About a year and a half ago, I was searching for my first road bike. I went to several different shops and rode several different bikes. I was going to go with a carbon bike and had it narrowed down to a Pinarello and a Scott. Both these bikes were in the 3.5K price range and they both felt like a good fit. One day, I was at another shop when a customer brought in a Defy 1 that he had just got done test riding. I asked if I could ride it and immediately realized that the Defy wasn't a good fit, like my other choices, but it was a perfect fit. My LBS had a Defy 2 left over from the year before and gave it to me for a really good price. It's an awesome riding bike and I did 9 charity rides (50 mile and 100K) on it last year, part of the 3,100 miles that I put on it. This year I decided to upgrade and go with a carbon frame bike and had Giant not come out with those big square-like downtubes and flat, thin toptubes, I would be riding a Defy Advanced 1. I really don't think that you could go wrong with a Defy, no matter what series it happens to be. And if it feels as good riding it as you say it does, than you have answered your own question.

The Giant Defy 1 is a nice bike, looks great, and a good price. I say do it. It's probably more bike than you need right now, but you'll enjoy riding it so much that the chances are that you'll end up spending a good deal more on a "cheaper" bike to get it up to spec.

My Defy 2 was set up for commuting. It was stolen 6 weeks ago. It's low geared 12-25 wasn't low enough for the 18% grades I ride on the weekends so I replaced it with a Trek 2.1 APEX. The 11-32 low gear is to low and the trek just doesn't have the class or fit the Defy had. I didn't put racks and trunks and lights on the Trek. I do like it being sleek like it is. Instead I bought a Giant Escape and put all the commuting stuff on it. Still, having bought 3 new bikes in less than a year, and being a working man, I'm still always about 5 minutes from going out to get a carbon Defy with an Ultegra 12-30 cassette. Just the right words could push me over the top.
Hmmmm. My car has less than 40K on it and it's almost paid off. Hmmmm.....

Well? Come on man, let's hear it. :rolleyes:

Well it was not meant to be. Didn't get a call right back from the LBS and had to go out of town for work. When I got back over the weekend, I went over and found that they had sold the bike. I was a little surprised they didn't call me either way but in any event it's not there anymore. I originally wanted to stay around 1k and the 2011 defy 1 was $1,170 which was a great deal but still more than I wanted to shell out. Buying a 2012 is too much so I'm still looking.

I went out today and rode the cannondale caad8 and the specialized allez from a different shop - liked the feel of the cannondale better. The 2012 caad8 is priced at $1,100 and they still have a 2011 that is $100 less. Anyone know if there is a major difference between the two years? I didn't ride the 2011 - it was at another one of their stores.

thanks

Almost got one
 

Went back to the LBS and rode the cannondale again and a specialized Allez elite which I really liked. Turns out they have a 2011 close out at another store which they are sending over by the end of the week. So hopefully I'll be fitted and ready to go by this weekend. Looking at Shimano a530 pedals, pearl izumi shoes and a new helmet to complete the package. Will send some pics once I have it. Bike has full tiagra components but is only 1k... Looking forward to getting it and going out for the first ride...

Thanks for all the advice - i'm sure I'll be back for more.

Well, here it is...http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=254881

congrats! have fun!

Nice looking bike! I really like that blue color.