Race Bikes With Large Tire Clearance

harringtonp

I'm looking for a bike which will primarily be used on road in winter but has enough tire clearance that I can put on a different set of wheels and explore gravel with friends. It should also be racy enough that it serves as a backup race bike by putting on light wheels. And there's a budget of course. I don't mind whether its labelled a "road" or "gravel" bike once these requirements are met

- Hydraulic disc brakes

- Ability to take most 32mm tires with enough clearance that you're not getting rub when pushing hard. Even better if it could fit some 35mm tires..

- Chainring with at least 48 teeth so you're not spinning madly when the speed on the road is high. This likely means double chainrings as I've yet to see a single with 48 or higher.

- Tubeless ready wheels and preferably shipped with tubeless tires

- Ability to get the weight between 8.0 and 8.5kg (without pedals) by fitting a light enough wheelset (1500g) with light tubeless tires (e.g. Schwalbe Pro One) and possibly swapping for a light saddle (which means a preference for a standard saddle post)

- Compatibility with an 4iii Ultegra left crank arm power meter (so looking at Shimano crankset)

- And finally coming in price wise not more than 3000 EUR

Perhaps a lot to ask for but are there any bikes out there that fit these criteria ?

CantGetNoSleep

Giant Defy might be worth looking at - think it ships with 32mm tubeless as standard (although I haven't been too impressed with the Cadex tubeless tires on my TCR)

Paul Kiernan

I think the Specialized Roubaix Sport ticks most of those boxes.

harringtonp

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Giant Defy might be worth looking at - think it ships with 32mm tubeless as standard (although I haven't been too impressed with the Cadex tubeless tires on my TCR)

Yes looking at

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-1

and most requirement would be matched. I see that the crankset is Shimano FC-RS510, 34/50 and that with a L frame size they use 175mm crank arm lengths. I would be optimistic that I could put my 4iii ultegra left arm PM onto this crankset but would need to check it out ?

One big omission on their site is the overall weight. Rose/Canyon make their weights very obvious and when a manufacturer doesn't I'm always slightly weary.

Can anyone verify the weight of a bike in this range ?

G1032

If you need it as a back up race bike will you not need at least a 52 ring?

harringtonp

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

I think the Specialized Roubaix Sport ticks most of those boxes.

An initial look at

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/roubaix-sport/p/170245?color=&searchText=94420-6144

and they do mention taking a 33mm tire (where do you buy 33mm, thought 32 and then 35). But it also shows a praxis alba crankset. In addition to my 4iii power meter I have an older P2M powermeter with a 24mm spindle and 53/39 rotor chainset but am not sure either would be compatible with the bike. I'd like to be able to ride with power on any new bike without having to buy a third PM.

Also they don't list weight. Their first reviewer enthuses over the light weight but 9kg is not my idea of light.... my current race bike is 7.5kg with pedals, cages and 50mm deep section wheels and while I don't expect this from a new purchase I'd be hoping for under 9kg.

"You will fall in love with this bike! It's crazy lightweight and crazy fast, only 9.08 kg!! I've had this bike for a week now and we've racked up about 100 miles getting to know each other and I couldn't be more excited, this is a great bike and a good value. The frame is insanely light and aero,"

Tony04

+1 for the giant defy also try merida scultura endurance.

Are you willing to go online

harringtonp

G1032 wrote: »

If you need it as a back up race bike will you not need at least a 52 ring?

Being racing years now and at A3 level I've never had the feeling of spinning out. I do ride with 53/11 but am very confident 50/11 would be no problem and suspect that even a 48/11 on a twin chainring gravel bike would be enough for the majority of races at that level. Just look at the ratio juniors ride. Back up for me means it doesn't have to be ideal, just adequate,

Paul Kiernan

harringtonp wrote: »

"You will fall in love with this bike! It's crazy lightweight and crazy fast, only 9.08 kg!! I've had this bike for a week now and we've racked up about 100 miles getting to know each other and I couldn't be more excited, this is a great bike and a good value. The frame is insanely light and aero,"

:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

Ok, I'd forgotten it was all 105 except the cranks. The frame is however very light. As I remember their top S-works frame is only 700g with 200g more for the bouncy Future Shock stem. It's Fact 11R carbon. All the other models are Fact 10R carbon and I think only 50g heavier but I could be wrong. Current models also have a more aggressive race geometry than the traditional Roubaix.

G1032

harringtonp wrote: »

Being racing years now and at A3 level I've never had the feeling of spinning out. I do ride with 53/11 but am very confident 50/11 would be no problem and suspect that even a 48/11 on a twin chainring gravel bike would be enough for the majority of races at that level. Just look at the ratio juniors ride. Back up for me means it doesn't have to be ideal, just adequate,

Fair enough. That makes perfect sense.

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

+1 for the giant defy also try merida scultura endurance.

Are you willing to go online

Happiest with online. Looked at

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/2041/scultura-endurance-4000

Weight seems ok, tubeless rims, should take my 4iii. Can I assume its hydraulic, no specific mention ?

Main problem with this bike is its hard to see where you would buy it or how much you pay ? A specific link to any place selling it would help.

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

Happiest with online. Looked at

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/2041/scultura-endurance-4000

Weight seems ok, tubeless rims, should take my 4iii. Can I assume its hydraulic, no specific mention ?

Main problem with this bike is its hard to see where you would buy it or how much you pay ? A specific link to any place selling it would help.

Hydraulic yes

Frame is going to be good considering merida make all specialized frames

The 4000 version seems to be priced at 2300. The scultura endurance is new for 2021 so mightnt be available immediately.

Where are you based?

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

+1 for the giant defy also try merida scultura endurance.

Are you willing to go online

If you own a Giant Defy any chance could you weigh it and report back ?

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

If you own a Giant Defy any chance could you weigh it and report back ?

Dont own one but according to giant japan website its 8 9kg.

https://www.giant.co.jp/giant20/bike_datail.php?p_id=00000023

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

Hydraulic yes

Frame is going to be good considering merida make all specialized frames

The 4000 version seems to be priced at 2300. The scultura endurance is new for 2021 so mightnt be available immediately.

Where are you based?

Clare so if its through a dealer Ennis or Limerick would be closest towns

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

Dont own one but according to giant japan website its 8 9kg.

https://www.giant.co.jp/giant20/bike_datail.php?p_id=00000023

Found a review at

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/giant-defy-advanced-1

listing the weight as 8.6kg for L frame. They mention the cables at the front possibly catching the knees when out of the saddle. Something to watch out for.

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

Clare so if its through a dealer Ennis or Limerick would be closest towns

Yeh i think the scultura endurance is best suited for your description.

Alot of meridas bikes are seriously good value for money, as they are a taiwanese brands making their own frames as well as othe companies including specialized/ s works. So the scultura endurance is pretty much a discounted specialized roubaix with maybe a little less r and d.

Merida has a lot of dealers, even more than listed on their website.
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/frontend/dealer-search/index?dealer-search%5Blocation%5D=Limerick&dealer-search%5Bradius%5D=100

Scultura endurance review
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2021-merida-scultura-endurance/

They also have an ultegra version for 2500 (a little heavier because of cheap crankset)
https://www.merida.nl/racefiets/scultura-endurance-5000-matt-fog-green-black/2021/.

The giant defy would be your alternative seems to be a little heavier but then youve got the d fuse seatpost.

Zen0

Canyon Endurace

harringtonp

harringtonp wrote: »

An initial look at

they do mention taking a 33mm tire (where do you buy 33mm, thought 32 and then 35)

Michelin Power Gravel TLR tyre is one that comes in 33mm, there are couple of others.

devonp

Trek Domane ....lots of tyre clearance....but heavy even in carbon (only carbon ?) >9kg

TGD

Trek Domain (a 50x 11 with 28mm tyres will give you about 60kph @ 90rpm)

Paul Kiernan

This review covers many of the bikes mentioned above -

https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/22-best-2020-sportive-bikes-217137

CantGetNoSleep

harringtonp wrote: »

Yes looking at

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-1

and most requirement would be matched. I see that the crankset is Shimano FC-RS510, 34/50 and that with a L frame size they use 175mm crank arm lengths. I would be optimistic that I could put my 4iii ultegra left arm PM onto this crankset but would need to check it out ?

One big omission on their site is the overall weight. Rose/Canyon make their weights very obvious and when a manufacturer doesn't I'm always slightly weary.

Can anyone verify the weight of a bike in this range ?

I was thinking of the Defy Advanced Pro - there are different versions but one should have full Ultegra spec and should be doable in your price range, possibly a previous year's model

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

Yeh i think the scultura endurance is best suited for your description.

Alot of meridas bikes are seriously good value for money, as they are a taiwanese brands making their own frames as well as othe companies including specialized/ s works. So the scultura endurance is pretty much a discounted specialized roubaix with maybe a little less r and d.

Merida has a lot of dealers, even more than listed on their website.
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/frontend/dealer-search/index?dealer-search%5Blocation%5D=Limerick&dealer-search%5Bradius%5D=100

Scultura endurance review
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2021-merida-scultura-endurance/

They also have an ultegra version for 2500 (a little heavier because of cheap crankset)
https://www.merida.nl/racefiets/scultura-endurance-5000-matt-fog-green-black/2021/.

The giant defy would be your alternative seems to be a little heavier but then youve got the d fuse seatpost.

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bikefinder/tag/scultura-endurance-265

shows the latest scultura endurance models. There seems to be very little weight difference listed between the Ultegra and 105 versions. The bike does look nice and unlike the Giant Defy Advanced the cockpit looks neat.

I'm coming to the conclusion that when determining weight your best trying to find out the weight without the wheelset. The Giant Defy Advanced 1 comes with Giant Gavia Fondo 1 Tubeless Ready tires. These are listed on bike24 as weighing 445g each so straight away there is an easy 400g weight saving there. Other components are less easy to change (and there is less reason), thats why the weight without wheels is key IMO

harringtonp

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

I was thinking of the Defy Advanced Pro - there are different versions but one should have full Ultegra spec and should be doable in your price range, possibly a previous year's model

Actually how can the RRP difference between

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-1

and

https://www.giant-bicycles.comie/defy-advanced-pro-3

be explained ? The pro3 is priced almost 800E dearer but comes with 105 instead of Ultegra ?? Surely there not charging a huge excess for the integrated stem..

Tony04

The more i look the more it seems the scultura endurance and the defy are pretty much the same thing, but from two different companies. Both have 35mm clearence, both have shimano bbs(easy to replace, no compatibility issues), simalar weights, the merida has mudgaurd mounts and the defy also seems too aswell...

I think when us bike enthusiasts buy bikes its usually not a package as such, unless on a budget, but we are buying the bike for the frame. Merida and giant have undoubtedly the best bike frames for the price, excluding direct to comsumer brands, as they unlike other brands manufacturer their own as well as other brands frames, therefore theyre able to be alot cheaper while yet remain the same quality. If money is not an issue however id be looking at buying from a brand such as look who manufacture their own bikes on a smaller scale but to a very high stand thus no issues like creaky bbs.

In terms of weighing without wheels, how do we know the defy wasnt weighed tubeless and hence a weight savaing. The best way to weigh is the frame to be honest. Ive seen every part adding weight apart from the groupets. Aluminium seatposts, 300g oem saddles, tyres etc.
Alot of oem wheels on bikes are never the greatest and would benefit from an upgrade. It almost always works out cheaper to buy them yourself then buy the next model up.
Wheels is a place where the value of direct to consumer brands like canyon etc shine as you usally get a decent not to heavy branded wheel.

In terms of your question on the defy pro 3 vs defy 1. The pro 3 has a more expensive frameset. Brands claim they use more exoctic carbon fibres in these but in my experience theyre just seem to built a little lighter frame and add stiffness in areas like the bottom bracket etc. This little bit more engineering adds to the cost as its harder to mass produce.

headbanger.

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/focus-paralane-8.9-887674
Focus Paralane 8.9. Full carbon frameset, full Ultegra groupset, tubeless ready wheels and tyres, space for 35mm tyres and claimed weight of 8.3kg. It also gets good reviews. Not sure if you can find it in local shops though so probably has to be bought online.

harringtonp

Zen0 wrote: »

Canyon Endurace

Its alu but the price and spec of

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/endurace-al-disc-7.0/2394.html

looks good and the weight isn't too bad either. I've come across various reports of the endurace taking tire widths from 30mm to 35mm. Would be great to get confirmation of this.

Wheels aren't tubeless though

I can't remember what bike I saw this on but when dealing with clearance for larger tyres they had a warning re: tyres beyond a certain size, I'm thinking 35mm + they mentioned they could be a problem in relation to the tyre clipping your toes when turning ??

Likely due to the geometry of the particular bike? I'm 90% sure it was one of the Decathlon ones.

headbanger.

Deleted User wrote: »

I can't remember what bike I saw this on but when dealing with clearance for larger tyres they had a warning re: tyres beyond a certain size, I'm thinking 35mm + they mentioned they could be a problem in relation to the tyre clipping your toes when turning ??

Likely due to the geometry of the particular bike? I'm 90% sure it was one of the Decathlon ones.

When I read a review of a Triban RC 520 it was said that manufacturer's specified max tyre width is 36mm. Actually bike has space for wider tyres but they are not recommended due to possibility of toe overlap.

nilhg

OP, I understand the following would be budget busting but throwing it out there as an example of what's possible coming from the smaller manufacturer gravel side of the industry

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/geoff-kabushs-descent-destroying-open-up-gallery/

https://opencycle.com/UP

hesker

Have you looked at the Rondo HVRT. It’s an aero road bike that can take 700c or 650b wheels supposedly allowing up to 47mm tyres.

Top model is pricey but lower spec 105 is more affordable.

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/rondo-hvrt-cf0-long-term-review/

Zen0

The Endurace CF SL comes with 28mm Conti GP 5000 tyres. The rim inners are wide so the tyres actually measure 30mm wide on the bike. There is clearance for wider. You would run 32mm wide tyres on it no problem. I have read posts which claim to run 35mm tyres on it, but I’d be wary of the clearance if the tyres were picking up crap that could rub on the frame. The rims will take tubeless tyres if I recall correctly.

The DT Swiss wheels on the endurance are tubeless ready, but the tires it comes with are not.

It will easily take 32mm turns though.

harringtonp

headbanger. wrote: »

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/focus-paralane-8.9-887674
Focus Paralane 8.9. Full carbon frameset, full Ultegra groupset, tubeless ready wheels and tyres, space for 35mm tyres and claimed weight of 8.3kg. It also gets good reviews. Not sure if you can find it in local shops though so probably has to be bought online.

Spent a bit of time reading up on this and it ticks all the boxes. Components seem decent, fairly standard and wheels alone are quite light for stock and cannot be found for less than 300 anywhere. Review at

https://road.cc/content/review/218220-focus-paralane-ultegra

Potential weight savings small though a bit could be found easily through the saddle and tires

Macy0161

I'd be checking the actual clearance too. 32mm Slicks/ small tread pattern does not necessarily translate to winter gravel tyres. A much older model defy admittedly, I can fit 32mm slicks, but even large volume 28mm Gravel slicks don't clear the frame.

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

I think when us bike enthusiasts buy bikes its usually not a package as such, unless on a budget, but we are buying the bike for the frame. Merida and giant have undoubtedly the best bike frames for the price, excluding direct to comsumer brands, as they unlike other brands manufacturer their own as well as other brands frames, therefore theyre able to be alot cheaper while yet remain the same quality. If money is not an issue however id be looking at buying from a brand such as look who manufacture their own bikes on a smaller scale but to a very high stand thus no issues like creaky bbs.

In terms of weighing without wheels, how do we know the defy wasnt weighed tubeless and hence a weight savaing. The best way to weigh is the frame to be honest. Ive seen every part adding weight apart from the groupets. Aluminium seatposts, 300g oem saddles, tyres etc.
Alot of oem wheels on bikes are never the greatest and would benefit from an upgrade. It almost always works out cheaper to buy them yourself then buy the next model up.
Wheels is a place where the value of direct to consumer brands like canyon etc shine as you usally get a decent not to heavy branded wheel.

If I was just buying a frame weight would be a big factor if not the most important one.

When buying a bike I always look for the frame weight and try and learn a little about its geometry. But you are after all buying a bike and if the bars, saddle, saddle post and stem are heavy or low quality you're looking at a lot of time and cost to rectify them. You will then end up with the original components lying round as they will most likely be hard to shift.

Groupset wise I usually tune in to the Ultegra version initially but my experience in the past when switching components such as levers for 105 has been very little if any noticeable difference. I'd be therefore happy to purchase a 105 new bike if the price is good and would put up with the 300g weight penalty (knowing I can upgrade bits over time). Unlike bars, posts etc, most riders understand groupsets and know what they are dealing with.

The reason I'm not overly concerned with the wheels is that wheels are easier to move on than any other bike part. Most riders also build up more than one set of wheels for a bike. In my case I'd either use the stock wheels for winter club spins or training or else try and sell them brand new. This is the reason I'd love to get a weight of potential bike purchases without the wheelset. If you're lucky enough to know a fellow club member who owns a model you're interested in you could easily bring a scales to your club spin, whip off his wheels and weigh !

harringtonp

Probably the best value I'm seeing so far for what I would like is the canyon endurace:

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/endurace-cf-sl-disc-8.0/2185.html

or

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/endurace-cf-sl-disc-7.0/2396.html

A big caveat is that there is enough frame clearance to take a 32mm gravel tire

Assuming this is the case when you look into the components you see carbon bars (most other bikes linked in this thread have alu), good quality seatpost and seat and reputable wheels. They don't come with tubeless tires but you would move on brand new continental grand prix tires without any difficulty.

If the quoted weights are accurate (Rose way under quote theirs, not sure about Canyon) the overall weight is a lot less than similar bikes in this price range. In terms of using it as a race backup bike, you could save up to 100g by upgrading the saddle (if you'll suffer a sore ass) and a good set of carbon 50mm aero wheels would also come in 100g lighter. And being Shimano it should take my left crank arm 4iii Ultegra power meter.

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

When buying a bike I always look for the frame weight and try and learn a little about its geometry. But you are after all buying a bike and if the bars, saddle, saddle post and stem are heavy or low quality you're looking at a lot of time and cost to rectify them. You will then end up with the original components lying round as they will most likely be hard to shift.

Id say on nearly half of bikes bought to be used by enthusiasts the stem will be changed out to the optimal length and/or the saddle to whatever one finds more comfortable.
That just leaves you with the seatpost and handlebar. Imo you could upgrade to a carbon handlebar for maybe 200€, sonething like that is what could add 500€ to a 'premium' bike'.

I agree upgrading the seatpost is stupid, unless there was a significant rrp saving on a bike.

Although while yiu can defintley get a better bike for the price buy upgrading it yourself the best value way to buy a bike is on sale

harringtonp wrote: »

The reason I'm not overly concerned with the wheels is that wheels are easier to move on than any other bike part. Most riders also build up more than one set of wheels for a bike. In my case I'd either use the stock wheels for winter club spins or training or else try and sell them brand new. This is the reason I'd love to get a weight of potential bike purchases without the wheelset. If you're lucky enough to know a fellow club member who owns a model you're interested in you could easily bring a scales to your club spin, whip off his wheels and weigh !

Agreed but youve got to remember cassettes discbrakes tyres and tubes easily make up 33% of a bike without adding wheels weight.

hesker

hesker wrote: »

Have you looked at the Rondo HVRT. It’s an aero road bike that can take 700c or 650b wheels supposedly allowing up to 47mm tyres.

Top model is pricey but lower spec 105 is more affordable.

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/rondo-hvrt-cf0-long-term-review/

I think this bike meets all your criteria

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Rondo/HVRT-CF2-Disc-Road-Gravel-Bike-2020/OGHK

Tony04

Maybe a little bit overbudget and maybe the wrong size but this discounted defy pro 2 2020 looks good for the price.

https://www.bunnyhop.de/GIANT-Defy-Advanced-Pro-2-2020.htm?a=article&ProdNr=GIA200008110&p=8

Got a 5 star review and won endurance bike of the year
https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/giant-defy-advanced-pro-2-review-2/?image=2&type=gallery&gallery=0
8.9 kg with weight to save in the tyres

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

Agreed but youve got to remember cassettes discbrakes tyres and tubes easily make up 33% of a bike without adding wheels weight.

And by weighing a bike without the wheels you're removing all these from the equation. Disc brakes are new to me but if I was looking for a new rim brake bike and I could weight a candidate without the wheels I would know exactly how much extra weight my 50mm carbon wheelset would add... because I'd have already weighed it with tubes, cassette, skewers, valves, sealant...

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

And by weighing a bike without the wheels you're removing all these from the equation. Disc brakes are new to me but if I was looking for a new rim brake bike and I could weight a candidate without the wheels I would know exactly how much extra weight my 50mm carbon wheelset would add... because I'd have already weighed it with tubes, cassette, skewers, valves, sealant...

Im not that organised haha i would just be using the manufacturer's weight, in fact the only scales i have in my house is a baking scales.

On the other hand id agree with bike manufacturers argument that its not all about weight. Id rather buy a bike with a slightly better ride quality if it meant using slightly more material. Id also would rather have a slightly heavier frame for the price if it meant other parts of manufacturing werent overlooked like decent cable routing that doesnt rattle and a decent bb that doesnt creak and an easy to replace standard .


I believe theres a misconception between weight and cheap bikes. Usally the heavy bikes we have ridden are cheap or old and are a lot slower, bringing us to the conclusion the added weight is slowing us down when in fact theres a lot of other factors like cheap tyres etc. Ive heard of lads winning races on 10kg bikes.

eeeee

Tony04 wrote: »

<snip>

I believe theres a misconception between weight and cheap bikes. Usally the heavy bikes we have ridden are cheap or old and are a lot slower, bringing us to the conclusion the added weight is slowing us down when in fact theres a lot of other factors like cheap tyres etc. Ive heard of lads winning races on 10kg bikes.

A teammate rode from A4 to 1 point off A2 in one season on a hybrid with drop bars on. It was magnificent!

harringtonp

Revisiting this thread. Had made my mind up on

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/endurace-cf-sl-disc-7.0/2396.html

but they've been out of stock for months and don't look like coming back in anytime soon.

I like the idea of

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-2

The comfort aspect and 35mm clearance are big plusses. The 9.1kg weight put me off initially but I drilled down into what constitutes that and realized that the following easy savings are there to be had:

- https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=101009 suggests 500g+ weight saving can be got through good wheels

- Tyres are 440g each. Putting lightweight tubeless 25mm tires on a fast wheelset would probably save you close to another 400g

- The cheaper crankset they use is 908g. A shimano 105 R7000 11s Compact weights 713g and can be purchased for around 150 euro.

Add that all up and you're over a kilo giving a bike weight of about 8kg. Even though the stock wheels are heavy I get what they are about. They seem perfect for winter spins with the tires having great puncture protection and designed with some off road in mind. I could see myself keeping them for winter and some light off road use and then changing to the lighter wheelset in summer months.

Does anyone have this bike and how do they find it ? Reviewers aren't keen on the saddle, it looks like a standard 2 rail which can be easily swapped out, can anyone confirm ?

fat bloke

What size are you?

Lots of nice looking advanced defy's on Donedeal.

harringtonp

fat bloke wrote: »

What size are you?

Lots of nice looking advanced defy's on Donedeal.

I'm 187cm (6.2) and midway in the range for the L frame. I'd be at the very top of the range for the ML

fat bloke

Your size with Di2 and flash wheels and warranty

https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/giant-defy-pro-1/27863737?campaign=3


Another ML with ultegra
https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/giant-defy-advanced-1-2020/27874391

byrnem31

harringtonp wrote: »

Revisiting this thread. Had made my mind up on

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/endurace-cf-sl-disc-7.0/2396.html

but they've been out of stock for months and don't look like coming back in anytime soon.

I like the idea of

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-2

The comfort aspect and 35mm clearance are big plusses. The 9.1kg weight put me off initially but I drilled down into what constitutes that and realized that the following easy savings are there to be had:

- https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=101009 suggests 500g+ weight saving can be got through good wheels

- Tyres are 440g each. Putting lightweight tubeless 25mm tires on a fast wheelset would probably save you close to another 400g

- The cheaper crankset they use is 908g. A shimano 105 R7000 11s Compact weights 713g and can be purchased for around 150 euro.

Add that all up and you're over a kilo giving a bike weight of about 8kg. Even though the stock wheels are heavy I get what they are about. They seem perfect for winter spins with the tires having great puncture protection and designed with some off road in mind. I could see myself keeping them for winter and some light off road use and then changing to the lighter wheelset in summer months.

Does anyone have this bike and how do they find it ? Reviewers aren't keen on the saddle, it looks like a standard 2 rail which can be easily swapped out, can anyone confirm ?

I have the defy advanced 2 2020. I have upgraded the crankset to 105. The pr2s are absolute crap that they come with. I've had issues with mine since I bought it. Giant have admitted that the rear hubs were being over tightened on them in the factory. The mechanic I use can't get the faulty one off.

I have upgraded the wheels to hunt areos 33s. I use the stock wheels for gravel riding. Today I got a set of aero bars on it so I'm finished upgrading it.

Its a seriously comfortable bike that climbs very well and is very fast when needed. I could sit on it for hours. I'm holding onto mine for a long while. Its about 3 1/2 k of bike which is more than enough for me.

fat bloke

One possibility worth considering - instead of coming at it from the road bike angle that can occasionally take gravelly wheels, how about a cross bike that will take road wheels?
I used a focus mares cx as a winter trainer for 2 years and found it an absolutely magnificent bike to ride on the road. It was full carbon so it was properly light, handled beautifully on the roads. I did a Westport sportive on it as quickly and comfortably as I would have on any road bike.
If I was forced to have one bike and only one bike, something like this, with a couple of sets of wheels makes a tremendous case for itself.

violator13

That’s a good idea about the cross bike option -I’m using a carbon giant revolt gravel bike on and off road with different wheels . Key also is a double chainset . It weighs 8.8 kg with pedals so doesn’t hold me back