General Cycling Discussion - Giant FCR2 or Defy3 Need help

I am wondering if I should buy the Giant FCR2 or DEFY3. I will be using the bike to go to work starting next spring (9km to go and 9 km back). I will be getting ready this winter on a trainer. Price are the same and are 2009 model. The FCR2 comes with Tiagra and the DEFY3 with Sora.

I have put a deposit on the FCR2 already and have tried it and feels good. I will not be doing any racing or doing long run on the weekends. I would more likely do some runs with my wife and kids next year.

I used to have a road bike before and loved it but that was 20 years ago (I am 36 right now) and my bike was a Nakamura road bike. I also used to have a Raleigh Serengeti mountain bike and did lots of trail and loved that too. I now have a Miele Twin Track 350 LARGE and don't like it at all.

So what would you suggest between the FCR2 or DEFY3?

Ride them both. One will stand out over the other.

But my money is on the FCR. Reason is that you stated that you'll probably be riding with the family. You'll want something that is pretty fast when you want it to be, but doesn't compel you to go fast.

There won't be a difference between which one will go "faster" and there's little difference in riding position. The fact of the matter, is that you can always ride with your hands on the bar tops of the Defy (I believe they still come with cross-style brake levers) and move around to the hoods or drops (especially important in any kind of headwind). On any kind of long rides from 12-60 miles+, this is utterly critical to hand and wrist comfort and fatigue. On the FCR, you have one position, take it or leave it. There is no downside to the drop-bars, and a lot of functionality. It's a no brainer: go Defy.