Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

I can get the Defy 1 for $1,119.00 or the Defy Composite 3 for $1,359.00. Does anyone have any opinions on either of these bikes? I'm keen to stick to Giant because that's what my NLBS stocks and I'm very happy with them.

Alloy and 105 vs carbon and Tiagra... Do you get the better componentry now, or are you likely to upgrade/modify it in the future?
Same wheelset and brakes.

Ride both, pick what you prefer.

Comfort - defy composite. There is nothing wrong with tiagra, its just not as light nor precise as 105..
The defy 1 however has outstanding alloy frame, with 105 components is probably a better performing bike.

I however prefer the smooth ride of th composite frame and would buy it.
Ride them and see which you prefer.

I believe after 5 years and a lot of kilometres that the Al frame will retain it's ride qualities better and be in better cosmetic condition than carbon.

Nobody wrote:I believe after 5 years and a lot of kilometres that the Al frame will retain it's ride qualities better and be in better cosmetic condition than carbon.

What would you call a lot of kilometres? I don't think I'll be doing that many. Maybe commute to uni a couple times a week which is about 14km round trip. The occasional riverloop every other weekend which is 35odd km. Would you still recommend the Defy 1 because the frame will be in better shape after a few years?

Crowz wrote:

Nobody wrote:I believe after 5 years and a lot of kilometres that the Al frame will retain it's ride qualities better and be in better cosmetic condition than carbon.

What would you call a lot of kilometres? I don't think I'll be doing that many. Maybe commute to uni a couple times a week which is about 14km round trip. The occasional riverloop every other weekend which is 35odd km. Would you still recommend the Defy 1 because the frame will be in better shape after a few years?

I would call a lot of kilometres 10,000 Km a year or more. So you are going to do about 2,500 Km per year. Therefore it probably doesn't matter that much. But you might get into riding and do a lot more in the future.

If I was going to leave a bike at uni I would be looking at a much cheaper bike and/or secondhand bike to do it with. Not worth getting it stolen, especially with a thief magnet carbon bike.

Nobody wrote:

Crowz wrote:

Nobody wrote:I believe after 5 years and a lot of kilometres that the Al frame will retain it's ride qualities better and be in better cosmetic condition than carbon.

What would you call a lot of kilometres? I don't think I'll be doing that many. Maybe commute to uni a couple times a week which is about 14km round trip. The occasional riverloop every other weekend which is 35odd km. Would you still recommend the Defy 1 because the frame will be in better shape after a few years?

I would call a lot of kilometres 10,000 Km a year or more. So you are going to do about 2,500 Km per year. Therefore it probably doesn't matter that much. But you might get into riding and do a lot more in the future.

If I was going to leave a bike at uni I would be looking at a much cheaper bike and/or secondhand bike to do it with. Not worth getting it stolen, especially with a thief magnet carbon bike.

On the stealing thing, it'll be locked in a secure room.

i would go the Composite 3 i got the 09 defy 1 only becuase back then the carbon series seemed too far out of my price range now am looking at upgrading. Dont get me wrong the defy1 is a great bike but if you are looking at upgrading parts/bike in the future may help to have a better base to build on.

If the Tiagra groupset is 10 speed, I would go the Composite over the Alloy Defy 1.
I have found the difference in Giant alloy vs carbon comfort to be worth the change to carbon.

Cmm wrote:i would go the Composite 3 i got the 09 defy 1 only becuase back then the carbon series seemed too far out of my price range now am looking at upgrading. Dont get me wrong the defy1 is a great bike but if you are looking at upgrading parts/bike in the future may help to have a better base to build on.

I agree with the logic but it would lead me to get the Defy 1 alu frame ... which I reckon will stay in better shape for longer.

On the other hand I doubt you'd bother spending too much on upgrades when the original bike is 5 years old and owes you nothing by then. Pretty soon the 'better' parts would be worth more than the whole bike. About the only thing really worth upgrading on most complete bikes which are built to a price point are the wheels ... and the engine. I have a 10yo alu road bike (9spTiagra) which these days goes like a train with a better engine and the fast wheels on board.

I also know someone who started with a Giant TCR with Ultegra and as parts wear is actually down-grading to 105 as the bike gets older. I think this actually makes more sense, economically.

For what it's worth, I picked up the Defy Composite 3 and a Carerra helmet for $1300.00 today.

Hi Crowz

Congrats on your new bike. If you dont mind me asking, where did you get quoted $1,119 for Defy 1? is it from a LBS in WA? I am in WA and have yet to look around.

i brought my misses the Liv composite with tiagra on it which is the same as the defy composite 3, but we upgraded the shifters to 105. best of both worlds as the tiagra mechs are pretty much identical to 105 and it has the nice clean look with the cables under the bar tape now!

cintamami wrote:Hi Crowz

Congrats on your new bike. If you dont mind me asking, where did you get quoted $1,119 for Defy 1? is it from a LBS in WA? I am in WA and have yet to look around.

Tom Wallace Cycles in Brisbane mate.

cintamami wrote:Hi Crowz

If you dont mind me asking, where did you get quoted $1,119 for Defy 1?

I picked up a 2013 Defy 1 for $999 in Brisbane on the weekend. They can be picked up way under RRP it seems.

Id go the alloy Defy 1. Can't beat that value on a bike with Giant engineering and warranty customer service.

durianrider wrote:Id go the alloy Defy 1. Can't beat that value on a bike with Giant engineering and warranty customer service.

I would have if they had it in stock, but there was a (minimum) 4 week back order at the time.