Giant vs Merida - help needed

jamiem1976

Evening all,

First post and new joiner here.

I want to start cycling as i find exercise quite boring (running especially) and i know i wouldn't make use of a gym pass due to time constraints. I want to also start to cycle to work which is only a 5 mile commute.

I have been to a couple of shops and think i may have narrowed down my choices to the Giant Defy 4 or the Merida Ride Light 90. I have no knowledge of specs or components so would love some advice of you guys, the experts!

Thanks in advance, much appreciated.

jamiem1976

So.......either this was posted in the wrong forum or you guys have no opinion on either of said bikes? I'll have to try other forums it seems. Oh well, best of luck everyone.

johngti

Don't be so quick to go! I have the Defy 4 and love nearly everything about it. I have just swapped the gear shifters to something that suits me better than the 2300 but other than that, it's a supremely comfortable ride, great riding position, solid as a rock when you need it to be and absolutely no complaints. The frame etc is certainly good enough that when the time is right (everything being equal) I'll probably just upgrade components rather than splashing out on a whole new bike!

jamiem1976

Thanks for the response, I like the defy but also the merida looks a good solid model. Really not sure what to plump for, 600 quid is a large amount of money to get a decision wrong, but I guess for that price I'm always going to get a half decent bike anyway?

johngti

I think so, yeah. I don't regret getting the Defy...

Churchill123

Good mate of mine spent around £600-£700 on a Defy, can't remember which exact model it is, but i know he's very pleased with it - however you must change the tyres on it before you go for a ride because the standard giant ones on a bike of that cost are completely wank and i lost count of the number of punctures he had on his first few rides, but now he's got some conti's on he hasn't had a single puncture

defycomp2

try this...

http://www.triuk.com/products/tri-uk/tri-uk-bike-hire#.UX2Zb0qlD_g

dowtcha

There is not much difference between the two. The defy has been sold in the uk longer and is considered to be a good starter bike. I have a defy 2 which has the same frame as the 4. You should also look a t the triban 5 which is better spec and cheaper, group set 2300 against sora. I think the triban also has a carbon fork.

peterberry

I have the Merida ride lite 91 & a friend of mine has the Defy 3. To be honest not a lot of deference. Some of the components are better on the Merida. But I would go for the one that feels better & you like the look of.