Giant Defy 1

Houxty1 said:

I'm pretty set on getting the Giant Defy 1 after reading loads of positive reviews. It's right in my price bracket and I am taking one out to test tomorrow. However, I'm a fairly big chap 15st 2lbs/96kg and live in a pretty hilly area so I'm thinking a triple chainset might be advisable. My local bike shop is saying this isn't possible but I'm not convinced that they are right. Any thoughts?

Yup. Don't confine yourself to just testing one bike as reviews and the like say nothing about how the bike's ride, handling, and comfort will suit you. Test riding other bikes as well will give you a better sense of what works for you. Also other bikes may have different gearing options. For instance you might consider riding a bike equipped with SRAM components as SRAM's Apex group allows you to run a 11-32 T cassette in back. That 32T cog will provide significantly lower gearing. Of course it's also possible that you can find a new bike with a triple chainring (3 gears up front) which will offer you loads lower gearing. I can't say offhand, though, who is offering triples. If the shops will allow it, test ride some of the hills around you.

Thanks for that. I'm currently plodding around on a Specialised hybrid doing about 100 miles a week so think it's time to step it up. Have to admit that I'm absolutely rubbish when it comes to the mechanics of bikes (or anything for that matter) so your advice on gearing is particularly welcome.

I'll see how I go on the Giant today, fortunately, the bike shop is at the top of a fairly steep hill so I can give it a bit of a work out:-)

Ali

I'm a little heavier than the OP and also live in a hilly area, and started on a Defy 3 with triple crank. I loved the geometry of the bike, but after about a year upgraded to a Giant Defy Alliance 1 with a compact crank and I really like the compact crank a lot better.

Agreed. I got the bike on Saturday and have been out three times. No problems on the hills at all, up or down. It's also ridiculously comfortable. I absolutely love it:-)

Awesome, have fun!