Mid range road bike decisions

joebiker · Postby **joebiker** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:59 pm

Excited to Be starting cycling again, this time for training, so seems a mid level road bike is on the cards. Looking to start with 20-30k rides, increasing to 70-80 in a few months, then doing the century in a year or maybe a bit sooner. I'm also realistic enough to understand that a decent bike fit and some serious core strength work is also part of the strategy!

So to the bike. I'm looking for something comfortable, not racy, that I can grow into and not have to upgrade in a short space of time. Budget is not restricted, but need to stay sensible for my ability.

2016 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 - di2 ultegra
2015 giant defy advanced sl 1 - mech ultegra, but with the Sl frame and all the sl leightweight bits - is that more worthwhile than di2 at my level? I understand once I chop the ISP that's pretty much it!
Specialised roubaix sl4 disc - not sure what to think - good looking bike, the frame polymer inserts seem to be a compromise...????
Colnago AC-R Comp disc - fantastic looking bike, available with di2 or mech ultegra....

Some considerations are small hands - so which hoods might feel best, as I understand di2, ultegra, r685, r785 are all a bit different in size and shape.
Another factor I think I'd like to get right up front is reasonably light wheels from the start, to aid with rotational mass and all that as I increase hill work - giant slr0 disc on the upper level defy's seem good at <1600g's. Zipp 202s on the advanced sl 0 may be nice, but bit beyond me perhaps....

So please school me on what I should be looking for....

Duck! · Postby **Duck!** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:20 pm

They're all very decent bikes, but your concern around the Specialized's jelly blob inserts is not entirely unfounded - it's not unheard of, but not common either, for frames to break around them.

As far as levers go, the standard Di2 & full mechanical levers are very similar in size. The hydraulic RS685 & R785 are bigger in the peak to accommodate the fluid reservoir, but about the same cross-section through the hood body, and similar distance from the bar. All are adjustable for reach, so you can bring them closer to the bars.

Ultimately, try them all & see what you like best.

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 10:55 pm

Di2 IMO is worth it over cable shifting because a) it's so easy to change gears and b) it always gets the shift and trimming right. That said there was nothing wrong with modern cable shifting but Di2 is quite effortless.

On the downside with Di2 you have to charge the batteries and if you're unlucky electrical gremlins. On the plus side you won't have to adjust cables ever.

The hydraulic discs are fantastic reliable stopping power with lots of modulation. They work well even in cyclonic rain (as I tested last week) but do make a hell of a noise until the water and muck is wiped off the rotors by the pads. On the negatives you'll struggle to find disc wheels coming close to the weight of regular bicycle wheels if you're looking to drop weight.

That said when I decided to get into road cycling I purchased a reasonably new 2nd hand bike initially to get a feel for whether I was going to keep riding on the road (I mountain bike more than I road cycle), and then bought a fancy carbon bike when I was a few hundred kms in. New bikes are like cars and depreciate pretty heavily when they roll out the door.

Enjoy your test riding!

joebiker · Postby **joebiker** » Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:30 pm

Also test riding a trek domane 6.2 disc, ultegra mech, which seems nice. Supposedly super compliant frame....bottom bracket feels strong, through axles look strong - may become less practical as wont fit the trainer, won't fit the bike rack ... All more mods more $$$$. Are through axles that much stronger???
I suppose this spec compares closest with Giant defy advanced SL 1?
Thoughts?

silentbutdeadly · Postby **silentbutdeadly** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 12:39 pm

joebiker wrote: Are through axles that much stronger???

Simple answer is absolutely. Though it's not so much stronger as stiffer.

cyclotaur · Postby **cyclotaur** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:16 pm

And more secure....if that's any concern, which it probably isn't for 99.9% of the time.

joebiker · Postby **joebiker** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:28 pm

Thanks for the input so far. Still test riding! Still not quite decided....
Ultegra mechanical is so smooth and very easy to ride! But still going to test ride a di2 bike;).
What about going for the lighter weight componentry, say on the giant advanced sl - will the lighter wheels and a marginally lighter frame/bars/headset etc make much noticeable difference?

Duck! · Postby **Duck!** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 8:23 pm

Wheels yes, bars etc no, at least not as far as weight goes.

What will make a difference is changing from aluminium to carbon. The nature of carbon (composite to be correct) allows it to absorb vibration while remaining stiff, something that metals cannot do.

rodneycc · Postby **rodneycc** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 3:46 pm

What about the 2016 Red/Black Defy Adv SL 1 with Std Ultegra? That one looks the goods to me. Its all about the colour and I just do not like the white colour (e.g white looks cheap) of the 2015 Defy Adv SL 1. Ideally you'd go the 2015/2016 Defy Adv SL 0 (Blue/Black) with DA Di2 but that might be overkill and expensive. Shame they don't do a Ultegra Di2 Defy Adv SL. That would be ideal.

You know there is probably nothing wrong with a 2014 Defy Adv SL 0 (DA Di2), if you didn't care about discs. They probably would be down around the $4K mark now too.

You can always change components so that why I like the SL model better but on looks alone White vs Silver I think I like the silver of the Pro 1. Tough decision.

rodneycc · Postby **rodneycc** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 3:59 pm

PS - No Love for the new TCR? Really worth considering one of these...

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bik ... ifications" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your back will get use to it.. Ultegra Di2, Adv Sl frame.... Beautiful.... only about $600 more than the Defy that you were looking at. But no Discs.
(I'm sure they would fit a compact crank if you asked for it e.g a 50/34 same as the Defy). I'd be sticking 25mm tyres on as well I think to smooth out the ride. Or maybe this is the n+1 (next bike)

You don't need to race to love one of these....

softy · Postby **softy** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 9:50 pm

Does it have to be Gaint?

So many bikes out there and so many bargains.
i wouldn't worry about discs unless you intend on riding in the wet. Rim brakes have stopped people for decades.

nice wheels are a biggie, after the frame, anything from 105 / chorus / rival upwards is reasonable.

Check out all options and go to heaps of shops, lots of old stock, bike shops are trying to move.

slowK · Postby **slowK** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:32 pm

If you have small hands (I do too), then maybe consider SRAM groupsets? The shifter hoods are significantly smaller and comfortable for me. I don't intend to start a SRAM vs Shimano discussion, but at least have a feel of some SRAM levers in a shop to see if you like them. There aren't as many bikes specced with SRAM though.

joebiker · Postby **joebiker** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 8:21 pm

Thanks everyone. Actually I plumped for the SL in the 2015, at a considerable saving off the 2016 model. (Actually couldn't get on with this years silver/grey of the pro 1 tbh). Importantly, it is right fit for me, and the extra lightweight frame and components are nice to have. Yea it's white, but I like it, and have plans to add more stealth...and perhaps a D-Ace Di2 or wireless group set upgrade down the track, so it effectively becomes an SL0 ... Now to ride the wheels off it !!!!