Hi
I've decided to take the plunge and get a road bike for my work commute and a bit of fitness training.
I've got £500 to spend, I've been looking at the Maven from Merlin, seems a really good price, well under budget. I know the mtn. bikes from Merlin are usually pretty good. Anyone know much about their road bikes?
My local bike shop has Giant Envy 2 (2011) for £499 the reviews for this bike are good on the net.
Do I take a leap into the unknown or go for the Giant?
If you could stretch to £900 you'd get a carbon machine from planet x......does your employer do CTW or something similar? Great way to get a speed machine on the cheap!
Best thing to do is to look for a second-hand bike. You can buy a lot more bike for £500 this way. Your budget is right at the entry level, so you won't get decent wheels or groupset if you were to buy new.
I'd say go for the Giant - better spec and the chance to try at your LBS - you do mean Defy don't you? If Money's an issue though the price/spec of the Maven does look ok on paper for less than £420 atm.
Groupset is sora on both I think, is that that the equivalent of Deore? Employer doesn't do CTW, that would be classed as a benefit, employer doesn't do employee benefits 
you do mean Defy don't you
Ooops yeah. It's the Defy.
The reviews are very good as far as I can see but feature a Defy 2 with Tiagra groupset and Mavic CPX22 rimmed wheels, but costs over £700.
What size bike are you looking for?
I'm about 5'8" so I think the 53cm Maven or Medium Giant, already spoken to the shop about giant and they say medium defy is about 50cm, but I'm assuming that would be because of the compact frame maybe?
test ride!
seriously harshness of ride can vary and if you are coming from wide tyres and suspension on at least one end you will notice it
also at this level it is not just quality of shifting, but method of shifting that changes - sora has thumb shifters on top of hoods for downshifts which not everybody likes, tiagra is next level up and has shifters within brake levers which are easier to use when down on the bars
good luck
Tiagra 2×10 on the Defy, Sora 2×9 on the Maven. Both (Sub) Deore, Tiagra the Best. If you know what you're looking at there are second hand bargains to be had, but if you don't then buying new is a good option until you do.
Edit as per Cpt Slow really...
I had a quick look on Ebay at the completed listings and a Spesh Allez Elite went for £425 couple of Days ago. Was a 2011 and too big for owner, hardly used. Tiagra groupset and Mavic CPX22 rimmed wheels. Saw lots more bargains! If you're not in a rush then you could buy yourself a lovely bike. In the meantime go to a couple of bikeshops and get an idea of correct sizing. 50cm sound a bit on the small side... Spesh Allez are very good imo., worth a look.
I'm about 5'8" so I think the 53cm Maven or Medium Giant, already spoken to the shop about giant and they say medium defy is about 50cm, but I'm assuming that would be because of the compact frame maybe?
5'7", but with longish legs for my height, and have a M Defy 2 2010. No complaints.
Incidentally, it was my first road bike and I bought it second hand for £440ish in mint condition April last year.
Many apologies I was looking at the 2012 specs - in light of that the Maven is more attractive then. It is a good price. Previous advice applies for fit etc however.
Look on STW classifieds! Giant TCR 2 (2011) with 105 groupset(!) Medium size-£600
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