Which bike?

sfrancis19

I'm looking to buy my first road bike, and I've narrowed it down to these three:

Bianchi Nirone Sora Compact (£810)
Specialised Secteur Sport Triple (£850 + 10% discount)
Giant Defy 2 (£800 + 10% discount)

Basically my favourite of the three is the Specialized, but it has Sora's (the newest ones without thumb shifters I think) whereas the Giant has Tiagra's AND works out £45 cheaper. For a first time rider, should I go for the better gears?

Bianchi, Specialized or Giant?
(Any other suggestions also appreciated )

ilovegrace

Giant evertime , if you buy a bike with thumb shifters you will regret it later ,I know I did.
The Defy has won more awards than I have had hot dinners and at £45 cheaoerto me the choice is simple.
One thing to consider is a triple against a compact , if your area is hilly or you are very unfit a triple would give you more gearing options and let you enjoy your cycling a little more , on the other hand if you are fit and bike competant a compact is the way to go.

Schoie81

I've got a Giant MTB and a Giant Road Bike (bought the Giant road bike because I was so pleased with the MTB). Haven't had the road bike long, but I'm very pleased with both bikes and would happily recommend Giant bikes to anyone. Done close to 2000 miles on the MTB and haven't had any problems at all with anything on the bike - its nearly ready for a new tyre, but thats it!

I've got a Defy, but not the Defy 2, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've no experience of other makes/models, so can't tell you how the three you've mentioned compare against each other, but I can sing the praises of Giants.

woodywmb

Giant are back in fashion again (popularity of makes and models rotates over the years based on launch cycles). Sora is nine-speed and is one tier below Tiagra in the Shimano hierarchy. The Secteur is a triple (slightly heavier and clunkier, with more fettling needed) and the other two are doubles. It all depends on what you're after but all things being nearly equal as they are here I would go for the Giant. Better gearing and in-vogue name would persuade me. All good bikes though. Enjoy.

elderone

The giant gets my vote.cracking bikes,and I have 2 so bit biassed.

hipshot

All good bikes.

The one with Tiagra, obviously.

sfrancis19

I've ruled out the Bianchi, so I'm between the bike I want or the bike with better gears.

grey_area

The one that will get you out on the road most.

dugliss

I`ve got last years Defy 2 with the tiagra, you won`t be disappointed with it

sancho_uk

The Giant will be a good bike the reviews speak for themselves.

However i assume the bike you "want" is the Specialized.. If thats the bike you want and its comfortable that is the one you should get.

I bought a mountain bike a while back that was a better spec over the bike i actually wanted it and regretted it from Day 1!

I stretched my budget considerably to get the Road Bike i wanted rather than one that just ticked all the boxes and get out on it and smile when looking at it everytime i see it. (yes i am that sad)

bianchi_tim

Get the bike that excites you - personally I would not be interested in the Giant or the Specialized, neither brands excite me regardless of how many awards or test they've come top of, I don't give them a 2nd look when out on my bike but when a Bianchi zips by it turns my head.

I am of course biased, I own a Bianchi Via Nirone (fantastic all day bike) and a De Rosa and they both bring a smile to my face everytime I open the garage so I just have to get out and ride!