Decisions Decisions Decisions, Please Help

gregfella

Hi All,

First time post so be kind. I am in the middle of submitting a BTW application and I am totally undecided on what bike to purchase. I am currently riding a Giant Escape hybrid and on an average week commute between 150km - 200km depending on detours and nice mornings. I have had my eye on two racers but cannot decide which one to go for. The first bike I looked at was a Giant Defy 2, really nice bike at €1039. The second bike was a KTM Strada 1000 coming in at €1149 but the store will go to €999 if I take it. Both bikes are similar in terms of spec however I have never had any experience with KTM.

Any help will be greatly appreciated on this and will hopefully lead me to make the right decision.

jon1981

Both are lovely bikes and KTM are good makes too and I do prefer the paint job on the KTM over the Giant Defy 2. I think the Giant Defy 2 is a more relaxed fit than the KTM so might be worthwhile trying both bikes out and see which fit is better?

if this is the spec of the KTM , then it is better than the Giant as some of the KTM parts are actually 105s (shifters and derailleurs) and the brake calipers are Tiagra not Tektro.

http://www.ktm-bikes.at/en/bikes/road.html?action=bike_details&bike_id=88&cHash=39dc9d2cfeea7e85e27faaf5c1399556

outfox

When you see 'em in the flesh, which one makes you smile more?

gregfella

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the reply. The KTM I was quoted for was actually the 2015 model with a full Tiagra 4600 groupset. I was hoping for the 4700 as it is newer and more efficient however I'm not sure if I will notice the difference off the bat. I have tried out both bikes and being 6ft 3" and weighing around 17 stone neither would be extremely comfortable but a good pair of shorts should sort that out. In terms of fit, both feel good and I could not pick out any immediate points of strain on my legs, back, neck. I suppose another influencing factor is that the Giant Defy 2 is the 2016 model and from the information provided to me from the LBS it has the Tiagra 4700 grouping. Would this be considered a decisive factor in choosing?

Thanks

gregfella

Outfox, The Giant looks great but I'm also fond of the KTM. I think the KTM has a nicer finish to it stands out a little more. One one of the routes I take to work, every second bike I pass is some sort of a Giant road bike. Not that I really care about appearances but it would be nice not to be a sheep. Then again that many people surely can't have made the wrong decision. I think I may be leaning towards the KTM the more I talk about it...

Cee-Jay-Cee

I would go for the Giant given the better 4700 spec (which is very very nice) and the more relaxed geometry which may not be apparent on a test spin but will be one evident on longer journeys besides I don't like the look of the KTM.

gregfella

Thanks Cee-Jay-Cee.
In terms of the 4600 vs 4700 what are the most noticable differences. From testing both I was unable to determine any stand out benefits bar of course one is newer.

Cee-Jay-Cee

gregfella wrote: »

Thanks Cee-Jay-Cee.
In terms of the 4600 vs 4700 what are the most noticable differences. From testing both I was unable to determine any stand out benefits bar of course one is newer.

Front derailleur shifting is much easier and smoother. Rear shifting is crisper too.

4700 hoods are neater and the cables are hidden and so the cockpit looks cleaner plus the dark grey colour of the whole groupset is much nicer than 4600 groupset.

T-Maxx

outfox wrote: »

When you see 'em in the flesh, which one makes you smile more?

This.

I'd go with the KTM personally.