Upgrading a Giant Defy 4
Discussion
I bought a Defy 4 a few years back as a keen mountain biker who wanted to try road riding so went for the basic spec but am now enjoying road rides more and would like to treat the bike to a few new bits and hopefully increase its ability in the process.
The first thing I have done is changed the rubbish Tektro brakes for a set of 105's and also recently put Lithion 2 tyres on. What should be the next step? I am thinking a carbon fork could make quite a bit of difference or should I concentrate on groupset, wheels...?
Its this model: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/de...
The first thing I have done is changed the rubbish Tektro brakes for a set of 105's and also recently put Lithion 2 tyres on. What should be the next step? I am thinking a carbon fork could make quite a bit of difference or should I concentrate on groupset, wheels...?
Its this model: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/de...
Barchettaman said:
The thing about road bikes is that it's much more engine (you) dependant, than transmission (the bike) dependant. Roads are roads, tarmac is tarmac, hills are bloody hard.
There's no point upgrading that bike. Are you looking to do uphill time trials on a road bike? Are you a recreational rider? Is your riding enjoyment utterly dependant on having the 'newest amd shiniest' under you?
I get that the best thing you can do is improve the rider, but surely 'no point upgrading' is a bit negative. The upgrade to 105 brakes has made the world of difference and only cost about £50. I am a recreational rider and do a few of the wiggle / Evans / bike-events rides around 50/60 miles. Typical weekend ride is about 25/30 miles though.There's no point upgrading that bike. Are you looking to do uphill time trials on a road bike? Are you a recreational rider? Is your riding enjoyment utterly dependant on having the 'newest amd shiniest' under you?
MadDad said:
Before you spend any more cash can I give a word of advice based on doing a similar thing a couple of years ago? Before going mad on anymore upgrades ask yourself if you are likely to spend more time riding the roadie in 2015. If so you might be better sitting on your cash and buying yourself a new, better specc'd roadie in the New Year. If you get bitten by the upgrade bug with your current bike it is not difficult to spend almost as much on upgrades as you could spend getting a well specc'd 2014 or 2015 model in the sales.
This is a good point and I have been trying to get the other half into road riding. Maybe I will see how she measures up on the defy and treat myself to something new (had my eye on a planet x pro carbon for a while). Just quite enjoy the process of upgrading and tinkering.richardxjr said:
Similar to my (now winter) bike.
I got a s/h carbon fork off ebay to replace the boat anchor steel lump, some Racing 5s with decent tyres, saved well over 2kg and ride quality much improved.
Full proper Giant mudguards if you haven't already.
Thanks, useful info. I don't have any mudguards yet, I was debating between the crud ones or raceblades but wasn't sure if I would have fitment issues, especially now with the 105 5700 brakes as these are a 49mm drop rather than the 57mm I had before.I got a s/h carbon fork off ebay to replace the boat anchor steel lump, some Racing 5s with decent tyres, saved well over 2kg and ride quality much improved.
Full proper Giant mudguards if you haven't already.
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