Giant Defy 3 2011.. opinions?

thecryof

I am considering a new Giant (Defy 3 2011) Road Bike for € 669,00. Any opinions / thoughts on this model?

james-m-h

i have the X4 and its a superb bike taken it on the road, jump tracks cross counry trails, downhill tracks and raced and it hasnt faultered yet so im only guessing he x3 cqn be better

STEFANOS4784

Hmmmm,

Not sure comparing a mountain bike to a road bike is the best way of going about things

However you will find that anyone who has owned one will recommend it, as with almost any other bike at any given price range. There aren't many dudds out there...

thecryof

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Hmmmm,

Not sure comparing a mountain bike to a road bike is the best way of going about things

However you will find that anyone who has owned one will recommend it, as with almost any other bike at any given price range. There aren't many dudds out there...

That's good to know since there are so many to choose from, and I feel so many overpriced as well. I want something strong which will last and which I don't need to worry about each time I run over a bump. There is a good shop / dealer near me whom I want to deal with and this is their cheapest model 8) From what I read the 'Defy' models in general are good.

neil2080

I have a Defy 2 (2009) and it's a great bike. It's the only bike I've ever owned, so I wouldn't say I'm an expert but what I do know is it has never let me down.

I regularly ride with 2 friends who both own specialized carbon bikes that were over twice the price of the Defy and I have no problem keeping up with them (one has a Roubaix and the other has a Tarmac).

I've done around 5000 miles on it now and regularly ride 50-70 mile rides and this weekend completed my first 100 mile ride, all on my humble Defy. I think this year's Defy 3 model will have a poorer groupset etc to my Defy 2 (mine has Shimano Tiagra's) but as far as I know you will get the same frame so will be buying potential for upgrading later. I have upgraded the saddle, tyres and wheels over the last year but for the first year I just rode it as it came from the shop, did around 850 miles including a road based coast to coast route and it was spot on for the price.

One negative I would say is the lack of clearance for mudguards. You can buy Defy specific mudguards from Giant but they should never really have made them as there is so little clearance that as soon as you ride through gritty surfaces (which is most roads in winter) it soon clogs up. There is also a 'hole' for want of a better description right where the brake calipers are so most of the salt/grit is forced up onto these and if its not washed off straight after the ride can fuse the brake caliper together (as happened to me). The metal fixing eye on mine also snapped off after about 3 months use so I will just have to put up with a wet/muddy back on winter rides. However, this is mainly a minor negative about the mudguards, rather than the bike itself so don't let that put you off, just bear it mind if you were planning on fitting mudguards.

thecryof

Thanks for the replies, I can't wait to get it next month. Anxious to see my times and speeds change for the better (riding a mountain bike now).