Nearly there! But Giant defy 1 or 2? And size dammit!

PoleStar

Ok nearly there on my first road bike (for triathlon).

I was set on the defy 2 with some accessories but as always happens my eyes strayed to the defy 1 which is just over my budget (which could be made to stretch if necessary!).

It is my first road bike after MTB so just wondering if you guys think it would be worth it? It will be a training/race bike as opposed to a commuter bike.

Also, at 5'10" and 33' inside leg I am stuck between the M and M/L size. Its hard to notice much of a difference when I tried them out altho almost I think perhaps the M/L felt a tiny bit of a stretch. Anyone got any experience on sizes with the Giant defy range?

Cant wait to get out training!

wendell borton

I'm 5'10" and 32" inside leg and have got the M/L which fits me perfectly but i've got relatively long arms.

PoleStar

wendell borton wrote: »

I'm 5'10" and 32" inside leg and have got the M/L which fits me perfectly but i've got relatively long arms.

Have you got the defy 2 or defy 1?

Also are you using it for commuting or racing thanks?

I will prob have another try tomorrow of the M and M/L.

AaronB

I have the defy 1, i do about 300km per week on it.

I am 6ft and i have the L as i have long legs but, i had to change the stock stem 100/110mm to a 80mm. all good after that.

wendell borton

i've got the defy 3 just use it to keep fit, as far as i know the defy range has the same frame it's the groupset that's different.

PoleStar

Hey Aaron

Its funny how those 2 inches in height translate to a totally different size!

I guess it depends on a lot of things including leg length, height, arm length and preference.

If I am torn between the two sizes, would I be better off going for the smaller of the two (5'10" height is kind of between the 2 bike sizes on the sizing charts) considering my primary use will be for racing not commuting?

PoleStar

wendell borton wrote: »

i've got the defy 3 just use it to keep fit, as far as i know the defy range has the same frame it's the groupset that's different.

Hey Wendell.

You happy with the frame geometry?

I am just so used to my MTB that I find it hard to know how it should feel in terms of correct sizing!

PoleStar

Any other giant defy users for advice on size and whether or not I should go for the defy 1 or 2?

AaronB

are you buying in a shop or online? if its a shop they fit you right.

On the defy 1 you have the Tiagra components and on the defy its the cheaper sora.
for me what sold the defy 1 was the Tiagra shifters as i found them more comfortable as on the sora shifter you have to use your thumb to change gears, due to a hand injury i couldnt change gears on the sora's without pain.

Also Tiagra components will last longer than sora, wheels are the same, frame is abit lighter i have to say its noticeable, as the components are that bit lighter too, but if you were like me starting out at 112KG bike weight means nothing.

Best thing you can do is try both bikes, my bike shop kindly let me take both over the road to try, i went out one the defy 2 first and was thinking on the way back wow im getting this one. then went out on the defy 1, the first thing i noticed was how much more comfy and smoother the gear changing was, 2mins over the road bike was sold.

Price was its a big jump between the two, but i got the shop to throw a helmet, bottle and cage and i saddle bag and bike all fitted up for me for free, once i left the shop i forgot about the price and hit the road and never looked back.

The main question you need to ask yourself how much cycling are you going to do per week / per month? If you planing on hit the 100-200km per week then its a no brainier just get the defy 1!

Next is gearing... triple or compact! now this is hard and its down to each and every person. Now we living on hilly roads so me being a 112kg man i should of went for the triple, but everyone told me once i lose the weight it wont bother me anymore, well i went for the compact and my god it was so bloody hard for the first few months and anyone with a triple where passing me out up the hills and worst i had to get off the bike a few times.

once i got my weight to 100kg the compact became alot easier and wasn't grinding as much, what i did next was put a 12-27 cassette on so that the top 2 rings on the back make the climb about 10% easier and haven't looked back. Now im very strong but still 100kg and on the flats im leaving the triple ringed bikes WAY behind and loving it!

That just my experience, hope it helps abit.

CH3OH

I'm 5' 7" and got a medium, I have the Defy 1 and love it.

Based on what others have bought. I think you would def be a M/L.

I paid €1065 for the defy 1. just above the bike to work limit..
It isn't a huge difference in price if you're using the bike to work scheme

Buy the better one .. you only regret it later if you don't:)

Hope you can find it in the size

mp31

PoleStar wrote: »

Any other giant defy users for advice on size and whether or not I should go for the defy 1 or 2?

If I had the same choice I'd choose the smaller size bike (you can always make it bigger later if you need to) and go for the Defy 1 - IMO better frame & components as per this

Mcofferon

Hi All

Thanks AaronB for your tips on the gearing. I'm on the cusp of buying a road bike myself. Have already decided its worth the cost of going for a tiagra spec'd machine over a sora shimano.

Mike

wendell borton

Try both sizes get which ever one you feel comfortable with.

minterno

I got the defy3 in 2010,im 6ft 1in and i went for a large which turned out to be a good sizeing,they are a good solid bike and can take the rough roads great,i was 18 and a half stone when i started 2 years ago and only popped 2 spokes in about 4500mls,the sora shifters suck though,clunky and stiff i find them but great bike and the defy 1 would be a great upgrade

De Bhál

AaronB wrote: »

are you buying in a shop or online? if its a shop they fit you right.

On the defy 1 you have the Tiagra components and on the defy its the cheaper sora.
for me what sold the defy 1 was the Tiagra shifters as i found them more comfortable as on the sora shifter you have to use your thumb to change gears, due to a hand injury i couldnt change gears on the sora's without pain.

Also Tiagra components will last longer than sora, wheels are the same, frame is abit lighter i have to say its noticeable, as the components are that bit lighter too, but if you were like me starting out at 112KG bike weight means nothing.

Best thing you can do is try both bikes, my bike shop kindly let me take both over the road to try, i went out one the defy 2 first and was thinking on the way back wow im getting this one. then went out on the defy 1, the first thing i noticed was how much more comfy and smoother the gear changing was, 2mins over the road bike was sold.

Price was its a big jump between the two, but i got the shop to throw a helmet, bottle and cage and i saddle bag and bike all fitted up for me for free, once i left the shop i forgot about the price and hit the road and never looked back.

The main question you need to ask yourself how much cycling are you going to do per week / per month? If you planing on hit the 100-200km per week then its a no brainier just get the defy 1!

Next is gearing... triple or compact! now this is hard and its down to each and every person. Now we living on hilly roads so me being a 112kg man i should of went for the triple, but everyone told me once i lose the weight it wont bother me anymore, well i went for the compact and my god it was so bloody hard for the first few months and anyone with a triple where passing me out up the hills and worst i had to get off the bike a few times.

once i got my weight to 100kg the compact became alot easier and wasn't grinding as much, what i did next was put a 12-27 cassette on so that the top 2 rings on the back make the climb about 10% easier and haven't looked back. Now im very strong but still 100kg and on the flats im leaving the triple ringed bikes WAY behind and loving it!

That just my experience, hope it helps abit.

Good review. Thanks.

Choochtown

The new Defy 2 has Tiagra shifters.

I assume the new Defy 1 has some other advantage over the Defy 2?

MakeNine

Choochtown wrote: »

The new Defy 2 has Tiagra shifters.

I assume the new Defy 1 has some other advantage over the Defy 2?

The 2012 Defy 1 has Shimano 105 gears and a composite seat post

PoleStar

Ok thanks for all the help.

In the end the twinkle in my my made me go for the defy 1. I ended up getting a medium size. Tried both the M and M/L a few times each with different saddle sizes and while the size difference between the two is actually tiny, I couldn't help just feeling that the M/L was a tiny bit of a stretch, even though I am 5'10 and probably have longish arms.

Just gotta wait for my cheque to come through and get out on the road. Then gotta start getting accessories! From my reading padded shorts needs to be my first purchase!

baazzaa

Hey did you get the bike,

How does it feel, Im looking to get my first bike as im getting into Triathlons and see you some good reviews for the defy 1.

What year is it and do you think it differs much from the Defy 2 2012 as that has the tiagra.

Cheers

Jonathan

I'm 5'10" and using a M/L Defy frame.

PoleStar

baazzaa wrote: »

Hey did you get the bike,

How does it feel, Im looking to get my first bike as im getting into Triathlons and see you some good reviews for the defy 1.

What year is it and do you think it differs much from the Defy 2 2012 as that has the tiagra.

Cheers

Hi I also got mine to do my first triathlon!

Anyway, I went with the advice that is here, i.e. by the best bike you can afford which will save money on upgrades later. I am also a noobie to all this but what I would say in relation to the Defy 2 and the Defy 1, they both get great reviews, but there are a few reviews for the Defy 1 which say that is is a fantastic bike. I am very pleased with it. It is very stiff and responsive, and the gears are very smooth with the 105's.

My choice (bike to work) was either get the Defy 2 with accessories or Defy 1 with nothing. I went for Defy 1. Just got a track pump for now, the other stuff can come later.