Can't choose between Defy 2 or 3

philspeck

I'm about to order a new road bike for the commute to work, but also to begin road cycling, with the aim to be completing a charity cycle between Snowdon, Scafell pike and Ben Nevis next august (2011).
So I need some advice, on choosing between the Giant Defy 2 or 3. I'm really keen on both, although I lean towards the Defy 3 for its 27 speed set-up, but the Defy 2 has received some excellent reviews, and must be a 'better' bike as Its higher up in the range, and more expensive? right? but it's only 18 speed - but as I say, I'm new to bikes at this level, and detail and maybe I'm misunderstanding, and that this quality of 18 speed is better than the quality of the Defy 3's 27 speed.

Can you/anyone help, and put me right as to which would be the best bike?

Thanks

anto164

Defy 2 has a better and lighter wheelset (Mavic rims instead of 'giant branded'), has tiagra throughout (Which i quite miss on my defy 3, not having paddles to shift down the cassette) lighter stem, lighter crankset, and a carbon seatpost. The defy2 has nearly the gearing as the defy3, as it's a compact, not a triple (You get a small 30t ring on the defy3, and a 34 on the defy2) so the gearing is very similar. Think that's about the difference.

TBH though, i'd get the 2 if you can afford it. Tiagra is a nice upgrade for a hundred quid more.

You still need to budget in tyres, as those kendas are rubbish.

the_prophet

i went for the 2 due to the tiagra levers / shifters.

+1 on budgeting for swapping out the tyres. mine did about 10 miles before I whipped them off.

anto164

Actually, i'd wait till next year.. Much nicer paint scheme..



(Little bit of playing on the giant website shows the new bikes)

Or the new Defy1 with 105

the_prophet

nice. thats the one thing i'm a bit love hate with on mine, the paint scheme. i love the blue and black front / lower sections but the white looks a bit cheap. even thought about getting it resprayed!

i'd wait until new ones are about if i were you, prices should be similar i expect

Wheelie Bin

Defy 2. It's mostly Tiagra... the brakes are Sora, but can be easily swapped for Tiagra.

With a year to go before your charity ride, if you get into road cycling you might have another bike by then anyway, but if not, the Defy 2's double chainset will be fine for anything the UK can throw at it.

It's a nice bike - my wife had one until she decided she wanted a Bianchi Infinito... ouch!

gary.hounsome

I chose a Defy 2 over the 3 in the end after riding both and some advice from my LBS.

The 2 is good for me as i do not have so many inclines around me whereas i believe the 3 is better for if you live in an area with alot of inlines.

coopster_the_1st

philspeck wrote:

Can you/anyone help, and put me right as to which would be the best bike?

Thanks

A bit biased here, but I have the Defy 2 and have done over 2000 miles on it.

It is a great bike and I am happy with the purchase.

I went for the Defy 2 due to the Tiagra shifters as I felt they would be easy for all gear changes.

Agree, you will need to change the tyres, but apart from that it is a great bike IMO

Have seen this years model for sale at 18% off which to me is a great deal :x

philspeck

thanks for the advice ! its much appreciated. I'm really becoming caught in road cycling now, and don't think i'm going to be in this just for the charity ride, i've been looking at clubs around the area (which is the south wales valleys) for clubs to join soon...

do we know when the new bikes (2011) bikes are likely to be released at all ?

i've only seen the defy 2 on sale at one place - and they don't do the cycle scheme that i'll be using - as i'll be going to and from work at the same time

anto164

2011 bikes tend to start dribbling out around mid-late september.

philspeck

spoke to a giant shop and other shops and they don't reckon on 2011 bikes until late feb next year...

carrock

just got a mailshot from the edinburgh co-op and they're discounting the defy 2 from £825 to £699 if that helps

37monkey

I've got a defy 3 and yes it has lots of gears but I don't use all of them, getting a new bike soon and having test ridden both doubles and compacts (going for a compact as Devon is hilly) can safely say I won't miss the "Granny ring" (the smallest at the front). Other than that the bike is good apart from the shocking tyres they put on in the factory, mine kinked and bulged within a month! if you can, spend at least £50 on tyres, it sounds a lot but imho it makes a big difference to the ride.

bilirubin

I ride a Defy 2 and I am very pleased with it, whatever you buy make sure you test ride ride it first.

vanguard09

Get to a Giant dealership whichever bike you chose. I've just ordered a Defy 3.5 with £105 off the RRP in their 30% sale! Made my day that did

Brommers76

Defy 2 owner here and I think it is a great bike. Mine is 2009 so full Tiagra. If you wait for the 2011 model it may cost more or they may well build to the same price and drop the spec (the picture posted above looks like it has Giant wheels and not the Mavic ones the 2010 has).

philspeck

so it woudl seem now i've order a defy 3 from Giant, with the new 2011 bikes coming out, I'm gonna be getting a new defy 2...
which would seem is what teh defy 3 has been upgraded to and called...

dmch2

A mate with a new Giant had punctures every 50 miles whereas the rest of us didn't get any on the same ride. He swapped them and then did a 300 mile ride to his parents with no punctures.

So swap the tyres before you leave the shop!

dmch2

What is it with colours? It seems everyone likes white? I'm not so keen but my new bike is white so I'd better learn to like it!

Black

Cant find any prices on the Defy Carbon bike frames

philspeck

so as it turns out - i get a brand new 2011 defy 2
i pick it up in the morning! upgrade in the tech and a dam site better paint scheme and graphics !

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bik ... 842/45447/