do. If you post half decent times then maybe think about further upgrading your bike or changing it completely for something more bling.

 

[MrWill]

I used to love smashing everyone on club runs on a real shoot pile of a bike, be that guy! Although you can't cos Defy 1 is a bloody good bike.

Could spend a whole wad making it 1kg lighter, which would have next to f all benefit. But good stiff wheels always help!

Can't you lower the stem etc for a lower position?

 

[mustang1]

I went from an aluminium bike to carbon and omg the ride quality was spectacularly brilliant I even compare the ride of my 23mm tire 120psi carbon bike with my 35mm aluminium CX 80psi bike, its really that good.

When I'm not riding the carbon bike I think if I would really spend that much money on another bike again and the answer is no. But when I ride my carbon bike, the answer instantly becomes yes again.

 

[SteCenturion]

OK, IMO carbon is a much smoother ride and maybe a little bit lighter. I have a carbon bike and an alu bike, I am probably a little faster on the carbon, but maybe this is due to gearing and comfort. Mind you my carbon bike is 4 times the value of my alu bike. The biggest upgrade is wheels. A good alu bike like your Defy with good wheels would be a better investment at this time, then look to buy a good carbon bike in the future. This means you will have a top notch alu winter bike and a carbon for the summer, as carbon washes away in the rain

Oh no @DooDah

Your post, and all this talk of Alu v Carbon triggered a thought.

Carbon is an anagram of Nob Car

(has this been done before) ?

Wait a cotton pickin' minute..

Don't I have a Nob Car bike..

Oh dear.

 

[Cuchilo]

Get the TCR and put carbon wheels on that .
Swap the stock TCR wheels P-SL1's onto the Defy

 

[SteCenturion]

@Andy Jeffery

You have a great bike there in that Defy 1.

If money is not an issue I would go N+1 & get that carbon TCR but maybe not at the expense of losing the Defy.

The Defy, as said elsewhere will make a great every day bike, training, winter etc & the TCR for fast blasts & time trials etc.

If keeping the Defy, might I suggest a new set of wheels & tyres, as it is generally thought of as the very best place to lose weight (rotating mass) & add stiffness @Fnaar & a little speed.

There is a good thread on Campagnolo
Zonda wheels, with many devotees (under £250 from wiggle) lightweight & available in Campag or Shimano/Sram hub.

The Novatec Jetfly is even better imo at £359, RRP, harder to find but won a group test in Cycling Plus Magazine & under 1500g with a touch of Aero benefits too (32mm rims).

Schwalbe Ultremo Evo's are superb, grippy & lightweight tyres (195g each) & last I looked were on offer at £42 pair from www.merlincycles.co.uk

You could also lose a couple of spacers under your stem to get a lower position.

Whatever you do, I am sure you will learn lots & have fun.

 

[DooDah]

Schwalbe Ultremo Evo's are superb, grippy & lightweight tyres (195g each) & last I looked were on offer at £42 pair from www.merlincycles.

These are standard on most cube bikes if i am not mistaken. Just sayin

 

[Cuchilo]

Just to add , if you want to add clip on bars to your bike for TT's then I think the Defy is better . The TCR is not a clip on bar bike , although someone will now come along and say it is

 

[Iainj837]

I had the Defy 1 2010 model a great bike but had to get rid of her as A no where to put it as I moved and B wasn't used and was gathering dust.
Keep the Defy and as others have said get tasty parts

 

[Cuchilo]

and then I find out that Giant did a TCR time trial bike so that just proves that I know sod all

 

[SteCenturion]

and then I find out that Giant did a TCR time trial bike so that just proves that I know sod all

I didn't know this either Cuch.

I would say that a standard TCR or similar from another brand would be fine for some TT action, for us mere mortals anyway, dedicated TT bikes for the very serious only.

No intention of ever doing a TT myself, it's usually the stage I fall asleep watching on TV, mind you Sean Kelly can get men kipping quite often.

 

[Cuchilo]

Theres one here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-TCR-time-trial-bike-/151342167477?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item233cb235b5
Looks like a TCR with a TT rig on it .

 

[SteCenturion]

Theres one here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-TCR-time-trial-bike-/151342167477?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item233cb235b5
Looks like a TCR with a TT rig on it .

£3.10 currently bid.

An old, old model that.

8 speed, never seen one before now.

 

[Andy Jeffery]

Right then peeps. Decided to upgrade the defy 1. Bought a pair of mavic elite wheels and an Ultegra cassette 11/25

Thanks for all the advice

Cheers Andy

 

[Cyclist33]

Wow, nice parts picks... if my lowly Defy 3 with Vision wheels is anything to go by *you'll* have one hot beast of a bike!