Entry level - Specialized v Giant

austinbyrne21

Hi,

New to cycling and I'm looking to get an entry level bike in the bike2work scheme. I've kind of set myself on getting the 2010 Specialized Allez Sport 18 but it's not out in the shops till early October. So while I've been waiting I've been comparing it to other bikes of a similar price range and have come across the new 2010 Giant Defy 3. There doesn't seem to be too much in the difference of specs between the 2 other than the Specialized has a Tiagra rear derailleur, the Defy has a Sora. Is this a major step-up? And more importantly, to all you extremely knowledgable cycling folk, which would you choose and why? (Hoping flattery will get me more opinions...)

Thanks in advance,

Austin

jinka

Just go for the one you prefer the look off. At that price point should be very alike.Then go up Howth head and bomb down with a smile on your face.

xz

the specialized looks nicer, as far as the components go, they are practically the same, tiagra rear mech might be slightly lighter than sora but they do the same job

Flankerb

2010 Specialized Allez Sport is out since the start of July. Got my one on the 24th of July. Very happy with it so far.

austinbyrne21

@Flankerb - Cheers for that. The bloke in Cycleways told me he wouldn't have it in until the 4th Oct so, as you can imagine, knowing you got 1 nearly a month ago has well and truly pi**ed me off. I'll try contacting him to see what the craic is.

petethedrummer

These lads do specialized, they're on the long mile road.
http://thecycleinn.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=41

Flankerb

I got mine from Outdoor Escape in Mullingar