Opinions please

aaakev

Hi lads, im getting a new bike and have been looking at the merida ride lite 91 and the giant defy ( not sure which one exactly but it was €999) the merida although cheaper seemed to be a far better spec than the giant and loaded with shimano parts where as te giant had only branded gear leavers and derailers. Of course each shop claimed theres was better...

Anyone got any opinions on ether of these 2 or any other sugestions in that brice range? Bike is just used to get out of the car, cycle to the gym a few times a week, 30-40k the odd weekend and maybe a triathalon or two down the line.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Branded parts?? What brand?

Without knowing which Giant model you are talking about its impossible to say which is the better of the two. The merida has sora group set and according to their website its the old sora with the thumb shifters although maybe its the new spec on the bike your looking at.

aaakev

They were shimano also, the newer leavers or next step up from the merida i was told.

Yes the merida had the leavers you mentioned

Ill call the shop in a while and ask the exact model of giant

rollingscone

There is no defy with all generic parts, AFAIR the lower model Defy, uses a mixture of 2300 and unbranded Giant proprietary parts, which are by all accounts of equal quality to their branded Shimano equivalent.

I know the major manufacturers have been downgrading their components at each level over the last couple of years, but last time I looked at a bottom of range defy the only Giant/Unbranded parts were the brake calipers.

lennymc

afaik the defy listed at 999 has 10 spd tiagra. what colour was the defy? Goldy/champagne colour?

Cee-Jay-Cee

lennymc wrote: »

afaik the defy listed at 999 has 10 spd tiagra. what colour was the defy? Goldy/champagne colour?

10spd Tiagra is more or less equivalent to last years 105. The weight difference is negligible and they may be marginally less smooth but I'd say for regular leisure and general fitness use they're all anyone really needs.