Specialized v Bianchi v Giant

nickl52
nickl52 Posts: 18
edited August 2009 in Road buying advice
Been doing some research over the last couple of weeks as I am hoping to purchase my first road bike (£600-£800) I have been to try a Giant Defy and Specialized Secteur and am going to look at a Bianchi tomorrow. The Specialized Secteur (£649) was really comfortable as was the Giant Defy 3 2010 (£625). However, I have now found a Defy 3 09 model on sale at £499.

I now have the following questions and would like your opinion/advice:

Not sure that the 2010 Defy is worth the extra £126 over the 2009 model or the extra £150 over the Specialized Secteur? I also like the Bianchi but this is £749 so dont know whether it is also worth the extra?

These are the links to the bikes in question:


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/nirone-7-xenon-2009-road-bike-ec016953?query=bianchi%20nirone

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/Search/defy-3/

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/secteur-sport-2010-road-bike-ec019550?query=secteur

Comments

  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    If your budget is up to £800 then you should be able to get something much better than those. Cyclesurgery have the defy 1 for just under £800 even, but only in 2 frame sizes. Look for shimano tiagra or 105 components, especially sti's.
    More problems but still living....
  • pickled
    pickled Posts: 439
    Hmmm, Out of those three. I'd get the Bianchi... :wink:
  • RedAende
    RedAende Posts: 158
    I have that Bianchi and highly recommend it, but as the Giant is £250 cheaper.... are you willing to pay £250 more for italian style.

    Alternatively, can you find last years model binachi for less than £750 ?? the via Nirone Xenon retailed at £599 18 months ago ! Euro inflation :cry:
    Red Aende, Red Spesh Hardrock, Wine Mercian, Rusty Flying Scot
  • pickled
    pickled Posts: 439
    RedAende wrote:
    I have that Bianchi and highly recommend it, but as the Giant is £250 cheaper.... are you willing to pay £250 more for italian style.

    I'd say it's certainly worth more than the Giant.
    It has a better group set on it, plus a carbon seat post and slightly better wheels and pedals.
    How much more is up to the consumer I guess.
  • nickl52
    nickl52 Posts: 18
    I'd say it's certainly worth more than the Giant.
    It has a better group set on it, plus a carbon seat post and slightly better wheels and pedals.

    Style wise, my favourite is the Bianchi. I was unsure about it as I dont know much about the Campag components whereas i knos shimano which is on the Spez and Giant.
  • RedAende
    RedAende Posts: 158
    Without going into the Shimano vs Campag old argument you have nothing to worry about Campag, they have been patenting, inventing, and retailing bicycle components many many years before Shimano existed.
    Red Aende, Red Spesh Hardrock, Wine Mercian, Rusty Flying Scot
  • pickled
    pickled Posts: 439
    I'm not a fan of the Sora shifters personally. I have them on my other bike and the wife has them too.
    They seem to take much more effort to brake with when you're on the hoods, and I don't like the fact that you have to move the brake lever to shift.
    The Campag's have a littel lever behind the brake lever.
    It's all personal choice of course, but you did ask!
    Best advice would be to have a short ride on both if you can.
  • nickl52
    nickl52 Posts: 18
    Cheers for that Pickled... sent you a pm before I read your last post as you live in the same area as me. I am going to try out the Bianchi tomorrow at Evans near the traffic Centre
  • Airbornerodent
    Airbornerodent Posts: 54
    If you can wait a little while, the 2010 models will be coming out and the 2009 model prices will drop, probably by at least 25%. Then you can get a lot more for your money.
    I saved £400 on a Felt F4 last year and it's definately the best money that I've ever not spent....
  • pickled
    pickled Posts: 439
    nickl52 wrote:
    Cheers for that Pickled... sent you a pm before I read your last post as you live in the same area as me. I am going to try out the Bianchi tomorrow at Evans near the traffic Centre

    Hi. I just replied to you mate.
    If it's any help I got much better advice from the Evans on Deansgate.
    Although there was one chap at the Trafford centre who was good, the rest aren't.
    Pro tip. Ask the older ones for advice!
  • Rockhopper
    Rockhopper Posts: 503
    Look at the stock levels for the Bianchi though - only a few sizes are available. I bought mine about this time last year and it was the last one in stock - the 2010 Bianchis don't tend to come onto the shops untill nearly xmas or even early next year.
  • nickl52
    nickl52 Posts: 18
    There are stilla few Sora specced Bianchi's about, but it is the Campag Xenon one I am after... prefer the white to celeste.
  • EdZed
    EdZed Posts: 119
    RedAende wrote:
    Without going into the Shimano vs Campag old argument you have nothing to worry about Campag, they have been patenting, inventing, and retailing bicycle components many many years before Shimano existed.

    Shimano (est. 1921) is older than Campag (est. 1930)

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