Is it worth upgrading forks to carbon ones on Defy 5

Meerkat16
Meerkat16 Posts: 320
edited January 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi all. Started biking last summer and bought a Giant Defy 5 Triple. I am aware it is a entry level bike but still quite a good bike. Did not want to spend £800-£900 pounds just incase I did not get into biking but definitely hooked. I would like a better spec bike so had the choice of selling my bike and taking a loss on it or keep it for at least another season and upgrade a few bits. Decided the latter but aware there is no point spending £600-£700. I however upgraded the wheels and fitted a pair of Mavic Askium's with new tyres. I have keep the original wheels which I can refit when selling? I have been quoted £145 to have some Giant Carbon forks fitted. Would this be worth doing for this money and what benefits would I get? If I did sell this bike now how much privately would I expect to get for a 2012 Defy Triple in excellent condition and only 5 months old? Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    Meerkat16 wrote:
    Hi all. Started biking last summer and bought a Giant Defy 5 Triple. I am aware it is a entry level bike but still quite a good bike. Did not want to spend £800-£900 pounds just incase I did not get into biking but definitely hooked. I would like a better spec bike so had the choice of selling my bike and taking a loss on it or keep it for at least another season and upgrade a few bits. Decided the latter but aware there is no point spending £600-£700. I however upgraded the wheels and fitted a pair of Mavic Askium's with new tyres. I have keep the original wheels which I can refit when selling? I have been quoted £145 to have some Giant Carbon forks fitted. Would this be worth doing for this money and what benefits would I get? If I did sell this bike now how much privately would I expect to get for a 2012 Defy Triple in excellent condition and only 5 months old? Thanks in advance.
    Personally I wouldn't bother. At the end of the day it's still only a Defy 5(which is fine in itself) but a potential buyer would look at the original spec list and not expect carbon forks. You would be unlikely to get any money back on your upgrade. Do it if YOU want carbon forks, you might feel an improvement in ride quality but not a lot else.
  • Meerkat16
    Meerkat16 Posts: 320
    Thanks for the reply. I think you are probably right. How much do you think I would get for it as it stands selling it privately with original wheels put back on? Only 5 months old and as you would expect in great condition.
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    Why sell it? I'm a firm believer in the N+1 equation. Why not keep it for a while, save your money up and buy something really nice then use the Defy as your winter bike.
  • Meerkat16
    Meerkat16 Posts: 320
    Been to local bike shop where I bought my Defy last year and they offered me £100 of this years Defy 2 so £699 and £300 trade in on mine. £399 to pay. I also get to keep my Mavic wheels. Think I could get at least £350 privately so £350 to upgrade. Better shifters, gears, lighter etc Very tempted.
  • I think the lbs deal is a very good one for you. I have recently bought a Defy 4 triple (complete with the carbon forks) for a friend and the ebay price was £260. So if that was all you got for your bike the cost of changing over would be £439!

    Plus you would have the hassle of finding a buyer and getting the bike to them.
  • Being a former Defy owner who sold it on this forum i can tell you that the shop deal is very good. Unfortunately whilst we are all very sociable on this forum when it comes to cold hard cash we will stitch our own grandmothers up. I dont think with so many deals out there you will get above £300 privately and it will incur hassle. I can tell you though i had the Defy 2 with carbon fork and seatpost and it was great. I sold after upgrading to a TCR Advanced.
  • snoopsmydogg
    snoopsmydogg Posts: 1,110
    Meerkat16 wrote:
    Been to local bike shop where I bought my Defy last year and they offered me £100 of this years Defy 2 so £699 and £300 trade in on mine. £399 to pay. I also get to keep my Mavic wheels. Think I could get at least £350 privately so £350 to upgrade. Better shifters, gears, lighter etc Very tempted.

    So you're questioning £50? The lbs will be a lot less hassle, you don't risk getting ripped off and you get the bike you want.

    Unfortunately a used bike is exactly that USED. Whether never ridden or a couple of months old it is only worth what someone is willing to pay.
  • Meerkat16
    Meerkat16 Posts: 320
    I guess you are right and more hassle for saving £50 is not worth it. I thought the deal was a good one. Is there any other bike on the market for the same price worth looking at? They have a Cube Peloton Fach-3 for £750 which I could get for £700
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    Sounds like you did very well with regards to a trade-in, what are other people's experiences of trade-in quotations compared to what they thought they could get privately? Because I really would love a Merida - and I know some shops who sell them and accept trade-ins. However, I would need to get rid of one of my current bikes.
  • Meerkat16
    Meerkat16 Posts: 320
    Not sure f I got a slightly better trade in because I am in there every five minutes buying something lol. They are a Giant retailer but also sell Cube bikes which I like the look of. However I was told they don't have much room to move on the price for them compared to the Giant bikes.