Giant Defy 1 or 2 (2013)
jfrankland1991
Posts: 100
Hi,
I have had my heart set on a Giant Defy 1 for some time. I have had a ride on a turbo trainer on it and feels excellent. However, I am now wondering if it is worth the extra £200 compared to the Giant Defy 2.
I want a road bike that is comfortable with decent spec, but I have heard that the Defy 2 doesnt allow you to fit mudguards but it has got rack fittings. My maximum budget for a new bike is £1000 and I am torn between the two.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
James
I have had my heart set on a Giant Defy 1 for some time. I have had a ride on a turbo trainer on it and feels excellent. However, I am now wondering if it is worth the extra £200 compared to the Giant Defy 2.
I want a road bike that is comfortable with decent spec, but I have heard that the Defy 2 doesnt allow you to fit mudguards but it has got rack fittings. My maximum budget for a new bike is £1000 and I am torn between the two.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
James
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Comments
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Over the Defy 2 it's got a 105 groupset, which would be an improvement over Tiagra. The Defys are very comfortable - I've ridden a 2009 Defy 2 and it just soaks up the bumps.
Road - Dolan Preffisio
MTB - On-One Inbred
I have no idea what's going on here.0 -
What you get with the defy 1 over the defy 2:
105 shifters and mechs
Better chainset - although apparently the non-series R565 is more comparable to Tiagra than 105.
Better brakes
Carbon Seatpost
Lighter wheels
Stiffer Shimano press-fit BB
Is that worth it? only you can decide as its your money. I have the 2012 version of the Defy 1 and its superb. I do feel that I would have been disappointed with the Defy 2 though...0 -
thanks, i know its a big decision and i dont really want to rush into it but then again i really want that bike! Have you fitted mudguards and/or rack/bag to your Defy?0
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Not yet.. contemplating mudguards for the winter -> Giant do a set specifically for the Defy/Avail so it should be a case of just bolting them on; nice and simple!0
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ah right ok, yh i have seen them. I read on one review that you cant fit mudguards to the defy 2, surely the defy specific ones would fit?0
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ALIHISGREAT wrote:What you get with the defy 1 over the defy 2:
105 shifters and mechs
Better chainset - although apparently the non-series R565 is more comparable to Tiagra than 105.
Better brakes
Carbon Seatpost
Lighter wheels
Stiffer Shimano press-fit BB
Is that worth it? only you can decide as its your money. I have the 2012 version of the Defy 1 and its superb. I do feel that I would have been disappointed with the Defy 2 though...
Defy 2 has a carbon seat post (at least the 2009 one did anyway).
Road - Dolan Preffisio
MTB - On-One Inbred
I have no idea what's going on here.0 -
declan1 wrote:ALIHISGREAT wrote:What you get with the defy 1 over the defy 2:
105 shifters and mechs
Better chainset - although apparently the non-series R565 is more comparable to Tiagra than 105.
Better brakes
Carbon Seatpost
Lighter wheels
Stiffer Shimano press-fit BB
Is that worth it? only you can decide as its your money. I have the 2012 version of the Defy 1 and its superb. I do feel that I would have been disappointed with the Defy 2 though...
Defy 2 has a carbon seat post (at least the 2009 one did anyway).
Yeah and In 2009 you could get full carbon bikes with 105 for under £1k....
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/#specifications0 -
ALIHISGREAT wrote:declan1 wrote:ALIHISGREAT wrote:What you get with the defy 1 over the defy 2:
105 shifters and mechs
Better chainset - although apparently the non-series R565 is more comparable to Tiagra than 105.
Better brakes
Carbon Seatpost
Lighter wheels
Stiffer Shimano press-fit BB
Is that worth it? only you can decide as its your money. I have the 2012 version of the Defy 1 and its superb. I do feel that I would have been disappointed with the Defy 2 though...
Defy 2 has a carbon seat post (at least the 2009 one did anyway).
Yeah and In 2009 you could get full carbon bikes with 105 for under £1k....
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/#specifications
Hmmm. I thought technology was meant to move forward?
Road - Dolan Preffisio
MTB - On-One Inbred
I have no idea what's going on here.0 -
declan1 wrote:ALIHISGREAT wrote:declan1 wrote:ALIHISGREAT wrote:What you get with the defy 1 over the defy 2:
105 shifters and mechs
Better chainset - although apparently the non-series R565 is more comparable to Tiagra than 105.
Better brakes
Carbon Seatpost
Lighter wheels
Stiffer Shimano press-fit BB
Is that worth it? only you can decide as its your money. I have the 2012 version of the Defy 1 and its superb. I do feel that I would have been disappointed with the Defy 2 though...
Defy 2 has a carbon seat post (at least the 2009 one did anyway).
Yeah and In 2009 you could get full carbon bikes with 105 for under £1k....
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/#specifications
Hmmm. I thought technology was meant to move forward?
Unfortunatly inflation moves forward too
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Defy 2 should fit mudguards, there's a good bit of clearance from the brakes. I've got a set of Mk2 cruds on order for mine, I'll let you know how I get onjfrankland1991 wrote:I want a road bike that is comfortable with decent spec, but I have heard that the Defy 2 doesnt allow you to fit mudguards but it has got rack fittings. My maximum budget for a new bike is £1000 and I am torn between the two.
My LBS did say that guards should be fine with the standard 23mm tyres, but might be too tight with 25mm.
Choosing between the 1 and 2... hmmm. The 1 is lighter, though the difference isn't massive. Carbon seatpost may make the 1 a bit comfier? The 2 rides really well and is comfortable though, I don't regret buying mine at all.
I haven't ridden a bike with 105 so I don't know what it's like compared to Tiagra (no complaints about Tiagra).... So is 105 worth an extra £200 to you? Can you try a 2 on the turbo to see how it feels in comparison?
If I had had £1000 to spend.... I'd probably have bought the 1, just because I could. The only "downside" is that the 1 does not come with pedals, wheres the 2 has clips and straps. Clipless pedals are the only upgrade I will put on this bike in the future, but the clips are fine for now.0 -
Just picked up my 2013 defy 1 yesterday and it looks the mutts nuts..it's an upgrade bike for me so nothing to compare against other than my dawes which has sti 2300 so no comparison. I'm hoping to go out tomorrow for a quick run and can't wait! I have yet to see a bad review for the defy 1 and often wins best on test apparently the 2013 is exactly the same as the 2012 bike just different livery. To be fair I got the bike, pedals and wireless computer for less than £900 so more than happy) 0
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how did you manage such a cheap price with all that included?!0
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I'm lucky that my LBS owner is a client and its the 4th bike since may I've purchased ! So it's probably unfair to quote that as the going rate... But it made my decision a little easier 0
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Fitted!
Before:
What's in the box:
After:
Straightforward to fit, but worth taking your time to get them on properly. Next time I'd have them on in 10mins, and it'll take about 1 minute to get them off the bike if required. Clearance is good, no rubbing, just need a test ride 0 -
Nice bike, defy specific mudguards look better than the cruds.
Problem is the rear metal fixing tab snaps off after a short amount of time.0
