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Upgrading wheels on Giant Defy 1 2019

by malcolmpow
Mon, Jun 03, 2019 07:07
11

Hi there,

i'm looking for some advice on doing some upgrades on my Giant bike, and would welcome advice if people have it.

 

Bought the thing in February, only done around 2000km on it, and the rear wheel has started to make a grating noise.

 

I was wondering about buying some new wheels / discs if it's possible.

I was looking at something like DT Swiss ER 1600 SPLINE 32 DB,  mostly because they have a high weight limit (i'm a heavy 110kg rider),  (or similar) and then also considering swapping out the current 140mm discs for some shimano ultegra 160mm ones. 

I can see there is the adapter on the frame so i guess it should be able to rotate around to support 160 instead of the current 140s, but would I also have to get new brake pads?

Any advice / comments welcome.

Thanks.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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11 comments

Avatar
Team EPO | 5 years ago
0 likes

Interesting about Giant as Cannondale have been crap about my bust rims.  Might try Wheelsmith and the like

 

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Joe Totale | 5 years ago
0 likes

Given your weight I'd go to a wheelbuilder such as Cycle Clinic, Wheelsmith or Spokesman as they'll be able to build you a set with a higher spoke count than usual. 

The three listed above also have more comprehensive guarantees in case anything needs repairing or replacing. They also use easy to maintain hubs meaning that tasks such as bearing replacement is a lot easier. 

 

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malcolmpow | 5 years ago
0 likes

Here's what the dude wrote back to me.

 

leider können wir während der Saison nur Räder servicen, die bei uns gekauft wurden, für mehr haben wir keine Zeit.

Which google translates to

Unfortunately, during the season we can only service bikes that were bought from us, for more we have no time.

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Simon E replied to malcolmpow | 5 years ago
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malcolmpow wrote:

Unfortunately, during the season we can only service bikes that were bought from us, for more we have no time.

On the face of it, prioritising existing customers seems reasonable to me. I'm sure they don't want to turn away new business but when you have enough of it already...

I was in my LBS as it opened the other Saturday morning and two separate chaps came in with nice road bikes they wanted looking at. The staff didn't recognise either of them. It's been hectic for weeks now and on Saturdays the priority is setting up bikes that customers have bought so they can go out the same day.

A 4 month old wheel shouldn't have worn bearings so I'd go contact your Giant distributor.

As for upgrades, don't expect too much of an improvement without splashing some serious cash. Ignore the hype and simply ride those wheels (once sorted). Spend the money you saved on trips, events and rides.

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malcolmpow | 5 years ago
0 likes

They're also only rated to 120kgs.

 

The P-R2's I have at the moment are tubeless, and it's going well enough so far on that front.

 

but the rear hub has got far worse, went for a cycle and after 40km there was a very audible noise then, gingerly made way back home and am not touching that bike again until some new wheels arrive or the rear hub is fixed, difficult to find a bike shop where I live tho. 

Asked one of the 'giant partners'/ dealers and they responded because it's summer they wouldn't fix my bike because i didn't buy it from them.

Avatar
Podc replied to malcolmpow | 5 years ago
0 likes

malcolmpow wrote:

Asked one of the 'giant partners'/ dealers and they responded because it's summer they wouldn't fix my bike because i didn't buy it from them.

 

That is an awful attitude. I'd be mentioning it to Giant.

Any half decent bike shop should be able to swap out wheel bearings in half hour. Only complication might be if it's the free hub in which case they might need to replace it. 

Good luck getting it sorted.

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Team EPO | 5 years ago
0 likes

Going thru the same thought process at the moment to upgrade my bike and the Zipp 302 get great reviews BUT are not tubeless

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zipp-Wheel-Spokes-Unisex-Multicoloured/dp/B07PG...

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kil0ran | 5 years ago
0 likes

Yeah, good upgrade for the price. Will let you experiment with tubeless if you want and yes you just need an adapter to go up to 160mm rotors. Just check the rear spacing as those wheels are listed as 142mm

 

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malcolmpow | 5 years ago
0 likes

AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

Are you sure that the issue is the wheels and not the disc brakes rubbing as they are wearing /have worn down?

 

100%, it's as Master Bean says, the bearings are going.

It's the only road bike I have, and since summer is in full swing now i'd rather not have to wait ages to try get the bearings replaced.

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Master Bean | 5 years ago
0 likes

Sounds like the bearings need replacing in the rear hub. Cheaper than buying new wheels but an excuse for an upgrade

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AlsoSomniloquism | 5 years ago
0 likes

Are you sure that the issue is the wheels and not the disc brakes rubbing as they are wearing /have worn down?

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