Defy advanced pro 2?

[ED209]

I have posted a few threads on here recently about upgrading my defy composite or getting a new bike.

My favourite was the new defy advanced pro 1 if i was to upgrade but they are expensive!

Also considered the advanced pro 2 which has 105 instead of ultegra. Has anyone got any experience of these bikes?

Treed currently have a 15% discount code for this weekend and i am tempted to order one.

[neil-935ql]

No experience of the bike but I have used the 105 group set for a good while now and it's excellent , very close to the dura ace on my summer bike , it's that good .

[R1gtr]

No experience of either but 2500 for a bike with 105 is mental, prices really have rocketed this year. Maybe not your cup of tea but check out Dolan bikes, they have a L'etape with carbon frame and 105 for 975pounds or Ultegra for 1175, you could put some lovely finishing kit and wheels on it for the price of the Giant.

[ED209]

R1gtr said:

No experience of either but 2500 for a bike with 105 is mental, prices really have rocketed this year. Maybe not your cup of tea but check out Dolan bikes, they have a L'etape with carbon frame and 105 for 975pounds or Ultegra for 1175, you could put some lovely finishing kit and wheels on it for the price of the Giant.

I agree but had a browse in a local bike shop this afternoon selling other brands and that seems to be the price you pay now for a big brand bike with carbon wheels etc.

Will have a look at the dolan site but buying online worries me a bit, the only reason i would be happy to buy a defy online is because i have the previous frame and know what size i will be.

[citizenmtb]

Giant's prices have gone up a crazy amount this year. If you are going to part with that much money then try out a propel pro and keep an eye on ebay, they are going for 2200-2800 for the 2016 model.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Propel-Advanced-Pr...

I would put emphasis on riding one first as they aren't for everyone...

[ED209]

citizenmtb said:

Giant's prices have gone up a crazy amount this year. If you are going to part with that much money then try out a propel pro and keep an eye on ebay, they are going for 2200-2800 for the 2016 model.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Propel-Advanced-Pr...

I would put emphasis on riding one first as they aren't for everyone...

Propel far too aggressive for my lack of flexability.

Got my eye on this now -http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/dolan-tuono-sl-carbon-road-bike-ultegra-6870-di2.html

I am driving myself round the twist looking at different bikes!

[NatAsp]

I ride 2 bikes regularly, one ultegra, one 105.

Ultegra shifting is noticibly better. Quite significantly so in my opionion. If I was spending that king of money on an Endurance bike I'd want Ultegra, markedly improves the overall experience IMO. 105 is perfectly good for racing or commuting but not quite the plush feel I would expect on a higher end Endurance bike.

I respect previous comments that some think it's just as good as higher end groupsets - it depends how discerning / picky you are I guess

[R1gtr]

ED209 said:

Propel far too aggressive for my lack of flexability.

Got my eye on this now -http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/dolan-tuono-sl-carbon-road-bike-ultegra-6870-di2.html

I am driving myself round the twist looking at different bikes!

My mate has a Giant and gets on great with it. I don't know anyone that has a Dolan but I was very close to buying one (Dolan Ares or L'etape with Di2) and did lots of research and read piles of reviews, could not find a bad review on the bikes and customer service is meant to be great. I ended up with a CAAD 12 Ultegra disc because I got a bargain at 1400.

That Tuono SL carbon looks lovely, the L'etape with Di2 is cheap,could upgrade wheels and have a superb bike for the money.

[NerveAgent]

I have had Dolan Dual 105 for about 18 months and it has been a great bike. No issues with it and a great price for the spec.

If you are near the North West they have quite a few bikes in the showroom and they are pretty helpful, they do bike fits etc.

[ED209]

Well a plus point to Dolan they actually replied to my email about bike sizing and setup, more than you can say for Boardman.

Downside is they won't sell me a bike without wheels? Why all none of the smaller bike builders sell me a bike without wheels?

[R1gtr]

ED209 said:

Well a plus point to Dolan they actually replied to my email about bike sizing and setup, more than you can say for Boardman.

Downside is they won't sell me a bike without wheels? Why all none of the smaller bike builders sell me a bike without wheels?

Just flog the wheels that come with the bike, mavic and shimano wheels will always sell especially if you rip them off the bike when brand new. I want a Dolan now, just need my C2W to open in July

[ED209]

Anyone got any other suggestions similar to the defy?

[R1gtr]

ED209 said:

Anyone got any other suggestions similar to the defy?

Genesis zero Z3 disc, Trek Emonda Ultegra, Specialized Tarmac comp, Cannondale Synapse carbon Ultegra disc, and Cube probably have something similar. Merida are worth a look as well.

[ED209]

I like the look of this on the barman outlet.


https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/576-y...


However at 5'11 with a 32 inside leg the site suggests i should be a medium, would i get away with a large without much hassle? Or would it kill me?

Theres also a code for a further 10% off too.

[djone101]

Depends on what size you're after but there seem to still be a few 2016 Cube bikes about - here

The 2017 model is the same spec but a different colour and £1700 instead of £1000. I bought one back in Feb while there were a few sizes around. Great bike for endurance rides and I've been 100% happy with it.

[ED209]

djone101 said:

Depends on what size you're after but there seem to still be a few 2016 Cube bikes about - here

The 2017 model is the same spec but a different colour and £1700 instead of £1000. I bought one back in Feb while there were a few sizes around. Great bike for endurance rides and I've been 100% happy with it.

I have been looking at cube and was aware of that one, that ones not really an upgrade on what i have as it weighs a lot.

I like the look of this model though which can probably be had with 15% off

https://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/m10b0s6p16496/CUBE...

[DirtyHands]

Long time Lurker here.

I've just bought a 2017 Defy Advanced 2. Put 200km on it so far on rough welsh roads.. Its awesome! I previously rode an Ultegra equipped Planet X Pro Carbon and wanted something more comfortable to ride. Its silky smooth yet responsive and damn quick too!

[croftsj]

I have the Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2, I have literally just dropped the frame off at my LBS to have a minor ding repaired and following that upgrade it to a full Ultegra Di2 group set and hydraulic discs (standard it was 105 and mechanical discs)

It's my winter bike and has many many thousands of hard wet, muddy kms on it. It's done Paris Roubaix, Liege Bastogne Liege & a few weeks ago Tour Of Flanders, the only thing that has ever gone wrong is I snapped the mech hanger on it a year ago and damaged the rear spokes and chewed up the rear mech.

Great bike, comfy for long days in the saddle, thoroughly recommended.

[ED209]

So does anyone have a friendly Giant dealer willing to do a good deal on a defy advanced pro 1? Current model giant bikes don't seem to be discounted online. Do giant stop their dealers from discounting?

[croftsj]

ED209 said:

So does anyone have a friendly Giant dealer willing to do a good deal on a defy advanced pro 1? Current model giant bikes don't seem to be discounted online. Do giant stop their dealers from discounting?

Banjo Cycles Newbury.

They were able to get me the last Large Giant Trinity Pro 1 in the country a few weeks back and they even got it delivered by Giant from their Giant Concept Store in Cardiff where it was on sale and I still got a decent discount on it. Ask for Morgan.