I like the Defy, and it was on the short list when I bought my Synapse. The other leading contender was a closeout '14 BMC GranFondo, similarly specced and priced with Tiagra. It rode marvelously!

Shop around, though. It's the season for the red tags. My Synapse was $1,000 off and I've seen a carbon Defy with 105 (but 10-spd) at the same price.