What Bike? Defy??

Eyon

Hi All,

Bit of a MTBer here so this is uncharted territory for me.

I'm not feeling winter MTBing so much, and am tempted to get a road bike to get my fitness up over the winter months before diving back into the mud next spring.

So, the question is, I've had a good sit on a Giant Defy 2 and it seems nice, but is it? I would just go for the Defy 3 or 3.5 but I cant stand the shifters being on the hood and out of reach from the drops, so its the 2 I'm looking out.

What else is there in the sub-800 bracket, with decent Tiagra (or better) shifters, which is light, suitable for an afternoons riding, and will get my fitness up.

Not interested in racing...yet

Ian

Gypsum_Fantastic

I'm also a MTBer who's recently converted to road riding.

I'd look at the Boardman Comp for sure it's a really solid bit of kit that will take the Crud Roadracer mudguards, I'm not sure the Defy will take the guards. I'd also look at the next boardman up in the range if you're budget will stretch that far. I have a carbon fibre defy and it is superb and the geometry and sizing have been ideal for me starting out on the road.

Either the defy or boardman will be a great road bike for a beginner you'll certainly not be buying a turkey

Eyon

to be fair, i did hop into Ha****ds the other night, after waiting for over an hour they finally unchained the bike from the display, and the Large CB carbon fits spot on. Down side is I cant afford £999 outright, and they dont do finance

Ian

chrishd883

Look out for reductions / last year model etc!

Think I've seen the Cannondale CAAD 8 reduced to £799.

Must confess - big fan of the dales.
Not always the ighest spec for your bucks - but great frames.

TMR

Eyon wrote:

to be fair, i did hop into Ha****ds the other night, after waiting for over an hour they finally unchained the bike from the display, and the Large CB carbon fits spot on. Down side is I cant afford £999 outright, and they dont do finance

Ian

Does your company offer the Cycle To Work scheme? May be an option...

Eyon

Sadly I cant get C2W through my work, and I'm only going to be in employment for a few more months before i return to studenthood in the early new year.

my LBS has a CAAD8 in stock, at a real good price (about 750 i think?), I might take a look at it, how does it compare to the Defy 2?

thinbo

Cube attempt, shimano 105, Fulcrum 7. 750 quid. Very hard to beat.
chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=44406


Cube peloton, shimano Tiagra 600 quid.
chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44407

unixnerd

Think I've seen the Cannondale CAAD 8 reduced to £799.

+1

Superb bike with a frame that you can keep for years and upgrade to better components when they wear out. Cannondale frames are finished to a much higher standard than almost anything else in this price range.

ohara227

Just got my defy 2 2010 in the post on Thu after taking ages to decide and look for a bargain. Got it from Winstanleys, last one but they may have the 3 still in stock. I was looking at second hand too which may be an option, just nothing my size came up and I didnt want to miss end of season.

Not used yet but its looking good and has Tiagra, just need to find my comfy saddle angle and so on.

Happy hunting, I am sure you will get a bargain from the net.

kenniff

got a bianchi 53cm virone, xenon great value for winter training.
Look in the adds for best deal
cheers
ken Eyon

Mr Dog

With the 2011 models hitting the stores youre in a strong position. Go to your local bike shop and try a few 2010 models.. in fact as many as you can. DO FALL IN LOVE WITH A 2011 beauty. As you know the 2010 wil be better spec and cheaper.
Proceed to haggle.. if you cant take someone who can.. try and reduce the salesperson to tears. If your not happy go on the tinternet. If its a Giant your after , the frame is fantastic, consider their concept stores. 8)

Brommers76

Got a defy 2 - good bike and won't go wrong with that. Comes with 25mm Kendra tyres which are rubbish and the Crud guards are a very tight fit (but do fit). Change the tyres and you have a really good bike.

Dr_Psychlist

I'm still enjoying my Defy 2, bought through the C2W scheme a year ago. 20 mile commutes are a pleasure now.

Eyon

Thanks for the advice all.

I think my best option is the Defy 2, I cant seem to find a bad word about it so far, and as the Boardmans have sold out all over the place (cant really stretch to the carbon) its my only real option.

Cant wait to get it!