Which bike?

[Curly1]

I am looking to buy a new road bike for triathlons and sportives tho very amateur and for fun level (apart from the competitiveness against myself)! Currently ride a specialised tri cross sport disc but into 3rd year or competing so want to change to something lighter, sportier and better fitting for purpose and me (alway been slightly too big for me I think). Have narrowed search to the following and had test rides- all fab- have a fit arranged but they need me to choose the bike first! Looking around £1000- £1500 and with other fittings and trials want to go women's specific. Which bike?
2014 Liv/giant Avail composite 3 £1099
Madone 3.1 WSD £1400
Domane 4.3 WSD £1800 ( at a big push price wise!)

 

[MikeW-71]

Which one? Tough choice and nobody can make it but you. If you like the bikes equally to ride, it may be worth considering that you could get the Giant, and put the £300 you will save (vs. the Madone) towards a wheel upgrade.

 

[SteCenturion]

£300 doesn't really buy too much in the way of a wheel upgrade as Giants own brand wheelsets are generally well received in the cycling press, comparing favourably to like for like priced big brand items.

I would suggest that the O.P has already done the best thing by arranging to be fitted for a chosen bike.

Any upgrades can always wait until the original parts wear out or funds become available.

 

[Onyer]

The Madone is considered to be the "racier" model, with the Domane being "Sportive/comfort". So out of those two I would have thought the Madoce would be the better choice. Try them all out. Part of the fun of getting a new bike is in the choosing.

 

[Curly1]

Thanks so far. MikeW I see you have 3 Giants- some places been negative about giant because of own brand thing- do you think their composite carbon fits up to the more expensive carbons?

 

[Cyclist33]

I am looking to buy a new road bike for triathlons and sportives tho very amateur and for fun level (apart from the competitiveness against myself)! Currently ride a specialised tri cross sport disc but into 3rd year or competing so want to change to something lighter, sportier and better fitting for purpose and me (alway been slightly too big for me I think). Have narrowed search to the following and had test rides- all fab- have a fit arranged but they need me to choose the bike first! Looking around £1000- £1500 and with other fittings and trials want to go women's specific. Which bike?
2014 Liv/giant Avail composite 3 £1099
Madone 3.1 WSD £1400
Domane 4.3 WSD £1800 ( at a big push price wise!)

Is there an Avail Composite 2?

 

[SteCenturion]

Thanks so far. MikeW I see you have 3 Giants- some places been negative about giant because of own brand thing- do you think their composite carbon fits up to the more expensive carbons?

Sorry Curly1 - I know this was directed to MikeW but I have recently done a lot of research into Giant as I fancied a TCR for myself.

Here goes Giant carbon spec.

Composite = Toray (Torayca) T600
Advanced = Toray T700
Advanced SL = Toray T800

The higher the number - the lighter/higher grade/more expensive the carbon is (generally speaking).

Torayca T1000 is currently the top spec carbon available to the bike industry - some brands are using this (only in parts of the frame due to cost & physical properties) on their top line bikes (Pinnerello & Cippolini).

Good news is that Giant control the exact lay up of their carbon & own their own factories.

I have yet to here a complaint about Giants finished products (bikes anyway).

 

[MikeW-71]

Thanks so far. MikeW I see you have 3 Giants- some places been negative about giant because of own brand thing- do you think their composite carbon fits up to the more expensive carbons?

Giant seem to be regarded as one of the best in their frame designs, and they give lifetime warranty on them. I loved my first one enough to buy two more. I think they are good value for money, and my carbon one is just brilliant to ride. Their finishing kit might be own-brand, but it's good stuff.

Is there an Avail Composite 2?

No, but there is a 1
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb...avail.composite.1/15012/66781/#specifications
It's a big price jump to £1600 and the only difference is 22 speed Ultegra in place of Tiagra.

Then there is the Advanced, the direct equivalent to the Defy Advanced 2 that I have, but at £1900, it's even more of a stretch. Full 105 and better wheels as standard though.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb....avail.advanced.2/15011/66780/#specifications

It's a big shame that there are not as many different specs available in the Womens bikes as in the Mens, and this seems to be true of all manufacturers

 

[vickster]

Just to pop a spanner in the works, if available sizes work...and I know it's black...

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s134p5247/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-105-WOMENS-2013

And if carbon not the be all, the top caad 10s being as light and highly regarded

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s134p4288/CANNONDALE-CAAD10-ULTEGRA-WOMENS-2013

 

[Cyclist33]

Giant seem to be regarded as one of the best in their frame designs, and they give lifetime warranty on them. I loved my first one enough to buy two more. I think they are good value for money, and my carbon one is just brilliant to ride. Their finishing kit might be own-brand, but it's good stuff.


No, but there is a 1
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb...avail.composite.1/15012/66781/#specifications
It's a big price jump to £1600 and the only difference is 22 speed Ultegra in place of Tiagra.

Then there is the Advanced, the direct equivalent to the Defy Advanced 2 that I have, but at £1900, it's even more of a stretch. Full 105 and better wheels as standard though.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb....avail.advanced.2/15011/66780/#specifications

It's a big shame that there are not as many different specs available in the Womens bikes as in the Mens, and this seems to be true of all manufacturers

That's because women don't fall for the marketing rubbish that men do, so there is no point trying to flog them eg the idea that Ultegra is significantly better than 105 or that 105 is significantly better than Tiagra.

 

[Curly1]

Thanks all and good advice on the carbon specks. One bike shop stocks trek and not giant , other giant and not trek- want to test ride together but seemingly difficult! Hmmm .