Giant Defy 4 vs Defy 5 - is this really worth the difference?

[Dave7]

Following my recent post............my friend is trying to decide between a Giant Defy 4 or a Defy 5.
Cost difference is approx. £100.00
The only major difference in spec' that I can see is that the 3 has carbon forks.
My thinking is....................................
To really/honestly evaluate the benefit of Carbon forks you would have to try the same bike with alloy & carbon.
My advice (based on limited knowledge) was............if you can afford the carbon forks then go for them as I "believe" they make for more comfortable ride.
Any thoughts ???

 

[blazed]

If it ain't full carbon, it ain't worth riding. Tell him to buy neither.

 

[Drago]

Carbon is no guarantee of fit, feel, handling, road behaviour, comfort or ride quality. He should go ride them and select the one that works best for him, not what the self appointed fashionistas tell you to.

 

[vickster]

Are you sure it's not a different groupset, Claris vs Sora? Which model year is if?

Personally, I only have bikes with carbon forks but it's not my bike, so he needs to go ride. Carbon forks are lighter though

 

[Dogtrousers]

As @vickster says, are you sure there aren't groupset differences? The 2015 versions both have composite forks but the 3 (£649) is Sora and the 4(£575) is Claris

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.4/19187/77297/#specifications

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.3/19187/77296/#specifications

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

All things being equal (which they almost never are) I'd pay the extra for the carbon forks.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

How does a carbon fork smooth out the ride?

Does it compress? Does it flex under load to such an extent that it counteracts irregularities in the road?

Don't think so. More marketing rollocks.

Real benefit is that they are light and strong- as are alloy forks.

 

[steveindenmark]

If it ain't full carbon, it ain't worth riding. Tell him to buy neither.

What a lot of tosh.

 

[fossyant]

Carbon forks are better than alloy.

Alloy forks are seriously stiff, carbon are shock absorbing. Steel forks are something else... Zuzz out the shock.

Alloy forks = dentures.

 

[Milkfloat]

The difference in price is only £55 and the component spec is also different (Claris versus Sora). The 2015 defy is going for a bargain at http://www.rutlandcycling.com/284977/products/2015-giant-defy-3-road-bike-blue-white.aspx

 

[Dave7]

Are you sure it's not a different groupset, Claris vs Sora? Which model year is if?

Personally, I only have bikes with carbon forks but it's not my bike, so he needs to go ride. Carbon forks are lighter though

OOPS!!.............Very sorry.............I meant the Defy 4 or 5...........both have Claris.
Cant ride it as it's from Rutland Cycles..........no dealers around here can get anywhere near the prices.

 

[vickster]

How much? Which models, the 5 versus the 4? Looking at the specs, the 3 at £429 looks better value
He shouldn't really buy if he can't try

If buying online, you might be able to get a model with carbon forks and a better groupset for similar cash

 

[Dave7]

As @vickster says, are you sure there aren't groupset differences? The 2015 versions both have composite forks but the 3 (£649) is Sora and the 4(£575) is Claris

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.4/19187/77297/#specifications

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.3/19187/77296/#specifications

Very sorry.................I meant the Defy 4 or 5...........both have Claris.

 

[Dave7]

The difference in price is only £55 and the component spec is also different (Claris versus Sora). The 2015 defy is going for a bargain at http://www.rutlandcycling.com/284977/products/2015-giant-defy-3-road-bike-blue-white.aspx

Very sorry..........I meant Defy 4 or 5.

 

[outlash]

If it ain't full carbon, it ain't worth riding. Tell him to buy neither.

Calm down, you've already won troll of the year so why carry on?