TREK 1.5 Vs GIANT DEFY 2.5
simonofthepiemans
Posts: 18
Hello Folks - First time poster here and your opinions would be very welcome.
I normally ride a Boardman MTB comp but have recently decided that I want to do a bit of road work and get some miles under my belt. My employers are running a tax free bike sceme at the moment so I've been looking around for something I might like in the £600 region. Unfortunately all the stockist on the scheme have run out of Specialized but I am quite taken with the two bikes mentioned in the subject line.
In terms of looks and weight I really like the Treks frame and it feels quite comfortable after a brief test ride. The Giant feels a bit heavier (though I've only picked it up, not riden it) but it's got better groupsets. The Trek is Sora front, Tiagra rear with Sora shifters while the Giant is Tiagra throughout. Based on what I've read elswhere people seem to really get hung up between the two. I've read comment that the Sora shifters are quite hard to use when down. Is there that much difference btween the two? I really like the frame on the Trek but am torn because of the difference in spec for the groupsets/shifters. Being as I don't normally ride road will It make that much difference?
Any advise, what do you think? Many thanks.
I normally ride a Boardman MTB comp but have recently decided that I want to do a bit of road work and get some miles under my belt. My employers are running a tax free bike sceme at the moment so I've been looking around for something I might like in the £600 region. Unfortunately all the stockist on the scheme have run out of Specialized but I am quite taken with the two bikes mentioned in the subject line.
In terms of looks and weight I really like the Treks frame and it feels quite comfortable after a brief test ride. The Giant feels a bit heavier (though I've only picked it up, not riden it) but it's got better groupsets. The Trek is Sora front, Tiagra rear with Sora shifters while the Giant is Tiagra throughout. Based on what I've read elswhere people seem to really get hung up between the two. I've read comment that the Sora shifters are quite hard to use when down. Is there that much difference btween the two? I really like the frame on the Trek but am torn because of the difference in spec for the groupsets/shifters. Being as I don't normally ride road will It make that much difference?
Any advise, what do you think? Many thanks.
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Comments
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Everything Sora works fine, but Sora shifters are different to all the better Shimano shifters in that they use a small thumb lever instead of the second lever behind the brake lever. Having used higher spec shifters I don't like Sora shifters, however, people who have not used anything else would probably find them okay. Unfortunately, current Shimano prices are sky high, so buying Sora with a view to upgrading is a much worse proposition than getting the better kit on the bike as sold, so the best bet is to get the best kit you can afford at the point of purchase. However, there may be other more important considerations between these two bikes, like fit and feel.0
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I tried the Giant 2.5 & I thought it was excelent, but youreally must try them to see what suits you best,( I ended up buying the Defy 1 as I was temporarily flush & I love it )' From the sharks in the penthouse,
to the rats in the basement,
its not that far '0 -
I love my Defy 2.5, definitely recommend it!
I find using the tiagra shifters so easy to use after test riding a few bikes with the sora shifters. Best way is to do two test rides though!! Fit is more important that componentry!0 -
I bought the 2.5 and find it really well put together, comfortable and quick. I've no real experience with much else in the way of road bikes but I did try the defy 4 with sora and didn't really care for the shifters. I looked at the Trek and Spesh allez and the Giant just seemed way better value.
I guess it comes down to what fits you. There appears to be a fair bit of difference between brands so I'd try and blag a ride on each. Preferably for longer than a blast round the block as that tells you very little.Nearly there, just over this hill and round the next corner...
2005 Specialized Rockhopper Disc
2009 Giant Defy 2.50 -
I am a newbie to this lark and started last July with a spesh globe to see if I liked it. I stopped again end of October and come March started again and decided road was the way to go and got the Trek 1.5 2009 (in the lurid green!!) and have done over 400 miles in 4 weeks and have loved every minute!!0
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I have a Trek 1.7, which is basically a 1.5 with better gears. The bike is perfect apart from the wheels, but i believe Trek have sorted out now.Ribble Gran Fondo
Focus Black Hills
Raleigh Chopper0 -
I'd go for the Defy simply for the gearing. At that price Giant can't be beaten to be honest. The shift lever behing the brake lever rather than the little thumb shift on the top of the hood is a big plus and the frame is quality (same frame and fork as the Defy 1).0