Swift or Giant

[jcza]

Swift - Bikes are outstanding but service sub-standard.

[Mongoose!]

Saw the Attack - very sexy but as you say it's around 200g heavier than the top end Ultravox. The 2016 Giant TCR comes with Carbon Wheelset. My budget is around R40k - would I get the same value on a Ultravox build?

 

Thanks to everyone for their input and advice.

If you can afford the Ultravox go for it. Not sure on new price?

If not, I would choose the TCR above the Attack.

The new shape TCR's are really nice and awesome value for money.

[Brickleberry]

Ultravox rs1 integrated probeably come in around that price . I love swift , and have ridden TCR advanced sl for 2 years , excellent bike , both options are really good. Nth are gonna be aggressive but great rides . Giant is plain and swift had some flair , I would probably go swift if I baught today .

[Eugene]

Just a question on the Swift. I have heard that they are only available online, if so, what happens with a warranty claim? I assume that one would have to pack the bike in a box and post it back to them?

 

If this is the case, I would take the Giant. I don't want to have to struggle with packaging etc etc.

 

Also, I would like to see the bike before I purchase and would like a bike fit before buying. None of this is available if you buy online.

[Brickleberry]

Just a question on the Swift. I have heard that they are only available online, if so, what happens with a warranty claim? I assume that one would have to pack the bike in a box and post it back to them?

 

If this is the case, I would take the Giant. I don't want to have to struggle with packaging etc etc.

 

Also, I would like to see the bike before I purchase and would like a bike fit before buying. None of this is available if you buy online.

From what I understand , they have a network of shops that build the bikes up for them and you collect . I imagine you would just take it back to one of them if you couldn't post it yourself .

[VolkAdik]

Uhmmm, the Giant is the better value of the 2 IMHO. The swift only looks nicer, the Giant feels more responsive.

 

I have owned both, kept the Giant

[T-Bob]

I like the idea of the Swift and supporting local business but for pure value and the massive R&D program that giant has / with world tour connections it'd have to be the TCR. Lowest weight to highest stiffness of any carbon frame and those carbon wheels with huge heat tolerance are a big plus.

 

Only issue, and it's been on a Mtb side, is that the customer service of Giant in South Africa is very average. That said, I've owned 3 Giant road bikes and never had an issue. Loved each one. Fast, responsive and truthfully there were more limitations with the rider than the bike.

[Brett]

The Giant is unbelievable value for money. I would go Giant.

[madbradd]

I think the Swift U-Vox is "cooler" than the TCR because of brand appeal, but wouldn't take the Attack over the TCR.

 

That TCR pricing is just so good though..... Ultegra and Carbon wheels for R40k.... get an equivalent quote from Swift and see how much "cooler" costs - I imagine you'll be in for around R60-65k for an equivalent specced bike from them.

[Giant Durbanville]

The Giant is unbelievable value for money. I would go Giant.

 

Agreed.     

[Jakkals.]

Now you can buy the swift in giant colors.

[Mongoose!]

There is really a huge difference between the Ultravox and Attack frame.

One cannot really compare the two

[Jakkals.]

There is really a huge difference between the Ultravox and Attack frame.

One cannot really compare the two

from my understanding, is that the attack is also more a relaxed geometry than the ultravox.

the question then comes what's the differences between all the ultravox frames? surely if its weight, it must also be stiffness, compliance and handling?

[splat]

Only issue, and it's been on a Mtb side, is that the customer service of Giant in South Africa is very average. That said, I've owned 3 Giant road bikes and never had an issue. Loved each one. Fast, responsive and truthfully there were more limitations with the rider than the bike.

I have had 2 MTB frame replacements through Giant. Both seamless with a 5 day turn around (drop the bike @ LBS on Monday, collect on Friday)

[Duane_Bosch]

So it's Carbon wheels vs Aksium and Plain Jane vs boutique.

 

I'd go plain jane and carbons rims every day of the week.

 

Giant.

 

 

Edit. I do like the swift but a bike with carbon rims off the peg for 40k.

[Rudi Pollard]

I am mostly a mountainbiker but I also do some road racing and here is my experience

 

I had a GHOST AMR race. The bike shop sold me completely the wrong size, and refused to refund me as it was on a clearance sale. I rode the bike for 2 years, after having made several changes in terms of stem length etc to try and make it more comfortable. The bike was equiped with full 2x10 ultegra and fairly entry level shimano wheels.

 

I sold the bike about 14 months ago, and bough myself a Swift Carbon Attack with the 2x11 Shimano 105. From my experience I cannot really tell the difference in performance between the 105 and Ultegra. 

 

The swift is a slightly more relaxed geometry when compared to the Ghost, but I enjoy it like that. That doesn't make it slow in any sense of the word. I paid R20k for it, and it came with Mavic Aksiums and allu Ritchey parts which I am slowly upgrading to get the bike lighter.

 

I love my Swift. It is such an awesome ride!!! I cannot wait to upgrade the wheelset as that will make it a complete speed freak. Just to give you an idea, I did a 2h31 at 947 last year which was my only road race of the year. 

 

So it might be slightly heavier in standard spec than some of the other bikes mentioned here. That doesnt make it slow though...