Commuter/Winter bike- anything better value than the Defy 1?

mangetout_rodney

Hi all,

Need a bit of sanity/reality check help as I've been sending myself round in circles trying to make this decision.
I need a commuter/winter training bike and have been looking at the Giant Defy 1 which is on offer from Rutland cycles at the moment for the bargain price of £699.

My commute is 10 miles each way, all on tarmac, so I ruled out using a mountain bike or a hybrid (too slow)
I did consider looking at a cyclocross (Focus Mares or CAADX) but you seem to pay more for them than the equivalent road bike.
Also considered putting some mudguards and lights on my Tarmac but locking up £2k worth of bike on London streets seems like a recipe for theft and post-theft depression.
Also the riding position is a bit too aggressive for a daily commute.

Can anyone think of a better bike than the Defy 1 for under a grand with a 105 groupset or better for commuting?
Thanks folks.

LegendLust

Does the Defy have mudguard clearance?

If not IMO it isn't fit for the job

bendertherobot

Value wise the Giant is excellent. But value isn't really the question you should be asking about winter/commuting.

If this is simply about N+1 then this is very good:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... -bike-2014

mangetout_rodney

LegendLust wrote:

Does the Defy have mudguard clearance?

If not IMO it isn't fit for the job

I spoke to Rutlands- they sell mudguards for them so I guess yes.

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/101002/pr ... -700c.aspx

dj58

The Defy 1 does have fittings for mudguards, but you will be limited the Giant Defy specific guards and 25mm tyres max, due to the tight clearances on the aero fork and rear brake bridge.

That Boardman CX comp looks as if it has rack and guard fittings and probably clearance for full type SKS mudguards and has discs bakes. At that price it is worth considering.

bendertherobot

Plus it's pretty easy to get 10 even 20 per cent off.

mangetout_rodney

bendertherobot wrote:

Plus it's pretty easy to get 10 even 20 per cent off.

Tell me more... is this a voucher type thing, or a haggle type thing?

bendertherobot

British cycling membership will get you 10% off. Though, getting this to work requires you to reserve a product that's instore, then pay in store, produce your 10% card, and they deduct the 10% before you pay.

Occasionally the do 10% off online. So you do the same, reserve a product that's instore, when you get there it's already reduced then you whip out your British cycling membership for another 10%.

bondurant

With 105, no, but in every other respect: http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/573236/products/kinesis-racelight-t2-v2-road-audax--sportive-bike-blue.aspx

mangetout_rodney

bendertherobot wrote:

British cycling membership will get you 10% off. Though, getting this to work requires you to reserve a product that's instore, then pay in store, produce your 10% card, and they deduct the 10% before you pay.

Occasionally the do 10% off online. So you do the same, reserve a product that's instore, when you get there it's already reduced then you whip out your British cycling membership for another 10%.

Ah ok- good idea- I'll check it out.
The Boardman might be a good idea actually- although it comes with a Sora group I'm upgrading the road bike to an Ultegra group so will have a few 105 bits left over that can go on the Boardman.

Cheers.

mangetout_rodney

Just went to my local Halfords to check out the Boardman.
I am never, ever buying a bike from Halfords.
Rude, disinterested staff, the bike was on the floor but wasn't set up well- shifters were loose, wheels were set up correctly.

I felt like I was disrupting their 'fiddling with smart phone' time.
I'm going to stick to proper bike shops.

mangetout_rodney

Bondurant wrote:

With 105, no, but in every other respect: http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/573236/products/kinesis-racelight-t2-v2-road-audax--sportive-bike-blue.aspx

It is an option but a review says it has a racer geometry- not really what I want on my commute.

djp66

Rose Cross DX for a smidge over the grand. 105, plenty of clearance and discs too

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-2000-2014/aid:692275

bendertherobot

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... AnW28P8HAQ

mangetout_rodney

bendertherobot wrote:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/67552/Genesis_CdF_Cyclocross_2014_Bike_GN31354?gclid=Cj0KEQjwpvufBRCwzp_zyqfkhrcBEiQA8b-SHPR8Zn02B_B89uu3mdjZABIfYboisjsv7hS3xNKBZKgaAnW28P8HAQ

Too small for me- they don't have my size.

mangetout_rodney

djp66 wrote:

Rose Cross DX for a smidge over the grand. 105, plenty of clearance and discs too

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-2000-2014/aid:692275

Nearly double what I want to spend- £699 for the Defy is as much as I want to go.

Does anyone here commute on a road bike rather than a CX bike?
Common sense dictates the Focus Mares might be a good way to go- CX tyres, disc brakes and it comes with mudguards and lights for £749.
Just not sure how fast they are.

meanredspider

Sevendeadly wrote:

Just went to my local Halfords to check out the Boardman.
I am never, ever buying a bike from Halfords.
Rude, disinterested staff, the bike was on the floor but wasn't set up well- shifters were loose, wheels were set up correctly.

I felt like I was disrupting their 'fiddling with smart phone' time.
I'm going to stick to proper bike shops.

Ask to pick it up still in the box. Then you won't have to deal with the Halfords staff other than collect it. IIRC Wiggle sells them in the rest of the world. Don't let the idiots at Halfords put you off because the Boardmans represent great value.

meanredspider

Sevendeadly wrote:

Does anyone here commute on a road bike rather than a CX bike?

When I used to do a rural commute, I used my Volagi. Takes guards and has disc brakes but I fear it might blow the budget wide open. Before that I used a Boardman CX (I started the Boardman CX thread over of Commuting Chat that's still going strong). When winter got going properly, I used my MTB with Ice Spiker Pros to deal with all the ice. But you're really on the wrong forum for a commuter.

mangetout_rodney

meanredspider wrote:

Sevendeadly wrote:

Does anyone here commute on a road bike rather than a CX bike?

When I used to do a rural commute, I used my Volagi. Takes guards and has disc brakes but I fear it might blow the budget wide open. Before that I used a Boardman CX (I started the Boardman CX thread over of Commuting Chat that's still going strong). When winter got going properly, I used my MTB with Ice Spiker Pros to deal with all the ice. But you're really on the wrong forum for a commuter.

Commuter and winter training.
I didn't post in the commuter section as there is hardly any traffic there- I posted a different thread and it only got a couple of replies.
Also a lot of commuter folk don't prioritise speed or performance much- I don't want a slow, flat bar bike- I might as well ride the mountain bike for that.

mangetout_rodney

Ok, decision has been made.
Focus Mares AX 5.0 just makes too much sense- neutral geometry, disc brakes and comes with lights and mudguards for £750.
I very nearly bought the Felt F75x as it was only £30 extra but I reckon the geometry is too racer oriented, doesn't come with disc brakes or mudguards.
I ruled the Defy out eventually as although it is a bargain (as it the Felt F75) I just wasn't convinced that a road bike with rim brakes was the right thing for a winter commute.

Arrives mid next week.
Thanks for the help folks.

jordan_217

Ribble. Either the 525 or Alu, with 105 or Tiagra. Good bikes and good value.

I have the 525 with 105 and RS21 wheels. It takes 25mm Conti 4 seasons and has full mudguards. Im really pleased with it and its costing me ca. £500 on the C2W scheme.

I'm in the process of buying racks and panniers for commuting. Its very much fit for purpose as a commuter/wet weather bike.

Big dave 3

How about a Felt Z85 (sportive-relaxed geommetry) reduced from 950-660. Full 105 shimano drivetrain.

I am not sure about mudguard clearance. If I can get some on there within the tyre-brake cantilever clearance , I will be getting one. UNfortunately things are shut now