Giant Defy Composite 1 or Advanced 3

irishdan13
irishdan13 Posts: 76
edited May 2012 in Road buying advice
Well folks its time for a shiny new bike so the question is should I go for the Giant Defy Composite 1 or the Defy Advanced 3? Any thoughts appreciated. Cheers Daniel.
___________________________

Giant TCR Advanced 3 '12
Giant Trance X2 '09
GT Avalanche Expert '07
Claud Butler Milano '07

Comments

  • fosst
    fosst Posts: 45
    Advanced for me. It's only about 15mm longer reach to a 20mm shorter head tube than the Defy but I liked it better.
    It's probably possible to get the Defy fit on the Advanced, and vice-versa, if you play with stems and spacers. It's got to be better to choose the one that fits you best. Specs are fine on both so don't worry about 105/Ultegra, compact &28/double &25.
    If you want to know, Advanced is stiff stable and comfortable but that doesn't mean anything if you don't like the geometry. Where are you buying?
  • Thanks fosst. Have been evaluating a variety of bikes online and in Cycling Plus. Went to Lutterworth Cycles today to have a proper look at them as well as the TCR Composite but ruled it out as I will not need the racier setup. The main issue, I suppose, is will I feel a significant benefit of going up to the advanced bearing in mind that I will be making a substantial upgrade anyway from my accident damaged CB Milano.
    ___________________________

    Giant TCR Advanced 3 '12
    Giant Trance X2 '09
    GT Avalanche Expert '07
    Claud Butler Milano '07
  • fosst
    fosst Posts: 45
    Ahhh, I misread your initial post.
    Forget what I said!
    I can't comment on the difference between the two grades of carbon, all I can say is that the (TCR) Advanced is a decent frame and the material must contribute to that. Geometry aside, the ride is really quite smooth and the frame is light for such bulky tubes, which is where I would expect the differences between carbon grades to show up.
    Have fun choosing, it might just come down to price and colours but I bet you'll be happy with either model.
  • anto164
    anto164 Posts: 3,500
    Don't forget, the composite is the same geo and sizing as the advanced, but different tube shapes and carbon grade.
  • Hi Been riding for about 12 years, at the moment I ride a specialised Allen elite aluminium frame ,these are exactly the same two bikes that I'm looking at ,I'm swayed towards the composite simply because of the colour am I likely to find a huge difference in ride quality between my specialised which cost £800 and the £1800 composite,same question again really am I going to notice a difference between the composite and the advanced for an extra £200 thanks
  • Squillinossett
    Squillinossett Posts: 1,678
    Well, if it helps, I couldnt really tell...

    I took the TCR Comp & TCR Adv out for a test ride, and I couldnt really tell much between them, so went for the Comp with Ultegra over the Adv with 105.

    You might be able to tell so i would just suggest you go out and test ride it.

    Never really liked Giants before, but the 2011 & 2012 models seem to just look sh1t hot.

    i love mine to bits. By far my fav bike I have had.
  • Sorry probably didn't explain I was talking about both defy models but totally agree best to try them both , but with my limited knowledge bet I don't find a difference but thanks for the reply wonder what the difference would be between the defy 1 and the defy composite 1 , I know it's £800
  • Looking at giant defy composite 1 and tcr composite 1 now , viewed both today hoping to test ride both in the next 2 weeks, both are the same price , like to do 25 miles as quick as possible will there be any difference in time if both bikes are ridden the same or is this a silly question at the moment I have a aluminium specialised and my 20 mile time is anything between 18mph and 19mph average , any replies would be appreciated, I will be spending my life savings am nearly 50 years and times getting on thanks
  • steveb1020
    steveb1020 Posts: 55
    Well took the plunge bought a giant defy composite 1 just now worried I've picked the right size,test rode the medium and found it slightly cramped so bought medium large which has a stem 15 mm longer , life savings has now disappeared ,I'm 5' 11" by the way
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    steveb1020 wrote:
    Well took the plunge bought a giant defy composite 1 just now worried I've picked the right size,test rode the medium and found it slightly cramped so bought medium large which has a stem 15 mm longer , life savings has now disappeared ,I'm 5' 11" by the way

    I'm 5' 10" and ride a Medium / Large Defy with no changes to the standard configuration. Absolutely no problems with it. You can always swap for a shorter stem if you need it.
    FCN 3 / 4
  • irishdan13
    irishdan13 Posts: 76
    I too have taken the plunge but have gone for a TCR Advanced 3 instead of the Defy. Having test ridden the TCR I loved it and decided it was the right way to go. I'm 5'11" and went for the M/L which is absolutely fine for me. Have ridden my normal 20 mile evening loop a couple of times now and have taken about 1min 50 off my time. Absolutely love the bike.
    ___________________________

    Giant TCR Advanced 3 '12
    Giant Trance X2 '09
    GT Avalanche Expert '07
    Claud Butler Milano '07
  • steveb1020
    steveb1020 Posts: 55
    Hi Thanks for the replies , how are finding the defy , very quick to your previous bike , glad the tcr is going well ,I have a condition called anklosing spondolosis in my back so thought the defy would be gentler on it
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    I've gone from a Alu Synapse to an Advanced Defy. First ride of my regular 15 mile loop on the Defy saw me take 4 minutes off my best time. Goes like the clappers, yet still comfortable. Great bikes.
    FCN 3 / 4
  • chadders81
    chadders81 Posts: 744
    What are the wheels like on the Composite? They look gash.
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    Chadders81 wrote:
    What are the wheels like on the Composite? They look gash.

    Depends on the model. The P-SL1 on the Composite 1 seem pretty decent to me.
    FCN 3 / 4
  • steveb1020
    steveb1020 Posts: 55
    Hi yea I agree the research I did on wheels ,that for the price they are pretty decent