Giant Defy 4 or Trek 1.1

PaulKK

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been asked before but I would like to get some opinions on the above bikes.

I used to cycle a lot when I was younger (Mountain bike) but haven't for a few years, I'm 24 now. I am thinking about getting either the Trek 1.1 or Giant Defy 4 on the bike to work scheme.

Mainly I am looking to get a bike for fitness, and with the long evenings and good weather coming in now is the the time to get the bike!

I have picked the above based on good reviews and price. Both are the 2011 versions, both seem to have similar specs, Shimano 2300 gearing and even similar paint jobs! I have been to the bike shops and had a look around, they had a Trek in stock but no Defy 4, only a 3, which looked good too, but a little pricey! They can order anything in in a couple of days though.

I would like opinions on which is the better choice, is it a matter of personal preference, or are there advantages of one over the other?

Also, for someone like myself, is a double or triple chainset better? The guy in the bikeshop said that the double is preferred by most, but a triple to me, would provide both better hill climbing and speed? Maybe I am wrong, could someone explain the difference?

Thanks for any advice,

Paul

macnab

I would try to get a bike with Sora components at least, Tiagra would be preferable. Also ask do they have any 2010 stock left over as you will get better value.

A compact double will do you fine unless you are going to attack Wicklow mountains straight away. I have been cycling since last October and rarely use the smaller gears any more, though I did use them at the start. I had considered a triple but it would be a waste now and only add useless weight to the bike.

PaulKK

Thanks for the info macnab.

Are the Sora or Tiagra components necessary, or just preferable?

The 2300 seemed to get good enough reviews for its price.

Its just that I see even the Defy 3 has the 2300 gearing, and thats a nice step up in price.

The Trek 1.2 has Tiagra alright, but they seem to be in around the 900 mark, which is a good chunk more than I was thinking, especailly since I'd be adding the cost of a helmet and some accessories in too!

Also I may be fickle, but I'm not sure about the all white frames on the Defy 3 and Trek 1.2!

They had some 2010 stock on some GT bikes, not sure about those.. I'm not even sure if the frames would suit me either.

Dubba

I've a Giant Defy 4 2009 with Shimano 2200 STI shifters & derailleurs and have had only one problem (in 2years) being the FD being set up incorrectly.

I've SRAM Rival on my other bike (1yr old) and have had two major issues.
Solved in a couple of weeks each time, but still a pain.

Just saying there's nothing particularly wrong with the lower end components, in my experience anyway.

p.s. Still love the SRAM tho. & the Giant weighs 9.92kgs (claimed) probably heavier :eek:

PaulKK

Thanks Dubba.

I strolled into Halfords today too out of curiosity, and had a look at their carrera bikes.

I have to say the Vanquish looks quite good value at 625 at the moment, it has carbon fork and Tiagra and Sora components:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_272633_langId_-1_categoryId_212536#dtab


I think I am leaning towards the Trek 1.1, or else possibly the Carrera. I know also that Halfords is frowned upon here, but its hard to ignore the higher spec on the Carrera!

What would people suggest between those two?

Edit: Just read the thread about the poor wheels on the carrera, am about 14.5 stone and 6'2" so maybe not suitable for me after all!

marley1

Hi I bought the Trek 1.2 2011 model for 775 in Louth I find it a great bike for my first proper bike. It is light and responsive. pm me if you want to know the shop that i bought it in, no haggling had to be done. i asked for the prices of a number of bikes including the trek 1.1 and also the felt f85 and fuji roubaix 3.0. All great prices were given.

blorg

A triple will give you one extra gear over a compact at the hill climbing end at the expense of slightly poorer shifting. The other (speed) end is not significant, a compact is sufficiently fast for anyone with the possible exception of higher-level racing. If you don't use your smaller gears you either aren't going up any hills or have a poor (low cadence) pedaling technique. You should use them, that is what they are there for.

PaulKK

marley1 wrote: »

Hi I bought the Trek 1.2 2011 model for 775 in Louth I find it a great bike for my first proper bike. It is light and responsive. pm me if you want to know the shop that i bought it in, no haggling had to be done. i asked for the prices of a number of bikes including the trek 1.1 and also the felt f85 and fuji roubaix 3.0. All great prices were given.

Thanks for that, PM sent

If I could get the 1.2 for that price it would be great!

blorg wrote: »

A triple will give you one extra gear over a compact at the hill climbing end at the expense of slightly poorer shifting. The other (speed) end is not significant, a compact is sufficiently fast for anyone with the possible exception of higher-level racing. If you don't use your smaller gears you either aren't going up any hills or have a poor (low cadence) pedaling technique. You should use them, that is what they are there for.

Cool, so it seems like a double will be fine then, there doesn't seem to be much advantage of the triple bar hill climbing!

marley1

PaulKK pm sent

PaulKK

Wow this forum is busy!

Ok chaps thanks for all the advice.

I think I've decided to go with a Trek 1.2 compact. I decided that the carbon fork and slightly better gearing is the way to go.

I've got a quote of €750 for the 2011 model not too far from me, is this good? They seem to be €899 most places.



I won't be able to get to a bike shop again until Saturday with work but has anyone got any last suggestions for around this price?


Also, what size Trek frames are people using? I am 6'2", 34" inseam, I was thinking a 58cm?


Thanks,

Paul

Dubba

PaulKK wrote: »

Wow this forum is busy!

Ok chaps thanks for all the advice.

I think I've decided to go with a Trek 1.2 compact. I decided that the carbon fork and slightly better gearing is the way to go.

I've got a quote of €750 for the 2011 model not too far from me, is this good? They seem to be €899 most places.



I won't be able to get to a bike shop again until Saturday with work but has anyone got any last suggestions for around this price?


Also, what size Trek frames are people using? I am 6'2", 34" inseam, I was thinking a 58cm?


Thanks,

Paul

Sounds like a good deal to me, and buying it locally should mean any initial problems with the bike can be sorted out without to much fuss, which is ideal if you've only one bike.

mjo

in the shop they will fit the bike for you, make sure that you feel comfortable and enjoy it

eddiem74

Hi there,

Just curious for those of you who got the Trek 1.2 for below the €800 mark on the Bike to Work scheme was that through direct dealing with the shop and your company?

It seems as my company is using an intermediary "Cyclescheme.ie" that shops (so far anyway) are not willing to move on the RRP as the 3rd party also takes a cut.

Eddie

Keyboard Warrior

PaulKK wrote: »

Wow this forum is busy!

Ok chaps thanks for all the advice.

I think I've decided to go with a Trek 1.2 compact. I decided that the carbon fork and slightly better gearing is the way to go.

I've got a quote of €750 for the 2011 model not too far from me, is this good? They seem to be €899 most places.



I won't be able to get to a bike shop again until Saturday with work but has anyone got any last suggestions for around this price?


Also, what size Trek frames are people using? I am 6'2", 34" inseam, I was thinking a 58cm?


Thanks,

Paul

Trek 1.2 is a great entry level road bike. Like you got it for 700 but only if i used up the remaining 300 (bike to work) on gear etc which was not difficult as there was a lot of items I needed.

Have the 1.2 3 months (1500KM) no problems and the compact gears are fine in the hills and the flat for the level I am at presently. Only thing I would reccommend is ask them to change the handlebar tape to blue or black before you take it. The white tape is a nightmare to clean.

As for the other query regarding Bike to work I just got the local bike shop to invoice my company and I got a cheque written and had the bike within the hour. Dont know if that is the right way to go about it but less hassle for me I guess.