Giant Defy wins Bike of the Year

raymondo60
raymondo60 Posts: 735
edited March 2013 in Road general
There's a surprise then!
Raymondo

"Let's just all be really careful out there folks!"

Comments

  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    My dad will be happy.
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    Didn't it win last year? or was it the year before? I am sure its a great bike but it does nothing for me on the looks or brand department.
  • stevelloydis
    stevelloydis Posts: 6
    Just got mine ,defy 1, because of reviews, and I did think, I wonder how much giant have to bung to get this, but I must say I really like it. Crashed it first ride, new tyres damp corner! However not owning a road bike before I am only comparing it with a sirrus comp, my last bike
  • garrynicol69
    garrynicol69 Posts: 93
    stevelloydis wrote:
    Just got mine ,defy 1, because of reviews, and I did think, I wonder how much giant have to bung to get this, but I must say I really like it. Crashed it first ride, new tyres damp corner! However not owning a road bike before I am only comparing it with a sirrus comp, my last bike

    try not to be so stupid, no one "bungs" to win an award! especially when the bike in question is normally always out of stock anyway...
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    Raymondo60 wrote:
    There's a surprise then!

    I know! Such a surprise that the best bike would win the 'bike of the year' award!
  • Lycra-Byka
    Lycra-Byka Posts: 292
    I bought mine a year ago because it wa the right price, from a brand I have used in mountain biking for years and I thought it looked nice actually.

    Ford focus with two wheels, everybodys got one, for the right reason.
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    Lycra-Byka wrote:
    Ford focus with two wheels, everybodys got one, for the right reason.

    It's odd, despite there being a major Giant dealer in the town, I hardly see any round here. I probably see more Wiliers than anything else.

    I'm much the same as above - rode their mountain bikes and loved them. Now ride one of their road bikes and love it. I appreciate the brand and heritage (or lack of) might not be to everyone's taste, but each bike has been brilliant for me. I have had a number of bikes from other manufacturers and none of them have been as good for me.
    FCN 3 / 4
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    Why would you but a Defy instead of a TCR?(question not statement). My mate bought a TCR for his first bike about 18 mths ago, cracking bike and can't really fault it apart from the wheels. At the time he looked at the Defy but it came across as a bike that you'd buy if you weren't quite sure about road bikes, a safe almost upright riding position, he said that it felt....... Beige?
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    Good bike but I'll stick with my Bottecchia Duello thank you very much.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • declan1
    declan1 Posts: 2,470
    Bozman wrote:
    Why would you but a Defy instead of a TCR?(question not statement). My mate bought a TCR for his first bike about 18 mths ago, cracking bike and can't really fault it apart from the wheels. At the time he looked at the Defy but it came across as a bike that you'd buy if you weren't quite sure about road bikes, a safe almost upright riding position, he said that it felt....... Beige?

    It's more of an endurance bike. More comfortable frame design and a more relaxed geometry. The TCR is the race bike, with a more aggressive position.

    Road - Dolan Preffisio
    MTB - On-One Inbred

    I have no idea what's going on here.
  • Lycra-Byka
    Lycra-Byka Posts: 292
    Bozman wrote:
    Why would you but a Defy instead of a TCR?(question not statement). My mate bought a TCR for his first bike about 18 mths ago, cracking bike and can't really fault it apart from the wheels. At the time he looked at the Defy but it came across as a bike that you'd buy if you weren't quite sure about road bikes, a safe almost upright riding position, he said that it felt....... Beige?

    I bought it because I wasn't sure about road bikes. Go figure?
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    Lycra-Byka wrote:
    Bozman wrote:
    Why would you but a Defy instead of a TCR?(question not statement). My mate bought a TCR for his first bike about 18 mths ago, cracking bike and can't really fault it apart from the wheels. At the time he looked at the Defy but it came across as a bike that you'd buy if you weren't quite sure about road bikes, a safe almost upright riding position, he said that it felt....... Beige?

    I bought it because I wasn't sure about road bikes. Go figure?


    He felt like he was on a road bike with the TCR being a bike with race geometry but the Defy felt too relaxed and upright. As a first road bike i thought that he might live to regret it but he loves that TCR and finds it comfy.
  • bobbydazzla
    bobbydazzla Posts: 289
    Test road both the Defy Advanced 1 and 0 in Jan. Solid, efficient, dependable, but dull. And if I'm spending that amount of money on a bike I want to get a semi in my bib shorts when I think about riding it.

    Would agree with the previous beige / Ford Focus comparisons. The perfect option for many, many people but not for me.
  • lotus49
    lotus49 Posts: 763
    I bought one and I've been very pleased with it. I am far too newly returned to cycling to be in any position to make a sensible comparison but I wanted a proper road bike but not one that that was too aggressive and uncomfortable and that is what I appear to have.
  • Lycra-Byka
    Lycra-Byka Posts: 292
    bobbydazzla wrote:
    Test road both the Defy Advanced 1 and 0 in Jan. Solid, efficient, dependable, but dull. And if I'm spending that amount of money on a bike I want to get a semi in my bib shorts when I think about riding it.

    Would agree with the previous beige / Ford Focus comparisons. The perfect option for many, many people but not for me.
    the Defy advanced is a different machine. Carbon not ali.

    Dull as in soulless ,yes. Or did you mean in ride quality/geometry?

    It is a starter bike, and aimed at comfort/distance. Long wheelbase etc.
    Definatly not a race thoroughbred. I already want a racier carbon option and will keep the defy I have as comfy mile eater.
    My only complaint so far is vibration through the bars. Easy fix.
  • raymondo60
    raymondo60 Posts: 735
    Despite my sarcastic comment, I think we have to appreciate that the BOTY thing is judged within a budget, i.e. under £2k, and that the criteria is probably more 'general' - i.e. not a 'specialist' bike. I was only having a laugh - if you have a Defy and are happy with it then good luck to you. Of the 40 bikes compared the overall comment that there were 'no bad bikes' is probably good news for us all.
    Raymondo

    "Let's just all be really careful out there folks!"
  • ScreaminWargasm
    ScreaminWargasm Posts: 289
    I know it gets good reviews but to look at, it's bloody boring IMO. Much prefer last years Focus Izalco!
  • verylonglegs
    verylonglegs Posts: 4,023
    Raymondo60 wrote:
    Of the 40 bikes compared the overall comment that there were 'no bad bikes' is probably good news for us all.

    But isn't that kind of putting themselves out of business? It's almost saying our reviews don't mean a lot as you can't really go wrong either way.
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    Not really, they do say what they like and dislike about each bike. It's like cars, there are very few "bad" cars now, but some people will be put off a brand because of what the badge looks like, or they don't like the shape of the headlights. Seemingly silly things that just don't make you WANT to buy it, however good it might do the job of being a car.

    And that's all fine, it's personal choice. People buy things that they WANT and that is not necessarily the same as what others want.

    It's pretty clear that only very small differences are separating these bikes, particularly the top 5. In their opinion the Giant does the best job at that price point, but it won't suit everyone and they know that 100%
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    ScreaminWargasm wrote:
    I know it gets good reviews but to look at, it's bloody boring IMO. Much prefer last years Focus Izalco!

    Have a ride on one and then make your mind up whether its boring or not.. don't judge a book by its cover.
  • jambo75
    jambo75 Posts: 9
    I bought last years defy advanced 3, which as far as I can tell is the same bike save for a better (IMO) paint job, and the clincher is I got it very recently brand new for £1435 from Rutland cycling, I'm pretty sure they've still got stock (limited sizes probably).
    I was looking at spending 1.8k, hoping for Ultegra, but at that price it was a no brainer. Loving the bike, was everything I hoped for as my first carbon road bike (TCR was a bit severe for me). I can't wait for the summer to rack the miles up on it.
  • ScreaminWargasm
    ScreaminWargasm Posts: 289
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    ScreaminWargasm wrote:
    I know it gets good reviews but to look at, it's bloody boring IMO. Much prefer last years Focus Izalco!

    Have a ride on one and then make your mind up whether its boring or not.. don't judge a book by its cover.

    Like I say, it's a good bike however, there are many other 'good' bikes that I think look more stylish!
    If I was spending lots of cash on a new road bike, i'd like it to look good as well as ride nice.

    Each to their own hey :roll:
  • wheezee
    wheezee Posts: 461
    I guess it's possible to pay over the odds for a bike, or buy one that doesn't fit, but as you're unlikely to be getting a bad one, all it comes down to is the paint job, the groupset, and your general "feelings" about the brand. The reviews can only reinforce your decision.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    ScreaminWargasm wrote:
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    ScreaminWargasm wrote:
    I know it gets good reviews but to look at, it's bloody boring IMO. Much prefer last years Focus Izalco!

    Have a ride on one and then make your mind up whether its boring or not.. don't judge a book by its cover.

    Like I say, it's a good bike however, there are many other 'good' bikes that I think look more stylish!
    If I was spending lots of cash on a new road bike, i'd like it to look good as well as ride nice.

    Each to their own hey :roll:


    There is a big difference between 'good' and 'great'..

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