antzcrashing

I have test ridden the Giant Defy 1 and plan to test ride the Allez Sport. I like the Giant and believe I will like the Specialized as well. Please tell me your experience and impressions with these bikes.

I am 22 yrs old male getting into road biking and triathlon training.

Thanks

acaurora

I have not tried out the Defy, but I have an Allez Sport. However, keep in mind that for 2010, Specialized dropped all the names by a grade, meaning that my 2010 Allez Sport is the same as a 2009 Allez Double. From looking online at Giant's website, I assume you are referring to the 2009 Allez Sport, which is the 2010 Allez Elite that you can see here. It appears that the Giant should be better component-wise as it has 105s, whereas the Allez Elite has Tiagras. In any event, that's my 2 cents worth.

hendrick81

I have not took that particular giant out on a test ride before, but i have rode an allez before, and i really liked it.

Innes

I was looking at the allez Sport compact or the giant defy advanced 3. The giant was cheaper and had better components (105 with ultegta rear derailer). I am very happy with it, getting the carbon bike instead of the aluminum.

mzeffex 

I am getting a Defy Advanced 3! Ordered at the shop today, should be in tuesday. How do you like it?

rugerben

I rode the Defy1 recently while test riding for new bikes. I liked it a lot.

Pros:
Pretty quick handling
Very comfortable positioning. Probably the equal of my touring bike, but since it's much lighter, it was a lot quicker handing, more nimble, accelerated much better.
Absorbed road vibration very well for an aluminum bike. Actually, for aluminum road bikes it was the most comfortable I've EVER felt. I actually test rode the Defy1 against the Defy Alliance1, and honestly, I would have gone with the Defy1 over the alliance because I didn't feel that the CF added anything to the ride, and certainly not enough to be worth the $300 difference. I'd like to do a century on one.

Cons:
Not really quick enough for me.
More relaxed than I would have liked.
If I want a relaxed ride, I'll take out my touring bike. I was getting a road bike to be fast and nimble. This bike, while supremely comfortable, just fell short of the sport level I wanted.

I really really liked the Defy1, for what it is. Don't buy this bike thinking you're getting a road rocket. Buy this bike if you want something quick, but that will be nice and comfy and plush. You say you want to want to do triathalon training. It may pay to get a more "aggressive" bike. But if you are looking that would be a comfortable all day high speed cruiser, this is a great choice.

By the way, at 22, you may be able to stay comfortable on a more aggressive bike should you choose one. Not that I'm saying you should, but if you would want to I'm sure you'd be ok. I'm an old geezer at 25, and this is the one I just got:

I couldn't be more comfortable.

Innes

I don't have very much experience on other bikes, but so far I feel it was a tremendous value for my money. I originally was looking at the Specialized Allez sport compact double for 1300, but a friend (who rides cannondale but wants Giant) had me go to the Giant dealer, and that is where I was introduced to the Defy Advanced 3. They sold it to me for 1699 plus tax, and it seemed like for the 400 extra over the Allez, I got the carbon frame, the ultegra real derailer, the FSA gossamer crank, and the mavic wheels.

I am extremely happy with it. Granted, at the time, I had to take my friends advice on which bike was better for me and my money, but now that I know more about the equipment and what it all means, I feel I clearly made the best choice for me.

walie

The Defy is a plush bike with more relaxed geometry. I believe the Allez has a more aggressive frame. I used to have a defy1 until it got trashed when I was hit by a car. I decided i wanted a more aggressive bike as a replacement and got a 2009 felt f75. its waaaay more agile and nimble compared to the defy1, but I am stretched out a bit more compared to the giant

antzcrashing

thanks for the replies, I will post again after I test ride the Allez sport. Also, to a previous post, both bikes have a full 105 drivetrain, which I like.

kissTheApex

IIRC, the Defy1 had a triple chainring which put me off.

leeuwdvlaander

These are two totally different bikes and not apples to apples comparison.

The Giant is a full carbon bike with an alloy steerer where as the Allez is alloy frame with a full carbon fork. Outside of that the spec is pretty close. But you are comparing two different style bikes.

Its best to fgiure out what you want to do with the bike definitively and them find bikes that match you and make comparisons. And rear ders don't have ANYTHING to do with quality or value of the bike.

kissTheApex

Are you sure the Giant Defy 1 is full carbon?? The Giant web page seems to disagree https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...ad/2266/32191/

antzcrashing

no the 09 Giant Defy 1 (U.S. version) is not full carbon, it is aluminum just like the Allez sport. And they are very similar in components, maybe not feel. Both have 105 shifters and derailers (sp). but the Defy has 105 brakes as well. The wheels are different and so are the hubs and #/type of chain rings to be fair.