New bike - Giant Defy Alliance (pic included)
 

OK...my first "real" road bike. I'm graduating from my flat bar 6061 aluminum frame Ibex flat bar road bike. I test rode a Giant Defy 1 (which I really liked except the triple), a 2008 58 cm Scott CR1 Team (which I really wanted to like more than I did - it was just too big), a Trek 1.2 (I was interested in the 2.3 but they didn't have any built up in my size) and the Defy Alliance. I wasn't planning on walking out with a bike today. But I ended up liking the ride so much I bought it. I rode my Ibex to the bike shop (12 mi.) and took each of the bikes for a 6 mi. test ride. Then I got fitted, had the slap some Speedplay zeros on and rode home on my new bike. So I managed to get 49 miles in today :D.

First off, all of the bikes were a VAST improvement over my former ride. I couldn't believe what a difference the rides were compared to my Ibex. WOW! I have to say, I liked both of the Giants better than the other bikes I rode. Of course the Scott was too big. The Defy Alliance corners like a demon. I couldn't believe the difference. In my not THAT informed opinion, it out preformed all of the bikes I tested. The ride was smooth and resonsive. Especially compared to my Ibex.

I'm really excited to get the drop bars. It was nice to get down out of the wind a little more on the ride home. Especially considering I was riding into it all the way home. It didn't take me too long to get used to the integrated shifters (first time I ever used them). Just a few mis-shifts on the way home. Plus I had to work out not engaging the breaks when I shifted :D.

I really like this bike. I was thinking about trying a CAAD9 5 before buying, but I just enjoyed this ride so much I couldn't resist. The guys at the bike shop were great and they really seemed impressed with the Giants this year. In fact at least one of them was waiting on a new one to come in for himself.

$1,600 for the bike. They gave me a set of blue (matches the bike) Speedplay Zeros (stainless) that were sitting around opened for $135 and a couple of bottle cages. Plus tax :mad:

Specs...

frame Alliance Composite/Aluminum Technology
fork Advanced-Grade Composite, Alloy OverDrive Steerer
handlebar Giant Alloy Anatomic Bend, 31.8
stem Giant Alloy 4-bolt
seatpost Giant Composite, 27.2
saddle Giant Performance Road, Men's
pedals Crank Brothers Smarty
shifters Shimano 105
front derailleur Shimano 105
rear derailleur Shimano 105
brakes Tektro R530 Dual Pivot
brake levers Shimano 105
cassette Shimano 105 12/27, 10-speed
chain Shimano 105
cranks FSA Gossamer MegaExo, 34/50
bb FSA Mega Exo, External
rims Mavic CXP22
hubs Formula sealed Cartridge Bearing 24/28h
spokes SAPIM Race, 14/15g
tires Michelin Speedium 2, 700x25 Folding

And the Picture. I know flip it (maybe later) and dork disk (I have an aversion to wrecking my new wheel if something goes wrong) :D...

http://johnkscott.com/images/newbike.jpg

Nice ride!!

Looks like your going to have problems with fitting one of your water bottles-- Whats up with that?

+1

That is very strange water bottle cage placement.

The placement is a little strange. But two bottles fit fine. I just have to reach lower for one of them. I'll have to get used to it.

great looking ride

Nice ride - enjoy!

Looks like the rear bottle cage has been mounted with the top hole in the holder bolted to the bottom hole in the frame. Might just be the pic...

Regardless, awesome bike and it sounds like a lot of fun. Congrats. :thumb:

Flip it.

Flip what?

the stem, puts the rider into a more aggressive position.

The stem.

Nice bike, good decision.

My co-worker rides an OCR Alliance, and loves it, and I've seen some of the advancements thrown into the Defy and it's a totaly bargain.

Very nice..

I'll take a look tomorrow. They put it on a the shop and I really didn't inspect it. It was a little awkward reaching down that low though. Although if I start carrying a 24 oz bottle there instead of a 20 it will be a little easier to reach :D.

Thanks guys. I can't wait for my next ride!

Yeah, I was super impressed by the Giants. I really liked the color scheme of the Defy 1. A Lot. Just didn't like the triple and the Alliance just seemed to handle better (especially in corners). I figured that might come in handy if I try a little racing some day.

Both were very nice rides though.

Oh yeah...and for the flip...They fitted that to me that way and did mention that we could try flipping later on down the line when I felt like I wanted a more aggressive position. This will probably be a good transition from my former ride for a while :D

Congrats on the bike. I love my 08 Alliance :)

Good to hear! I sell Giants, so I'm very familiar with the details of their road and mountain offerings, like I said, I'm impressed with both.
How was the fitting?

That might be a Giant thing...my rear cage sits a little lower than the one from my other bike, just takes a little time to get used to.
Here's where mine sits...maybe half an inch higher than yours?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25.../GiantTCR2.jpg
Oh yeah...just for laughs I call BS on the purchase...you can't ride TWO bikes home! :D

Take off all that baggage and the stupid water bottle cages and I bet that is one hot bike underneath, can't in its current incarnation.

I have had the 2008 OCR A1, pretty much the same bike as the Defy, for about 7 months and love it.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...h_100_0911.jpg

Have fun eith your bike! NIce!

Some people need all the baggage and stupid water bottle cages tho...we're not just riding around the street ya know:rolleyes:

I myself, choose water bottle cages and no baggage...if I ride with my dad he carries the tools and the spares. If I ride by myself, I make sure I have my cell on my so I can call the wifey and tell her to come pick me up because I broke down again:thumb:

Fredelicious.

Just keeping the tradition alive! :D

oh, i forgot about the long lived tradition of idiots standing on the side of the road with a flat, waiting for a ride home.

I wouldn't go as far as saying idiots, but close enough! I ride my way and you ride your way...and I could care less what others think of me when I'm on a bike. Flat tires pretty much ruin my day anyways and I would rather spend my free time sitting in a car grumbling about my flat rather than sitting on the side of the road trying to fix it.