Specialised Secteur or Giant Defy 3

Billy Greenbush

Hi Folks

. I am recovering from a bad back so comfort is a crucial factor in deciding. I have been recommended either the Giant Defy 3 M or Specialized Secteur 54 by the very knowledgeable guy in my local bike shop? Both are €799- which is my max budget

Anybody have any experience with either of these?

Cheers
Billy

petethedrummer

If comfort is your overriding goal then take each bike for a spin and see which is the best. They're both relaxed geometry, not ultra aggressive race machines. So you're looking at the right bikes.

They both have similar geometries. The M Defy has an effective toptube of 545mm and a Headtube of 165mm.

The 54 Secteur has an effective top tube of 548mm and a head tube of 165mm.


They're similar but one might feel better than the other once you take it out.

Billy Greenbush

Thanks Pete- the shop are happy to let me take them for a decent spin so I'll do that!

petethedrummer

Yeah I bought an SCR (previous version of the Defy) due to flexibility issues. Specialized didn't have the Secteur in them days so there was no choice really.

Billy Greenbush

What do you think of the Giant? I am leaning towards the Specialized

Donie75

I bought the Secteur Elite last year and I love it. It's very comfortable and great on long spins. I had sciatica a while back and I was worried that a very low fronted racing bike might be uncomfortable but it's been great.
I can't fault the spesh.

Billy Greenbush

Great thanks Donie

petethedrummer

If you could post a link to the exact models you are thinking of we could compare the specs, but I doubt there is very much difference between the two.

I would buy which ever you like to the look of or which ever is more comfortable, depends which is more important to you.

Billy Greenbush

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52886&scid=1001&scname=Road

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/model/defy.3/7842/45448/

I think it's the Sectuer Triple he recommended-they would have to order it for me but is exactly the same price- €799- as the Defy 3. The shop says there is really nothing between them so it's down to feel and look. Prefer the Specialized look- in terms of comfort I think it's a good recommendation

petethedrummer

Yeah there's not much difference between the specs that I can see. Though I'm not sure if the Giant has a carbon fork (Fork: Advanced-Grade, Alloy OverDrive Steerer???? ). The Specialized does.

petethedrummer

You may want to consider this ridley on offer today only. Looks like a comfort fit bike.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056238084

Billy Greenbush

Jaysus that's great value...thanks.