Upgrading Giant Defy 1- compatibility

[helston90]

Is there such a thing as a compatibility checker for bikes/ components?
I bought a 2014 Defy 1 a few months ago and whilst it's a lovely bike I'll be looking to upgrade bits as I go along (the Tektro brake calipers for example), is there a way of knowing what I can replace things with? Would I be able to stick some Ultegra ones on in their place? or 105?

The cassette is Tiagra so when this wears out would be wanting to upgrade this (this is my Sunday best so shouldn't get through too many) so again what can/ can't I replace it with?

Any thoughts or pointers greatly appreciated.

 

[Drago]

Before the self appointed arbiters of grammatical prowess and linguistic attribution descend upon us, perhaps you could clarify what you are seeking when you say "upgrade"?

Certainly in most cases, like for like (ie, 10 speed etc), road gear within the modern Shimano range is cross compatible, so 105 or Ultegra calipers with the correct drop would swap straight in.

 

[helston90]

^ fair request, the top 3 I'd like to do soonish and the other two are if some bargains pop up somewhere on CRC when the current ones get superseded.

Brake calipers (currently Tektro TK-R540 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot)- how would I establish the drop needed?
Cassette (Tiagra 12-30)
Chain (KMC X10)

and to a lesser extent
Crankset (Shimano 565 34/50) and Shifters (105)

 

[MikeW-71]

105 5700 or 5800 brake calipers should go on fine. I measured the ones on my carbon Defy against the Tektros on the alloy one, and they are almost exactly the same drop. The 105's give a nicer "feel" to me.

Choose a cassette for gear ratios, the only difference between "upgraded" ones is weight (and price ) I actually changed from a 105 11-28 to a Tiagra 12-30 because I was going to need that lower gear. There is no difference in shifting whatsoever. If you feel you don't need that 30t gear, then a 105 11-28 goes on fine and isn't a silly price.

I've never ridden a 565 crankset, so I don't know what it's like, but if the BB is compatible (needs to be hollowtech 2), then a 105 / Ultegra etc. is a straight swap. Same with the shifters, but Ultegra has been 11 speed for a while (like the new 105), so you'd need a different cassette, possibly a different rear mech, different chain. That rather increases the price of an upgrade that you'll get very little difference from.

 

[zizou]

Shimano have compatability charts on their website @ http://productinfo.shimano.com/#/com/2.6/C-453?cid=C-453&acid=C-453&types=road With the series codes it looks a bit more complicated than it actually is.

You are right in not changing the cassette until the old one has worn out and you need to change it. There will be a tiny bit of weight saving but you wont notice any difference going from Tiagra to Ultegra (for example). If working on a budget then cassettes and chains are the two areas where i would (and do) economise, spend the money saved on decent tyres, nice bartape and towards a good set of wheels. Those are the things where you'll notice a difference.

With brakes then a change to good quality pads can be a way to get better performance without having to change the calipers

 

[Milkfloat]

I would be tempted to spend £40 on a set of 105 brakes. I had the same Tektro ones as you and could not replace them fast enough. The internet is awash with people criticizing the Tektros. I must admit I did not bother to change the pads alone, which from my research would have helped - I went directly to replacing the whole kit and caboodle.

 

[helston90]

Good call on the pads for now- think I'll do that sooner rather than later and then keep eye out for end of season sale one some bling.
Things like the cassette were just out of interest really as I know they'll need doing some time (hopefully next year,lol) so would look definitely look at 11-28.
Summer tyres are needed as currently on the stock ones which aren't really doing me any favors and feel very similar to my 2 for £25 commuter tyres.

 

[Drago]

I would be tempted to spend £40 on a set of 105 brakes. I had the same Tektro ones as you and could not replace them fast enough. The internet is awash with people criticizing the Tektros. I must admit I did not bother to change the pads alone, which from my research would have helped - I went directly to replacing the whole kit and caboodle.

To be fair I had the same low opinion of the Tektros and was all set to change them for 105s on my Felt the moment it arrived. However, for reasons I can't fathom, they actually work superbly on the Felt. Seriously well.

 

[Cyclist33]

To be fair I had the same low opinion of the Tektros and was all set to change them for 105s on my Felt the moment it arrived. However, for reasons I can't fathom, they actually work superbly on the Felt. Seriously well.

Simple - well set up.

It wouldn't be much of a bike if its braking wasn't up to scratch. 9 out of 10 it's the set up that makes the difference.

 

[jamin100]

I have a Defy 3 composite and I upgraded it in this order

Tektro brakes > shimano 105
Tiagra shifters > shimano 105 (purely to neaten up the cockpit)
Black bar tape
Stock defy wheels > zondas

 

[Milkfloat]

I have a Defy 3 composite and I upgraded it in this order

Tektro brakes > shimano 105
Tiagra shifters > shimano 105 (purely to neaten up the cockpit)
Black bar tape
Stock defy wheels > zondas

Spooky - bar the shifters I did the same on my Defy.

 

[jamin100]

Spooky - bar the shifters I did the same on my Defy.

The only reason I did the shifters is because I didn't like the cables coming out the top of the shifter and the 105s go under the bar tape.

I got a good deal on the 105s and once I had sold the tiagra shifters I think the upgrade cost me about £25 and this included the LBS fitting them for me.

 

[bpsmith]

I too have a 2014 Defy 1. I have posted under a few topics regarding the brakes. Basically, I got the standard 105 5800 brake calipers and replaced them. Brakes are so much better now, without question!

Before fitting, I swapped in the 105 pads and there was a slight increase in braking performance, but still not great. Then fitted the 105 calipers with the 105 pads and the result is night and day. Even tried the Tektro pads in the 105 calipers to see the difference, and there was a drop in performance but still we're better than the standard Tektro set.

In my own personal experience this showed me that, whilst pads can make a difference, the calipers make a much bigger difference.

For me, descending at up to 50mph, I am way more confident with the 105 setup over the Tektro. Others will disagree, but that's just my experience for what it's worth, with the same kit.

 

[bpsmith]

Spooky - bar the shifters I did the same on my Defy.

I have the Defy 1, so the shifters are already 105. Other than that, I upgraded the brakes to 105 and also had Zonda's on there for a while too.