Strengths: Cornering and handling for an endurance frame was the best of the three frames tested. The fitout with full Shimano 105 (no downgraded brakes or parts), DTSwiss R1800 wheels and Fizik Aliante saddle is a great value in this category.
Weaknesses: The perception of an aluminum steerer tube is a slight negative, but then when I put 32 oz of water in the bottles, I'm pretty sure there is no measureable downside to the slight added weight of the aluminum over a carbon steerer tube.
Bottom Line:
I'd test ridden the Giant Defy Advanced, the Specialized Roubaix and the Cannondale Synapse Carbon. Of the three, the Giant exhibited the characteristics most similar to my older Trek Racing frame, in that its cornering and handling were precise. The Synapse did not possess the handling capability of either bike and the Roubaix SL2 seemed outdated with the bottom bracket technology of bearing cups and I didn't really see myself riding cobbles anytime soon. The Giant was really a racing frame with the advantages of a taller head tube with more comfortable geometry and a more compliant ride quality that is noticed when ridden over 50 miles. A good summary of the bike is its a racing bike with a less aggressive ride position, but a very aggressive performance standard. After almost 500 miles in the first month, the bike is everything I thought it would be.
Similar Products Used: Tested the Specialized Roubaix SL2 and the Cannondale Synapse Carbon. Upgraded from a Trek carbon/aluminum 2100 series witha 105 Gruppo.
Bike Setup: The bike came with a complete 2011 Shimano 105 Gruppo & Dura Ace bottom bracket, DTSwiss R1800 medium aero profile wheels, Fizik Aliante saddle. I am upgrading the Michelin Pro Optimum 25mm tires to Conti GP 4000s 23 mm tires and using the Pro Optimums on the my second set of wet/winter weather Mavic Open Pro wheels.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mr. Versatile
a Recreational Rider
from
The Defy 2 is my 1st carbon bike. I've had aluminum bikes & steel bikes & have been adult riding/racing for 48 years. I read some favorable reviews & decided to try it out. It's a great bike. It handles, climbs & accelerates well. The last thing I wanted was a crit bike. This bike is very comfortable for medium to long distance rides. I've ridden a couple of centuries on it...very comfy. I have a '94 DeRosa steel bike that I bought new. The 2 bikes ride so similarly that is I was blindfolded I don't think I could tell the difference.
I got the bike with custom wheels & a Turbomatic seat. I traded the LBS for the stock equipment. I've since traded the stock 105 gruppo for an all Dura Ace gruppo, so I don't know if it'd still be coinsidered an Advanced 2 - probably more like a 1.5. I'm very, very pleased with this bike.
Similar Products Used: No CF bikes, but others include DeRosa, Klein, Cannondale, Assenmacher custom frame, Schwinn Paramount, Falcon Team Pro,Panasonic, etc., etc.
Bike Setup: All Dura Ace components, custom wheels (Velocity Deep V rims)Sella Italia Turbomatic seat.
hands down the winner in its cat.. fast enough for a crit., comfortable all day. the guys at the shop where i bought it know their stuff. helped choose and size the right bike for me.
Strengths: For the money, I think you get a very good value. The ride is comfortable, stable and predictable. The components operate smoothly.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I purchased a 2009 Defy Advanced 2 after test riding what seemed like enough bikes to make an educated choice. I am coming back to cycling after many years away. Never serious, just weekend rides of 20-40 miles. My most recent bike was an aluminum hybrid that I hated, purchased in the mid 90s during the craze. I'm a middle aged female, 5'9" and reasonably fit. Initially I went in search of a steel bike but found very little out there. The steel bikes I tried were ok (Masi, Surly & Bianchi) however the carbon frames were what most of the dealers were encouraging me to try. I tried out a Bianchi 928 C2C (my second top pick), Look 566 (3rd choice, very fast), Orbea Orca (too pricey though nice ride), Cervelo RS (too pricey and twitchy for my conservative riding style), Scott (don't recall the model), Trek Madone 5.2 (not comfortable, too much road chatter), Cannondale (too dead) and a Specialized Roubaix (too dull, not enough feel). I am a tennis player so most of what I was sensing I compare to what I get out of a tennis racket in terms of feel and feedback, power vs. control, flex, etc. What sold me on the Giant was the comfort, road feedback was closest to my old steel bikes from my youth and the value. The salesperson was GREAT and worked patiently with me, never making me feel like a female in a man's world (other salespeople- younger males- did not relate to me as a middle aged female). He didn't try to push anything on me or sway my decision, which I appreciated. I am gradually building up my mileage to where I can go for 30 miles at a stretch. The main issue has been getting comfortable in the saddle- a whole other issue not germaine to this discussion- rather than my legs getting tired. On downhills and turns I feel the bike is stable and I don't fear losing control which was not true on some of the other bikes with more extreme frames/aggressive riding position. I just switched to clipless pedals which are GREAT and a whole new world for me as a first timer. My one complaint is that Giant is such a BIG manufacturer that the bike is not unusual or unique. They did a nice job on the graphics, subtle and not too flashy.
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