I am looking at purchasing a new road bike this weekend. I have never rode but reading about the sport I am very interested. I have been reading posts on the forum for the past couple of weeks. My question is after researching different bikes and parts I have pretty much decided on the Giant Defy 3. But I have researched so much about the gear ratios and brake assemblies on the forum and now I am confused. From what I have read so far, Sora products are not good for the long haul. Right now, I am just looking at exercise and participating in group and event rides for fun. I run about 20-25 miles per week and just looking for a different type of exercise. I want my first purchase to last me for awhile. So I know this is a loaded question because there are so many variables when looking and thinking about purchasing a new road bike. Is the Defy 3 with 9 gears and Sora assemblies good enough or do I need to look at something else? I want the best bang for the buck. I don't need a carbon frame in my opinion but I am concerned about gear and brake products. My goal is to stay at 1,050 dollars (I know not much when looking at road bikes but seems huge to me). Defy 3 2014 is 800+ so if I am going to drop some money for my first bike I want it to be a sound decision. Thoughts please?

The Defy 3 would be perfectly acceptable for a first bike. A friend of mine just picked up a 2014 Defy 1 with 105 for $1000 out the door. So go to the LBS and ride some bikes and see what kind of deals they have. They may have some last years models they are still trying to move out the door. But new Sora 9 speed is pretty solid for entry level and you should get a few years out of that bike without feeling the need to upgrade...Just kidding you'll feel the need to upgrade after a few months no matter what you get that's the life of a roadie

I do what your talking about doing on a $350 dollar hybrid... The Defy 3 will do it, and a whole lot more. Do not over think it.

My location only has so many bikes and I am limited to availability. I looked at the Defy 1 but it is not even close to what your friend got. If I would have found that I would have already purchased for sure.

First, I think the choice of a Defy is a good one. Giant is one of the larger manufacturers and they have a good reputation. Sora 9 speed has been around for a while and is a very capable groupo. The 2014 Sora shifters are paddle type, like all the other Shimano shifters. Some of the not so good reputation of Sora dates back to the 8 speed thumb style shifters. Even then, the knock on them was not well founded. Many of the bikes I ride with are equipped with Sora components that have been performing for years. In my opinion, the new Sora equipment is good and should last you for years. Still, if you can afford it, move up to the Defy 2 with Tiagra 10 speed. I'm prejudice, but I've always liked that group over SORA.

Enjoy your Defy 3. That will make a great bike for years of use.

One of my bikes now is a Sora 9 speed... she's a great machine... don't overthink this, juts try and get a good deal..this will essentially be your beginner bike... you just wanna make sure it's got a hearty aluminum frame so that when you take a few spills trying to learn how to corner going downhill or how to clip in and out of your pedals, it won't dent or crack...

the Giant Defy 3 is a great entry level bike and it should suit your needs perfectly...

You can probably buy a 2014 Defy 3 for between $600and $700 right now. Great starter bike, great value. Go get it while you still have some time to ride before the snow flies.

Sora is great for starters but consider bikes with either 105 or SRAM rival, if looking for new, you can get good deals for under 1K as end of year specials. Also I it doesn't work out, 105 and sram will have a better resale

Man you sound like me. I have been riding off an on for about 6 years. I have done Several 20-30 mile rides on a aluminum hybrid. I wanted a little more bike tho. I wanted carbon and 105. I looked everywhere for something that rode very well and had good components.
Do your research as far as price. There is a lot of left over 2013 bikes for awesome prices. The bike shops really need to get rid of those for the 2015 bikes. I bought a 2013 orbea onix all carbon frame and forks, with SRAM components today. it was about 1/2 price of what retail was last year. Plenty of bike, and better than I expected for the price. Now is the time to buy left overs...... JMO I paid a 1000 cash out the door
price isn't everything, comfort is the most important..........
good luck I spent several hours searching everywhere to see prices, and test rode what fit me best..

I am in Okinawa as of right now so I am limited to what they have in stock and the proper fit. I need a 50/51 cm so they are difficult to find. I did try and purchase one on-line but they would not ship to my location. There is really no dealing over here for the most part so you get what they have available and pay what is listed. So I have been searching for the best price that I can find with the limited stores in this area.

Thanks for the information. I will go back to the store that I am looking at and see what the price difference is between the two. To move up to the Defy 2 Tiagra set what do you think is a good price difference to make it worth the move? As far as price I am not really sure what is good and what is not.

The only advice might be that the Defy 2 with the Tiagra will have a 12-30 cassette at 10 speeds vs the Defy 3's 11-32 cassette at 9 speeds. You could certainly upgrade the cassette on the Sora setup but the 11-32 could be fine for you too. It's just a bigger spread on fewer gears.

If you can get the Defy 2 for ~$100 more than the Defy 3, I think it's worth it to get the Tiagra group set rather than the Sora. I have the Sora -- it shifts great when it's properly adjusted, but gets kinda squirrelly when out of adjustment. Plus, the Tiagra brakes are better.

I understand you're working with limited stock, but if they still have some 2014's and it came down to a 2014 Defy 2 versus a 2015 Defy 3 for a similar price, I'd go with the Defy 2.

Good hunting!

Went back to the store: Defy 2 992.00/Defy 3 889.00/Felt 85 965.00 I have not done any research on the Felt 85 yet but it had the 10 speed Tiagra set.

Which bikes have you test ridden and found felt best? I am a bit of a Felt fanboy so I'd recommend the Felt hands down. However, take this into account, this is your first bike, no matter how much research you do, no matter how many people chime in, you are going to learn what you like and don't like about the bike only after you put some miles on it. Go with the bike that feels/fits the best and is comfortably within your price range. Make sure your LBS will work with you too as you might make minor adjustments (stem replacement, seat replacement, pedals, etc).

Felt has a ton of great reviews for the F85. I like the price range and the 10 speed option. I was looking at the Defy 2 but I am not impressed with the colors they had in stock. I like the colors for the Defy 3 but it has the 9 speed option. Never looked at Felt but will make a decision tomorrow. Thanks for the info on the Felt.

I don't see the point in paying a premium for Tiagra as a first bike. If you want to pay up to get 105 level or better than fine. But this is an entry level and whether you get Sora or Tiagra in a year you are going to want to upgrade again.

Plus the Sora 9 speed on Defy has a 11-32 cassette and the Tiagra 10 has 12-30. The Felt is 105 but it's 5700 10 speed 105 not new 5800. Which is fine but that comes stock with 11-25 cassette. So the Sora with less gears will give you the biggest range which is nice as a beginner. Don't know what kind of hills you have around you but if you do a lot of climbing you might appreciate the 32 cog until you build up strength.

It's time to test-ride those puppies and see which one makes you love it (and, yes, color is allowed to be a factor).

Good riding!

As far as Tiagra vs Sora or any other upgrade, when you're buying a new bike THAT is the time to buy as many upgrades as you can. Manufacturer's pay a fraction of what you'd pay for better groups. You've already decided to move from the Defy 4 to the 3, and that's a very good move. But if you can make another move, now is the time to do it. Also, you are very smart to buy end of year discounts. This allows you to buy more bike. As for color, you've got to like the bike so never buy a color that you'll regret. The recommendation to ride the bikes is on point, now is the time to try them out. The bike shop should allow you to take a test ride to decide if you like a bike. Any shop that refuses a reasonable test ride (at least 20 miles or so) I'd be concerned about. You will need a helmet or they may loan you one. If you have cycling gloves, wear those as well. As others have said, you're going to ride one these bikes and it's going to put a smile on your face and impress you with how well it handles, rides and looks. That's the one.

Very good insight and really what I was looking for as far as information. I appreciate the info and details over these models.