Defy & TCR question

[Bear]

I've rode a defy but not a TCR, & forgetting specs, would a TCR be too focused for pleasure riding ... no proper racing ... although i do like to crack on

Anyone rode both ? Any opinions ?

Appreciated

 

[Dan B]

I have the TCR Alliance, and I derive great pleasure from riding it.

Although I also lik to crack on a bit :-)

 

[Bear]

Have you rode a Defy ?

 

[John the Monkey]

Depends very much on how you like to ride.

Assuming the Defy has similar geometry to the SCR it replaced, you'll be fairly upright on the hoods (depending on torso length &c) although a decent drop on your bars will let you get fairly low. The TCR will stretch you out more, as I recall. If you have a long torso, or find that comfy anyway, you'll probably find it a better ride than the Defy.

You need to try them, or at the least take some measurements of the Defy and try to compare them with the TCR's geometry.

 

[Bear]

Thanks John. I've checked the measurments from both, and the TCR has a 57cm toptube, compared to the defy 56cm ... just wondering how that compares in the flesh. Also would the stem length from standard, be the same from both models ?

I do have a longer torso, and after trying many bikes out, the defy fits ok (if a smidge small) thats why i'm asking about the tcr, in therory it should give me a tiny bit more room ?

The bikes are second hand, and its a big old drive to check them out, so i need to be as sure as i can before committing.

 

[John the Monkey]

Thanks John. I've checked the measurments from both, and the TCR has a 57cm toptube, compared to the defy 56cm ... just wondering how that compares in the flesh. Also would the stem length from standard, be the same from both models ?

Giant's website should say which stems are fitted to which sizes. My SCR had an 80mm stem (L frame) as I recall.

Don't forget to look at seat and headtube angle too - a slacker seat tube can mean you're sitting a lot further back (increasing the reach to the bars) for the same size top tube, depending on how much seatpost is out and whether the measurements are actual TT or effective TT.

 

[RedBike]

I used to ride a TCR and I then brought a secondhand SCR to commute to work on. I hated the SCR and sold it back on just days later.

On the SCR the headtube is massive, then they've stuck this cone spacer thing on the top of the headset. Making the bars very high up. When combined with a shorter than normal top tube it just felt more like a touring bike than the quick nimble racer I actually wanted.

I ended up going for the Ribble which was ideal for what I wanted. Really regret selling my Ribble. It was a cracking bike.

 

[Bear]

Just rode the defy again for the 3rd time and now i'm very sure that this is going to be as close as its going to get.

Thanks for the replies