Which Bike? - Claud Butler Strada or 2010 Giant Defy 2

SoldierForce

Have to decide which bike to go for between the two. The price difference is only 150 euros. The CB being 1150 and Giant for 1000.

Claud Butler Strada

2010 Giant Defy 2

Karma

the strada was available for 1060 here in dublin(wolfe cycles-sold now). try cyclogical, they have one sitting there...was 1400 now 1200, maybe cheaper again... decvent value frame and you can upgrade the parts in a year or 2. great rims, so it should last.

the defy, seems to come with the same type parts so, alu or carbon sir? for, 150 more?
bike to work scheme?

Nietzschean

for 1000euro on an AL frame i'd be looking for 105 not tiagra... iirc the cayo 105 is 1100, full carbon fibre bike, the other ones in that price bracket must all be around that too...

SoldierForce

Not on the bike to work scheme. Haggled down to 1100 for the Strada or 970 for the Defy 2. Good price? Btw its my first bike! Liked the strada but its a 2008/09 model whereas the Defy 2 is a 2010. The Defy 2 doesnt have Tiagra brakes but something else whereas Strada is all Carbon and all Tiagra, thats what I was told. Not that I understand what that is! Sales man was 100% in favour of the Strada.

I put the deposit on the strada but can change to Defy 2 if I want.

The strada comes with Kenda something tyres, is that good enough for rough roads or are puncture resistant Specialized Armadillos better? The Kenda ones look better and are thinner. But was told I can chose which tyres I want for the same price.

rebel.ranter

I have put 600km on my recently purchased Strada. I like the bike, lots of Giants around, Claud Butler seemed like a nice spec for money. The Kenda Kontender tyres are alright, no punctures so far. There are probably plenty of better tyres out there seeing as they are only about €12 each. I'm thinking of Continental (Ultra) or Vittoria (Rubino) tyres next just to add a bit of colour to the black & white frame (red tyres). Won't be doing it until tyres need replacing though. Continental GP4000 or Gatorskns seem to be recommended by users on here.
The carbon frame for the money attracted me. Full Tiagra is fine but some irrational thought in my head tells me to upgrade to 105/Ultegra as components wear out. The sensible element in me is telling me to ignore the weight saving advantages for now, the 1.5 stone I need to lose from my body will more than compensate for lack of 105!
I'm no expert on Road bikes, this is my first proper road bike so only providing my limited experience with the bike. I paid €1,050 for mine in July.

SoldierForce

Where did you buy your bike?

rebel.ranter

I got mine in Cork in my LBS. I know the owner for a long time, I think he might have knocked a few quid off his "normal" asking price.

Actually the link you have there is a link to last year's model, this is the most current model (the model I purchased):

http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/Corporate/CB/Strada.shtml

Turbulent Bill

SoldierForce wrote: »

Not on the bike to work scheme. Haggled down to 1100 for the Strada or 970 for the Defy 2. Good price? Btw its my first bike! Liked the strada but its a 2008/09 model whereas the Defy 2 is a 2010. The Defy 2 doesnt have Tiagra brakes but something else whereas Strada is all Carbon and all Tiagra, thats what I was told. Not that I understand what that is! Sales man was 100% in favour of the Strada.

I put the deposit on the strada but can change to Defy 2 if I want.

The strada comes with Kenda something tyres, is that good enough for rough roads or are puncture resistant Specialized Armadillos better? The Kenda ones look better and are thinner. But was told I can chose which tyres I want for the same price.

The 2010 ranges from most manufacturers seem to be poorer value than those from 2009/2008 (component costs going up, poorer exchange rates etc.), so getting an older bike may be a better idea. The Strada has a better spec on paper, but you should check reviews and take both for a spin.

blorg

rebel.ranter wrote: »

Continental GP4000 or Gatorskns seem to be recommended by users on here.

GP4000s for a race bike, I would not put Gatorskins on a racer. Use them on my commuter and tourer. Kenda Kontender tyres are good and tough but a good race tyre like GP4000s has a much nicer ride quality. Not as tough as the Kendas though.

SoldierForce

I'll be using it for road use, so what will be better Continental GP4000 or Specialized Armadillo?

blorg

The GP4000s will have a much better ride quality, grip, etc.

The Armadillos will have much better puncture protection but the ride quality will be nasty. Slippy in the wet too.

For a race bike the GP4000s (or a similar race tyre) no question.

The Armadillos are suitable for a commuter where you are not so concerned about ride quality but want a virtual guarantee against punctures (they are the closest to puncture proof of any tyre but poor ride quality is the trade-off.)