Giant Bicycle Inc. Defy Advanced 1

Price Paid:  $2800.00 at Orange Cycle, CA

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Turnbull Canyon Climb

Bike Setup:
Stock with Crank Brothers Smarty pedals swapped and upgraded to Shimano 105.

Summary:
This review is for a beautiful 2009 Giant Defy Advanced 1. I rode a lot in my youth and did the Solvang Century twice, and now I'm getting back into cycling and hoping to do the century again. Unfortunately, I started off all wrong by buying a Trek 1000 in the wrong size and it was killing my lower back and shoulders. I decided that I wanted a bike that was comfortable enough to do the century and fast enough to still ride competitively. That's when I discovered the new modern catagory of "plush bike" and read all about the Giant Defy Advanced 1 from the Bicycling.com editors choice awards. For those who don't know it, the Defy Advanced 1 won the #1 Plush Bike of 2009 against the Cervelo RS and the Specialized Roubaix. I made it my goal to test ride all three of these bikes and come to my own decision about which was best. The Roubaix was the first bike I rode and stepping off the aluminum Trek 1000, the Roubiax felt completely unresponsive. It did soak up the vibrations in the road nicely, but it felt like a heavy bike and much slower than my Trek 1000. The Cervelo RS was my next test ride and I immediately felt that it was more responsive and quick compared to the Roubaix. As far as the vibrations it felt like it was worse than the Roubaix, but much better than Tarmac Expert (which I also tested). The Cervelo RS was good, but it didn't wow me or captivate me to the point that I was convinced that spending $3000 for only a slightly smoother ride than my $600 Trek was actually worth it. In fact, I was actually leaning toward the Tarmac Expert because of the fireworks I felt on acceleration and giving up on the idea of "plush" entirely. But my lower back, shoulders, and wrist brought me back to my senses. I really wanted to test ride the Giant, but finding one seemed impossible because every dealer I called didn't have one in stock and said it was a special order bike only. I finally called Orange Cycle and talked to Zach who explained that a Giant Defy Advanced 2 and 3 had the same frame geometery and I could come by and test ride one of them. Thank God I did...I immediately noticed the difference in riding position and comfort compared to the Cervelo RS. I got those little tingles all over the place that told me it just fit perfectly and this was my bike. The Giant felt alive, nimble, and a lighter bike than the Cervelo. It dampened the vibration as well as the Roubaix, but felt responsive like the Tarmac Expert when I sprinted with it. Zach followed me on his S-Works and led me down a rough concrete path through a parking lot, which is the closest thing to cobblestones I've ever felt. The Giant absorbed the vibration as I smoothly glided across the pavement and Zach said I was doing a lot better than he was on his S-works as his teeth rattled like rocks in a can. Remember, I was riding an Advanced 3 which is heavier than the Advanced 1. As soon as I came back from the ride I placed my order. The bike is amazing and everything I dreamed it would be. But don't take my word for it...go ride a Cervelo RS and then compare it to any of the Giant Defy Advanced bikes. Have you seen the Defy Advanced 1 paint job in person? Look at the top of the frame near the head tube and your jaw will drop.

Strengths:
More bang for the buck: 16.1 pounds without pedals, faster than the Cervelo, better wheels, better seat, better looking paint job, a few Dura-Ace components too

Weaknesses:
If there is one weakness it would be its availability. This bike is tough to find for a test ride, but you can ride a Defy Advanced 2 or 3 and get the feeling of it before buying the Advanced 1 with all the goodies.

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Peleton (1987 version), Raliegh Tech, Trek 1000

Price Paid:  $2450.00 at Hornet Sports Guam

Favorite Ride:
Southern Loop Guam

Bike Setup:
Factory setup which works just fine.

Summary:
I just purchased a 2009 Giant Defy Advance 1, (My first road bike), I have ridden Mountain Bikes for a number of years. I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable the ride was and I have been logging in quite a few miles in the two months I've owned it. I recently won my first road race on it also. I have no experience on other road bikes so there is nothing I can compare it to.

Strengths:
Everything but I have no experience on other road bikes.

Weaknesses:
Nothing so far.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $3100.00 at Aviation Cyclery, Ma

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Topanga Canyon

Summary:
Just received and rode my first rides on my 2009 Giant Defy Advanced 1. Changed the pedals to the look Sprint that I like from my previous OCR C2 Giant.The Defy is fast and highly resposive yet very comfortable.Climbs the steeps in Palos Verde or canyons off PCH with ease.Dura Ace rear derauiler is a step up from the otherwise full Ultegra components that function very smoothly.Lightweight frame and compact gearing a plus,nice Kysirium Elite wheels.Graphics are much better than the usual drab Giant painting.I am extremely happy with my choice, not to mention the top notch and responsive service from the bike shop.

Strengths:
All components are excellent and fit together to make a top responsive yet very comfortable bike.I see why Bicycling magazine rated this number 1 in its category recently.

Weaknesses:
Get a credit for the Crank brother pedals and change them (I suggest Look Keo Sprint).

Price Paid:  $3300.00 at hutches Bend or.

Summary:
My wife and I tried many good bikes. Felt Z,Rubaix,Cervelo RS and both agreed even though we are totally different riders and different skill sets. The Defy was as good as the Cervelo in every catagory. The Rubaix was the biggest dissapointment in the group. The Defy flat out flys with the littlest effort and is amazingly smooth, with great feel of the road, without feeling every pebble in the chip seal. The Rubaix was sluggish in response, and was annoyingly sensitive to every nick in the pavement- the zertz fittings don't work -except to isolate the feel of contact on the road. All bikes were tested with same air pressure,-Rbaix and the Defy had the same tires stock

Price Paid:  $3200.00 at Cave Run bike and pa

Favorite Ride:
Giant Defy Advanced 1

Bike Setup:
Mavic Elite wheels, full carbon frame, mix on ultagra/dura ace componants.

Summary:
Light, stiff and nimble. All power goes to the pedals

Strengths:
Very Compfy on long rides

Weaknesses:
Hated the pedals

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Caad5