I have been going back and forth between these two bikes for about a week. I need to pull the trigger and choose one by Friday. I have never owned anything besides a mountain bike. I am 6'3, 285 lbs. This bike's primary use will be for fitness/18 mile, one way, mostly downhill commute. The reasons I keep flip flopping is because I like the burliness of the Seek, but not the weight. I like the specific design of the Defy, but am not sure of how comfortable it will be and I have no idea if road biking is for me or not. I know the obvious answer is to road test them both, unfortunately that is not an option because I am ordering directly from Giant at a dealer price. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I had a Seek R3, and switched to a road bike for my commute. I prefer the road bike, mainly because it's lighter and better aerodynamic position. The Defy isn't so aggressive and would be plenty strong enough for you I think. The frames on bikes aren't so weak.

Do find the road bike to be more comfortable than the seek?

My bike is more aggressive than the Defy. I would say the seek is more comfortable at low speeds and just going to the store or whatever, especially with my bad back, however riding my drop bar bike is way more fun, and way better in the wind. I would expect the Defy to be more upright than my bike, but less than the seek.

I would lean toward the Defy on a 18 mile ride. The drop bars will give you more positions, and you'll probably drop weight and gain flexibility. You might really get into biking too, and then the road bike will be better for long joy rides.

18 miles one way is pretty burly. The Defy *may* be easier, and undoubtedly will be slightly faster. What will be better for you is tough to say... I love drop bars, and for such a long distance I would really want them. But I also love fat tires, and the Defy maxes out at 28s. For a guy your size I would also really want a bit more volume to the tires... Both bikes can take fenders and rear rack. I believe the seek can also take a front rack... I think with a few modifications to cockpit, the seek can be just as capable of a long distance commuter, and have a lot more options down the road.

If those were my only two options and I were my size (160 lbs) I might choose the Defy, slap a rack on it and swap the tires out for tougher 28s. But at your size my choice swings to the Seek. Throw a rack on it, and some bar ends to give more hand positions and you have a winner, I think.

Well, this question may have answered itself. It seems the Seek 3 is now sold out in an XL.......****.

I have a new Seek 1 and 18 miles would be tough...

Well, maybe it being sold out and getting the Defy is a blessing. Now, do I need to be concerned about any of the stock components at my weight?

Yes, you need to think about the wheels. "Full specs" says 26 spokes, but I count 24 front, 28 rear. I'm at 250 myself, and would not consider less than 32 spokes in the rear. You can go less in the front because that always bears less weight. But still I think 24 would maybe be pushing it.

You have a few options:

* When you get the bike, take the wheels to a local shop (do you have a local shop? Or is no local shop the reason why you're ordering online?) and have them make sure the spokes are properly tensioned and de-stressed. If set up as well as possible, such a wheel may be able to serve you.

* If you bring the whole bike in, the shop may well try to sell you a new bike inspection/tuning. It's not a scam, but depending on your own bike servicing skills, and your luck of the draw for factory assembly, it may or may not actually be a good value for you.

* So you could chance it with the stock wheels, ride 'em til they die (rear spokes start breaking), which could be in 100 miles, could be 1000s of miles, and then buy replacement wheels.

* Or you could buy replacement wheels up front, and sell the stock wheels while they are still in brand new condition. One very common low cost commuting wheelset recommendation is the Nashbar Vuelta Corsa HD. Their weight will a little bit counteract the lighter weight of the Defy you liked, if you want to shed weight and keep strong, you'll have to pay more money. If you watch Nashbar, their prices will go up and down a little as they have various sales, keep an eye out for free shipping offers.

Ok, I just ordered the Defy 3

I have a friend that used to run a Giant shop. I am going to have him assemble/tune it.

I am counting 32 spokes in this photo. I am not sure if it is accurate or not.

Also, I just emailed Giant to see what they say for the spoke count.

You are right, I accidentally looked online at the Defy 5. I also count 32 spokes on that picture, but the Defy 3 spec page lists hubs as "Giant Tracker Sport Road, 26h". I would trust the picture though, text is probably a copy&paste&forget-to-edit error.

32 spokes, properly tensioned, should work well.

Another thing good about the Defy (and probably the other bike too) is the wide-range cassette, and compact crankset. At your (our) weight, any significant hills are more significant than for lighter guys, and you'll want the low gears to help you out.

It's good you have a mechanic friend. You should offer to bring some beer and participate in the tune-up. Adjustment of brakes, derailleurs, shifters, and cables is easy and good for you to know.

I found this and this photo that are the exact bike, but not a stock Giant photos. I am also counting 32 on both on the front and the back. Strange. You would think they would have their **** together a little bit better with the spec sheet....

I can tell you on Monday if you haven't figured out by then. I'll try to remember. It might vary by size. Like a 47cm might have 28 and a 60 might have 32, not sure but I'll look at the Small I have access to Monday.

Dang it I forgot I'll try to remember tomorrow. Sorry.

I don't think you'll have much to worry about component wise. We've sold a lot of defy bikes to big dudes and they've done fine. Boss weighs maybe 240 and usually rides a carbon xl defy with low spoke count wheels, coworker weighs 260+ on an aluminum defy, also with lower spoke count wheels.

It's funny because I'm the light guy, but I'm the one who hates skinny tires and generally think of 32mm tires ass being on the skinny end. So that was just my personal preference speaking.

Giant brand bikes are only to be sold from brick and mortar locations, any purely online sales are dubious at best, gray market bikes more likely though.

I just got the bike, it has 32 spokes on the wheels. It was bought from Giant directly. My employer is a dealer, but not a bike shop. We just rent them.

I finally remembered to post. It was 32 front and rear on the small defy 3 I have access to, too.

Thanks for checking. I can't wait to get out on it!