Merida Race Lite 900 or Giant Defy 3 - Help required please

paulb369uk

Hi guys, hopefully my selection is almost there !!! I have looked at lots of bikes however the one I really like the Ridley R6 is only available on mail order and as a newbie I am not confident enough to order it without trying it first (300 mile round trip). I am therefore going to get one from my LBS and the choices I have decided on are either the Merida (£600) or the Giant Defy 3 (£679) The build quality of the Merida looks really good however I am a little concerned with the gears as I was hoping to get Tiagra (as on the Ridley) but to get this sort of spec from my LBS I will be looking around £1000, way over my budget for a first bike.

Any thoughts on the above bikes would be most appreciated especially the groupset aspect.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/ridley-road-bikes/ridley-r6-el-road-bike.html

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bikes/detail?id=228

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.3.white.blue.black/11833/56804/#specifications

Many thank
Paul

Camcycle1974

Like the Merida best of those 3. Components can be upgraded, the frame is more important. Merida are one of (along with Giant) the major frame manufacturers so you can buy with confidence.

paulb369uk

Thanks Camcycle 1974, I was just unsure if the gears would be ok as they seemed very basic I comparison to the Sora/Tiagra !!

diamonddog

I have ST2300 on my turbo bike and it changes front and rear with no problem if it is set up right. It does not seem to run as as quietly as the higher end gear sets but out on the road I doubt you would notice.
Good luck and enjoy whichever one you go for.

Giantmatt75

I have a 2013 Defy 3 and can't reccomend it enough , very comfortable to ride which really sold it to me . Get a test ride of your short listed bikes as some bike suit better than others

SoSimple

Also got the Defy 3 so I'm probably a little biased and would highly recommend it it....however....I've been cycling since January and have covered just over 2000 miles and much as I love it, am starting to think about another bike. Not because I need one but because its my incentive for losing weight!

The Sora gears are absolutely fine now they come with STI shifters and all I've changed so far are the stock wheels for some Mavic Aksiums I picked up for an absolute bargain. Whatever you decide on, go for a test ride first and make sure it's the right size for you.

To be honest you won't go far wrong with any of those bikes and at that price wouldn't get too hung up on group sets and stuff as at our end of the price range you are better putting the money into a decent frame that is worth upgrading if you decide to go down that route.

Good luck!

tiglon84

I recently bought a Merida Race Lite 900, great fun to ride and I haven't had any problems with the gears. Brakes aren't the sharpest, but they aren't a great expense to upgrade. If you can find something with Tiagra for 600/700, then every other component will most likely be worthless (from my limited experience shopping around anyway). My LBS were very willing to offer discounts on the 2013 Merida's so bear that in mind too.

Geo555

Is there a Giant shop near you? They have an end of season sale on and you could get a Defy 2, with Tiagra, for £640

rozzer32

Merlin are my local shop and they are fantastic. Give them a call and I'm sure they do all they can to make sure you get the right size bike.

If you're looking for bang for buck then look at the Sensa bikes Merlin do. A few in my club have them and they rave about them. Seem fantastic value and I'll be getting one as my winter bike.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/sensa-bikes/sensa-romagna-special-2013.html

paulb369uk

Thanks for all your valuable advice, I do like the Defy range, if I could get a Defy 2 for £640 I would snap their hand off !! I have two local Giant shops however all the range is still at full price, as is the Giant website I may leave it a week or two and wait for the sale to begin with new bikes expected out in September.

Camcycle1974

paulb369uk wrote:

Thanks for all your valuable advice, I do like the Defy range, if I could get a Defy 2 for £640 I would snap their hand off !! I have two local Giant shops however all the range is still at full price, as is the Giant website I may leave it a week or two and wait for the sale to begin with new bikes expected out in September.

My local does the Defy 2 for £699. Not much of a stretch from £640. The 3 is £599 but he does have a used (virtually new 3 for £550) let me know via PM if you want the details. I owe him nothing as he has messed me about but his prices are good

paulb369uk

Thanks again for all the replies, well I have spoken to two of my LBS's and have managed to get what I think are two very good deals:

Defy 2 2013
Shimano shoes
Set of pedals
£760 (sure he will accept £750 though)

Defy 2 2012
Shimano shoes
Set of pedals
£750

Going to pop tomorrow to get one ordered before I change my mind again !!! any views on the defy 2 ?