Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

2019 Roubaix vs 2019 Defy comfort comparison

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

2019 Roubaix vs 2019 Defy comfort comparison

Old 03-01-19, 10:59 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
2019 Roubaix vs 2019 Defy comfort comparison

For those who may have ridden both the Giant Defy and the Specialized Roubaix, which bike had better comfort/compliance in your opinion? Thanks for any feedback!
Royal79 is offline  
Old 03-06-19, 09:59 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Royal79
For those who may have ridden both the Giant Defy and the Specialized Roubaix, which bike had better comfort/compliance in your opinion? Thanks for any feedback!
Bump! Anyone?
Royal79 is offline  
Old 03-06-19, 10:43 PM
  #3  
SuperGimp
 
TrojanHorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Whittier, CA
Posts: 13,346

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 147 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 47 Posts
If you want comfort and compliance, get a gravel bike with 38mm tires.
TrojanHorse is offline  
Old 03-07-19, 03:29 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,435
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1726 Post(s)
Liked 1,350 Times in 705 Posts
Both bikes are endurance road bikes and ride much the same. The difference is the way they fit your body. That is how you will know which one is the one for you. My preference is towards the Defy as my body fits it better.
TiHabanero is offline  
Old 03-07-19, 03:40 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
If you want comfort and compliance, get a gravel bike with 38mm tires.
42mm is the new 38mm.
tyrion is offline  
Old 03-07-19, 04:11 PM
  #6  
SuperGimp
 
TrojanHorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Whittier, CA
Posts: 13,346

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 147 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 47 Posts
Originally Posted by tyrion
42mm is the new 38mm.
I'm so behind the times!
TrojanHorse is offline  
Old 03-08-19, 01:22 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,453

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7628 Post(s)
Liked 3,453 Times in 1,823 Posts
I have not ridden either but i scoped them out before buying my Fuji Sportif.

The Giant tends to offer better value---quality per dollar, IMO. It also has the abominable "d-fuse" seat post, which means you have to buy Giant replacements. Otherwise .... flip a coin.

I had questions with tire clearance, none of which have been answered to my satisfaction.

Check this link: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/sp...ix-364327.html where the writer suggests the Roubaix might not fit 32s .... and ask Giant owners (and Giant itself) specifically about tire clearance.

If it had been me, i would have chosen the Giant ... but Fuji offers (IMO) even better value (particularly back when Performance Bike offered them on triple points weekends, but that is over.) Check out the Gran Fondo. (I won't post a link since i am not advertising ... if you are curious, google is but keystrokes away.)
Maelochs is offline  
Old 03-08-19, 10:28 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
BirdsBikeBinocs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Mars Hotel
Posts: 472

Bikes: Giant Talon 29 - Specialized Diverge E5 Comp

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 33 Posts
The Defy has 2 new upgrades beginning this year, 2019. 1) ..Yes, the Defy will take 32c. 2) ..The seat AND the handlebars have built in suspension.

Those are 2 great upgrades. That said, the Roubaix is a nice bike as well. Discalimer.... I haven't rode either bike.
BirdsBikeBinocs is offline  
Old 03-08-19, 12:01 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,453

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7628 Post(s)
Liked 3,453 Times in 1,823 Posts
Originally Posted by BirdsBikeBinocs
The Defy has 2 new upgrades beginning this year, 2019. 1) ..Yes, the Defy will take 32c. 2) ..The seat AND the handlebars have built in suspension.

Those are 2 great upgrades. That said, the Roubaix is a nice bike as well. Discalimer.... I haven't rode either bike.
Please stop posting stuff like this. I am constantly fighting the urge to buy another bike, and you are not helping.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 03-08-19, 12:05 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
BirdsBikeBinocs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Mars Hotel
Posts: 472

Bikes: Giant Talon 29 - Specialized Diverge E5 Comp

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 33 Posts
Originally Posted by Maelochs
Please stop posting stuff like this. I am constantly fighting the urge to buy another bike, and you are not helping.
Soo sorry. The good news is I've run out of carrots. wink.

BTW, I am quite certain that the Roubaix does NOT fit 32c tires. 32c is the minimum on any bike that I would buy.

Last edited by BirdsBikeBinocs; 03-08-19 at 12:09 PM.
BirdsBikeBinocs is offline  
Old 03-08-19, 03:02 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
badger1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 5,093
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1566 Post(s)
Liked 1,163 Times in 591 Posts
2019 Roubaix:

"the bike fits up to 32mm, says Specialized" (Bicycling)
"room for up to 32mm tyres" (Bike Radar)
"There’s bigger tyre clearance as well, up to 32mm tyres" (road:cc)
badger1 is offline  
Old 03-08-19, 10:53 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
BirdsBikeBinocs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Mars Hotel
Posts: 472

Bikes: Giant Talon 29 - Specialized Diverge E5 Comp

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 33 Posts
Originally Posted by badger1
2019 Roubaix:

"the bike fits up to 32mm, says Specialized" (Bicycling)
"room for up to 32mm tyres" (Bike Radar)
"There’s bigger tyre clearance as well, up to 32mm tyres" (road:cc)
Thanks for clarifying that for me. That's awesome.
BirdsBikeBinocs is offline  
Old 03-08-19, 11:57 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 850
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 471 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Maelochs
I have not ridden either but i scoped them out before buying my Fuji Sportif.

The Giant tends to offer better value---quality per dollar, IMO. It also has the abominable "d-fuse" seat post, which means you have to buy Giant replacements. Otherwise .... flip a coin.

I had questions with tire clearance, none of which have been answered to my satisfaction.

Check this link: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/sp...ix-364327.html where the writer suggests the Roubaix might not fit 32s .... and ask Giant owners (and Giant itself) specifically about tire clearance.

If it had been me, i would have chosen the Giant ... but Fuji offers (IMO) even better value (particularly back when Performance Bike offered them on triple points weekends, but that is over.) Check out the Gran Fondo. (I won't post a link since i am not advertising ... if you are curious, google is but keystrokes away.)
My 2017 Roubaix will comfortably fit "true" 32mm tires. My 28mm Conti GP4Ks inflate to just under 32mm on the stock DT Swiss rims (19mm internal). i think there's at least 4-5mm at the narrowest point.
johngwheeler is offline  
Old 03-09-19, 12:02 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 850
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 471 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by BirdsBikeBinocs
Thanks for clarifying that for me. That's awesome.
Just to clarify, I think they mean a measured 32mm, rather than a nominal 32mm tire. Also consider the height of the tire. My 28mm Conti GP4K measure 32mm wide and 30mm tall - sometimes it's the fork clearance that is the problem, and the rim width can affect this (wider rims may be taller).

I have some 32mm Vittoria tires that measure 34mm wide @65psi, and I doubt these would fit my 2017 Roubaix.
johngwheeler is offline  
Old 03-09-19, 12:54 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,453

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7628 Post(s)
Liked 3,453 Times in 1,823 Posts
Thanks for the info, @johngwheeler.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 03-09-19, 09:01 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
BirdsBikeBinocs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Mars Hotel
Posts: 472

Bikes: Giant Talon 29 - Specialized Diverge E5 Comp

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 33 Posts
Originally Posted by johngwheeler
Just to clarify, I think they mean a measured 32mm, rather than a nominal 32mm tire. Also consider the height of the tire. My 28mm Conti GP4K measure 32mm wide and 30mm tall - sometimes it's the fork clearance that is the problem, and the rim width can affect this (wider rims may be taller).

I have some 32mm Vittoria tires that measure 34mm wide @65psi, and I doubt these would fit my 2017 Roubaix.
Right. And to further clarify my earlier post when I said I didn't think the Roubaix could accept 32c tires, I got that info from a local bike shop that sells them. He told me that 28c is the largest recommended tire for the Roubaix.
BirdsBikeBinocs is offline  
Old 03-11-19, 01:05 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,608

Bikes: 2022 Specialized Allez Sprint custom build, 2019 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0, 2018 Seven Mudhoney Pro custom build, 2017 Raleigh Stuntman, various others

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 782 Post(s)
Liked 475 Times in 238 Posts
Just test rode both the Defy Advanced Pro 0 and Roubaix Expert over the weekend. These are upper-mid range builds with Ultegra Di2 and carbon wheels with DT Swiss internal hubs. I tried a M/L Defy and a 56 Roubaix. They handle similarly: more planted than a full race bike but still responsive and fun. I really liked both bikes. The Roubaix is very slightly longer. The Defy feels a bit stiffer on the front end and BB although that might be just my perception due to the Future Shock. They are both compliant, comfortable bikes. The Roubaix's Future Shock is noticeable on bigger hits, less so on chatter. The bikes seem to weigh about the same. The Defy's new handlebar and carry-over seatpost actually work very well. The Defy comes with tubeless 28s and can definitely fit up to 32s. The Roubaix comes with tubed 28s and can apparently fit 32s (according to the shop I went to).

The Defy is $5,575 retail, $225 less than the Roubaix. The Defy also comes with a nice Giant branded Bluetooth / ANT+ double-sided power meter. There is a $800 less expensive Roubaix without carbon wheels which the shop I went to did not have in stock. I think the Defy is overall a better deal given the build. I also think the Defy looks better, the holographic paint is cool in the sun. I don't like the look or the setup hassle of the Defy's bulky/bizarre Propel-esque "Stealth" stem. Really don't like the look of the Roubaix seatpost and bar either. The Future Shock seems a bit gimmicky to me, but people who own the bike seem to genuinely like it. The Roubaix is undeniably a great bike, you can't go wrong with either (and you shouldn't at these prices).

Last edited by Hiro11; 03-11-19 at 01:20 PM.
Hiro11 is offline  
Old 03-17-19, 09:09 PM
  #18  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Hiro11
Just test rode both the Defy Advanced Pro 0 and Roubaix Expert over the weekend. These are upper-mid range builds with Ultegra Di2 and carbon wheels with DT Swiss internal hubs. I tried a M/L Defy and a 56 Roubaix. They handle similarly: more planted than a full race bike but still responsive and fun. I really liked both bikes. The Roubaix is very slightly longer. The Defy feels a bit stiffer on the front end and BB although that might be just my perception due to the Future Shock. They are both compliant, comfortable bikes. The Roubaix's Future Shock is noticeable on bigger hits, less so on chatter. The bikes seem to weigh about the same. The Defy's new handlebar and carry-over seatpost actually work very well. The Defy comes with tubeless 28s and can definitely fit up to 32s. The Roubaix comes with tubed 28s and can apparently fit 32s (according to the shop I went to).

The Defy is $5,575 retail, $225 less than the Roubaix. The Defy also comes with a nice Giant branded Bluetooth / ANT+ double-sided power meter. There is a $800 less expensive Roubaix without carbon wheels which the shop I went to did not have in stock. I think the Defy is overall a better deal given the build. I also think the Defy looks better, the holographic paint is cool in the sun. I don't like the look or the setup hassle of the Defy's bulky/bizarre Propel-esque "Stealth" stem. Really don't like the look of the Roubaix seatpost and bar either. The Future Shock seems a bit gimmicky to me, but people who own the bike seem to genuinely like it. The Roubaix is undeniably a great bike, you can't go wrong with either (and you shouldn't at these prices).
wonderful review! Thank you so much for your feedback!
Royal79 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Darth Lefty
Northern California Regional Rides and Events
5
02-26-20 07:18 PM
h20_georgiepie
Mountain Biking
1
02-20-19 06:56 AM
BirdsBikeBinocs
General Cycling Discussion
3
10-15-18 05:30 PM
DarrinNYC
General Cycling Discussion
4
09-23-18 04:43 PM
wheelzbat
Hybrid Bicycles
0
09-01-18 02:03 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.