Felt F95 2012 v Giant Defy 2 or 3 (2011 or 2012)?

Gingagimp

HEEEEEEEEEEELP.
I seriously need some advice, I'm not a techy bike bloke but have learnt a lot from reviews and forums of late and I'm ready to take the plunge on buying a road bike.
I've been to circuit training and spinning classes for the last few months to get me in shape. I am 41 and in good health, 5ft 8.5" and 12st 8lbs - could someone please give honest opinions as too which bike is best out of the following:
Felt F95 2012 - I cannot find any pro reviews on this bike as it's so new.
Giant Defy 2 or 3 - 2011 or 2012

I have a budget of £600-£800 and want to make a first road bike purchase (I MTB at present).

I really need help, the cash is burning a big hole in my cycling shorts.
Bikeradar guys, have you any reviews or comments on these bikes?
Thanks in advance
Andy 'newbie' Callaghan

alihisgreat

The 2012 Giant Defy 2 would be my choice out of the three as the frame-set gets great reviews (I have a 2012 Defy 1 and the frame is great), and it has better spec than the Felt -> with 10 speed tiagra groupset rather than 9 speed microshift/sora mix.

You are paying more for the Giant though, but you will notice the difference in the group-set.


The Felt F bikes have a race geometry, whereas the giant defy is more relaxed so take a look at the felt z85 for something that will be similar to the defy.

Gingagimp

Many thanks for your reply (and the only one I received), very much appreciated. After much deliberating, shop visits, forum entries and general web browsing, I decided to opt for the F95, main decider was the price, I got it for £420 brand new and boxed whilst my mates both paid near £700, the geometry, ride position and general feel to the bike. My 2 mates have this bike, they're going to be my riding buddies to keep me motivated, so we thought it would look good (or naff!) to be sorta coordinated with each other, start our own little group, we've already had 2 or 3 people who ride with on the MTB trails with us ask if they could come along on our planned twice weekly rides.
Do you mind me asking how long have you been riding?
As I am very new to this, what is the correct way to dress on a road bike, do I wear underwear, then gel shorts then a bib then a jersey? or do I skip the undies and wear gel shorts, bib and jersey? or do I wear undies, gel shorts, a gel seat bib and jersey....I would very much appreciate your guidance on this as we all seem to have different ideas in our own little group.
Again, thanks for your time :O)

andyrr

If you're starting out and are initially going to be doing shortish, 10, 20 mile rides then really you don't have to conform to specific hard and fast dress code.
Best thing to start with is :
Shoes that allow clipless pedals : much stiffer than trainers thus more efficient and less hot spots on your feet. Rubbish for walking but your out for a ride, not a walk so it's not an issue - mtb shoes with Shimano spd cleats are better for walking on.
Shorts - the cheapest padded cycling shorts are way better than jeans - no chaffing ! No shreddies under these and if you wear anything additional on your lower half (baggie shorts or longs) then these go on top. You want the shorts next to your skin. More expensive shorts better still - decent ones can be picked up for £25 occasionally in sales etc.
I've never tried the padded cycling pants - I guess these are better than wearing ordinary underwear but for any real distance I'd still go for shorts.
Bib shorts are preferred as they mean there is no waist band required to hold them up but pss-stops are a little trickier.
Cycling jersey - one of the best things about a cycling-specific jersey as opposed to a runnng top or fleece is that it has rear pockets to allow you to easily carry a few things like phone, pump, tube etc. If you are going to start carrying multi tools and chain tools etc then carry some of the stuff in a saddle pack or, I use 1 or the bottle-cage mounts and squeeze stuff into a waterproof bag within an old drinks bottle.
Basics I'd not leave the house with for any ride is pump, levers 2xtubes, phone and then dependant on the ride, drinks/food plus rain jacket/

Benny2687

Hello, how are you getting on with the F95 and how did you get it for such a good price?

Gingagimp

Benny2687 wrote:

Hello, how are you getting on with the F95 and how did you get it for such a good price?

Benny 2687: Sorry for taking a while to get back to you. I didn't know where to find my posts.
I have the Felt F95 and it is a nice bike, the seat needed an upgrade as it was very uncomfortable after 25-30 miles, and after 60 it's time to stand and not sit down at all. I upgraded to a Selle Italia Maxflow Gel with airflow, picked up very cheap on my recent holiday to Italy, very snug and very comfy.
I got my F95 through my wifes work, on a Cycle Scheme, so no vat and very pleased with the £420 she paid.... a present.
I am quite new to road cycling but to me the gear changing isn't the best, I think someone told me the F95 shifters are designed for a triple crankset but it only comes with a double. I took the bike to a very large and popular bike shop to adjust but it hasn't made any difference. I am 5ft 9 and went for the 54cm, I think I should have gone one size down.

If I had the cash, I would maybe change the bike and go for a http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... m-12-46201

Cheers

Gingagimp

andyrr wrote:

If you're starting out and are initially going to be doing shortish, 10, 20 mile rides then really you don't have to conform to specific hard and fast dress code.
Best thing to start with is :
Shoes that allow clipless pedals : much stiffer than trainers thus more efficient and less hot spots on your feet. Rubbish for walking but your out for a ride, not a walk so it's not an issue - mtb shoes with Shimano spd cleats are better for walking on.
Shorts - the cheapest padded cycling shorts are way better than jeans - no chaffing ! No shreddies under these and if you wear anything additional on your lower half (baggie shorts or longs) then these go on top. You want the shorts next to your skin. More expensive shorts better still - decent ones can be picked up for £25 occasionally in sales etc.
I've never tried the padded cycling pants - I guess these are better than wearing ordinary underwear but for any real distance I'd still go for shorts.
Bib shorts are preferred as they mean there is no waist band required to hold them up but pss-stops are a little trickier.
Cycling jersey - one of the best things about a cycling-specific jersey as opposed to a runnng top or fleece is that it has rear pockets to allow you to easily carry a few things like phone, pump, tube etc. If you are going to start carrying multi tools and chain tools etc then carry some of the stuff in a saddle pack or, I use 1 or the bottle-cage mounts and squeeze stuff into a waterproof bag within an old drinks bottle.
Basics I'd not leave the house with for any ride is pump, levers 2xtubes, phone and then dependant on the ride, drinks/food plus rain jacket/

Really sorry for delay in replying, I didn't know where to find my posts.
I use the following:
Cateye Velo Wireless Computer (love it)
Topeak wedge bag for my bits and bobs
Shimano R087W Shoe
Shimano SM-SH11 SPD Cleat
Long leggings with coolmax seat pad (plus boxershorts, is this right or wrong?)
Long sleeve base layer (for wicking), and a short sleeve jersey (1/4 zip).
Pack some High 5 gels, energy bars and take two 650ml bottles of High 5 energy drink, also take a packable lightweight rain jacket just in case.
I always take a mobile phone, and £10 in case I get tired and need a taxi home, only joking, it's for emergencies, a pound coin in case my phone doesn't work and I need to use a payphone, spare tube, pump (it's rubbish, can you recommend one capable of 130psi and nice and small), 3 tyre levers, puncture repair patches, multi-tool and the mot essential of all, some id, got my wrist band from here:
www.roadid.com
...and I think that's it off the top of my head!
I'm getting there, no doubt I will make errors with my clothing, aparallel choices, but I have t start somewhere and when I join a local club, I'm sure I will get pointers from the other members.
Many thanks for taking the time to reply.
Cheers