Which bike? Giant, Felt or Trek.

paulanthony

I know this general area has been explored before but I've searched and can't find the answers.

Planning to buy my first road bike soon on the cycle to work scheme. Have been cycling a Specialized Sirrus for a while but want to make that next step. I plan on using it for a few triathlons and some longish weekend spins etc.

Limited to biketowork.ie as my employer is signed up to them.

I think I've narrowed it down to three bikes:

I only have a limited knowledge - but to my mind the Trek seems to have he best components?

Giant Defy 2 - http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_231_17&products_id=2322

Felt F85 - http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_231_17&products_id=2149

Trek 1.5 - http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_231_17&products_id=2235

What would peoples opinions be on these three bikes?

Any other suggestions in the same range?

Thanks a million.

Dubba

How about a full carbon Planet X SL PRO SRAM Rival for €1,250:

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/gentsbicycles/1758368 (Irish Retailer)

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPSP/sl-pro-carbon-sram-rival (Bike)

Better bike than you've listed above. Some very happy owners on this forum, me included.

howardmarks

paulanthony wrote: »

l
Limited to biketowork.ie as my employer is signed up to them.

I think I've narrowed it down to three bikes:

I only have a limited knowledge - but to my mind the Trek seems to have he best components?

How about a full carbon Planet X SL PRO SRAM Rival for €1,250:

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/gentsbicycles/1758368 (Irish Retailer)

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/...bon-sram-rival (Bike)

Better bike than you've listed above. Some very happy owners on this forum, me included.

Thanks a million.

Looks like hes limited to bike to work so not sure if he can avail of those two options. I picked up my first roadbike about two weeks ago ( giant defy 2) Although i've nothing to compare it to I am loving this bike. Handles well, good build nice and firm and faster than ive ever been on a human propelled bike.

Dubba

Their Facebook page states they use the cycle to work scheme:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Planet-X-Ireland-Bikes/120803021316124?sk=info

AstraMonti

I am getting my new nanolight through biketowork.ie from the guys in Athlone.

paulanthony

The Planet X's look good alright, altough I really don't want to spend more than about €1000 - that's stretching it as it is!

Thanks for the comments so far.

blorg

It is more than worth the extra €250, completely different class of bike, frame, groupset, finishing kit all far superior.

Dubba

Best €250 you'd ever spend on cycling

Jk_Eire

You can pick up the Defy 2 in Cycle Surgery, Dundrum for about €850.
Saw it the other week and was surpised since everywhere else is changing €1050
Spend the savings on gear within the bike to work scheme.

Link to their UK site. It's in £s but the they said the prices don't vary across the water.
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/giant-defy-2-2011/aluminium/steel/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/20525

iregk

That Defy 2 is way over priced! If I was stuck between those two I'd lean towards the felt myself. The Defy 2 is sora components albeit it possibly has a much better and lighter frame than the other two. That said for the sake of maybe half a kg I'd go with a 105 component set instead.

Kav0777

I agree with going for the planet X, but alternatives to the defy are:

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=38519 which comes in compact or triple

or

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=40649

My friends has a 2010 version of the cube and swears by it.

paulanthony

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Good o know there's good value to be had in Cycle Surgery - will pop out there at the weekend.

I'll give some consideration to the Planet X and will try to get down to Athlone next time I'm nearby.

However, I'd say there is still a good chance I'll go with one of the above (or one of the similar ones as suggested from Cyclesuperstore).

Would I be correct in saying the Trek has the best hardware?

petethedrummer

I'd say the Felt has. Best value IMO.

It has 10 speeds at the back. With 105 front and rear deraillers. How they can offer that is by using microshift(cheaper Shimano compatible) shifters. They don't have a great rep, but the few online reviews available are positive and any opinion of actual users seems to be pretty positive too. But I have no direct experience myself. They have one big fan on here....and he knows more about bikes than most of us put together. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=72056390

Gipo3

Trek here for €150 less.