Giant Defy 1 VS Gravity Comp 20
 

Okay just when I thought I had my new road bike choice narrowed down between the Giant Defy 1 and the Trek 2.1 started looking at bikesdirect bikes and came across the Gravity Comp 20. This is a aluminum frame carbon forked 105 equipped bike. Now the color scheme is not all that hot but the frame bears an uncanny resemblance to the Defy. Is this essentially the same bike without the dress up paint job and anodized parts? 500 dollar difference for a paint job and probably a few other better Giant brand parts. Hmmm just when I thought I knew! comments welcome, here are the links for the two bikes. Sure the frames are made at the same place even the sizes are the same. Comments are welcome.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...gold.htm#specs

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/....1/7307/44047/

The $500 difference is for more than a lesser paint job and a few odds & ends.

With the BD bike you also need to do your own final assembly and adjustments, or pay a shop to do it for you. With the Giant from a local dealer you will likely get free service on that bike for at least the first year you own it. Warranty issues will be much easier to handle with the Giant (assuming that BD bike even has a warranty). Buying new bikes from local shops often gets you discounts on other accessories you will need with the new bike (helmet, pump, bike shorts/bibs, spare tubes, etc.). Most shops offer free fittings with new bikes. The Giant will surely have a higher resale value should you ever consider to upgrade bikes.

Just bought a Defy 1 and love it. The component difference between these two bikes is that the Giant comes with a 105 Crank and BB. Other than that they are pretty much the same bike...except the Gravity is hideous. MegaTom already stated the benefits of buying local. I got a great deal on my bike ($999). They normally sell for about $1300...so if I had the choice between the $800 Gravity or the $1300 Giant, I'd pick the Gravity. But if you can get a great deal on the Giant like I did, take it. Take some of the money you saved on the Gravity and have it repainted.

Thanks, I want to stay with one of my LBS which one has the Treks the other the Giants. I have three Trek/Fisher MTBs at the house. Wrenching is not an issue as I have a stand and tools. PG if I could get the Defy 1 for that price that you did it would be a no brainer! But my lbs is set at 1300 for the Defy and 1249 on the Trek. Only difference between the two bikes that I could see was the 105 crank on the Defy. Though I am more partial to the Red/black scheme on the Trek. Ride wise both very comparable. I just saw that frame and knew it was the same one as the Defy. Thanks Gene

I bought a 2011 Giant Defy 1 in November. I absolutely love the bike. It's my opinion that it is the best bike for the money on the road. The only thing that drove me nuts was the "break-in period". If you buy a bike through a LBS they will usually do your first tuneup for free. Additionally, they are more likely to help you out if you bought a bike from them when issues arrive that you can't handle.

I would recommend the Defy 1 also. I just picked mine up a few weeks ago. It's been great so far. I think for the price you get the best round up of components in the price range.

The Trek and Giant frame geometries are very different. Have you actually ridden both of them. They feel completely different.

defy1

You might want to consider this GT
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000__400001

This is another great buy. 15% off $1299 comes out to about $1100, but in store credit.
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000__400306

Here's a Scattante with Ultegra for the same price as the GTs. this might be the best deal of the bunch.
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000__400315

Looks like the same exact frame. Probably made by Giant in both cases. The BD bike is just a different color and different size. Look at the frames carefully and read the description. Hydroformed AL. The Gravity in the picture must be a size 60 cm! Meanwhile the Defy in the pic looks more like a 52 cm. That's obvious from the head tube. Email BD and ask them if you want to know. It won't hurt. My money is that they are from the same frame manufacturer, which is Giant. Giant builds frames for many other brands other than their own. Look this up in Wikipedia and you will get a list of companies Giant builds frames for.

The Defy does look like a CF bike with a CF paint job. Very nicely done.

This has got to be a size 60 cm!
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...silver_600.jpg

The Defy has triangular tubes. The Gravity looks like traditional round tubes.

To the OP, if you are even considering the Defy 1, but the price is a little out of your range, seriously consider the Scattante with the Ultegra at $1100. That is a smoking hot deal. Plus you will get $110 is store credit for pedals and shoes. That's a better deal than my Defy 1 for $999.

Thanks, I wish I had never started looking at comparables! Made my decision so much harder now. As much as I would like to save some bucks I don't think I can get over the Scatante name/color scheme on my bike or the Gravity/Color. I think I would love the Trek or Giant so much more. They both have pretty cool color schemes. After reading so many threads here now I think I am going to have to go with something I feel I will want to ride more/like more. Yeesh decisions decisions decisions. Thanks for the input. Regards Gene

The ultimate factor to consider is which bike is the one that makes you want to get out and ride. I don't think the Gravity is going to do that for you. You will not regret buying the Giant, and within a month or two you won't miss the extra money it costs.