Singaporecyc99

Hi all,

I am currently riding a hybrid bike and have been considering a switch to road bikes. The one I have set my sights on is the Giant Defy Disc 2 2016. However, do you all think its worth the money ($1200 USD) as this would be my first road bike or should I go for the cheaper Giant Defy 3 2016 or even the Giant Defy 5 2016 ? Or do you all suggest any another alternative entry level road bikes not exceeding $1200 USD?

Thanks

Sea2SJK

I would get best you can afford if I were you. So you don't have to upgrade it for awhile.

Dave Cutter

They're all good! But the Giant Defy Disc 2 (the one you have your eye on) is great.

trainsktg

Unsure if I would like road biking or not, I bought a closeout 2014 Defy 5 about this time last year. It just hit 3,000 miles last Thursday with nary a hickup. I now own a 2015 TCR Advanced, but the trusty Defy still sees a majority of my training and all of my inclement weather. Point being, if you are unsure about road cycling, my opinion is buy least expensive option, it's a solid machine, then either upgrade later or buy N+1 when you have a better feel of what type of bike suits you best.

Keith

Inpd

+1 If you live in an area with wet winters, by the Defy 5 or some other bike with the *complete* Claris drive train to see if you like riding that much. If you do you can use the Defy 5 was a winter bike. If you don't you can sell it for $300-$400 and be out of pocket just a few hundred dollars.

ShortLegCyclist

This is the right time of year to find great deals on closeout 2015 models.
For a bike like any Giant Defy, that is what I would be looking for right now.

calimtb

A couple of things:

-keep an open mind: trek, specialized, giant, felt, among others, all make terrific bikes

-try test riding different brands and different styles (endurance vs. race vs. gravel)

-buy the bike that fits the best. I was lucky since a "medium" or 54 in just about all brands was the right size, so I could just focus on the bike I liked best.

But you should try a couple of different sizes in each model if possible.

Singaporecyc99

Ok, thanks everyone for the suggestions and advices. I think I would go for a cheaper Defy 5 or get a 2015 model for a lower price

trainsktg

Another thing about going with the cheaper option is you'll still have roughly $600 left to get any accessories you think you'd like to have as well...fenders, better tires, different saddle, basic <$50 bike computer, clipless pedals, road helmet, etc. It adds up.

Keith

PepeM

Also, upgrading in a couple of years isn't really necessary. The idea that once you cycle regularly you must ride something better is a bit misguided, a good entry level bicycle is suitable for all types of riding. Of course, if you want to splash on some extra bling then feel free to go for it, but don't ride your entry level bike thinking you're missing out on something major.

Or at least that is what I think. I might be completely wrong of course.

roccobike

OP, you're not new to cycling as you currently ride a hybrid. I'd buy the Defy 2 disc or if you can find an even better left over, like a Defy 1, I'd go for that. The old rule of thumb still stands, buy the most bike you can afford.
This year I rode with three different clubs. I noticed the new riders on basic entry level bikes that liked cycling made moves to better bikes and that cost them. My advice, buy the better bike from the get go and you won't have regrets later. If you have doubts about the Giant, try the Specialized and Trek alternatives, but Giant is a solid brand.

ColaJacket

Fuji Sportif 1.0 LE (2015) - $999

Fuji Sportif 1.3 (2016) - $1099

Both have 105 groupsets, but the 2015 model is in limited size(s) only.

I have the Fuji Sportif 1.3C - 2014 (with Tiagra), which uses the same frame, and I've enjoyed mine.

The biggest thing is to go to several different LBS's with different brands and test ride 5 - 6 different brands, if possible, and maybe try different geometries (Endurance vs. Race).

Then decide which bike you like the best. Fit/Comfort is the #1 thing you should look for. I tried Giants, but the top tube felt too long for me in the smallest size that the shop had. If several of the bikes feel about the same, then buy based on color, LBS, price, brand, coin flip, etc.

GH

banks120

Hi guys, what about these for entry level? I know you would probably recommend just waiting to get better options but i don't have a car and start a new job soon and i'd like to be able to get around town. These were the best i could find for the price:

Single speed: Men's 700C Giordano Rapido Road Bike $200

Men's Phocus Bicycle (Black) by Schwinn $230

Men's Prelude Bicycle (BBWhite) by Schwinn $215

700c Men's Genesis RoadTech Road Bike - Green/Black $209

Schwinn Men's Volare 1300 700c Drop Bar Road Bicycle $208

Aluminum Road Bike Commuter Bike Shimano 21 Speed 700c by Vilano $214

GMC Denali Road Bike $215

Performance Hybrid Bike Flat Bar Road Bike Shimano 21 Speed 700c Bicycle $219

GMC Denali Men's Road Bike 22.5" frame $214

Denali Road Bike, Black/Green, 22.5-Inch/Medium by GMC $171

joejack951

A good rule of thumb is that if it is a road bike with stem shifters, or grip shifters like the GMC Denali, it's junk. Find a used late 80's/early 90's road bike with downtube shifters for ~$200 if you really want a road bike. For your only bike to be used for getting to work, I'd suggest a rigid frame MTB with slicks making it easy to add fenders and a rack.

joejack951

Only on the 41 does that 'rule' not surprise me. How does one determine what they can 'afford'? I imagine that most first world cyclists (and that likely includes nearly everyone on this forum) could 'afford' to buy the top of the line, most ridiculously light bike in existence. Their significant others might not approve but they wouldn't be homeless as a result. I know that's not what you are suggesting so perhaps you should rephrase a bit. I suggest:

Determine a reasonable budget and stick to it. $200 won't get you much of a new road bike so that's not really reasonable. If $200 is your budget, buy used. $500 will get you something new and pretty decent IF you can manage servicing it yourself and IF you aren't the type of person who will feel lame riding something that doesn't cost as much as the guy next to you. $800 will get you something that will last a good long time from an LBS and include service for at least a year. If spending more money on a bike will make you feel better about your purchase, go for it but abide by the budget rule. There is always something 'better', or at least more expensive and newer, out there so you will never be on the best. Learn to accept that. If you decide you don't like road cycling much, you'll be far happier having limited your initial expenditure to a reasonable budget than having spent every last dime in your saving's account on something that is not a good financial investment.

You met some of the people who feel like they need to spend more because the guy next to them did. Not everyone is like that and certainly not everyone should be like that. The best way to not spend a lot of money on a bike is to not spend a lot to begin with and stick with that bike until the frame breaks.

jfowler85

@Johnny Mullet, where you at?

Johnny Mullet

Why would I participate in a thread where someone is looking for a bike with a comma in the price tag? I cannot offer any advice and all the new crap from big box stores are pure garbage.

If I were to tell him to buy an older, used road bike I could not recommend one unless I knew what he was looking for.

roccobike

First point, I didn't say buy some high end, full carbon bike. If you read the full post I recommended rides within the $1200 budget posted by the OP.
Second point, I specifically referred to individuals buying very low end bikes. Yes, some folks with higher end rides do upgrade just because. My point was, these folks upgraded because the first level, entry level bikes were not performing to their expectations. So they landed up spending additional money to obtain the ride they should have purchased from the beginning.
If you're going to quote someone, don't take bits and pieces out of context to fit the argument you want to make.

PepeM

My first level, entry level bike performs to my expectations. Now my legs though, that's another story.

dksix

I think you have to give up too much for the disc brakes at a price point. You could get a CF framed Tiagra equipped bike or an Ultegra aluminum bike, either weighing considerably less at that price point. Maybe in certain conditions hydraulic disc would be more important than weight or group level but I can't see it for mechanical disc brakes.

joejack951

Here's what you said: Perhaps you meant to say 'buy the bike at the top end of your budget' but it didn't come off that way to me.

You said 'basic entry level' without further description. Now you are saying 'very low end.' What models did they buy and how did they not perform to expectations? Do you know how many other people buy similar bikes and later on decide not to stick with road cycling and thus save a lot of money by not buying a $1200 bike to start?

I'm not taking any part of your argument out of context, but I am disagreeing with your suggested approach. Unless someone is buying a GMC Denali level of road bike, there's no reason, other than incompetent tuning, that it shouldn't perform to expectations (unless 'perform' includes weighing as little or having as many cassette cogs as the other cyclists in the group).

rms13

To directly answer OP's question, the Defy 2 disc would be a perfectly great first road bike. I know several people who got Defys for their first road bike and were very happy and transitioning from hybrid may be easier than getting a more aggressive road bike. I have not tested the new Tiagra but supposedly it's functionally and cosmetically identical to 105 but in 10 speed. The Defy even comes with Shimano cranks instead of going cheap there and TPS Spyre are supposed to be very good disc brakes for the money. Giant generally gives very good value for the money.

As for budget and what you should spend on a first bike, that's up to you. You know what you can afford. The more you spend up front, the longer you will probably keep it if you get into it. A lot of people here want to make decisions for other people that they shouldn't buy carbon for a first bike or shouldn't spend over $1000 or over $700 or should buy used etc but everyone's situation is different. I have plenty of friends that spent $2000+ on carbon bikes and some road them 5 times and others really got into it but they could afford to spend the money so what's the harm? I know another guy that bought a new $1500 bike and fell in love and bought $3000 bike 6 months later and then bought one that cost around $8k the next year. But that guy has money and he also rides well over 200 miles/week now. Should someone tell him he shouldn't spend that much on bikes because he's only been riding a couple of years?

dksix

In the $1200 price range w/disc brakes I think this one offers the most value Save Up to 60% Off Disc Brake Road Bikes - Motobecane Turino TEAM Hydraulic Disc Brake Road Bikes . I'm good with buying online as I really have no options readily available to me since I need a larger size that shops often don't keep in stock.

Maelochs

One thing to consider--Giant has the reputation of building a very good frame and using mid-grade parts, instead of a cheap frame and flashy parts, at a given price-point--which means for the same money you get a better frame and can upgrade the components as you see fit. Get a cheap frame and the components can only be moved to the the bike you buy later with a good frame. Expensive way to upgrade.

I have been looking at the Defy for its more relaxed geometry and good frame. I have also looked at some Mek products---same reputation of selling a good frame and mid-gruppo instead of a cheap frame and good gruppo at a given price point.

Given that you already ride and want to move up already, but apparently don't do your own repairs, I'd assume it would be worth investing in a new bike. Otherwise I'd suggest shopping used---Much better value in used bikes as a rule, but if you aren't comfortable having to maybe adjust or replace some stuff ... could end up being a headache. Of course, that could be a great way to forge a strong relationship with your favorite local bike shop.