LeoRojas690

Just purchased a new road bike today, got home and changed the seat and pedals. I rode it, tried shifting, but couldn't figure out how. There is a shifting lever (or what I think is one) but didn't appear to change the pedal resistance any.

Anyone have experience with a Defy 5? Would really appreciate the help. Thank you.

LowCel 

Are you changing the gears while pedaling? What shifters do you have?

Homebrew01

If you have Shimano, then 1 lever is for shifting one direction, and the brake lever moves sideways to shift the other direction. SRAM uses one lever for both. Campagnol uses 1 lever & a thumb button shifter. You must be pedaling while shifting.

LowCel 

Just out of curiosity, did you buy this bike from a bike shop? If so I can't believe they let you leave without showing you how to use it.

John_V 

Unless it's a new 2012 model for the Defy Advanced series, the Defy only goes to 3 on the aluminum frame versions and 4 on the Advanced CF series. The Defy Advanced 4 has the Shimano Tiagra shifters and drivetrain whereas the Defy 3 has Shimano 2300 shifters. In any case, the shifting is done with the brake lever/shifter. On the right shifter, pushing the lever inward moves the chain to the right (smaller cogs). Moving the inner lever inward, moves the chain to the left (larger cogs). On the left shifter, moving the lever inward, moves the chain to right (larger chain ring). Moving the inner lever inward or using the thumb lever moves the chain to the left (smaller chain ring). All that being said, you are probably trying to shift and your chain is already at the right or leftmost position and won't go in any other direction because you aren't shifting correctly. I also can't believe that you LBS didn't explain this to you, especially with you being new to road bikes and STI style shifters. And as already mentioned, make sure you are pedaling when you shift.

DP Roberts

According to the sites I've seen, Giant does indeed have a Defy 5 for 2012 (there's a 1, 2, 3, and 5, but no 4. Go figure). Here's the link from my LBS:https://roll-online.com/product/12gia...5-131093-1.htm It has 2300 shifters, if that helps any.

roadwarrior

Me either.

This bike is essentially last year's Defy 3 and the 3's been upgraded.

ThinLine

If it is shimano 2300, then the shifting is done via side of brake hood thumb shifter and brake lever. Similar to campagnolo although not.

John_V 

Well, since nobody caught my late night, senior moment error, I will correct myself and say that the right side shifting is just opposite of what I posted. I was trying to visualize the derailleur last night when I posted and realized I posted it in reverse when I went for my ride this morning. Sorry for the confusion.

I'm wondering if that is a European or Canadian model as the Defy 4 was introduced with the 2011 models in the US (according to their website and everything I've read about the Defy series). It would be nice if they offered the same bike everywhere.

LeoRojas690

Thanks guys for the replies. The shifters are Shimano Triple, I think. That's what is printed on the left shifter. When I first rode it, the brake levers shifted inward and I only today realized, during my second ride, they shifted the gears. The black inside levers shifted in the opposite direction.

@LowCel: yeah the whole experience felt rushed. I understand there are customers behind me, but you're focus should be on me. But they did they pay the sales tax...

Gear changes aren't as smooth as I had hoped, but I know how to shift. Thanks to you all.

kabex

That actually looks like a decent super low cost bike. It's not the same as the Defy 3, which has much "better" components and a much higher price.