Thanks for the tip on the Washbag.

Seriously, you dont get cold at the top of your thighs or bum

What would you recommend as a good pair of leg warmers?

The problem is, if you buy the knee pads you’ll never need em.

I set off on one ride last year and thought I’ll not be needing those as it was a very tame route (the only time Id not bothered to put them on, since purchase) you guessed it. Crashed and took most of my left knee and left elbow off 🙁

Tuck and Roll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21RsrVZCuqo

njee20 – Member

ohhh but they look good!

No they don’t. They look exactly like normal spokes unless you’re very close to them.

I’ve had 3 sets of wheels with CX-Rays and a set with Aerolites, but they are totally pointless! I used to find nipples snapped in stead of spokes, which has a similar end result! May as well save a fortune and just use Revolutions which perform identically! well here’s some aero spokes that match at least,for reference these spokes are 2.2/.95/2.0

Yeah you can ask 🙂

A smidge under £1500 with all the Xmas offers applied 🙂

Well picked up the Giant this weekend and managed to go for a swift 20 mile run on Sunday and a couple of commutes to see what I thought.
I definitely made the right decision in going for the Defy over the TCR, the TCR would have been too aggressive for my first bike, but I guess everyone is different but this at this time suits my needs perfectly.

The steering is very direct and pin sharp, took me by surprise to start with riding a MTB for so long. As said above the tyres were a little sketchy in the wet conditions (Giant P-SL2) under braking but Im sure I’ll get used to that.

Also pleasantly surprised with the weight at 7.9 kgs (without pedals) don’t know how that compares to other bikes in this class. My friends Roubaix is 660gms heavier. weight weenie alert 🙁

Overall couldn’t be happier with the purchase so Id better get racking up the miles and make the purchase pay for itself.

Poorly taken falling over pic below 🙂

Im 5’7″ and the small was pretty perfect after I knew what I was looking for.
Looking forward to picking it up on saturday 🙂

Well the saga has finally come to a conclusion…. hopefully the right one 🙂
As said I had a organised a test ride on the Defy Comp 1 and a TCR advanced 3 as they were a similar price. but when I turned up the weather was awful so we got them set up on the trainer to see how things measured up.

I was surprised to find that Im actually a Small not a Medium as in the other shop. This would explain why I wanted to try the shorter stem.
On looks alone I was settling on the TCR, the internal cabling and the frame shape was a piece of art. But I was reserving judgement till I had had a ride on both of them. Well yesterday I got to ride both and although they were both great to ride, I felt a little uncomfortable on the TCR, its definitely a much more focussed ride and I think I would really struggle to relax and ‘settle in’ to that on longer rides.

So I have opted for the Defy and if I wish to lower the bars in the coming months there’s a good 30mm of spacers on the steerer so hopefully this will allow a little bit of flexibility.

Ah I see!! this will be my first +1 ever! Divorce would follow even the mention of +2 I’m sure…….4???? good work!

Righto. ‘n+1’? whats that mean. You mean you have to a one bike household?

Ive a Cannondale Carbon rush, but there’s no way that’s leaving the house 🙂

Cheers for the link, I couldnt see the Composite 1 listed on there but I could give them a call.
That’s great news on yours, quite jealous now. If you rode the Aluminium version (Defy1) then the Carbon will be just so much more lush. I’m sure you’ll love it!!!

iainc – Member

Stevo – update from me – I have just ordered a Defy Composite 1 having been into Dales and Alpine and looked at Spesh Roubaix Elite, Trek Madone 3.5 and the Giant. Unfortunately none in stock and 15 week delivery BUT I got it at the Christmas Sale price which is 20% off Thats great mate, what did you actually get to ride in the end and can you remember what the characteristics were of them….and send me the link for the shop where you got it from will ya.
I’ve just lined up a test ride on s/m on both defy Comp 1 and TCR advanced for later this week. So should be sorted but that 20% is massive 🙂

…pics and first impressions later this week

Looking forward to seeing the pics and seeing what you make of it.

I managed to get to ride a couple today, not super conclusive but this is what I thought. Bear in mind I haven’t ridden a road bike in a long time.

RT-57 Carbon Small
First off ridiculously light. loved the look of the bike the drivetrain kit was superb and the machined billet calipers could only be appreciated by a blokey bloke who tinkers in his shed…..I loved em. Stopped well too.
Got up to speed really quickly and felt stable, turned well and as said stopped great.
My only reservation was when standing and putting the power down, the front end for me felt very twitchy, and I felt uneasy throwing the bike side to side to get the momentum up.

2011 Giant TCR 0 (Alu) Small – Stem 80mm
Felt really nice and as the RT-57 wizzed up to speed with ease. Felt a lot smaller than the Planet-X ride but still felt ok. Standing up and powering was a totally different story, it felt great and controlled. Didnt get to do any high speed cornering but what I did manage it felt very stable. Full Ultergra kit, was easy to use would be second nature after a few rides.

2012 Giant Defy Composite 1 Medium – Stem 100mm
From the off although similar to the TCR it seems a much more compliant ride, It was a little more stretched out (slightly but didnt feel big)and it felt like it would be a more comfortable middle ground from a racey frame. The super helpful shop guy swapped the step for an 80mm and lowered the stack by 10mm to try and achieve a similar riding position of the TCR. This was much better for me, bars a little closer and a little racier, but still with the forgiving frame.

Its really hard to pick between them as there were too many variables to compare, namely the frame geom, material & frame size. To be honest Id be happy with either of them, with a few tweaks to the seat position and stem length etc.

Ive yet to try the Trek 3.1/3.5 as they were too large and the Specialized Roubaix was the same. I’ll grab my friends Roubaix this week to rule this one in or out as the case maybe, but I’d imagine it’ll be a bit too high at the front for me.

Im in search of trying a TCR carbon Small and Medium back to back with a Defy Carbon Small and Medium, then I’ll report back.

Have a nice morning Rotherham

Hey are you warning Rotherham or wishing me a nice time in Rotherham?? 🙂

Well, feedback your findings. Wont be buying till after the weekend unless somebody gets carried away 🙂

I am sliding towards the Spesh..

based on looks?

the TCR is racier geometry than the Defy – this means lower centre of gravity, longer top tube.

looking forward to trying them both 🙂

Are you completely not considering the Planet X RT-57?

Dont panic calling in to On-One/Planet-X tomorrow also 🙂

from Giant Website 5’10 is at the top range of Medium and bottom of Medium/Large.

tragically1969 – Member
If i were you i would go Defy with Ultegra for a first bike, the 2012 stuff is really nice, the frame is the most important thing to consider but so are wheels and groupset, tiara is a bit low in the range. The TCR Advanced is a lot stiffer ride but still fairly compliant, its more of a race frame but thats all i have ever ridded so am used to that sort of feel.

Thanks for the advice, I have a ride set up for tomorrow on the Defy, so lets hope it fits like a glove 🙂
The 2012 frame does look great in White.

it’s slightly longer and slacker too) as it is less of a shock and you’ll probably enjoy it more initially as a result.

You thinking of changing to something less relaxed? Humour me 🙂

At the end of the day you have to be happy riding what you buy, but the Giant has had more than enough recommendations on this thread now.

is the extra for the ‘Advanced’ frame worth it. If I go for an Advanced in my budget it’d be running Tiagra/105, whereas Im was pretty close to concluding on the Defy Composite 1 with Ultegra.

tragically1969 – Member
Just buy the Giant TCR, I can guarantee you will not regret it, end of thread…..

which one? TCR, TCR Composite 0,1 2,3, TCR Advanced?

Sounds nice mate, but definitely want to go new this time. Dont think you’ll have trouble selling that at that price.

An Elf-like 5,7 A build isnt something Im really after on this occasion. What did you have on offer?

£1600 is a lot to spend on a bike and its not a small thing to me.
I guess thats why Im asking peoples opinions and experiences so I get in the right ball park of characteristics and the like.

Riding the bikes is definitely good advice but knowing which chosen few those should be is another 🙂

My wife is reading this and agrees it is a lot of money!!!! 🙁

There’s a lot of shit floating around this thread!
Of all the bikes you’ve chosen for your shortlist, the Giant will have the best frame for definite.
That’s a WTF. As are the ridiculous comments about not being able to ride steep hills. Billyboy: genuine question… What do you think would be better downhill? Do you think Cancellara would be quicker with some 2.3″ tyres and 180mm disc rotors?!

Can you elaborate on the Giant frame point here? A lot of members are suggesting that the TCR is definitely one to try. Surely that must reflect that Giant make some good frames!

it was only after paying £140 for a bike fit at my local specialized concept store

Thats pretty steep aint it. How long was the process?

Haven’t read all of the above but a few contributions:
1. Consider spending less (c£1k for your first bike, see how you get on with road riding and in a year, sell it and upgrade. Road bikes take a lot less of a battering than an MTB and you’ve a good chance of it holding most of it’s value.
2. It’ll make you stronger on your MTB
3. Def consider getting a proper fit. Sitting down, not moving, and pounding out the miles means fit is far more important than it is on an MTB and will keep you from injuring yourself
4. Consider riding with a local club, you’ll learn a lot more about bikes, and will get fitter and a better bike handler
5. Definitely test ride as many as you can to find a brand that suits you. Much easier to get a sense of a road bike round the carpark than you will for an MTB

Enjoy, it;s all riding bikes! I must admit Im a bit skepticle about being able to discern a bikes characteristics easily and quickly in a car park while mr salesman is tapping his finger, and my other half is clock watching haha 🙂 Well I’ll soon see….

Not looked in to it but I can imagine a bike fitting is of great benefit. I have spent the last 2 years faffing with my setup, shifting seat height, bars etc. Being measured and an optimal position suggested would be welcomed, if not only to keep niggling knee ache at bay.

I initially thought I would want a road bike with relaxed geometry but my boardman is considered quite racy and I like it a lot

the fun is in going fast, so might as well have something as fast as poss, eh?Ive had a look at the Boardman’s and was pretty impressed close up. Need to get on one though this week.

Of all the bikes you’ve chosen for your shortlist, the Giant will have the best frame for definite. Giant, as has been stated already, makes half the frames in the world for other manufacturers anyway, but they always reserve the latest and best technologies for their own frames.

Thats seems to make a lot of sense.

I have narrowed my choice down to the Trek Madone 3.5 and the Roubaix Elite. The Spesh is £200 more than the Trek with pretty much the same spec

Im with you on the Spesh looks. A colleague at work has the 2011 Spesh Roubaix so a test ride on that wont be a problem. Others have a Spesh Allez and a Cannondale Synapse so a couple to compare.

Cant see where the extra £200 pounds comes from on the specialized.
Carbon Synapse looks nice but spec’s low, which brings me back to the ‘what are you actually paying for?’ thought.

Id be interested in the stock weights of the Giant, Trek & Specialized?

Thanks for all your thoughts, its really difficult to narrow things down as most of my buying decision is based on looks alone which is a dangerous and probably costly approach.
Im going to have a busy week trying to get on as many bikes as I can. Im getting the impression that the Trek is coming out as a strong all rounder. (not forgetting the TCR too).
Does the Trek have a way better frame than say the Giant or Cube to justify the price vs Groupset choice.

Then I like the look of the Specialized Roubaix Elite, but thats £1800 with 105 spec, is the cost in the brand or frame.

You can also get the Cubes in double.

Phew 🙂

Get a bike fit done, and base your choice on that. I used Bike Science, and bought a Planet X Pro Carbon.

Yeah I think that is a good idea. The bike shop I was in recently said once the bike was purchased they then would set the bike up (bike fit me) then. Is that the wrong way round maybe?

Stevo – you really need to have a good look at the new Planet X RT-57.

Looking in to it.

Cubes got a triple on it, so thats out for a start

Is that my first roadie school boy error 🙁

I’ve got a TCR advanced 1 and would highly recommend one, even as a 1st roadbike. I use an alu defy as a winter bike as well. Both are compact frames, ie sloping top tube. I’m 5’10” and ride a medium in both.

think Im definitely going to try this one with the rest.

But road riding is completely different to mtbing, you could get a decent starter bike for less then £600

Im sure I’ll love it, and if I do then I’d probably be wanting to upgrade. Best to do it right to start with.

The Canyon looks horrid if that helps

😆

Thanks for your thoughts..
Anyone tried the Giant TCR?

Yeah thats good advice but I aint really sure what Im looking for? Something that just clicks??

What didnt you like about the 4.5? And did you make a choice on something else?

I dont have the Hope skewers myself but was advised strongly against them from my wheel builder as they can slacken off slightly and/or not do up tight enough in the first place.
Salsa’s or Shimano were recommended, I opted for the Salsa and wow, they are really nice, tighten up super tight with little effort and release the same.
So far I am a big fan of the Salsa QR, but not the price.

I’ve done the same and agree its the stiffness that is the main difference with a good wheel set. Plus stiff wheels somehow sound better when you get them past 30 kph.

My pro 2’s sound like a wasp/moped over 30 mph.

Looks like your new wheels will save you about 30 seconds climbing Alpe-d’Huez

cheers for the science FACT!!
I shall relish my 30 secs.
The wheels look nice & shiny, which in my book makes em faster from the off 🙂