Giant Defy 2 - Alternatives?

[koro]

Hi,

Sorry for asking......

My budget only allows me around £350 (just for bike), so realise secondhand is the way to go. I visited LBS, tried lots of bikes and the Giant Defy 2, medium frame seemed to fit perfect. Now I know I am not likely to see these selling in my price range . As a newbie is there a similarish model of another make that may be in the price range I am looking at with a similar fiiting?

Many Thanks

 

[John the Monkey]

If you're going 2nd hand, the models before the Defy where the SCR series. Not quite as nice looking a frame, but good bikes (imo).

 

[koro]

Thanks for that, are the Frame sizes "like for like" ?

The Lbs guy, insisted that the spokes would not be a problem on the Defy, I pointed out that I weigh 15 stone and had read about problems on the forums. Does the Defy have better wheels than the SCR?

 

[John the Monkey]

Thanks for that, are the Frame sizes "like for like" ?

The Lbs guy, insisted that the spokes would not be a problem on the Defy, I pointed out that I weigh 15 stone and had read about problems on the forums. Does the Defy have better wheels than the SCR?

They'd be similar - the SCR has a taller headtube (I think) so you can't get the bars quite as low as on the Defy. The SCR's wheels are Alex DA22 on formula hubs. Some people have had problems with them - I didn't, until my rear wheel got hit by a car, at which point the other party's insurance paid for a set of DRC ST18 on Tiagra hubs. The wheels on the Defy are Mavic CXP22 rims, which I would say are better than the DA22s.

Rims and hubs in themselves aren't a problem, it's how they're built, and how even the tension is on the spokes. The SCR's wheels are built with plain gauge spokes, which stretch and compress a bit less than double butted spokes, and so can be a bit more susceptible to damage from a hard knock. As I recall, the rear is radial/3 cross, and the front radial. There may be something in that configuration that's a problem, but I can't think what it would be off hand.

If you were really worried about them, you could pay a local builder to rebuild them with good quality double butted spokes - as long as the rims are sound, they should be fine.

 

[koro]

Thanks yet again

Would £350 get me a Giant SCR 2 (newish) do you think?

 

[John the Monkey]

Thanks yet again

Would £350 get me a Giant SCR 2 (newish) do you think?

That I don't know - get thee to eBay, young man!

 

[koro]

yep I`m looking.....

 

[koro]

Hi,

Looking around to see about buying a Giant SCR 2 (medium) secondhand. (I did like the Defy...) In order to widen my choice of bikes. May I ask those of you with experiance, other suitable choices that perhaps I should be looking at also..

I am 5` 11, inside leg 31"...

Thanks Yet Again

 

[Young Un]

Hi,

Looking around to see about buying a Giant SCR 2 (medium) secondhand. (I did like the Defy...) In order to widen my choice of bikes. May I ask those of you with experiance, other suitable choices that perhaps I should be looking at also..

I am 5` 11, inside leg 31"...

Thanks Yet Again

SCR 2.0 is managle for 350 - I got mine second hand for 310, just have to look around and try several forums; ctc, veloriders, time trial forum etc...

 

[groove65]

I just bought a SCR3 for £270 from ebay in immaculate condition - if it helps im 5'11" and 31" inside leg as well and im on a medium frame that seems to be ok for me. its a superb machine IMO but ive flipped the stem over so its a tad more upright as my seatpost is pretty extended having got the right saddle height now. my saddle is also a bit back on the rails to give me a little more room. lovely bike - you will be very pleased.

 

[koro]

Hi, thanks for that, I hope I get fortunate in getting a similar deal....

Whats the difference between the SCR 3 and SCR 2?

 

[groove65]

i think the only difference is the groupset. ever so slightly better on the SCR 2 than 3. if you're starting out i doubt you would notice the difference..

Nowt wrong with the SCR 3 in my view - love mine !!

and you could spend the cash saved on riding kit

 

[John the Monkey]

The big difference (for me) is that you can't change gear from the drops using the Sora levers on the SCR3. I'd already ridden a road bike, riding in the drops a lot, and knew that would bug me (hence I went for the SCR2).

If you expect to be on the hoods, the frame is the same (paint job aside), and you could argue that the 8spd Sora drivetrain is going to be cheaper to run and more durable.

 

[koro]

Thanks guys,

Both valid points, I am edging towards an SCR 2, well hopefully....

 

[007fair]

Koro I bought an SCR 2 a few months back for exactly the same reason as you (could not afford the defy ..)
I got a shorter more upright stem I find the reach to the drops quite a stretch hence the stem .. guy I purchased it from had the same issue !

For your height medium sounds about right but the Defy comes in a medium/large size which would have been my choice SCR is only medium or large

Nice bike!