FWIW, the Defy 2 has been named Best Entry Level Bike for three years in a row by Bicycling Magazine. I don't know if they consider the 105 groupo of the Defy 1 more then entry vs the Tiagra groupo of the Defy 2. If you like a relaxed fit, the Defy is a great starter bike. It's given me 3,500 miles of great riding in the last 14 months. However, I would go for the Defy 1 because of the better components.