I had my bike stolen...

[bulldog5046]

..and had to use a misleading title to start another 'what bike' thread

Ok, so my Cannondale CAAD 8 was stolen this week and I'm looking for a replacement. I'm already leaning in the direction of the Giant Defy Composite 1 but wanted to get some opinions before I buy.

My choices are:

A second hand but unused Mekk for £800:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-poggio-25-105-2014

A New Defy Composite 1 reduced in my local store for £1079 or £1179, I forgot how much it was:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/20...

Or, one of the Planet X pro carbon models:
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FBPXSLPSHULT/planet-x...

Love to hear what others think of these bikes. I'm off to pop back to the Giant store and check prices....

[littleandy0410]

The Defy for either of those prices seems like a bargain! Which bike shop is it? Tempted myself at that price!

[Usget]

That's great money for a Composite 1. Pauls Cycles have it at £1249, and they're normally about the cheapest IMO.

Alternatively, if you wanted to stay in the Cannondale family, what about a CAAD10 105 for £999?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5230/CANNONDAL...

[Magic919]

I like the Giant Defy and have a Composite 0. If you want the higher front (as I did), I think it does the job nicely. Great value if you can get it on the cheap.

[Deanno1dad]

Just got the Defy 1 composite myself..bargain at the price you've been quoted I paid £1279.
Just finished my first 66 miles so far..feels a really solid bike.

I have upgraded the brake calipers to Ultegra to match the full set.got this done cheaply at price match and discount at local bike shop.

the riding position is great..only negatives so far would be the wheelset that I'm looking to upgrade in the new year once i've done some miles on the original set to possibly Fulcrum racing 5's.

So far really pleased.

[bulldog5046]

The Defy sounds like a bit of a winner. Although you guys have me doubting myself if i read the price tag correctly.

I Tried to look at it again yesterday but they were closed, I'll pop in after work tonight and check.

I'm hoping as they have recently got a Watt bike i can get them to include a bike fit in the price.

[Magic919]

Are they doing bike fits on a Wattbike? Not seen that before.

[bulldog5046]

The Watt bike isn't a standard thing, it's extra if you want it.

Unfortunately I had read the price tag wrong, it was £1279 and worse still, they don't have any in my size. the new 2015 bikes are coming with mechanical disk brakes on which looked a bit gash in the photos they showed me.

I took a Compo 3 with Tiagra out for a spin and I gotta say, it felt really nice. Very smooth to ride and they gear changes where better than my Sora on the Cannondale.

Negotiated to include a Watt bike fit in the discounted price of £879 so I'm really leaning towards this. I'm going to pop over to my friends on Wednesday to try out his Pro Carbon and also look at the Mekk but I think Giant already have me sold.

Giant also had the Compo 2 in my size but the paint job is garish, I really didn't like the look of it.

Hora, I would consider it but unfortunately a large is going to be too big for me I think. I'm only 5' 9"... Is it white or black?

[lufbramatt]

Usget said:

That's great money for a Composite 1. Pauls Cycles have it at £1249, and they're normally about the cheapest IMO.

Alternatively, if you wanted to stay in the Cannondale family, what about a CAAD10 105 for £999?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5230/CANNONDAL...

<hijack>

Hmm Pauls have a CAAD10 105 in 60cm, would that be ok for someone 6'2" tall with a 34" inseam?

</hijack>

[Dixie]

lufbramatt said:

<hijack>

Hmm Pauls have a CAAD10 105 in 60cm, would that be ok for someone 6'2" tall with a 34" inseam?

</hijack>

I'd say thats a bit on the big side for you. I'm 5'10" and have a 54 and it's a good fit. Can you not try one one?

[lufbramatt]

Dixie said:

lufbramatt said:

<hijack>

Hmm Pauls have a CAAD10 105 in 60cm, would that be ok for someone 6'2" tall with a 34" inseam?

</hijack>

I'd say thats a bit on the big side for you. I'm 5'10" and have a 54 and it's a good fit. Can you not try one one?

Yeah I think really I need a 58. Can't find anywhere local that stocks Cannondale bikes. let alone has one in stock the right size, plus I hate sitting on bikes in shops when I know I'm going to go online and buy it £300 cheaper.

[Usget]

Evans stock Cannondale and they'll let you try one - closest store to you is Nottingham though...

ETA - yes, I reckon the 60 would be too big for you. I've got the 56, I am 6' with slightly stumpy legs and the 56 is slightly too large for me (but closer than the 54)

Edited by Usget on Wednesday 24th September 17:04

[lufbramatt]

I'm actually in Rochester, Kent. My username has stuck since I discovered forums at uni about 10 years ago :-)

Eta: apparently there's an Evans in Maidstone. Must have just opened, wasn't there last time I was down there!

Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 24th September 17:27

[bulldog5046]

Well, I tried my friends Pro Carbon today. I can't really fault it too much, it was a bit harder than the Defy but still better than the cannondale. He warned me the gears needed to be adjusted and he wasn't wrong, they were sloppy.

Based on the lead times for the Planet X and the great deal Giant are offering me I think I'm going to opt for the Defy Compo 3, I feel it suits my needs best.

This assumes they still have one in my size when I go to order it!

[bulldog5046]

Great news. Well, other than having to buy a new bike because the old one was stolen.

They had 1 left in my size so I've bought it, got the bike fit included as we discussed and got them to throw in a new D lock for free too!

Picking it up on monday