Giant Defy 2

bencreed

Giant Defy 2.

I would like to hear your views on this bike. Has anyone got one or had the chance to take one for a spin?

Cheers.

guilliano

I've had a spin on the Defy 1 and own a Defy advanced. If you can get one in your size they are superb value bikes and well worth the cash. Quite a relaxed riding position, although Giant do have a habit of fitting a longer stem than anyone else to all their bikes.

justresting

I have a Defy 1 ( I was temporarily rich ) which I've found to be a superb bike, but to be honest I don't think the upgrades over the 2 warrant the much higher price, so I would think the 2 is excelent value for money.

Essex Man

Just bought my 1st road bike yesterday - a Defy 3. The Defy 2 has upgraded wheels and gears, but I didn't feel it was worth the extra cash. I bought the Defy as the frame gets a great review, and it is the same across the range.

Have only done 7 miles on it so far to get the paper this morning, but I can let you know more tomorrow after I have done my 11 mile ew work commute (hope it doesn't rain!)

bencreed

Thanks to you all.

Essex Man - hope you didn't get too wet! - Where did you see the frame review?

guilliano

If I remember correctly the Defy 3 has the gear release (to smaller cog) on the inside of the hood whilst the Defy 2 has the paddle behind the brake lever.... a very worthwhile upgrade if you will be riding it regularly and for a fair didtance as you have a wider variety of hand positions whilst changing gears. There is a review of the Defy 4 on this site... gives the frame a good review

Essex Man

bencreed wrote:

Thanks to you all.

Essex Man - hope you didn't get too wet! - Where did you see the frame review?

I rode so fast the rain couldn't touch me.

Seriously, though, this is a link to the Defy review, and it is the Defy 2 you are looking at anyway.

http://www.birdiebikes.co.uk/defy2VS.htm

With regards to the shifters, yes, for shifting down the cogs you need to be on the hoods on the Defy 3. I don't think this will bother me, as I think that this this is an easier shift to reach for how I will be riding the bike most of the time, compared to the brake lever shift. Only time will tell though.

Having ridden very little recently, and having had a mountain bike for years, I found riding the Defy no problem at all. Very comfortable easy ride. The hills still hurt though.

Underscore

There were 3 of us looking at road bikes together when they rolled out the C2W scheme at work - 2 of us ended up with a Defy 1 and one with a CAAD9. Another guy has since bought a Defy 2 on the scheme. OK, some of this is because the local Giant dealer is a superb LBS (unlike the Spesh dealer, who was a joke!) but, IMHO, the Defy range is a very good range of bikes.

Note that all 3 of us with Defys needed a shorter stem fitted so make sure you go to a LBS that will fit you to the bike and swap the stem before you decide about bike fit...

_

justresting

quote Note that all 3 of us with Defys needed a shorter stem fitted so make sure you go to a LBS that will fit you to the bike and swap the stem before you decide about bike fit...

+1 for shorter stem, I've swapped the 100mm it came with for a 'Thompson' 80mm

guilliano

My Defy advanced came with a 110mm stem (large frame) and it's pretty much perfect for me. I had to drop the stem 10mm down the steerer tube, but other than that perfect geometry for me

evil_breakfast

Underscore wrote:

There were 3 of us looking at road bikes together when they rolled out the C2W scheme at work - 2 of us ended up with a Defy 1 and one with a CAAD9. Another guy has since bought a Defy 2 on the scheme. OK, some of this is because the local Giant dealer is a superb LBS (unlike the Spesh dealer, who was a joke!) but, IMHO, the Defy range is a very good range of bikes.

Note that all 3 of us with Defys needed a shorter stem fitted so make sure you go to a LBS that will fit you to the bike and swap the stem before you decide about bike fit...

_

C2W?
You lot aren't civil servants perchance?

Underscore

evil_breakfast wrote:

Underscore wrote:

There were 3 of us looking at road bikes together when they rolled out the C2W scheme at work - 2 of us ended up with a Defy 1 and one with a CAAD9. Another guy has since bought a Defy 2 on the scheme. OK, some of this is because the local Giant dealer is a superb LBS (unlike the Spesh dealer, who was a joke!) but, IMHO, the Defy range is a very good range of bikes.

Note that all 3 of us with Defys needed a shorter stem fitted so make sure you go to a LBS that will fit you to the bike and swap the stem before you decide about bike fit...

_

C2W?
You lot aren't civil servants perchance?

Nope, we're software engineers. Are we the only private company running a Cycle-To-Work scheme?

_

glasgowbhoy

Another that felt the Defy stem was too long. Have an M/L frame and swapped the 110m stem for and Easton 90m and find it far more comfortable in the top of the hoods.

soveda

Got a defy 2, stem was perfect for me (medium frame but I'm tall with relatively short legs and a long body). I've done 1600 miles on it so far and am very pleased.
Did my first 50 mile ride on the 22nd November and it was comfortable the whole way round.
I have changed the stock saddle for a Specialized Phenom (after trying 4 others first).
If it fits, go for it!

Airbournefr

Glasgowbhoy wrote:

Another that felt the Defy stem was too long. Have an M/L frame and swapped the 110m stem for and Easton 90m and find it far more comfortable in the top of the hoods.

Hi Glasgowbhoy - Seen a Defy 3 in M/L on ebay and thinking of bidding. Hope you don't mind me asking, how tall are you and if it's not pushing it what's your inside leg measurement? For sizing purposes of course! Thanks.

bik3r.bob

I ride a defy 2.5 M/L (im 5'11) . done a few 60 mile rides, a triathalon & and also ridden it hard in the rain.. after all that I think its a pretty decent bike and gettting a £100 off it when i bought it in summer im more than pleased !!

benno68

I'm 6ft (32" inside leg) and have an 09 Defy 2 M/L, I think I'd be stretched out a bit too much on a larger frame but I do have the seatpost out to the max.

bobinski

Hi,
torn between this and the Raliegh u6. And also confused by very contradictory reviews. Great review as linked in this thread. But a not so good, indeed contradictory review in Bicycling Guide which suggests that the ride is squidgy, affected largely by tyre choice, saddle and handlebar tape. The opposite of lively.
What do you all think of the ride?
thanks

benno68

I think there are many more positive reviews for the Defy than negative

I find the ride great, a more relaxed riding position which I needed last year when I got back into cycling at 40.

I'm not an expert though so why not try one out at your LBS if possible.

If you can stretch to it, I'd look into the CAAD9 - I wish I'd gone for that now even though I love my Defy. The CAAD9 is an awesome bike and under £750 with Tiagra.

bobinski

I know. Great frame too but I don't want to buy a dark frame if I can help it.and I can get the defy2 for £649 on ctw as well. 2009 version.
I am 46 and have had, some years ago, 2 prolapsed discs, L4&5 and although no problems in recent years, the relaxed ride position of the Defy appeals. Will try an Lbs for a ride but feel uncomfortable knowing I will be buying online!
Cheers

Mr Bungle

Benno68 wrote:

I think there are many more positive reviews for the Defy than negative

I find the ride great, a more relaxed riding position which I needed last year when I got back into cycling at 40.

I'm not an expert though so why not try one out at your LBS if possible.

If you can stretch to it, I'd look into the CAAD9 - I wish I'd gone for that now even though I love my Defy. The CAAD9 is an awesome bike and under £750 with Tiagra.

Do you know where you can get the CAAD9 with Tiagra for under £750? - This is the bike I have deceided on but can not find it for that price

Mr Bungle

Benno68 wrote:

I think there are many more positive reviews for the Defy than negative

I find the ride great, a more relaxed riding position which I needed last year when I got back into cycling at 40.

I'm not an expert though so why not try one out at your LBS if possible.

If you can stretch to it, I'd look into the CAAD9 - I wish I'd gone for that now even though I love my Defy. The CAAD9 is an awesome bike and under £750 with Tiagra.

Do you know where you can get the CAAD9 with Tiagra for under £750? - This is the bike I have deceided on but can not find it for that price

Mr Bungle

Benno68 wrote:

I think there are many more positive reviews for the Defy than negative

I find the ride great, a more relaxed riding position which I needed last year when I got back into cycling at 40.

I'm not an expert though so why not try one out at your LBS if possible.

If you can stretch to it, I'd look into the CAAD9 - I wish I'd gone for that now even though I love my Defy. The CAAD9 is an awesome bike and under £750 with Tiagra.

Do you know where you can get the CAAD9 with Tiagra for under £750? - This is the bike I have deceided on but can not find it for that price

bobinski

Almost settled on the Defy2 2009 which i can get for £649. But they only have the 50cm or the 58.5. I suspect the lattter is too big-i am 5ft 10 with 30 inside leg-and worry the 50cm is likely to be too small. But there is some suggestion in the reviews that the sising is a little on the large side, long stems etc. Anyone of my height etc ride a 50cm/58.5 defy 2 and care to comment?
thanks

baldspot

I'm 5'7 and ride a SML (46.5cm) DEFY, which fits great. I also have a Ridgeback Flight and that is a small (52cm), that is also a great fit.

bobinski

Ta,
thats very helpful. 50cm may just be fine.

thinbo

bobinski I'm 5'10" too and have a 32" inside leg and have an M (50") Defy 2, size is spot on for me, tried an M/L in the shop felt too big. As previously mentioned by others feel a little stretched, so thinking about getting a shorter stem.

bobinski

Thinbo, that's very reassuring. You have a longer leg than me so given our similar height I may not feel so stretched out.
How do you find the ride? I am pretty much sold on the defy but a niggle at the bank of my mind says go for a boardman or planet x carbon frame.
Thanks

sturmey

Anyone care to tell me what width the 'bars are on the Defy Advanced in the M/L and L frame sizes?
Thanks.

thinbo

I find it a great ride but i wouldn't listen to me as it's my first road bike so don't really have anything to comapre it to, apart from sitting on a couple of other bikes in a shop.

But I'm really happy with it anyway and enjoy riding it.

Brommers76

I have a 2009 size M. I am 5ft 10 and 11st. I use it mainly for commuting which is 18 miles hilly each way and the odd club run. I am very happy with it, comfortable, shifting is spot on, brakes good enough for what I need, seems good quality and I like the look of it.

It certainly doesn't hold me back and I can ride with the fast group and climb pretty quick on it. It will turn into my winter bike after I buy a bit of bling this summer. It doesn't need upgrading but I just want to!