Ok so got a choice of either of these bikes .
http://www.veloecosse.com/productdetails.asp?productid=21137 Giant Defy2

or

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/wilier-la-triestina-xenon-se-12
Willier La Trestina.

The Defy is Tiagra and can be priced matched at £640 from Velo Ecosse , The Willier is in there sale at £699 on Saturday and has CAmpag Xenon.

Im Confused , please help.

Defy.
Next!

Bump for the Tea time crowd.

How rude.

Sorry Rorschach , I appreciate your reply . Just wondered If anyone else wanted to add there tuppence worth.

I’m no real expert on these matters but I guess it depends what sort of bike you want. The Defy is not really an out and out road racing bike compared to say the TCR. They have thicker tyres and are heavier bikes. My understanding is that the Willer is a bit of a cheap “knock off” to try and get them some presence in the lower end of the market than they normally operate so will not necessarily have the same build quality that their brand represents. Personally I would go with the Giant but that might just be because I have a couple and I like them. 😀 You could also consider the Boardman at around that price point.

Thanks for the reply , Its not really for racing . I’ll probably try and build up to Sportive sort of distant rides but really It will just be for getting out and about and getting fitter.
Compact chainset is a bonus as I struggle on really steep climbs on my old Kona road bike with 53/39 but dont think I’d need a bike with a triple chainset.
The Defy seems to win loads of awards and If could budget for £1000 I’d probably look at something like a Cinelli with Tiagra or Veloce. Also looked at the Evans Fuji bikes which seemed fine but nothing special.

You could pick up a Cannondale CAAD Sora for around that much, which would be my choice by a long way.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b65s6p0

Out of those two then most likely the Giant.

I’ve just taken the plunge on a CAAD8 105 which is a little over your budget but it was a VERY close run thing between it and the Defy 1. Given that the comparably priced CAAD8 comes with Sora kit compared to Tiagra, at your price point I’d go for the Defy.

Ribble sportive 7005 can be got for under 700, I was looking at one foe a winter hack – i’ve got the carbon version nice frame, the alloy one seems to get good reviews fwiw

Aksiums, 105, ritchey finishing kit. Tenner over budget mind. Even comes with gp4000s and a selle italia saddle.

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2502

Thanks for all the input , The Canyon looks stunning value and I know they are great quality as I have a Canyon Nerve. Had a look at the Willier and Its a horrific looking bike. 😯

Giant and Cannondale both look the business for an entry level bike.

I’m very happy with my 2011 Defy 1. I’ve changed the 25mm tyres for 23s but everything else is fine.

merlin malt rs?

Bought a Giant Defy 2 as the Cannondale CAAD 8 tiagra had gone in the Embra bike coop sale , Also looked at a Focus Variado 3 but It looked a bit ‘Race snake’ for my liking.
Cant wait to pick It up on Wednesday and try some of local big climbs I cant manage with my old 53/39 dinner plate chain ringed Kona.

Got my new bike today and very happy with It , Would have liked a CAAD Tiagra 2011 but none in stock. Still the Giant is lovely to ride and much smoother than my old Kona.

Good choice, looks nice.

I’m just about to purchase a Defy 2. What size is that? Looks like a M/L or L.

How did you find the size to compare with the CAAD 8?

Forget those, this trumps the lot.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=84316
Shimano 105 and ultegra for £750
BOOM
Beat that.
Only one size though.