I am thinking about buying my first road bike (currently borrowing one). Choices are:
Giant defy 4

and

Specialied allez 18

At 6ft 1 and 33″ inseam – what size would be best in both?

large or extra large?

which is best VFM

I’d go for the allez, but I’m biased..

I do think the allez was the fastest selling bike of 08.

And Take That was the fastest selling album 😉

Reach is more important than inseam, and more important than weight, spec or (gasp) colour.

I bought the Giant defy 3, and it’s brill, I have upgrade the wheels to mavic,

Are you going to get it from All Terrain, there very good at doing deals if you talk to the right person (Ben)

i think so as can pay over time

how do i know what reach i need then??

You have to agree it’s a nice bike

how do i know what reach i need then??

You go to a bike shop and try some bikes out, and ask advice from the guys in the shop.

Ralph – trial and error for me, test rides aplenty.

That defy would look damn nice if you gave it a proper paint job.

I am 5ft 11 and the bike above is a medium

As aP says buying any bike without physically sitting on a bike and getting some good quality advice is a big mistake imo.