Defy or Secteur

[Thomk]

It has come down to these two (as it often seems to).

Can anyone give me any advise on which of these two deals seem to offer the best value/bargain.

1. Giant Defy 2 2011 £570
2. Seecialized Secteur Sport 2011 £599

Both offer me pretty much what I need but I'm not sure which has the best components for the bucks.

 

[vickster]

Do you have full lists of the specs?

You really need to ride both to see which is better for you.
I think the Secteur is a more relaxed geometry, more of a 'sportive' type of bike

 

[Thomk]

http://www.ashcycles...ant-defy-2-2011


http://www.evanscycl...025005#features


I will use it for commuting so relaxed seems good for someone my age!

Edit: Can get another £18 off the Secteur - it all counts

 

[Norm]

Have you ridden them?

I had the choice between those two exact models 2 years ago, the Secteur felt more what I wanted so I bought it. You may have other wishes, though you should ignore components when choosing as the wrong bike will always be wrong for you, whatever trinkets it wears.

 

[vickster]

The Secteur has a triple, the Giant a double (27 vs 18 gears) both Sora so pretty entry level ... how hilly is it around there?

The Secteur also has carbon forks which will help with road buzz

I think the Secteur is better specced and would be my choice but I am certainly no expert!

Do you know what size you need? Best find some shops that have them is stock so you can check that out

If you decide to buy from Evans, order online and quidco will give you some £££ back

 

[Thomk]

No I haven't ridden them yet. I can probably shlep to an Evans but will have to blag a go on a Defy from a LBS I guess.

 

[vickster]

You can also ask said LBS to do a deal for you - I'd much rather buy a bike from a shop anyhow than online, even if it cost a bit more Means you can take it back if any problems, you'll get a free 6 week service and likely some pennies off extras like guards and rack (and they'll fit them for you)

 

[Thomk]

The Secteur has a triple, the Giant a double (27 vs 18 gears) both Sora so pretty entry level ... how hilly is it around there?

The Secteur also has carbon forks which will help with road buzz

I think the Secteur is better specced and would be my choice but I am certainly no expert!

Do you know what size you need? Best find some shops that have them is stock so you can check that out

If you decide to buy from Evans, order online and quidco will give you some £££ back

Thanks. Yes I will use Quidco if I go to Evans. They also offer a first service I think which is all good although its a bit of a journey to the nearest shop.

 

[Thomk]

You can also ask said LBS to do a deal for you - I'd much rather buy a bike from a shop anyhow than online, even if it cost a bit more Means you can take it back if any problems, you'll get a free 6 week service and likely some pennies off extras like guards and rack (and they'll fit them for you)

Right I'm off to do a tour of my LBS's to see what I can find! Cheers...

 

[vickster]

Have fun See if you can find a bike with Tiagra for the same sort of money Evans is not a bad place to start simply as they have lots of choice (well the big stores around these parts do)

 

[roadrash]

i bought a giant defy 2 three weeks ago,

absolutely fantastic you wouldnt be dissappointed

its reduced at winstanleys cycles in wigan £500 (theyre also online)

 

[vickster]

The largest Winstanleys have is a 53.5cm...

OP, how tall are you? Not going to work if you are taller than about 5'6

They do have this with Tiagra and carbon fork if you are tallish and a 58cm frame works (did I read Cube frames are on the smaller size?)

http://www.winstanle...loton_Bike_2011

 

[Mugshot]

You can also ask said LBS to do a deal for you - I'd much rather buy a bike from a shop anyhow than online, even if it cost a bit more Means you can take it back if any problems, you'll get a free 6 week service and likely some pennies off extras like guards and rack (and they'll fit them for you)

Important point about taking it back if you have any problems. I have a Defy 2 and had read that there had been some issues with the wheels, I asked my LBS about this and he assured me that they had been sorted, however after a number of months of having to retighten spokes I took it back to the LBS and the wheels were swapped without any drama at all. Not sure I would have had that service if I had bought on line.

 

[roadrash]

mhmm i hadnt heard about wheel problems , but winstanleys is my lbs ,only 1.5 miles from home. Be sure to keep my eye on the wheels, spokes though

 

[Mugshot]

mhmm i hadnt heard about wheel problems , but winstanleys is my lbs ,only 1.5 miles from home. Be sure to keep my eye on the wheels, spokes though

I bought mine in January of this year, it was a 2010 model so I got a bit of a deal on it. I had read tons of reviews and was tossing up between the Defy and the Boardman. I spoke to my LBS and voiced my concerns, but he reassured me that they had sorted the issues, so wanting to support my local shop I went for it.
It was a regular occurance that i would hear a dead spot when I got the bike down the step from my shed and on two occasions whilst I was out on rides I had spokes loosen to such a degree that the wheel went well out of true. But the LBS sorted it with a set of Aksiums and I've had no issues since.
I may well have had the last rogue, but the important thing was the speed in which it was sorted, I'm not sure I would have got that from either an online retailer or, had I gone for the Boardman, from Halfords.
Great machine otherwise though