Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Giant Defy Advanced or Roubaix SL 3 for Clydesdale?

I'm a 52 year old long time roadie. I've owned just about everything out there except no carbon since the Trek 2500 jn 1988 or so. Currently I am riding an 11 year old Moots VaMoots in 59cm which I will probably have the rest of my life. I just put 32 spoke DeepV wheels on the Moots which I really like.
The Moots is setup for stretched out log distance riding. But I want something light and stiff for 1 hour interval sessions. So I've narrowed it down to these two bikes. I could really notice the difference in stiffness between the SL 2 and Sl 3 Roubaix so I need to go with the SL 3 even tho its more expensive.
But my question is at my size and weight are either of these two bikes frame wise too light or fragile for me?
Also both bikes use wheels that I would normally consider to be too light and fragile for me. Especially the Giant which has 18 spokes up front and 24 in back. Maybe I'm just old fashioned but i think I need 32 spoke wheels on both bikes.

I have a defy advanced and love it. I dont think there are any issues with your size and that bike.

I was around 240 when I started riding the bike on the stock wheels, they held up fine, I dont know about long term since I bought a different set, but its the case with any bike of this caliber (few spokes on the wheels)

I have a Roubaix elite or something (fact 6 or whatever generation they were on in 2007) so I can't really address the SL2-SL3 question but from what I HEAR the SL3 is a definite improvement. Some people also buy a slightly smaller Roubaix than they are used to have to get more of a drop to the handlebars, so you may wish to do something similar. magohn on this forum also has a Roubaix, but I'm not sure which model. I've started the softening up process on my wife to get a new Roubaix in a year or two. I reckon it will take that long given the price of those things. :D I retired my old Merlin Road when I got this bike built up (although my Ti frame was decidedly old, with a threaded steerer and Al fork, not to mention a noodly bottom bracket, so yours is likely to be far superior to the one I was riding)

If you're really only going to ride for an hour at a time, you may want to shift your focus slightly to the Tarmac. Slightly more responsive than the Roubaix, more aggressve geometry etc. It'll be interesting to see if you even ride your Moots again after you put some miles in a Roubaix. As far as I'm concerned, they're about the best over all all-around road bike out there. Plenty stiff & responsive but very comfortable for long days in the saddle. Obviously, other companies have latched on to the "comfort" geometry idea as well.

As for low spoke count wheels, you don't really say how "clyde-y" you are. I've had a light pair of eastons for the last couple years and they're holding up really well, but they're 24/28 for spokes. Bigger, stiffer rims tend to make lower spoke count wheels more feasible for clydes but I'd have to agree with you that at least 24 of the little buggers would make for more peace of mind. You can probably work out a swap/upgrade with the shop when you buy your bike.

There are people on here who have the Defy and love it, and there are people who have the Roubaix and love it (myself included) but I don't think there is anyone who has considerable time beyond a testride around a parking lot on both who can make a good comparison for you. So take everyones opinion with a grain of salt. I personally think that you can't go wrong with either bike as long as you get the one that fits you and your budget best and of course looks the coolest!

I have a 2011 Roubaix Apex Compact (SL2) and I love the thing. I got mine last July and have 1400 miles on it. I've been on 85 milers, a few metrics, tons of rides in hilly terrrain and the mountains. It's super comfortable, stable at high speeds(45MPH+), climbs decently, and most importantly I never feel beat up after a ride. It's not great at any one thing but it's good enough at everything that it will fit the bill for most riders.

Paisan is right. He loves his and I love my Defy. Solid ride. You are in good hands regardless which one you pick.

Well the giant did win bike of the year twice now :)

Well the giant did win bike of the year twice now :)

:rolleyes:

2010 Paris Roubaix Winner:
249120
2012 Paris Roubaix Winner:
249121

Those with big advertising dollars can not only influence magazines to proclaim "bike of the year" they can also get the biggest teams to put the biggest stars on their bikes for the biggest races. So what's your point?

:lol::lol::lol:

But I want something light and stiff for 1 hour interval sessions. So I've narrowed it down to these two bikes. I could really notice the difference in stiffness between the SL 2 and Sl 3 Roubaix so I need to go with the SL 3 even tho its more expensive.

If it's stiffness you want, I'll suggest you look at two additional bikes before making your decision:

1) The Specialized Tarmac. I know it has "racing geometry" but this bike is amazingly comfortable and OMG-stiff! I'm used to riding a bike with geometry similar to the Roubaix and have no problems enjoying 2-hour test rides on an S-Works Tarmac whenever the Specialized demo truck is in town.

2) The Cervelo RS. This is the bike I ended up buying when I was looking at "endurance geometry" bikes like the Giant Defy Advanced, Specialized Roubaix, Look 566, etc. One of the reasons I chose it over the Roubiax was the additional stiffness. Haven't ridden the Roubaix recently, so I don't know how the RS compares to the current models; might be worth a look if there's a dealer in your area.


But my question is at my size and weight are either of these two bikes frame wise too light or fragile for me?

You don't list your weight, so it's a bit difficult to know for sure...

2) The Cervelo RS. This is the bike I ended up buying when I was looking at "endurance geometry" bikes like the Giant Defy Advanced, Specialized Roubaix, Look 566, etc. One of the reasons I chose it over the Roubiax was the additional stiffness. Haven't ridden the Roubaix recently, so I don't know how the RS compares to the current models; might be worth a look if there's a dealer in your area.


can I ask more about your experience with the RS? I have an entry-level Roubaix and mostly love it though it is a bit flexy especially on downhills. my LBS has been trying to sell me on a Cervelo for years ("you'll never go back!) but I worry that it is designed for the zero-body-fat crowd. perhaps I could just switch over my Velocity Dyad rear tire and I'd be fine though. love to hear how good it has been to you

:rolleyes:

2010 Paris Roubaix Winner:
249120
2012 Paris Roubaix Winner:
249121

Those with big advertising dollars can not only influence magazines to proclaim "bike of the year" they can also get the biggest teams to put the biggest stars on their bikes for the biggest races. So what's your point?

:lol::lol::lol:


I haz no points, just having fun...truth be told I wanted a specialized but the sales guy was a goof and they didn't have any in stock...the giant was last years and in stock and 800 Off retail

I haz no points, just having fun...truth be told I wanted a specialized but the sales guy was a goof and they didn't have any in stock...the giant was last years and in stock and 800 Off retail

:thumb:
My post was a bad attempt at sarcasm. My apologies if it was taken any other way.

you don't really say how "clyde-y" you are. I've had a light pair of eastons for the last couple years and they're holding up really well, but they're 24/28 for spokes. Bigger, stiffer rims tend to make lower spoke count wheels more feasible

I'm surprised I didn't mention it but I'm 6'3" 260 lbs. My dealer is offering the Defy Advanced 2 with Ultega for $2695, retail is $3050. An SL3 Roubaix would be significantly more. Cost isn't really an issue but the Giant rides really well at a great price with the same specs. I'm going to ride the Roubaix again tomorrow and decide.

Cool... do post an update with pictures when you get your bike. :)

Get a Madone.

can I ask more about your experience with the RS? I have an entry-level Roubaix and mostly love it though it is a bit flexy especially on downhills. my LBS has been trying to sell me on a Cervelo for years ("you'll never go back!) but I worry that it is designed for the zero-body-fat crowd. perhaps I could just switch over my Velocity Dyad rear tire and I'd be fine though. love to hear how good it has been to you

I compared the Cervelo RS to two Roubaix models... I think they were the Comp and Extra, though it's been a couple of years so I may have that wrong. At that time the geometry was pretty much identical between the RS and Roubaix, so the handling was very similar. I found the RS to be noticeably stiffer than the Roubaix, which was one of the things that sold me. I thought that the RS also gave me slightly better feedback on road conditions. It still soaks up much of the "road noise", but you can still feel what's happening underneath the tires. The Roubaix, in comparison, lacked a bit of this feedback. Keep in mind, however, that I have decades of bicycle and motorcycle experience so I tend to be more sensitive to stuff like this.

Honestly, I could have flipped a coin and been happy with either bike. I had a preference for the additional stiffness of the RS, disliked the Roubaix color schemes, and wasn't a big fan of the Roubaix's curved top tube (my preferred location for pump mounting) so I went with the RS. I bought a frame and built the bike up from there. I personally picked every component and bolted them to the bike. Couldn't be happier with the end result... though I often wish I could justify owning a Tarmac or R3, too!

Stop you are making me drool over a cervelo.

Maybe one day if I do well in my first tri this fall I can justify a tri cervelo :)

Stop you are making me drool over a cervelo.

Maybe one day if I do well in my first tri this fall I can justify a tri cervelo :)

Not very interested in Cervelo. They were just sold and it seems like you hear about them breaking a lot. Breaking is anecdotal and maybe just what I have heard. They do look cool.

Get a Madone.

Why.

Cool... do post an update with pictures when you get your bike. :)

I will. Here's my Moots. Pretty much a magic carpet ride bike and surprisingly stiff for a 59cm and someone as big as me.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/P220SAO/4a349cd6.jpg

The thing that bugs me about the Roubaix is that I found the SL 3 to be significantly stiffer but also costlier. Then there is a regular bottom bracket SL 3 and a Pro bottom bracket which is the really stiff SL 3 Roubaix. The SL2 is definitely out. Not stiff enough partly because of lower spec wheels which felt soft to me. I'm also going to ride a Synapse today mostly because my favorite dealer carries Cannondale. But at this point its really going to be hard to beat the Giant.


I compared the Cervelo RS to two Roubaix models... I think they were the Comp and Extra, though it's been a couple of years so I may have that wrong. At that time the geometry was pretty much identical between the RS and Roubaix, so the handling was very similar. I found the RS to be noticeably stiffer than the Roubaix, which was one of the things that sold me. I thought that the RS also gave me slightly better feedback on road conditions. It still soaks up much of the "road noise", but you can still feel what's happening underneath the tires. The Roubaix, in comparison, lacked a bit of this feedback. Keep in mind, however, that I have decades of bicycle and motorcycle experience so I tend to be more sensitive to stuff like this.

Honestly, I could have flipped a coin and been happy with either bike. I had a preference for the additional stiffness of the RS, disliked the Roubaix color schemes, and wasn't a big fan of the Roubaix's curved top tube (my preferred location for pump mounting) so I went with the RS. I bought a frame and built the bike up from there. I personally picked every component and bolted them to the bike. Couldn't be happier with the end result... though I often wish I could justify owning a Tarmac or R3, too!

I did think maybe the Tarmac but I want a higher rise head tube. Since I'm riding the Roubaix again today I'll also ride a Tarmac. My bother has a tarmac and a Roubix and prefers the Roubaix. He finds the Tarmac to be "twitchy". One of the bikes has SRAM red and the other Dura Ace and he doesn't like SRAM red that much either.


If it's stiffness you want, I'll suggest you look at two additional bikes before making your decision:

1) The Specialized Tarmac. I know it has "racing geometry" but this bike is amazingly comfortable and OMG-stiff! I'm used to riding a bike with geometry similar to the Roubaix and have no problems enjoying 2-hour test rides on an S-Works Tarmac whenever the Specialized demo truck is in town.

2) The Cervelo RS. This is the bike I ended up buying when I was looking at "endurance geometry" bikes like the Giant Defy Advanced, Specialized Roubaix, Look 566, etc. One of the reasons I chose it over the Roubiax was the additional stiffness. Haven't ridden the Roubaix recently, so I don't know how the RS compares to the current models; might be worth a look if there's a dealer in your area.



You don't list your weight, so it's a bit difficult to know for sure...

If I go with the Giant, which seems likely, this is the one I will buy. My dealer is offering it to me for $2695. Retail is $3050.
I might try those wheels for awhile or maybe just go straight to some Velocity Deep V's like on my Moots. Really hard to believe those wheels will hold me long term.
I will also put Conti 4000s 25's and a 46cm handlebar on this bike if its the one I get. I don't know why they put 23's on an endurance bike.
The other thing is Giant uses a wide and proprietary steerer tube so you can only use Giant stems on their bikes. The tradeoff is great front end stiffness.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/P220SAO/71bb8d2f.jpg

If you're in the mood to spend some money, and you really like your moots, why don't you get some high end carbon wheels for it? Zipp firecrest 404s or ENVE or something along those lines? it looks like you're somewhere in CA so there are plenty of flattish paths and roads around here and some nice 50mm carbon wheels might make a nice improvement for your moots.

If you're in the mood to spend some money, and you really like your moots, why don't you get some high end carbon wheels for it? Zipp firecrest 404s or ENVE or something along those lines? it looks like you're somewhere in CA so there are plenty of flattish paths and roads around here and some nice 50mm carbon wheels might make a nice improvement for your moots.

Sadly I am in Phoenix but go to California a couple times a month to ride. I'm too old fashioned and too cheap for the carbon wheels. I don't mind spending a lot on the overall bike but that much for wheels alone..yeah, I don't see it for me.

Why.

Other than the fact I own one. Madones are the do it all bike. Not too stiff not to twitchy, not too plush just right. Actually I test rode a lot of bikes and the Madone spoke to me the loudest. I just think deciding between two bikes is kinda pigeon holing yourself. For the money being spent try out as many as you can, they all feel different.

Other than the fact I own one. Madones are the do it all bike. Not too stiff not to twitchy, not too plush just right. Actually I test rode a lot of bikes and the Madone spoke to me the loudest. I just think deciding between two bikes is kinda pigeon holing yourself. For the money being spent try out as many as you can, they all feel different.

I tested a number of bikes but narrowed it down to these two. Plus I've been riding high end road bikes since the late 70's. Trek geometry never really worked for me although I've owned a few in the past. In fact my last carbon bike was a Trek 2500 in 1988.

So I decided on the Defy Advanced 2 for $2595 instead of $3050 retail. I would have to get the Roubaix SL 3 Pro at $800 or so more to get the same level of stiffness and component level. Plus I just like the look and feel of the Giant better. Should have it in a couple days. Putting a 46cm bar, Black Lizard skin tape, black Time iClic 2 pedals on it. Still undecided about keeping the wheels or not. I am intrigued by tubeless tires but I also want 25's instead of 23's. I'll post pictures when it gets in and built up.

Weird mine came stock with 25 michelens on it

Oh, and that saddle took some getting use to, but man do I love it now. I almost changed it out when I first rode it, but after seeing one of the selle anotomicas in person, it was just too ugly to put on my purdy bike.

Weird mine came stock with 25 michelens on it

Oh, and that saddle took some getting use to, but man do I love it now. I almost changed it out when I first rode it, but after seeing one of the selle anotomicas in person, it was just too ugly to put on my purdy bike.

Was it a 2012 bike? Looks like they come with 23mm Giant tires. But I'm putting 25c Contis on it. I use a Brooks B17 on my Moots. If this saddle doesn't work for me I will need to have something like a Brooks but not so bulky and heavy looking.

I recently got the Advanced 1 and I think it has the same frame as the 0 and 2. it just gets nicer and nicer. if you upgrade the wheels and stem you'll basically have the advanced 1. I can't believe how well this thing rolls. just today I passed an s-works, we were both tucked down a hill and I just rolled past him.

I recently got the Advanced 1 and I think it has the same frame as the 0 and 2. it just gets nicer and nicer. if you upgrade the wheels and stem you'll basically have the advanced 1. I can't believe how well this thing rolls. just today I passed an s-works, we were both tucked down a hill and I just rolled past him.

Yeah same frame but with SRAM Force. I've owned Shimano for 30 years and never used SRAM so didn't see a reason to go with the higher end bike. It sure is a nice frame. Very stiff, corners like its on rails.

I see you have already decided which is awesome. Good decision on staying with Shimano. I have Force on my Madone and even though I absolutely love the double tap and ability to pull shifter into handle while in the drops I don't like the rest of it. It's loud, well untill I went to a set of Rotor Rings, KMC chain and Shimano cassette. It does shift just fine but is clunky, which some like but not me, I had an awful time with warrantee, real shifter broke in the handle took 5 months to get a return when I ordered a new one to make shifters match it took 3 days!!!! I can't wait till I have enough saved for my next bike and it will be Dura Ace everywhere except for Rotor crank and rings. Have fun on the new bike.

Got it today! Loving it so far.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/P220SAO/0c3df3a1.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/P220SAO/3bde2191.jpg

This bike has an amazing ride. Very stiff but surprisingly comfortable.
I'm using locally built Velocity Deep V rims with Ultegra hubs and Continental GP 400s tires in 25c. I'm a big boy and not sure I trust the stock Giant wheels.
I also put black Lizard Skin tape on instead of the stock white Giant cork tape. Also a 46cm Bontrager bar. Plus Time iClic 2 pedals. I think I need to replace the gray ones with black.
I will probably replace the stock saddle. It's a nice one but I use a Brooks B17 on my Moots. Which would look odd on this bike so not sure what I will do.

Sharp looking bike

Purdy.

I did a bunch of test rides one day over a year ago and had I been able to buy the bike when I thought I was going to, I would have bought the Defy Advanced. It was my favorite ride out of all of them.