Roubaix comp vs domane 4.3 vs defy advanced 2

friedpizzainbatter

Have saved up my shekels for a shiny new carbon bike and have narrowed down to one of these. I've got test rides arranged for all (very excited) but was wondering if anyone had positive/negative experience with any or advice. Want it for long rides on crappy Scottish roads hence the lean towards sportive/comfortable frame sets.

arlowood

Defy Advanced 2 won "Bike of the Year 2013" in recent Cycling Plus shoot out. Domane 4.3 was in the final 5 selection and just missed out on the top spot. Roubaix did not make the final 5.

Think you'd be fine with either the Defy or the Domane so it's all down to the test rides to make your choice.

If possible get the LBS to let you have at least an hour on each bike. Quick spin around the block is not going to let you make a proper assessment.

bobones

Ignore the magazine reviews and go for the bike that makes you swoon. I prefer the looks of the Domane myself

deswahriff

..I went through a similiar process at the start of the year...couldn't get comfy on the Defy, the Trek shop p!ssed me off so didn't get to try the Domane...found the Roubaix instantly comfortable and ended up buying a heavily discounted 2012 Comp over the 2013 Sport I was looking at.
I find it supremely comfortable on our rubbish country lanes here and would recomend it, though I wouldn't want to pay full price!

letap73

bobones wrote:

Ignore the magazine reviews and go for the bike that makes you swoon. I prefer the looks of the Domane myself

Ignore the magazine reviews and go for the bike which rides best.

tippers_kiwi

I've also recently been through the process. I was actually looking at the Cayo Evo and Ridley Orion originally and the LBS put the Domane on the list. I didn't want to like the Domane as I was looking for something less mainstream but after doing a 10 mile ride on each of the bikes the advantage of the Domane became pretty clear.

I test rode on the 4.0 and have gone for the 4.3 and will be have a BG Fit done when I pick it up so will hopefully be in tune with the bike from the off!

Agree with above though, test ride and see what feels good. I think between the bikes you have on the list the only bad choice you could make would be to get one that doesn't feel/fit right.

dwanes

Strictly ignore the magazine reviews, go with the one you like the look of, as long as it fits.

stannie

I have just got a Domane 4.5 which I love ( women's version so it is a nice shiny colour ) it seemed much more responsive and fun than the other bikes I tried, and I thought it looked the best.
Buy whichever bike makes you feel happiest - then you can't go wrong. They are all great bikes at that price.

friedpizzainbatter

Thanks for all the good advice. Thought I'd post an update.
I've taken them out on test rides. Really wanted to like the Giant (in my head I'd already bought it because of the looks and cycling plus review) I rode that first and it's a nice bike in fact I was pretty sure the test ride of the Domane in Evans would be a cursory affair and I'd be back up to Edinburgh bike shop voucher in hand within the hour. However when I sat on the Domane in the shop it felt right. Also very impressed with Evans, with the Giant the shop bloke had me sit on it in the shop, thought it looked about right and sent me out in it. With Evans I was onto a turbo trainer, the shop bloke measured my knee angle, and adjusted the seat twice accordingly, then decided I was reaching a little far so took the bike away and adjusted the stem before they'd even let me out on a test ride. Contrary to the cycling plus review, I found the Trek much more responsive, it's incredible on the crappy Edinburgh roads, you do feel the road but it's very smoothed and it doesn't seem to sap any power from your legs when you hit rough patches.

Giant, adv: Looks good, cycling plus says it's the best bike for the price range, internal cable housing(?), full 105 spec, better wheels, rides nicely.
disadvantages. Doesn't feel as nice to ride as the Trek. Stupid cheesy quote from cycling plus 'Bike, you have got it going on!'

Trek, adv: Really nice to ride and feels like it fits me better, more responsive. 200 quid cheaper.
disadvantages. R565 crank not as slick changing as 105 on Giant, silver bar tape, not as nice to look at.

Slept on it and thinking I'm going to go for the Trek......

letap73

Refering to my original post - its a no brainer, go for the Trek, the cycling plus review is irrelevent.

friedpizzainbatter

Getting it tomorrow...