Rate this bike please

[Accy cyclist]

Sorry to keep asking about different bikes but the search for a new one goes on. I know i've been asking for advice about new bikes for months now but i don't want to buy one then regret it as i think my next buy will be my last one. This one is slightly out my price range but if you lot rate it highly then i might buy it. The only trouble is it's not available till next year. Anyway opinions please and thanks in advance!
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Defy-Advanced-3-2015-Road-Bike_73915.htm?sku=2

 

[Rob3rt]

Sloping top tube.... no way!

 

[Accy cyclist]

Then there's this one to consider. http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Defy-Advanced-1-2015-Road-Bike_73913.htm?sku=232013&u Even more expensive but available to buy now at 0%finance so maybe?

 

[Cycleops]

Both look good, colour schemes make a nice change from the currently popular all black. I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with either. Nothing wrong with a sloping top tube as some old fogeys would have you believe. I would say it is preferable.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Right then, the first one, 12-30 10 speed cassette, not for me, on a bike like that I'd want 11-32 11 speed. Press fit BB, no thanks, I don't have a press, I don't want a press, I don't trust anyone but me with my bike maintainance. The second one is much better IMO. I would just have to grin and bear any BB replacements being done by my LBS.

 

[Mo1959]

Sloping top tube.... no way!

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit, but I am curious why you say that?

 

[Accy cyclist]

The disc brakes sway these bikes for me. i'm hearing that discs are the way forward. I'm wondering if i bought a rim brakes bike would i regret it in years to come when i see loads out with "superior disc brakes"? Decisions decisions!

 

[Rob3rt]

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit, but I am curious why you say that?

Because I think they look ugly in the vast majority of cases. To me, aesthetically, I really don't like it when the top tube is considerably lower at the seat tube than at the head tube.

Right then, the first one, 12-30 10 speed cassette, not for me, on a bike like that I'd want 11-32 11 speed. Press fit BB, no thanks, I don't have a press, I don't want a press, I don't trust anyone but me with my bike maintainance. The second one is much better IMO. I would just have to grin and bear any BB replacements being done by my LBS.

You can change the cassette and in any case, why would you ever need a 32t cassette with a compact chainset, unless you are planning on riding up walls that is!

 

[gavintc]

Tiagra group set? You can do better with Planet X. IMO, you are paying for a global bike name, when smaller retailers (and just as good) frames are available. Look at Dolan, Ribble or even the complete bikes sold through Wiggle.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Because I think they look ugly in the vast majority of cases.



You can change the cassette and in any case, why would you ever need a 32t cassette with a compact chainset, unless you are planning on riding up walls that is!

10 speed cassette to 11 speed cassette swap, with everything else that would need changing, would be a bit of a ball ache to say the least. I regularly go looking for climbs of 20% and steeper, 'coz I'm a crazy old mountain goat. A dinner plate of a big rear cog is a nice option, if you hit a 25%'er at the end of a 10 hr ride. But back on topic, I think the OP could do better looking at some of the offerings from Planet X / Ribble / Decathlon (the Mach 740 for example).

 

[Rob3rt]

Buy the appropriate cassette and it is a straight swap!

 

[Racing roadkill]

Buy the appropriate cassette and it is a straight swap!

Depends if the supplied freehub can take the 11 speed cassette or not. And whether the rear mech is suitable for a 10 speed - 11 speed swap without a lot of messing about. I couldnt be arsed with the faffing about personally. But back on topic again, I find disc brakes to not really be worth the bother. I much prefer simple cantilever rim brakes, but then I don't do any proper off road / CX stuff anyway.

 

[Rob3rt]

The bike comes complete, i.e. all the components can be assumed to be compatible. As such you buy a new cassette that is compatable and it is a straight swap, I have no idea how you are introducing any complexity to this!

 

[gavintc]

Right then, the first one, 12-30 10 speed cassette, not for me, on a bike like that I'd want 11-32 11 speed. Press fit BB, no thanks, I don't have a press, I don't want a press, I don't trust anyone but me with my bike maintainance. The second one is much better IMO. I would just have to grin and bear any BB replacements being done by my LBS.

I have done most repairs on my bike, but I was always informed that fitting a BB needed 'facing' with expensive tools. Having watched my bike shop fit the BB, I am happy for them to do that job - quick and cheap. The rest I will happily do myself. So, in conclusion, the type of BB is not that important.

 

[ianrauk]

And Giant used to make such nice looking bikes.....