which bike giant or ridley?

donalmcgovern

I have a choice to go for the 2013 giant defy 3 or 2011 ridley x bow. Not all that into bikes myself so would like an outsiders opinion. thanks


http://www.realcyclist.com/ridley-ridley-x-bow-rid0008#reviews ridley

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.3/11498/55822/ giant

Seaneh

what are the prices?

Surveyor11

What you using the bikes for - they've different uses.

The Ridley is a cyclocross, so unless you're into that a sport or using it for commuting? it has better components (Tiagra shifters and gears) than the Giant.

For a commuting bike, I would prefer the Ridley. In saying that, I have the old model of the Defy (the SCR) as my commuter and love it.

donalmcgovern

they will both cost me 600 or 650. will be doing about 30km a day and maybe a bit more on the weekends.

Surveyor11

Would say the Giant is more suitable for weekend spins - as you get into it, a 50km spin will be more enjoyable on the Giant than the Ridley. Then again, with slick tyres the Ridley will roll a bit better......

johnk123

I have a 2011 defy and it is a great bike still. Very versatile and it's a great frame to start off with. It has eyelets for panniers too, which may suit you for commuting or a bit of cycle touring.

My defy has been everywhere from cycling in and out to college, many thousands of KM around the Wicklow Mountains... to my first road race and to the alps and Portugal for some touring. It hasn't missed a beat. Granted I've made some natural upgrades over time, but not a lot.


I rushed into buying my first road bike and went for the Defy as it was in my (student) budget and I didn't know a lot about bikes other than I wanted drop bars!! After a few months, I used to curse myself saying I should have saved more or done more research and got a better bike once I started training on long spins and racing etc, but at the end of the day it's the bike that got me hooked, served me well and is now going to become a great winter bike.

Smokeyskelton

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but how did you get such a good price on the Giant Defy 3 2013?

The list price is €849 and it's hard enough to get local dealers to drop it much from that (they all seem to give the line that they'd lose their dealership if they sold for less than list).

I've already put in an order for the Defy 3, so I suppose it's a moot point, but I'm just curious/nosy.

To be honest I wouldn't be experienced enough to give an opinion on which is better, but best of luck with your decision.

Seaneh

I was just about to ask the same question as at 650 its a steal. the new sora kit is lovely!

donalmcgovern

i was just giving that price including the cycle to work scheme. but i cant get that on the ridley as thats a private sale. so at the end of the day they will both cost me the same

Seaneh

aaahhh thats after the discount, now it makes sense!

donalmcgovern

yeah would have been a great deal otherwise