Giant or Specialized

suzygarbo
suzygarbo Posts: 52
edited October 2013 in Road buying advice
I'm looking to buy a new road bike and I like both of the above but I would like to hear people's preferences.

I think that the Giant will feel better and possibly built better but I'm drawn to the look of the Specialized for some reason.

I'm open to other brand suggestions too!!!!! :wink:

Comments

  • Primus84
    Primus84 Posts: 109
    Giant will generally come with higher spec groupset and kit for a given price point.
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    suzygarbo wrote:
    I think that the Giant will feel better and possibly built better but I'm drawn to the look of the Specialized for some reason.

    I'm open to other brand suggestions too!!!!! :wink:
    I test-rode both and bought Giant (Defy Comp 3 2012) when I was looking for my first road bike last year. 4000 miles later, no regrets.

    My OH recently bought a Canyon, which looks very nice indeed, and was extremely good value for the spec.

    That said, ride them both. Feel is much more important than look, IMO.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • carrock
    carrock Posts: 1,103
    edited October 2013
    Not quite sure how one Taiwanese carbon frame with shimano bits hung on it will feel different to another bike of the same spec.

    I would get the best spec for the price regardless of whose name is on the frame. Giant and specialized both spend a fortune on marketing and race teams. Specialized may or may not be slightly pricier but has industry leading warranty- the bloke who bought my old roubaix had the frame replaced when it cracked purely because I was able to provide him with the original receipt for the bike.
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    carrock wrote:
    Not quite sure how one Taiwanese carbon frame with shimano bits hung on it will feel different to another bike of the same spec.
    Nor me, but they did :)
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • Cupras
    Cupras Posts: 145
    Specialized seem to offer 1 groupset down for the money of other bikes but maybe pay it back in other ways.

    Bikescene in Guisborough is the best specialized shop in the area so maybe worth a look down there.
    as for Giant I would go with westbrook cycles in stokesley or peddlers in redcar.
  • carrock
    carrock Posts: 1,103
    Primus84 wrote:
    Giant will generally come with higher spec groupset and kit for a given price point.


    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/150512/pr ... tAod6SQAPA

    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/151382/pr ... -bike.aspx

    Nope.

    The 2014 sportive bikes from each brand with very similar ultegra spec from same retailer

    Specialized is £200 cheaper.........
  • Primus84
    Primus84 Posts: 109
    I did say generally. However look at the brakes on the Spec - not Ultegra are they?!

    They are on the Giant...

    carrock wrote:
    Primus84 wrote:
    Giant will generally come with higher spec groupset and kit for a given price point.


    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/150512/pr ... tAod6SQAPA

    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/151382/pr ... -bike.aspx

    Nope.

    The 2014 sportive bikes from each brand with very similar ultegra spec from same retailer

    Specialized is £200 cheaper.........
  • carrock
    carrock Posts: 1,103
    Yes the brake calipers are Axis. Personally I would pocket the £200 saving, all other things being equal.

    Point is that Specialized seem to have addressed the perceived price disparity for 2014 in many cases...
  • Cupras
    Cupras Posts: 145
    carrock wrote:
    Primus84 wrote:
    Giant will generally come with higher spec groupset and kit for a given price point.


    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/150512/pr ... tAod6SQAPA

    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/151382/pr ... -bike.aspx

    Nope.

    The 2014 sportive bikes from each brand with very similar ultegra spec from same retailer

    Specialized is £200 cheaper.........

    Now go find the aluminium counterparts.
  • mega9
    mega9 Posts: 41
    Well unless i have missed something you don't state
    carbon or aluminium
    budget
    and do you want a WSD as i see you might be called suzy :)
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I'd buy the bike that is most comfortable and fits you best.

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