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Upgrading my giant defy 5, disc brake a must?

  • This topic has 27 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 11 years ago by StraelGuy.
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  • May 22, 2015 at 9:42 am #24056
    Lee170

    I’ve been road cycling for just over a year now, mainly commuting but also starting to get out more and more. I’ve been mtb’ng for years which i still have but slowly turning to roadie due to family commitments and not having much time to drive to places to ride!
    I bought a alu 2012 defy 5 off gumtree last year for a measly £220.
    But I’m now thinking about upgrading.
    I love the giant defy so thinking of getting a 2015 defy advanced 1 or 2.
    Love the look of them and there comfortable.
    But I’ve seen a dale synapse 105 which is pretty nice to,
    But it has rim bakes and the defy has disc brakes,
    So does the future lie with disc brakes?
    Will I regret it if I buy the dale due to no disc brakes?

    Anyone got either of the above bikes that can shed more light about them.

    Thanks in advance

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  • May 22, 2015 at 2:57 pm #847031
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    Lee170

    Thanks for all the
    Thanks for all the responses.
    Going to my lbs to try a defy advanced range and a dale synapse and super six.
    Giants still my favourite from reading and looks.

    May 22, 2015 at 2:53 pm #847029
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    tjm160

    I have the Defy Advanced 1 –
    I have the Defy Advanced 1 – review here; http://reviewmybike.com/bike/GIANT/giant-defy-advanced-1/13673.

    Overall I love the bike and would still go for again at the price. My only gripe is that the mechanical disc brakes fell short of expectations, compared to even the entry level hydraulics on my mountain bike. Initially I felt I should have saved longer and gone for the Advanced Pro 1 to realise the benefits of hydraulic brakes, Fizik Saddle (now purchased for the Advanced 1), better wheels and the other component upgrades. However, I’m now glad I spent almost £1k less for the standard Advanced 1 as I will put the extra towards much better wheels and possibly upgrade the discs to hydraulics in due course.

    As others have said, unless racing (and that won’t even be an issue in a year or so once the pro’s move over), I would choose disc brakes anytime and especially if riding at all in the wet. Riding my old Aluxx Defy 1 over the winter, I had several very scary experiences when the rim brakes just didn’t work. This winter, the Aluxx Defy 1 will almost certainly be replaced with a Cross Bike with disc brakes, even if ‘only’ mechanical.

    One other comment based on others experience with the Defy Advanced 2 posted on the forum, the gap between 105 and Ultegra has very much reduced, with weight apparently the only real discernible difference this year.

    May 22, 2015 at 1:52 pm #847027
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    arfa

    If you’re commuting in all
    If you’re commuting in all weather’s on calipers and racking up lots of miles, I would strongly urge you to check your rims regularly. I came within a whisker of total failure of the wheel due to complacency. All rims will wear under calipers, it is purely a question of when they get dangerously thin. If there is a noticeable concave feel to your rims, get them checked out at your LBS straight away.
    My commuter is the alu synapse 105 with mech discs. It is heavier (and sturdier) which makes it ideal for winter/commuting. I probably would not want this bike as a summer steed due to weight. That said, there are plenty of good carbon bikes with discs to contemplate including the cannon dale synapse range. It really comes down to budget and given planned commuting, I would definitely say go for discs.

    May 22, 2015 at 1:02 pm #847025
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    dfawatts

    I commute every day on a
    I commute every day on a hybrid with rim brakes and have never had a problem. I really don’t buy into rim brakes doing as much damage to rims as people say as long as you keep the bike clean and replace the brakes frequently. Callipers and v-brakes are easy and cheap to maintain so win on many fronts.
    I’ve had the same rims on one bike for probably 15-20k miles and they still have plenty of life in them.
    For a weekend roadie or racer then rim brakes are all that’s needed. Disc brakes are a marketing team’s dream but totally unnecessary on the road bike and even for commuting unless you’re living somewhere very hilly and wet.
    Perhaps on a cyclo-cross bike they would have a place because then you can run with very light carbon wheels but not on the road.

    May 22, 2015 at 12:51 pm #847023
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    Poptart242

    Lee170 wrote:I’ll be using

    Lee170 wrote:
    I’ll be using mine to commute a few days a week to, so I’m probably best off with discs.
    Isn’t it only the alu synapse that has discs?

    Not sure tbh, was thinking of the alu.

    Also – I have an Alu Defy (0 with Ultegra & some upgrades). The frame is brilliant, so I can only imagine the carbon will be even more so.

    May 22, 2015 at 12:24 pm #847021
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    Mungecrundle

    If you brake a lot in the wet
    If you brake a lot in the wet or want to run carbon rims then disc brakes. If you want to stop in the dry for less money and avoid the wrath of the anti disc brigade then nothing wrong with rim brakes. IMO

    May 22, 2015 at 12:05 pm #847019
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    Daveyraveygravey

    I get why disc brakes are the
    I get why disc brakes are the coming thing, especially if you do a lot of urban riding as has been said above. However, I think good rim brakes can be very good, and you can mitigate the delay you get when they are wet to a certain extent. Remember that in the wet your tyres have less grip too, so the benefit of the extra braking may not be that much.

    I’ve done over 10000 miles in all weathers on my old bike; don’t think the rims are overly worn but will look to be sure.

    In your case it sounds like the Defy is pretty much no 1 choice anyway. Can you get a Trek Domane with discs, it’s very similar to the Defy/Synapse, and may be a little lighter.

    May 22, 2015 at 11:45 am #847017
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    Lee170

    I’ll be using mine to commute
    I’ll be using mine to commute a few days a week to, so I’m probably best off with discs.
    Isn’t it only the alu synapse that has discs?

    May 22, 2015 at 11:02 am #847015
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    tom_w

    Poptart242 wrote:If it’s the

    Poptart242 wrote:
    If it’s the 2015 model, the ‘dale Synapse 105 has discs..

    FWIW – ex MTB/Downhill to roadie convert here.

    Same here. My road bike has the Shimano hydraulic discs and they are night-and-day better than callipers for feel and for confidence inspiring stopping power everytime, regardless of the weather.

    That being said, if you only ride in nice weather I wouldn’t bother with discs, you’re lugging half a kilo round you don’t need and I’ve never had an issue with callipers in the dry. I’m pondering a race bike and I definitely wouldn’t get discs on that as I don’t plan on racing in the rain!

    May 22, 2015 at 10:51 am #847013
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    Poptart242

    If it’s the 2015 model, the
    If it’s the 2015 model, the ‘dale Synapse 105 has discs..

    FWIW – ex MTB/Downhill to roadie convert here. I’m happy with rim brakes in my all weather chain gang, solo and commuting rides but I can see why discs appeal for many.

    May 22, 2015 at 10:44 am #847011
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    edvelo

    That’s a great answer Arfa,
    I
    That’s a great answer Arfa,

    I mainly ride rural A/B roads and find rim brakes are fine, even with the sharp descents to East Devon, however, if I was commuting in a big city, I’d be inclined to go with discs just simply for the reliability of always knowing for sure that you’re going to be able to stop.

    May 22, 2015 at 10:16 am #847009
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    arfa

    A marmite question !
    I
    A marmite question !
    I wouldn’t buy anything other than disc brakes for the simple reason that I have to brake a lot (urban riding) and often in wet weather (UK commuting). For me there is no comparison in braking consistency in all conditions with disc brakes plus there is the added bonus of not grinding your rims away. I typically would get c 3-4000 miles ouconventional rim brake wheels et before they became dangerously degraded. I have done a similar distance on my disc equipped synapse and my wheels are as good as new. The downside is that the model I bought is heavier and only mech discs.
    The answer to your question lies with what type of usage will your bike get. If it’s fair weather rural riding then calipers are just fine. If braking and wheel longevity is an issue then discs it is

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