Scott or Giant

Pandybelly

Hi,

I am thinking of treating myself to a carbon machine and my local dealer supplies Scott and Giant. He also supplies Bianchi which I currently have in aluminium but he says that they are very expensive in carbon.

The Scotts he recommends are the CR1 Team or the CR1 Pro. The Pro is more expensive (€3k) but has the Ultegra running gear fitted.

There are several Giant alternatives available such as the TCR Composite 1 and the Defy Composite 1.

I am not into competition riding or group runs, I am just trying to maintain a level of fitness and cycle about 100Kms a week, more if the weather allows. I want a comfortable bike as the roads I ride are from motorway standard as anyone in Kerry will testify to.

I want to buy from the local dealer as he has treated me well before and is a one man operation so its good to support him.

Any opinions? Any owners care to comment? Compact or triple?

Thanks,

Anthony.....

Seaneh

If you are willing to spend 3k on a bike you are far better off buying directly from a manufacturer.

Someone like Canyon, Rose Bikes, Planet X or Ribble will give you infinitely better value for your money.

Arthurdaly

Seaneh wrote: »

If you are willing to spend 3k on a bike you are far better off buying directly from a manufacturer.

Someone like Canyon, Rose Bikes, Planet X or Ribble will give you infinitely better value for your money.

He said he wanted to buy local and is probably aware of that!

full gas

Scott , by far a better looking bike

Lumen

They're both good quality brands. I've owned a Scott and was very happy with it; Giants have a reputation for very neutral (possibly boring) handling.

I'm not sure any of the bikes you're looking at will give a particularly velvety ride - they're all proper race bikes.

Generally speaking bikes with more compact geometry (longer seatposts) like the Giant have the potential for slightly better ride quality because the seatpost acts as a spring, but that depends a lot of the diameter and construction of the seatpost.

DirkVoodoo

Defy composite maintains the relaxed geometry of the Defy range but gives you all the bells and whistles of a carbon machine. Probably the one that best suits your needs.

letape

Definitely Scott for me. Top quality products. I have had three different Scott's and would buy again.

Chips Lovell

I've owned neither but if it were me, I'd lean towards a Giant. I've worked on Giants and friends have owned them. Not the flashiest frames around, but they seem to be very well built. I've heard mixed reports about Scotts, particularly regarding fragility in crashes.

Having said that, I would echo the point about the wisdom of spending €3k in a local shop. You can get a carbon Canyon with Ultegra and Kysrium Equipes for €2k.

Supporting your local shop is one thing. Spending an extra grand to do so is quite another.

Tenzor07

Never had a Scott bike, but always thought of them as expensive for what they are and quite rare, as in have not seen many of them out on the road..

Giant bikes are like the "Toyota" of bicycles, reliable, cost effective and widely available....

And the Defy is a perfect bike for your requirements..

michael196

Own scotts and giants


scott infinitly more comfy....

try both onthe road and go with what u find the most comfy or better fitting to ur body.

but for me ...

Scott

I find the Giant sluggish in comparison

triggermortis

I don't own either but I do have the Giant Defy Composite 1 on my current short-list as it has good reviews and seems suited to the type of riding you are doing. I also have Canyon, Cube and Rose on my short-list
Personally I'd go with a compact over a triple, but it depends on the hills near you and your fitness. I have a compact in Monaghan and cope ok, and a triple in Zurich.

mp31

I'm afraid I don't know what Kerry roads are like but if you want comfort then have you considered a titanium machine? If you want to support your LBS then perhaps he could buy the frameset and build it to your spec & budget?

shaka

Think your spending a lot of money to do only 100k a week, like the look of the Scott's but think the giants are a better bike.. I know the defy was used by a few pros in the classics and they liked them so much they ended up at the giro and tdf instead of their original issue giant tcr sl because of the extra comfort much to the embarrassment of giant?. Look at some of the rabobank bikes

Pandybelly

Hi,

Thanks for all the help so far.
I am staying with my local dealer as he will also take my Bianchi in a trade in. I am getting a long service award from work (cheque) which is payable in the Republic only, hence the online suppliers are not an option.
Should I consider advertising the Bianchi as opposed to trading in?

fat bloke

Go for the Scott if only to be different & dilute the preponderance of Giant's.

Post pics

Seaneh

You will get a much better price for your bike if you sell it yourself.

If you trade it to him he will only give you a price he knows he can make profit on.

Your cheque is cashable in the republic? cash it yourself, lodge it into your acocunt and then buy online?

Only takes a few days to clear.


What price has he offered for the Bianchi? Is it a Sora groupset?

Roger Hassenforder

Can your LBS not order whatever you want? Does it have to be giant or scott?

Lemag

Pandybelly wrote: »

The Scotts he recommends are the CR1 Team or the CR1 Pro. The Pro is more expensive (€3k) but has the Ultegra running gear fitted.



..Any owners care to comment? Compact or triple?

I didn't think that there was such a thing as a €3k triple. Definitely go for a double. It's more versatile. It'll be much less hassle to swap out a compact double for a standard double and/or revert back to a standard from a compact. Using a cassette with some large sprockets should give you a sufficient range to be able to do all hills, flats and descents.

I've had little and no experience with Scott and Giant bikes so I can't help you there regarding your choice.

Lumen

Lemag wrote: »

I didn't think that there was such a thing as a €3k triple

Domane 5.2 Triple 2013 Road Bike, €3904.76

Here's Fabian Cancellera riding one almost exactly like it.

Pandybelly

Seaneh wrote: »

You will get a much better price for your bike if you sell it yourself.

If you trade it to him he will only give you a price he knows he can make profit on.

Your cheque is cashable in the republic? cash it yourself, lodge it into your acocunt and then buy online?

Only takes a few days to clear.


What price has he offered for the Bianchi? Is it a Sora groupset?

The cheque has to be payable to a company/business and not me. I think it has to do with benefit in kind tax.
We have not discussed a price yet, other then he will take a trade in.
The Bianchi has the Sora group set.

Seaneh

ok, well Chainreaction Cycles and wigle are both registered for VAT in the republic so I'd assume you could use it with them, which would give you a lot of options.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75526 <--- Ultegra Di2 speced bike with a frame designed by Maura Sannio and DT R28 Spline wheels for less than 3k.


Looks a pretty nice deal to me.

Seaneh

Or a Ridley Excalibur Ultegra di2 for around the same price.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ridley-excalibur-1206b-ultegra-di2-2012/

review here:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/frame/2012-Ridley-excalibur--10429.html

Seaneh

Or this beastie for 2300, ultegra di2 again and with fulcrum racing 5's, which are a very solid wheel.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/prorace-deamon-titan-ultegra-di2/


Or this moser with Dura Ace and Fulcrum racing 7 cx wheels.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-333-dura-ace-2012/

Pandybelly

Hi,

Any opinions on this Giant:-
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.tcr.composite.0/11825/56725/#overview
http://www.marreybikes.com/en/road-racers-3000/1810-giant-tcr-composite-0-2013.html

What value should I place on my Bianchi if I was to advertise it for private sale?
It is in excellent condition, just needs a wash

Tenzor07

Pandybelly wrote: »

Hi, Any opinions on this Giant:-
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.tcr.composite.0/11825/56725/#overview

Yes it's a great bike, you should buy it...

Seaneh

It's a lovely bike, no doubt.
Just very expensice.

I really like the TCR frame shape btw, lovely on the eyes.

el tel

Seaneh wrote: »

You will get a much better price for your bike if you sell it yourself.

If you trade it to him he will only give you a price he knows he can make profit on.

Your cheque is cashable in the republic? cash it yourself, lodge it into your acocunt and then buy online?

Only takes a few days to clear.


What price has he offered for the Bianchi? Is it a Sora groupset?

Seaneh

el tel wrote: »

omg a typo, brb, have to go kill myself.

:rolleyes:

Pandybelly

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Yes it's a great bike, you should buy it...

Hi Tenzor,

Do you have this bike?
Whats the weight like? I was looking at the Scott CR1 yesterday and its very light. There was an introductory level Giant Carbon bike in the shop and it felt as heavy as my alu Bianchi. Do the Giants get lighter as the cost rises?

Thanks,

Anthony....

Tenzor07

Pandybelly wrote: »

Hi Tenzor,Do you have this bike?
Whats the weight like? I was looking at the Scott CR1 yesterday and its very light. There was an introductory level Giant Carbon bike in the shop and it felt as heavy as my alu Bianchi. Do the Giants get lighter as the cost rises?

Yes, sub 8kg with pedals, I use MTB clipless spd's, so not the lightest...

The TCR geometry is more "race" designed, and is slightly less "forgiving" re; sharper handling than the Defy... but is by no means harsh.. I've done some 4 hour spins with no complaints..
The Defy would be a better choice for an "all-rounder" I reckon.

Every bike gets lighter as the cost goes up... Once you move past the Giant Composite frame and into the Advanced SL range you are getting a lighter more advanced frame...

I just like the Giant frame design, to me it just looks more "aero"... some of the colours may not be as fancy as others, but it's the design and function which matters most anyways...

And of course the fact that Giant make all there own framesets in house, and also frame sets for a lot of other bike brands...

el tel

£1799
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-c5/road-bikes-c18/scott-scott-foil-30-aero-road-bike-20-speed-2012-p194570

letape

That Scott Foil is a fabulous bike for the money!

Pandybelly

I have been looking at various options and reviews and have narrowed it down to these three. In reality, it is between the two Giants as the Scott CR1 Premium is approx €5k. The CR1 Pro is within my budget but would not have the Di2 set fitted. Is Di2 worth getting on any bike or is it something for serious racers or endurance cyclists?

Scott CR1 Premium

A few questions on the Giants. Would the Defy frame be better for me as I am not into competition and just want to maintain a reasonable level of fitness? I would rate comfort over flat out performance. Which would be the lighter bike?

Giant TCR Composite 0

Giant Defy Composite 0

Thanks.

Lumen

Pandybelly wrote: »

Is Di2 worth getting on any bike or is it something for serious racers or endurance cyclists?

There is no compelling argument for Di2 even for "serious racers", let alone "endurance cyclists".

An 11sp drivetrain makes a better case for itself for non-racing use, as it means you can run a wide-ratio cassette without huge gaps compared to 10sp.

thebouldwhacker

You mentioned they sell Bianchi, I say go with the Bianchi.
Where's the Bianchi button?

Fair play for supporting your lbs but don't get ripped off.

Tenzor07

Pandybelly wrote: »

A few questions on the Giants. Would the Defy frame be better for me as I am not into competition and just want to maintain a reasonable level of fitness? I would rate comfort over flat out performance. Which would be the lighter bike?

Giant TCR Composite 0

Giant Defy Composite 0

The difference is that tha Defy is slightly more "relaxed" in terms of the way it's designed... A great "All-Rounder"

In weight terms there is no difference..

Pandybelly

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

You mentioned they sell Bianchi, I say go with the Bianchi.
Where's the Bianchi button?

Fair play for supporting your lbs but don't get ripped off.

A Bianchi with Di2 is approx €6k............

shaka

I'd Go with the defy over tcr , some of the rabobank riders rode defy in preference over tcrs in the classics this year for the comfort.

thebouldwhacker

Sorry didn't realise Di2 was a deal breaker.

Pandybelly

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Sorry didn't realise Di2 was a deal breaker.

Hi,

Its not a deal breaker, just a bit of blingy icing I guess. I am also thinking of the Scott CR1 Pro with Ultegra. I was looking at the most trick bits I could within my budget, hence the lean towards Di2.

Do you think a carbon Bianchi would trump the Scott or any Giant?

Thanks.....

Tenzor07

Pandybelly wrote: »

Do you think a carbon Bianchi would trump the Scott or any Giant?

Trump? In what way do you mean?

Eircom_Sucks

Pandybelly wrote: »

Hi,

I am thinking of treating myself to a carbon machine and my local dealer supplies Scott and Giant. He also supplies Bianchi which I currently have in aluminium but he says that they are very expensive in carbon.

The Scotts he recommends are the CR1 Team or the CR1 Pro. The Pro is more expensive (€3k) but has the Ultegra running gear fitted.

There are several Giant alternatives available such as the TCR Composite 1 and the Defy Composite 1.

I am not into competition riding or group runs, I am just trying to maintain a level of fitness and cycle about 100Kms a week, more if the weather allows. I want a comfortable bike as the roads I ride are from motorway standard as anyone in Kerry will testify to.

I want to buy from the local dealer as he has treated me well before and is a one man operation so its good to support him.

Any opinions? Any owners care to comment? Compact or triple?

Thanks,

Anthony.....

go to a bikeshop and try out a few , too many know it all's on here , its all subject to taste , whats good for you may not be good for others

letape

For me there is only one real option. I would have to shop in somewhere like Westbrook cycles and buy a Scott or whatever there. The difference between what you are paying locally and what's available elsewhere seems huge, especially when many bike shops should be selling 2012 year models at a discount at this time of year.

I agree that it is great to support local business and personally would not travel up North for general shopping, but if I was spending €3k on a bike I might take a different view. At a minimum I'd ask your local retailer to try and justify the difference on price being charged.

Pandybelly

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Trump? In what way do you mean?

Im showing my age with that comment.

I mean would Bianchi be the best choice ahead of Scott or Giant?

Thanks....

Tenzor07

letape wrote: »

For me there is only one real option. I would have to shop in somewhere like Westbrook cycles and buy a Scott or whatever there. The difference between what you are paying locally and what's available elsewhere seems huge, especially when many bike shops should be selling 2012 year models at a discount at this time of year.

I agree that it is great to support local business and personally would not travel up North for general shopping, but if I was spending €3k on a bike I might take a different view. At a minimum I'd ask your local retailer to try and justify the difference on price being charged.

I have seen 2012 bikes on sale in the LBS with 20% off all models... Plus free accesories...
The £ Sterling/ €Euro exchange rate is awful at the moment too.

So savings will be minimal, unless like Chainreaction they have a large stock of odd size (XS) bikes they want to off-load quickly...

Tenzor07

Pandybelly wrote: »

Im showing my age with that comment.

I mean would Bianchi be the best choice ahead of Scott or Giant?

Thanks....

Sorry, still don't get you... Best choice is basically down to personal preferences, e.g. colours/style...

Bianchi are a "premium brand" and will entitle you to more bragging rights down at the "halfway point coffee shop" on a Sunday spin!

Pandybelly

I have been in contact with LBS and the 2013 CR1 Pro and Premium will cost €3500 and €4999 respectively. There are no great changes to the look of the bikes based on the Scott website.
He could arrange a 2012 CR1 Pro compact for €3000

Giant Defy Composite 0 for approx €3500.

Decision time I guess.

Tenzor07

A lot of money for a bike which may only see about 4 - 5 hours a week usage?

I got the TCR Composite 1(2012) for almost half the price of the Defy you have mentioned here..

letape

Tenzor07 wrote: »

A lot of money for a bike which may only see about 4 - 5 hours a week usage?

I got the TCR Composite 1(2012) for almost half the price of the Defy you have mentioned here..

Where did you buy it?

Pandybelly

I have bit the bullet and ordered the Scott CR1 2012 model.

Many thanks to everyone for their help and contributions.

Thanks.......

DaveyDave

I'm hoping that after spending €3,000 on a bike you'll consider doing more than 100km a week and will join a club or do some races because I do more than that on a €600 hardtail with a 1.2kg tyre set...it just wouldn't make sense to spend that money and not use it, especially as a €1,000 racer would have sufficed.

Enjoy the new bike though, I'm always jealous when I see someone on a swanky new racer. I'll get one someday