one4smoke

So, I'm kinda set on upgrading to a Giant Defy 2 Disc within in the next couple of months.
(Defy 2 Disc (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States)
Only problem is, I have just one local LBS that carries Giant bikes. For various reasons, I haven't exactly been impressed with them, and would not feel comfortable having them as my "go to shop." The only other dealer that does Giant is about 200 miles away. That leaves me with a decision of settling for the LBS, or thinking of an alternative bike. I'd be open to a Specialized, or maybe Cannondale. I honestly believe I'd be getting the most bang for the buck with the Giant Defy 2, but am wanting to know if there are comparable bikes from Specialized or Cannondale for about the same price? Or maybe even Trek? Thanks.

PepeM

How 'bout a Synapse? Similar specs, similar price. Comes in red too if you want to go faster.

There is also the Allez Elite which would be a good option if you're into the more 'aggressive' geometry.

MRT2

If you don't like your local Giant dealer, then don't give them your business.

12strings

Check into Jamis & Scott as well.

indyfabz

Maybe I am missing something here, but why would you need to make that shop your "go-to" shop after the purchase? A simple Google Maps search for bicycle shops in your area returns numerous results. By it from the dealer shop and use another shop for regular maintenance, etc. After all, if you buy from the Giant dealer 200 miles away you are not going to drive that far for service, so you will need a LBS close to you anyway.

mconlonx

All other brands make something like the Defy 2. If you don't like the LBS which sells Giant, shop for the competitive bike available in another brand at a LBS you prefer.

Or: order a similar bike online from some source like BikesDirect, and bring it to a shop you like for setup and service.

one4smoke

Well, as a matter of fact, that's exactly what happened with my current bike (Giant). The local dealer did not have the one I was wanting, and said he could not get it (was late into that year's model), so the shop 200 miles away happened to have it. They do the routine maintenance on it practically free of charge, and are great to deal with. But... there's that little issue of being 200 miles away.

If I buy it online or from them and take it to a shop that's close by for routine maintenance, I'll be charged out the ying-yang.

JonathanGennick 

This. It's perfectly fine to have your bike serviced at whatever shop you like. Any shop that you go to for maintenance will be grateful for the business.

one4smoke

Which model Synapse did you have in mind?

PepeM

Don't know, the one that comes with Tiagra. I think Cannondale just call them by the groupset so Synapse Tiagra maybe.

one4smoke

That's true, but the dealer you spend $1500 with for the bike, services it and has other perks for you at very minimal cost. Seems to me having a one stop shop is the way to go.

Korina

I"m in a similar dilemma; I'm looking at buying a Giant at a local outfitter's, but the best bike shop, that is only a bike shop, sells Trek and Kona, which didn't work for me. On the plus side, the outfitter offers free tune-ups for life, and for a flat $20 I can get flat fixes for life. But of my three local purchasing options, none of which are actually bad, they're the bottom of the pile. Guess I'll just have to suck it up.

one4smoke, I hope you find a workable solution.

JonathanGennick 

That's a fair point. Hadn't thought about that angle. Shops are so far from where I live that I'm not accustomed to bringing a bike in for anything simple enough that a shop would do it as a complimentary item. Hence, I do understand your 200-mile dilemma all too well.

SkyDog75

According to the dealer locator on Giant's web site, there aren't many dealers nearby, but Riverside Bicycle Shop in Clarksville is about 50 miles from Nashville. Not exactly next door, but a lot less than 200 miles away.

one4smoke

Thanks! Was not familiar with that one. And just to clarify, the distance of the Giant dealer I purchased my current bike from is actually 145 miles away. I guess it just seems like 200 when I drive it each time.

Seattle Forrest

Of course you're right, but when you buy a bike, you should expect the shop that sold it to you to do free work for a while, and other shops to charge you for their time.

fietsbob

Giant makes bikes under other brands too, in fact they did that for most of their existence .

Trek Gets them to Make their Bike frames too in lower price points . Pro High end Carbon is made in Wisconsin.

Specialized has a similar deal Merida is another company that grew Making stuff sold to other importers.

Yea Pick the Shop First , then buy a Bike there ..

indyfabz

What is it about the cost structure of Nashville that makes bike maintenance so expensive, and how much routine maintenance does such a bike need? I take my two main bikes, one of which is a custom ti ride, for routine maintenance once/year.

Also, driving two hundred miles each way costs money in the form of gas and wear and tear on the vehicle. The current IRS reimbursement rate for business mileage is $0.54. Four hundred miles=$216. For $216 you could get the damn thing overhauled with new cables and still have money left over.

Driving four hundred miles also costs time. I was reading an article late last comparing "cheap" and "frugal." The frugal person appreciates that time has value and factors that into purchasing decisions.

Finally, are you going to drive 400 miles when something non-routine crops up? If not, you are still going to need a LBS.

This seems like a no-brainer to me, but this is BF.

ptempel

Some similar models are:

Cannondale Synapse Alloy 6
GT Grade Alloy Tiagra
Focus Cayo AL Disc
Cinelli Zydeco Disc (wiggle.com)
Raleigh Merit 3 (has 105)
Diamondback Century 1 (has 105)
Specialized Diverge Elite DSW

If you're willing to go without disc brakes, then you open up your possibilities. Tiagra 4700 looks like a good groupset. Just search for bikes with that and make the disc brakes optional.

one4smoke

Oh, no doubt. I'm not at all considering the LBS far away. When I purchased my Roam, I had to buy it there because they were the only dealer that had that particular bike in the size and color scheme I wanted within a 500 mile radius. No lie. Like I said, it was late in the model year and everyone was out. So, at the time, just the fact that someone had it ...was big.

one4smoke

Thanks! Great help, much appreciated!

fietsbob

you have a very miserly ying yang better just buy a cheap bike so you dont have to pay much in the first place.

better not date marry get a car have children or buy a house either. thats a lot more expensive.

VegasTriker

Free maintenance and free flat fixing doesn't save you much if you have to drive 2 or more hours each way to the bike shop. Unless you are a total clutz, learning the basics of maintaining a bike is a better way to go. You can buy a basic bike tool kit on eBay for around $45. It will have all of the tools you need to make adjustments and grease bearings. $40 postpaid Universal Bicycle Home Mechanic 44 PC Tool Kit Set Repair with A Case | eBay Two websites have about everything you need in terms of normal maintenance - Park Tool Company Repair Help Articles | Park Tool and Sheldon Brown www.sheldonbrown.com or you can go to youtube and find a description of just about any bike repair. Personally I wouldn't waste 5 minutes driving to a bike shop in order to repair a puncture.

ltxi

I do understand and appreciate your dilemma/pain, one4smoke. I've kinda been in that position in the past. I am now extremely fortunate to have an excellent LBS that deals in my preferred brands, Cannondale, BMC, and Trek, within a mile or two my house.

Paul Barnard

Giant's site shows Pedal Chic and Trace in Nashville.