Giant
Defy Advanced 1
Road Bike
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4.77/5
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(13 Reviews)
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Product Description
Burn up the pavement
with amazing speed on Giant's Defy Advanced 1. But wait, did we mention
it's one of the most comfortable road bikes you'll find...
User Reviews
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brooke Willson
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2014
Strengths: Components, frame, comfort, price
Weaknesses: Only that I need to lose 40 pounds to do this bike justice
Bottom Line:
I'd
been waiting to lose more weight before upgrading from my 2009 Trek 2.3
(Shimano 105), believing that I just couldn't justify riding a CF bike
until I was lighter myself. Upon retirement, I finally took the plunge
on the blue 2014 XL Defy Advanced 1 that had been sitting in my LBS for
the last nine months waiting for me. I still need to lose the weight,
but . . . oh my goodness, what an incredible bike!
First, and most importantly, in my dotage I've decided that all
other things being equal, SERVICE is the difference in buying anything
important and/or expensive. One of the reasons I bought the Giant is
because that's what my favorite Richmond, VA bike store -- Pedal Power Bikes -- sells. It's not the biggest LBS in Richmond, but Randy, Sean,
Travis, and Latane know me by name and give me the frequent flyer
discount. They never try to sell me more than I really need. If I have a
problem, I know they're going to resolve it quickly and well.
That being said, after spending a year researching
classic/plush/endurance road bikes, it was clear to me that Giants are
consistently specced better than similarly priced bikes. I suspect
that's because Trek, Scott, and the other bikes actually made by Giant
have to pay Giant for the frame, so they cut corners on the components
to match Giant's prices. That shows up especially in cranksets, wheels,
saddles, and handlebars. The Defy Advanced is 100% Ultegra gruppo, a CF
seatpost supporting a Fizik Aliante pro-level saddle. I did move my
FSA Wing Pro handlebar upgrade from my Trek to the Defy, but that's the
only upgrade I felt I had to make. If you're comparing the Defy
Advanced to similarly priced bikes, look carefully at the components.
Trust me, a FSA crank does NOT shift as well as an Ultegra. Trek's stock
saddles are horrible. Compare apples to apples.
Riding this bike is just astonishing. Once I got the fit dialed in
by putting a shorter stem on it, the bike "disappeared beneath me."
That's a cliche from bike magazine reviews, but once in a while cliches
are true. The day after I bought the bike I rode the same 30 mile loop I
rode the day before I bought the bike. I was 1.1 mph faster on the Defy
Advanced. Not only did I climb hills faster, I descended hills faster. I
can explain the first, but not the second. More importantly, at the end
of the ride I wasn't worn out by the road buzz from my old aluminum
frame. From my hands to my butt, I felt so much better I couldn't
believe it.
The Ultegra group is wonderful. Shifts are crisper and quicker than
105, with shorter lever throws and less effort. The brakes are
everything I could ask for and more.
I was amazed at the out-of-the-box comfort of the Fizik Aliante
saddle. On the Trek, I went through three saddles before finding one I
could live with (Bontrager Affinity RL). I have no need to swap out this
saddle, and it gets better with every ride.
I see that Giant is tweaking the frame for 2015, and going all-out
on disk brakes. Obviously, they know something about the UCI. My
recommendation is that unless you really need disk brakes, and your ego
requires the latest-and-greatest of everything, don't hesitate to snatch
the current Defy Advanced while you can. As the British would say, this
bike is brilliant.
Favorite Ride: Ashland, VA area
Price Paid:
$2900.00
Purchased At: Pedal Power Bikes, 1904 Staples Mill Rd. Richmond VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com
Similar Products Used: 2009 Trek 2.3
Bike Setup: Full Ultegra gruppo, FSA Wing Pro Compact handlebar, Shimano PD-A520 (SPD) pedals, Continental Gatorskin tires
1904 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
randy@pedalpowerbicycles.com
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com
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