Avanti vs Giant

[nomes]

Hi everyone,
I've been looking at getting a new road bike (on a budget!) for a while and have been test riding pretty much every bike in every shop on the Gold Coast! I initially thought a WSD would be good and tested a few of the Giants, Treks and some of the womens Felt designs aswell as SUB and Specalized. I also decided to test the smaller guys bikes and found the Giant Defy 3 and Avanti Prima to be a perfect fit and feel over the WSDs! So after months and months of testing and riding around carparks i've managed to narrow it down to these 2 bikes. They feel just as good as each other when riding and Im able to get pretty good deals for both so I was wondering if anyone rides either the Giant Defy or Avanti Prima and/or can help me decide! Does Giant or Avanti hold any advantage over the other?
Thanks a bunch

 

[mrksem454]

Well, Avanti and giant are brands that you should not get because your paying for nothing special just the brand name. I like Avanti, Because There are one known brand, which is better and trusty and using good material.

 

[oldbobcat]

I'm a little surprised by your choices because according to the Avanti web site the Prima is available in just one size, and it's considerably smaller than the smallest Defy 3.

That said, unless you're truly petite, I'd vote for the Giant. It's equipped with standard size 700c wheels rather than the Prima's smaller 650c wheels. Over the long run the larger wheels give a smoother, more stable ride and will be easier to maintain--better availability of tires, tubes, and replacements. 650c wheels have their place in competitive time trialing and triathlon, or for riders who are too small to ride a small frame with 700c wheels.

That said, you should read the thread "650c vs. 700c wheels." I just did and it was an eye-opener. Now I'm confused.

 

[coneofsilence]

I have had two Avanti Bikes. Avanti Monza and Avanti Blade 3.0 both of which have been really great bikes.I couldn't say a bad word about them both.
I don't think you would notice much difference between the two bike brands - Avanti and Giant. It's all about comfort. Get the bike that feels the best and that you will feel comfortable on for hours.

 

[celia123]

i prefer to giant

 

[lamadone]

Which bike you go for should be the one that feels right on the road for you. Which one would you still want to ride after 100ks. I am 5'2 and I own an Avanti Giro which is a man's racer, It never really fitted me but when I bought it there were no womens specific bikes on the market. I have since test ridden many wsd bikes and own a wsd trek madone. Having ridden both a mens and womens racer I would only ever buy wsd again.I have since fitted womens handle bars to my Avanti and this made a big difference. The frame , handle bars brakes and levers on the trek wsd all fit me perfectly and I was properly fitted in the shop. Make sure the bike shop you deal with fits you to the bike .Personally I would never buy another Avanti road bike because Trek make far superior bikes. Don't know about the Giant, imagine it is going to be a bigger size than the Prima.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[hotdiggity]

If you can't split hairs and money's not a factor, the Giant Defy has better components on it being essential a 105 bike with carbon forks but a 6000-grade aluminium frame, whereas the Avanti Prima is a generic 2300 Shimano drive with chromoly forks with a 7000-grade aluminium. So Avanti possibly has the better frame material.

Which bike you go for should be the one that feels right on the road for you. Which one would you still want to ride after 100ks.

Good advice - after all, it's personal! If the Avanti is more comfortable you can always upgrade the parts in the future (which can be an expensive exercise in itself).

Good luck!