So I just ordered!!!!!

[SpokeyDokey]

Cost!! Most mainstream manufacturers build their bikes well in advance of their intended retail period and they are not built to order. They could never anticipate the percentage requirements of a multitude of different colours, let alone the vast number of sizes! Some manufacturers (usually the smaller ones) have custom paint options but these are at least £400 extra cost and Trek for example have the Project 1 which kicks in at around £4500.

I hear what you say but a bike like the Defy Advanced is just 3 variants of groupset hung on the same frame albeit in different colours.

Nothing to stop them apportioning their projected production run of each fame colour across those three variants.

To me it's a bit like buying a new car and the base model only comes in blue, the next one up only in red etc.

Just plain lazy imo.

 

[biggs682]

.

Why don't manufacturers just give you a choice of colours instead of using colours to differentiate the range?

another reason for liking older steelie bikes

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Congratulations on your new purchases. Just spray the frame over with Mr Sheen to stop the muck sticking quite so much. And remember that you'll never really feel relaxed on the bike until that first scratch/stone chip appears!

 

[jnrmczip]

Just having trouble understanding how spraying a carbon frame is going to protect it. BB

From abrasive chemicals road salts any other crap laying around slowly eating at it. Also the content of some chain oils splashing onto it due to wet conditions. I'm not saying it's going to melt because of dirt but to keep it in top condition I would rather take some action and protect my investment

 

[gds58]

I hear what you say but a bike like the Defy Advanced is just 3 variants of groupset hung on the same frame albeit in different colours.

Nothing to stop them apportioning their projected production run of each fame colour across those three variants.

To me it's a bit like buying a new car and the base model only comes in blue, the next one up only in red etc.

Just plain lazy imo.

You clearly didn't read my post properly! I work in the Cycle Trade and I can assure you it's not just 'plain lazy' as you put it. Take the Giant Defy for example, In almost all models they will come in at least five maybe six different sizes and for each frame type there may be three spec levels and then there are the two other frame types (and this is just the carbon ones) This means that for this one bike we have 54 options. If we then factor in (as you suggest) lets say three colour options we have arrived at 162 variants for ONE bike. As I said they are all built in advance so if you think you could anticipate what options of size, colour spec' etc are going to be required by the buying public then I suggest you speak to Giant about a top job in their marketing and design department!
Giant SELL in excess of 5000 bikes EVERY day. This is roughly 1.825 MILLION bikes a year. Good luck with that!

Graham

 

[Citius]

No rain doesn't concern me the crap along the roads does and keeping the bike in good shape is a priority it's going to be used a lot. And at £1600 I think I should maybe take care of it.

Carbon frames will be covered in a layer of paint, just like aluminium or steel frames.

 

[Cuchilo]

So as a little present to myself I ordered the giant defy advance 1 and even added a garmin edge 1000 into the mix.

So this will be my first full carbon bike running ultegra. I'm looking forward to spending 2016 eating up the miles.

The garmin looks like a nice bit of technology.

Does anyone own any of the 2 if so what's your thoughts on them tips and hints and so forth??

Got the TCR Advanced 1 and a Garmin 1000 Ive added my details to the start up menu on the garmin incase it goes for a wonder and give the bike a going over with baby wipes after every ride .

 

[vickster]

As a business model its clearly working. But its still lazy-ass. BB

If you don't like the colour, buy a different bike. There's no shortage of choice.
Or talk to those nice folk at Parlee, Enigma et al, Trek also do bespoke paint jobs. Unfortunately like any customisation it'll cost you

I can't personally bear black or grey bikes, but still manage to acquire what I want...too often indeed!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Mod note:

I've removed a few posts as it's all got a bit too heated in here. Please keep it on the original topic from here onwards

 

[Philh]

So as a little present to myself I ordered the giant defy advance 1 and even added a garmin edge 1000 into the mix.

So this will be my first full carbon bike running ultegra. I'm looking forward to spending 2016 eating up the miles.

The garmin looks like a nice bit of technology.

Does anyone own any of the 2 if so what's your thoughts on them tips and hints and so forth??

I have the Defy Composite 1 and the edge 1000, both bought in August 2014.

On the bike I had to change the brakes to Ultegra, for some reason full Ultegra didn't include the brakes, the standard ones were rubbish compared to the new ones. I have also change the wheels to Ksyriums, the stock ones are OK but not the best. It is now really light.

I find the defy very comfortable and easy to eat up the miles. It required some adjustment to the bars, lower by one space and a bit of rotation. The bars themselves are quite narrow so I turned the levers out a fraction. The saddle it came with works for me.

The Edge is a really good bit of kit once you have found a few hours to master it. I used the Giant Ant+ which integrates into the chainstay. I have the screens set up how I want them. It fits exactly onto the stem. Make sure you get a screen protector and a case and use the retaining strap, it too expensive a gadget to risk damage. It has free map updates for 2 years. The charge does last a long time, certainly covers an all day ride and I like how it integrates with the iPhone.