summdumkid

I live in a flat town and love mashing around on my fixie, but it's hard to get any real distance without leaving town. Getting out of town requires going on rides with countless miles of uphill that just aren't possible with my 48t/15t fixie setup. I'll be looking to go on rides that top out at about 100 miles but will usually be between 35-45 miles. Im 23, slender, and in decent shape, if it makes any difference Anyhow, my favorite LBS is discounting the 2012 models, and I've got it narrowed to 2 bikes from there and 1 from a shop that I have not previously done business with before.
First, the other shop: https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013...ries/Z100.aspx $819
The guy was really talking this bike up, and oh boy is is pretty. This really seems like less of an option now, but I'm still going to give it a test ride.
The two bikes on sale:https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/....5/9014/48856/ $560
And the Defy 3: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/....3/9014/48855/ $816

Basically, I'm a college dude on a budget. I'm going to go give these things a ride and see how they feel, but $560 is a better price for me. If one of the more expensive bikes is really worth the extra money, though, I will splurge (buy it right the first time, eh?) and go ride my worries away. Is the Defy 3 worth the extra $260? Can the Felt compete at that price point?

Thanks for your help!

tvJefe

The Felt Z100 has a carbon fork. Those 2 Giants both have Aluminum forks, I believe. The carbon fork on the Felt will make a big difference on long rides. You are apt to get a lot of road buzz in your hands with an aluminum fork.

The Defy 3 is mostly Sora. Defy 5 looks like 2300. The Felt is mostly 2300. (If your LBS has the same groups as listed on the websites)

I'd go with the Felt. Especially if you like the looks so much more. You are more likely to get out and ride a bike that you are proud of.

To sum up your 3 choices above:

Giant Defy 5: Aluminum fork, lower end group set
Giant Defy 3: Aluminum fork, better group set
Felt Z100: Carbon fork, lower end group set

summdumkid

It is my understanding that the Defy 3 has carbon fork with aluminum steering tube while the Defy 5 is full aluminum.

tvJefe

You may be right. Their website just says "composite". I figured if it was CF, they would say so.

Recreate.me

I would go with the Defy 3. (My rank is Defy 3, Defy5, Felt)

The defy 5 is the "I'm new and don't want to spend a lot of money' option it seems since its so much cheaper then the other two, the Felt just seems like its really overpriced.

The Defy 3 is a 9 Speed Sora, (the other two are 8 speed 2300) with the 9 speed Sora you can pretty much upgrade that groupset over time since a lot of the high end stuff is also 9 speed. The 8 Speed 2300's are the bottom of the line stuff and you'll have to tune them a lot more if you upgrade to high end groupsets later.

Personal, The Defy 3 would be where i spent my money if i had it. If you wanna save the money getting the Defy 5 ride it a year or two then trade it in for like a Defy 1 and they might give you a really good deal if you trade the bike back to the same shop for the new bike and have taken really good care of it.

I feel like (nothing against Felt bikes) the store is pushing that one because they know you're a beginner and they a big mark up on them. Its not a deal as much as the other two IMO.

RollCNY

Giant uses "composite" as one of their two tiers of carbon: composite and advanced.

If your fixed gear bike is comfortable, have you considered a single speed freewheel on the flipside of your hub? I do many 60 mile rides on 47x16 single, in somewhat hilly terrain.

summdumkid

I love my fixie, but I don't think it is really a bike I could ride that many miles at a time on. After 30 miles my hands are numb and my back hurts. It's mostly just my good times bar beater.

mprelaw

I think the Defy 3 is the best value for your dollar. I would never pay $800+ for a bike with a 2300 group. You can get one in the $550-$650 range from almost any other manufacturer.

OTOH, if you have significant hills to tackle on your longer rides, the 34/25 granny combo on the 3 may not cut it. You'll probably be better off with the triple crank on the 5. Maybe ask the shop if they can swap out the cassette for one with a 28t granny cog, if you want to go with the 3.

jerrycan42

Just go with the Cheapest one listed. They're all fine bikes and pretty much in the same range. At this level, none of these bikes are keepers anyway ( not if you really get into the sport). If you end up yearning for a carbon fork, Slashbar has CF forks for well under $100 (when they are one sale).

You'll end up loving road bikes and get something better, or not and sell it without too much of a loss.

BUT at the end of the day, figure out what size range you're looking for and get used.

baj32161

Correct.

Banershka

I was at one of my LBS last week and they had the Defy 1 on sale for $930, and yes, the Defy 3 has a carbon fork (I have the 2013 catalog sitting right in front of me).

Bigtremendous

All about fitment, I have ridden centuries fixed including hills on 51/15t.

That said, I picked up a road bike recently and I am having a great time on it.