giant defy... any hub reviews

[rudi-h]

in the market for a new road bike, here were some of my thoughts

 

1)  Carbon frame

2)  Disc brakes (don't want to debate this, but i want discs...)

3)  105 or similar components are fine in my books

4)  I'd like a power meter

 

Looking only at Giant (a start):

 

Giant TCR Advanced:

 

For some reason, the TCR advanced 2 (105 components) does not come with disc brakes, so to get that I'd need to go for the TCR Advanced 1 which has ultegra components and comes at a price tag in the ~R50k range...

 

Giant Defy Advanced:

 

The Defy from my understanding is a very similar frame to the TCR in terms of weight and build quality, however the geometry is a bit more slack, similar to a Specialized Roubaix or a Trek Domane.  The Advanced 2 model with 105 components comes with disc brakes and sells for around ~R32k.

 

so in other words, by going for the Defy, I can add a power meter and a Garmin Edge 520 for less cash than I can get a TCR Advanced 1 for...

 

So the big question, is the defy a good move, or is it a fundamentally slower bike?  Would appreciate any reviews, the Defy models are also not nearly as common as the TCR...

[Duane_Bosch]

M. I'd also be interested in what people have to say. Especially people who have tested the Roubaix, Domane and Defy. Not read the reviews and come on here acting like an expert. I've got a TCR myself.

['Dale]

A buddy has one

 

He's in love with it

 

Not a racer in geometry of course

Excellent endurance road machine and feasible for the amateur racer

[Pure Savage]

There was a steal of a Defy on here two days ago!

[Pure Savage]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/224058-2016-giant-defy-advanced-ml-with-dura-ace-stages/

 

This has a power meter and 105 and discs, what more could you want?

[Pure Savage]

You could even get a proper set of carbon hoops and still come in less than both above! 

['Dale]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/224058-2016-giant-defy-advanced-ml-with-dura-ace-stages/

 

This has a power meter and 105 and discs, what more could you want?

Geez

What a supa dupa deal ⚠️

[Skott5]

My missus has two Defy's ... One is a Tumble Dryer, and the other is washing machine - They're great ...   

[rudi-h]

wow that is a great deal... just a pity that i fit better on a 57cm

[Baracuda]

Aside from this amazing deal, I have also been looking at that type of bike and the Swift Attack has been getting some rave reviews.

[Beesrib]

Geez

What a supa dupa deal ⚠️

had a dreamy look at this, wish I had the bucks.

 

Looks awesome

[madbradd]

Merida has a disc version of the Scultura which looks to be great value.

 

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bikes/road-fitness/road-race/2017/scultura-disc-4000-7151.html

 

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bikes/road-fitness/road-race/2017/scultura-disc-5000-6593.html

 

They were similarly priced to their non-disc partners when I last looked - maybe give some Merida dealers a call and get pricing on the disc models.

 

http://cyclelab.com/merida-scultura-4000-carbon-road-bike-2017/

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/road-bikes/products/merida-scutura-4000-2017

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/road-bikes/products/merida-scultura-5000-2017

 

They seem to be the best value carbon disc road bikes at the moment and the only "race" geometry with a disc.

 

Then Scott has a good option as well if you want some fatter tyres as well as the slacker geometry. 

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/road-bikes/products/scott-solace-20-disc-2016

[Pure Savage]

wow that is a great deal... just a pity that i fit better on a 57cm

Longer stem!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lechatnoir]

Giant Defy Advanced:

 

The Defy from my understanding is a very similar frame to the TCR in terms of weight and build quality, however the geometry is a bit more slack, similar to a Specialized Roubaix or a Trek Domane.  The Advanced 2 model with 105 components comes with disc brakes and sells for around ~R32k.

 

so in other words, by going for the Defy, I can add a power meter and a Garmin Edge 520 for less cash than I can get a TCR Advanced 1 for...

 

So the big question, is the defy a good move, or is it a fundamentally slower bike?  Would appreciate any reviews, the Defy models are also not nearly as common as the TCR...

 

I ride a 2015 Defy with 105 (not 105 crank though) with Edge520 and a stages PM and it's flipping fantastic. As 'Dale says, it's not a racer, but it's comfy as anything and has not let me down. I have the cable Spyre brakes and they're good. Would prefer hydro's but... 

 

I love the look of the bike - it has clean a clean look and the wheels not having brake tracks makes it looks great.

 

Upgrades from the OEM bike... tyres, chain, bar tape and soon a saddle. Need to do something about the engine too, but that's a slow process and can't be bought

 

PS, that Defy in the classifieds is a steal. get it if you can

[brumby]

My son has both the Defy and a 2017 TCR Pro Advanced 1. Fairly big price gap between the two and the Defy is noticeably heavier. He prefers the TCR . The Defy is a great bike ,comfortable and quick but not quite the all out racer the TCR is. Both have extremely good reviews.  

[rudi-h]

A buddy has one

 

He's in love with it

 

Not a racer in geometry of course

Excellent endurance road machine and feasible for the amateur racer

 

i guess that's part of my question... how much difference does the racing geometry make?  On a good day i'll ride a 2h45 94.7 and a 3h05 argus.  so yes, won't call myself a racer by any means, but also don't want to buy a new bike and be slower on my strava segments...

 

edit:  i currently ride a 2006 Raleigh RC3000.  At the Jock Tour last year (they weight the bikes before the TT to make sure you comply with UCI rules) my bike was the heaviest of the entire field, so I guess any bike would have to be very slow for me to go backwards in terms of speed...