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Giant Defy 1 or Trek 2.3 or Boardman Team

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  • January 26, 2012 at 7:21 pm #14923
    paulfitz76

    Hi guys, I am a recent convert to the joys of road cycling and want to purchase my first road bike, nothing too aggressive for around £1,000. I have narrowed it down to 3. The Giant Deft 1, Trek 2.3, Boardman Team (alloy).

    Would love to hear from anyone who has purchased either and or has had a similar conundrum. Many thanks.

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Viewing 11 replies - 16 through 26 (of 26 total)
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  • May 27, 2012 at 8:45 pm #663055
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    spongebob

    I have a boardman and the
    I have a boardman and the initial setup was not perfect but I did learn how to setup my Rival gears change break cables etc etc.

    I have taken it into the store recently as I couldnt get my rear derailleur to shift properly and they changed the cable and sorted it for me. Seems to be running smooth.

    I guess I’m saying it’s good to learn how to repair and setup your bike but also that some of the folks at halfords know their stuff.

    But anyway, had my boardman for 18 months and i’m still happy with it.

    May 27, 2012 at 8:23 pm #663053
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    Riggers

    Andywoo wrote:…Cycling plus

    Andywoo wrote:
    …Cycling plus have just rated the defy 1 best in test…

    Yeah, WONDERFUL, until you realise they don’t make one for anyone taller than ~5’6″.

    The largest frame size is something like 58 cm, although there’s no hint of that in the C+ review.

    I’m quite amazed that at 6′ plus, I can’t seem to buy a bike ‘off the peg’, but must go ‘bespoke’, with all the cost & delay that entails. Specialized claim to make larger frames, but amazingly can’t supply.

    What is this, a sport for pygmies?

    Another one off the list: I just wish they wouldn’t waste my time having to read worthless reviews….

    January 31, 2012 at 6:12 am #663051
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    tegski

    Have had the Defy 1 for the
    Have had the Defy 1 for the last 4 months and having a ball. The thing that I can’t get over is the lack of wear and tear compared to MTB! I have only changed the tyres to Gatorskins in 2000km (as the glass in Canberra on the roads gave me 5 punctures in 4 days – went with the recommendations of the peleton!)
    The main reasons I went with the Defy was the test ride, but more importantly the relationship that I already had with the LBS. Very useful for help in the future – if you have a good lbs they will look after you as they know it will only be a matter of time before you are back for a new bike for you (or your wife/son/daughter/friends…!)

    January 29, 2012 at 11:30 pm #663049
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    Bedfordshire Clanger

    I have to agree with Simon E
    I have to agree with Simon E – customer service is very important. If something goes wrong with Ri(si)bble you are very much on your own.
    Don’t underestimate the value of buying from a good LBS – you will need their help in the years to come and they will take great care in putting your bike together which is something the chain stores and box shifters are very unlikely to do. It’s well worth paying a little extra for the good care and attention of a quality LBS.

    January 29, 2012 at 8:34 pm #663047
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    Simon E

    I’d say customer service
    I’d say customer service issues are pretty important. IMHO it’s not worth the hassle.

    They’re all excellent bikes with lots of R&D in them. It’s a competitive market and they are all excellent. Buy the bike you prefer, even if it’s down to the looks.

    January 29, 2012 at 4:35 pm #663045
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    paulfitz76

    Many thanks guys. I hadn’t
    Many thanks guys. I hadn’t thought about the Ribble and I must say based on the reviews it certainly is a compelling alternative.

    I am new to this but from what I can tell the Boardman Team has slightly better componentry overall on it than both the Trek and Giant. Is this right?

    The Ribble when specced with 105 seems to be the knock out choice, do you know of anyone’s experiences with the bike – customer service issues aside?

    January 27, 2012 at 8:34 pm #663043
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    lazyusername

    I’d buy from a LBS that will
    I’d buy from a LBS that will help you with the setup, so I’d go for whatever they stock at your most helpful LBS admittedly this is probably going to rule the Boardman out of the equation.

    I haven’t ridden any of them but I would imagine they are all good bikes for the money and if the shop will tweek the setup to fit you I’d buy the one they stock

    Oh the Wilier laveredo was my choice 2 years ago when I had your current dilemma it’s a good bike for similar money

    January 27, 2012 at 7:57 pm #663041
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    cavasta

    Like you, I was torn between
    Like you, I was torn between the Boardman and the Trek. I went for the Trek because of the pre- and post-sales service my LBS could (and did) provide. My LBS took detailed body measurements and fed all the data into a computer, which then worked out all the height settings, etc for bars, saddle and so on. I’ve had the bike for about 18 months now and have not touched the original settings – they were absolutely spot on. As for the bike itself – superb for the money. Having come from a touring background, getting a decent road bike has transformed my riding. I’ve never had any doubt at all that I made the right decision in buying the Trek. Great on the hills, corners superbly, a joy on the flat. What more do you want?

    January 27, 2012 at 3:02 pm #663039
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    nudger

    I was torn between the Giant
    I was torn between the Giant and the Boardman. I loved both but was convinced by two friends who know a lot more about bikes than me that the Boardman was a lot of bike for the money.

    I haven’t regretted it – I’m having so much fun with it.

    But I really loved the Defy 1 when I tested it and had I read the Cycling Plus article about sub £1000 bikes, I might have gone that way.

    Don’t think you can really lose out either way. I was told that the Giant had a more comfortable geometry.

    I don’t know much about the Trek bike – but they don’t make bad bikes, do they? All three makes are excellent.

    I guess being able to try a bike is the most important factor – and you might struggle there with Halfords, who I feel are the weak link in that particular chain.

    But no regrets from me. Hope you have a lot of fun with your new bike.

    January 26, 2012 at 8:08 pm #663037
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    the_mikey

    I love my 2010 defy 2,
    I love my 2010 defy 2, despite it’s plug ugly paint job, it’s not it’s looks that keep me coming back for more.

    January 26, 2012 at 7:59 pm #663035
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    Andywoo

    Hi, I did the same last year
    Hi, I did the same last year and plumped for a defy 1. I love the bike and am very happy with how it rides. My grump would be with the giant shop I bought it from who have little or no Aftersales service. I had a couple of problems with a rogue rear wheel breaking spokes. And some times it took them weeks to fix it.

    Cycling plus have just rated the defy 1 best in test.

    I think if I had my time again I’d have gone for a Ribble bianco Sportif, worth a look in your list.

    Best of luck, whatever you choose it’ll be great fun

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