Help me choose a road bike?

Kevo

Hi guys,
I've just started working in a compnay in Dublin and I'd like to get a decent road bike throught the bike to work scheme. My problem is that I know very little about bikes. I'm hoping you guys could advise if I give a few requirements.

My current bike is a TREK hybrid (I can't find the model online) which I bought second hand for 300 euro 5 years ago. I usually use this to cycle between Bray and Dun Laoghaire once or twice a week. I also occasionally cycled between Bray and Town. This was mainly used for commuting and the odd weekend cycle.

I'm now in a position to upgrade and I plan on doing a lot more cycling this year. It will use it to commute to work (~10k) and I also want to start cycling a lot on the weekend for fun.

I'm willing to spend between 500 and 1000 euro and ideally I'd like to buy it from harrysbikes.ie as it's near where I work and they have a good reputation with people I have talked to but I could be convinced to go elsewhere by a good deal.

Here's a few bikes I am currently considering but I'd appreciate other suggestions:
2013 Giant Defy 3 - 775 euro
2014 Giant Defy 3 - 850 euro (Is it really worth getting the 2014 model over the 2013?)

I'd appreciate any advice on the bike or the accessories I will need.
Many Thanks!
Kevin

WillyFXP

Kevo wrote: »

Is it really worth getting the 2014 model over the 2013?

In a word, no.
The only difference is the colour scheme.

Kevo

OK, thatnks for that. In that case I will likely go with the 2013 Defy 3, unless there are any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Kevin

not yet

Cant't really go wrong with defy, I'd go up a step to the defy 2 better group set. also haggle in shop, you'll either get approx 50e off or a few bits thrown in...

Good luck.

mirv

Get the Defy 2, it's 10 speed (Tiagra 4600) and you'll be less wanting to upgrade it in the long run, compared to the 9 speed (Sora) Defy 3 and the 8 speed (Claris) Defy 2.

You'll have a better range (but slightly more expensive) of 10 speed aftermarket parts than 8 or 9 speed too. Not as much choice in 9 speed parts, and hardly any choice in 8 speed. Even 10 speed has been superseded by 11 speed, so you may as well buy a bike which you'll easily find parts for.

Cyclewizard

Kevo wrote: »

Hi guys,
I've just started working in a compnay in Dublin and I'd like to get a decent road bike throught the bike to work scheme. My problem is that I know very little about bikes. I'm hoping you guys could advise if I give a few requirements.

My current bike is a TREK hybrid (I can't find the model online) which I bought second hand for 300 euro 5 years ago. I usually use this to cycle between Bray and Dun Laoghaire once or twice a week. I also occasionally cycled between Bray and Town. This was mainly used for commuting and the odd weekend cycle.

I'm now in a position to upgrade and I plan on doing a lot more cycling this year. It will use it to commute to work (~10k) and I also want to start cycling a lot on the weekend for fun.

I'm willing to spend between 500 and 1000 euro and ideally I'd like to buy it from harrysbikes.ie as it's near where I work and they have a good reputation with people I have talked to but I could be convinced to go elsewhere by a good deal.

Here's a few bikes I am currently considering but I'd appreciate other suggestions:
2013 Giant Defy 3 - 775 euro
2014 Giant Defy 3 - 850 euro (Is it really worth getting the 2014 model over the 2013?)

I'd appreciate any advice on the bike or the accessories I will need.
Many Thanks!
Kevin

The 2013 models paintjob looks a lot nicer in my opinion and its cheaper so id go with that. as others have said though if you can go up to a defy 2 then its worth it in the long run

Kevo

Thanks guys. I'll go for the defy 2 if I can get a decent price, otherwise it will have to be the defy 3.
Thanks for your advice!
Kevin

Tenzor07

Kevo wrote: »

Thanks guys. I'll go for the defy 2 if I can get a decent price, otherwise it will have to be the defy 3.
Thanks for your advice!
Kevin

Have you got a B2W scheme?

Also check out Giant Dublin, they have some of last years models going cheap..

Kevo

Yeah, I'm using the bike to work scheme. I have been quoted 995 for a 2014 defy 2.

Thanks, I'll have a look on Giant Dublin.
Kev

Kevo

I think I'm going to stick with Harry's bikes but maybe I should have haggled a bit. What do you think of the quote (995 for a 2014 defy 2)?
Kevin

Listrydude

Nice bike Kevin. I was in your situation a few months ago. Had the Trek hybrid which I bought through the BTW. Did the Ring of Kerry on it last year but a Hybrid is not the way to go around the ring!! Anyhow wanted to change to a Road bike and looked at the Giant Defy too but alas I'm too short for the smallest frame! Crazy and I'm 5 foot 5! My local dealer got me a fab Specialized Allez Elite which fits like a glove and is a fantastic bike to have!

Moral of the story - make sure to get fitted properly!! Good luck eith the Defy!!

Crowman

Hey Kevin,
I recently picked up my BTW bike, here's what I ended up with..

I wanted an Alloy entry level road bike (no need for carbon components, I'm not trying to shave 5 seconds of my 14k BTW commute)
and all the other stuff for around 800 Euro mark (I'm paying remainder outright instead of over 6 months).
This is what I ended up with...

-Giant defy 5 (Ironically came with a carbon fork because of damage to original one in transit to LBS)
-Decent Lock -essential
-Marathon Plus tyres (to help avoid punctures)-essential
-Mudguards -essential
-Lights -essential
-Water cage+bottle- essential

This came to 840 euro so I was happy enough, I'm sure you could get a better bike + equipment deals but I stuck to my LBS

Now that I have the above kit (and I'm delighted with it) I've decided to buy some none essentials...

-SPD pedals (far more practical than toe clips) & mountain bike shoes (More practical than race shoes, you can actually walk in these)
-Padded under shorts, so I can wear whatever I want over the top.
-Cycle Jacket
-Decent pump with gauge
-Garmin edge 200 GPS

In hindsight I would/should have included these additional things in BTW package! All the above is of course just my opinion on the essential and nice to have gear for my commute and cycling activities. Hope it helps in some way...
Best of luck,

John.