My new 2013 Giant Defy 1

johnnicebutdim

My new 2013 Giant Defy 1!

Picked up from my LBS on Saturday and already covered 62 miles on it by end of Sunday. Awesome bike - fast, comfortable and great to look at!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87310369@N03/7995777430/in/photostream

Can't wait for the next big ride!

Mikey23

Lovely beast

johnnicebutdim

and quite a jump from my 1995 Muddy Fox Explorer Mega MTB!!

invincible

awesome mate, lovely bike, wanted one myself but have been told xmas before delivery in my size :-(

picking up defy 3 though on saturday

enjoy her shes a beaut

Joeblack

Nice bike mate, what's the spec

BlakeysFC

Very nice pal.

I've got a 2012 Defy 1 and absolutely love it

johnnicebutdim

Joeblack wrote:

Nice bike mate, what's the spec

Nicked from a website to save time:
Frame: ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminium
Fork: Advanced-Grade Composite, Alloy OverDrive Steerer
Bars: Giant Connect
Stem: Giant Connect
Speed: 20
Front Mech: Shimano 105
Rear Mech: Shimano 105
Shifters Shimano 105
Chainset: Shimano FC-R565 - 50x34
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Integrated
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 12x28, 10s
Chain: KMC X10L
Front Brake: Tektro TK-R540 w/ cartridge pads
Rear Brake: Tektro TK-R540 w/ cartridge pads
Rims: Giant P-R2
Front Hub: Giant Sealed Bearings 24h
Rear Hub: Giant Sealed Bearings 28h
Spokes: Sapim Race 14/15g
Tyres: Giant P-R3, 700x23c Front Giant P-R3, 700x23c Rear
Seatpost: Giant Connect Composite

First big ride out and no problems, everything worked as it should.

johnnicebutdim

BlakeysFC wrote:

I've got a 2012 Defy 1 and absolutely love it

I couldn't get hold of a 2012 but they are pretty much identical apart from a different chain, I think. Not sure about the brakes (see 'Spec' in post above) - are they same as yours?

I see from Strava you ride in the New Forest! I used to live in Bournemouth (18 years) - still miss it!

Cheers.

Stuuu

Looks great!

You mention it is faster than your old mountain bike. I'd be interested to see some comparisons over the same route. (I'm just about to switch to a road bike from an MTB myself).

johnnicebutdim

Stuuu wrote:

I'd be interested to see some comparisons over the same route. (I'm just about to switch to a road bike from an MTB myself).

Well, I track my progress on Strava and I can tell you that your average speeds will increase almost straightaway by around 2mph (that's just my opinion!) and you can figure out how much of a benefit this would be if, like me, you're into distance riding, sportives etc.

My old MTB was heavy and the change to the racer was astonishing (mind you, I noticed pretty quickly that the wind has a much greater affect on you when you're on a road bike!). Also, being clipped into your pedals gives you greater control and power so, all in all, a winning combination!

johnnicebutdim

invincible wrote:

awesome mate, lovely bike, wanted one myself but have been told xmas before delivery in my size :-(

picking up defy 3 though on saturday

enjoy her shes a beaut

Great! Good luck with the Defy 3, another great bike.

Stuuu

johnnicebutdim wrote:

Stuuu wrote:

I'd be interested to see some comparisons over the same route. (I'm just about to switch to a road bike from an MTB myself).

Well, I track my progress on Strava and I can tell you that your average speeds will increase almost straightaway by around 2mph (that's just my opinion!) and you can figure out how much of a benefit this would be if, like me, you're into distance riding, sportives etc.

My old MTB was heavy and the change to the racer was astonishing (mind you, I noticed pretty quickly that the wind has a much greater affect on you when you're on a road bike!). Also, being clipped into your pedals gives you greater control and power so, all in all, a winning combination!

Damn! I was hoping for at least a 5 mph difference. I'm currently struggling to do over 25 miles in one session. I was hoping my distances would improve too.

Have you found you are fresher over an equivalent run?

johnnicebutdim

Stuuu wrote:

Damn! I was hoping for at least a 5 mph difference. I'm currently struggling to do over 25 miles in one session. I was hoping my distances would improve too.

Have you found you are fresher over an equivalent run?

I find hills less of a struggle due to the gearing so I guess the answer is yes. I did a 50 mile run on Sunday (my biggest single distance yet!) and I felt the same afterwards as I would have after 35 miles on the old MTB. That has to say something!

As for the averages, a 2mph is just for starters and I'm sure 5mph could be achieved, all depends who's pedalling, I guess!

rolf_f

Stuuu wrote:

Damn! I was hoping for at least a 5 mph difference.

Lord no! Favourable conditions on an MTB and unfavourable conditions on the road bike can see me quicker on an MTB commute!

A couple of MPH is certainly more like it. But the road bike will be less tiring.

Stuuu

I'll be happy to get a few more miles cycled with a road bike. I may not get enough benefit to beat the Strava challengers, but I'm sure I will enjoy it.

Thanks for the info. Happy cycling.

invincible

johnnicebutdim wrote:

invincible wrote:

awesome mate, lovely bike, wanted one myself but have been told xmas before delivery in my size :-(

picking up defy 3 though on saturday

enjoy her shes a beaut

Great! Good luck with the Defy 3, another great bike.

cheers cant wait to get out on her

BlakeysFC

johnnicebutdim wrote:

BlakeysFC wrote:

I've got a 2012 Defy 1 and absolutely love it

I couldn't get hold of a 2012 but they are pretty much identical apart from a different chain, I think. Not sure about the brakes (see 'Spec' in post above) - are they same as yours?

I see from Strava you ride in the New Forest! I used to live in Bournemouth (18 years) - still miss it!

Cheers.

Ahh right I see. Yeh the spec is pretty much the same from the list you put up there ^^^ apart from the chain and a different colour scheme/some more Giant/Defy decals in places.

Yeh I love riding in the New Forest, unfortunately don't get down there that often (only been down there twice) as I live about an hour and 20 minutes North in Surrey. Used to go there alot when I was a kid, and it is an absolute dream to cycle around, love seeing all the wild horses/cows etc. roaming free in the fields around you as you cycle around. Absolute bliss!

dyson1590

I picked up my Defy 1 2013 yesterday and the thing is beautiful!

Gutted I can't ride it for a few weeks due to a knee op that dropped in after I'd ordered it, but it gives me something to look forward to!!! Especially as everyone's so complimentary about them.

#david2012

dyson1590 wrote:

I picked up my Defy 1 2013 yesterday and the thing is beautiful!

Gutted I can't ride it for a few weeks due to a knee op that dropped in after I'd ordered it, but it gives me something to look forward to!!! Especially as everyone's so complimentary about them.

Ditto! Can't wait to take mine out tomorrow!

Colinio

I have the 2012 defy 1 and really like it.

It gets a bit squeaky from time to time mainly due to the relatively poor weather we have had this "summer".

One annoying squeak was that I needed to undo the rear wheel from the drops and retighten the wheel clamp. Squeak went!

I find the wheels and tyres to be a bit heavy but they are robust. Next spring I will get myself a wheel and tyre upgrade, but for the coming winter I will stick to the stock wheels etc.

Saheed

Hi there,

I'm looking at buying a Defy 1 or 2 for LEJOG in June 2012. From the pictures on the net I can see that Defy 2 2013 has eyelets for pannier racks , but Defy 1 2013 doesn't. As you already have the Defy 1 2013, can you pls confirm if it does or doesn't. I know Defy 1 2012 did and that's still available in small and it also has a 105 groupset. Pls let me know as soon as you can. Cheers.

mabbo

I've had a Giant road bike since the late 80's. Always been excellent kit, just not as sexy image wise as say a colagno.
I now have a 2010 Defy 1, all black model. Done over 7000 miles on it and it's a fantastic bit of kit.................and quick. Upgraded the wheels to a pair of handbuilts earlier this year and the handling and feel of the bike improved no end. And it was already excellent. The Giant frames are brilliant.
Just putting the 80's model back on the road as my winter commuter.
So...excellent choice mate...............................................enjoy.

Mikey41

Saheed wrote:

Hi there,

I'm looking at buying a Defy 1 or 2 for LEJOG in June 2012. From the pictures on the net I can see that Defy 2 2013 has eyelets for pannier racks , but Defy 1 2013 doesn't. As you already have the Defy 1 2013, can you pls confirm if it does or doesn't. I know Defy 1 2012 did and that's still available in small and it also has a 105 groupset. Pls let me know as soon as you can. Cheers.

You can get a replacement seatpost clamp from Giant that has the rack eyelets in it, so you can fit a rack to the Defy 1