which road bike is best

[markstokeshughes80]

hi I have been searching for a road bike a while now and have narrowed it down to 3,i have found them all in the sale they are.
cube peloton race 2014 £799.99
giant defy 1 2014 £699.99
felt f75 2014 £606.49 (comes in boxed 90% assembled It will require the front wheel and handlebars fiting and some fine tuning of the gears and brakes)
what are people thought on these bikes, which of these has the best frame and is best value for money??thanks

 

[Cycleops]

Judged by sales the Giant would be the winner. I would find the poor frame welds on the Cube unacceptable. Perhaps have a read of this: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/group-tests/four-bikes-1000-115131
What question are you asking on assembly? By the way it's always considered "good form" to post links when asking these questions.

 

[smokeysmoo]

The only correct answer is the one that fits you best, but as you appear to buying online you'll just have to roll the dice I guess

Or...................go and visit your LBS and see what they've got, that way you can try them for size and even test ride them, (usually), and then make a truly informed decision as opposed to one based on the thoughts of others. Hell they might even surprise you with their prices

However, if you do go and pump your LBS for information please then buy from him, don't take that info back to the web and order online as that's just not cricket!

 

[markstokeshughes80]

thanks the cube seems to get a good review on that link, are the welds that bad? wasnt asking any questions about assembly it was just that site saw felt on said was boxed 90% assembled. you could get them to assembled it so was ready to ride when you got it but was a extra £60 the links are

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-peloton-race-road-bike-2014/rp-prod114145
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant-defy-1-2014.html?gclid=CMDckpX68cACFVGWtAodjFcA3Q
http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2014-boxed-72748.html

im leaning towards the giant is it worth the extra money against the felt?

 

[Big Nick]

Don't be put off Cube by the online smear campaign that loads of people who haven't had one quote

I have a Cube bike and the frame looks as good as any other in its price bracket

It's really advisable to try the bikes out beforehand though to be certain on frame size and to see if the geometry fits your body type rather than which is best value for money at their price points

 

[Andy Jeffery]

I bought the Defy last year and loved it for my first ever road bike. It is now my winter bike but I still love the thing.

 

[Tin Pot]

The one you choose to buy.

 

[markstokeshughes80]

thanks i went to cycle surgery and lbs and checked them all out they all fitted well in there own different way so know comes down to which is the best deal really? is the defy worth extra money over the felt. also noticed three carbon bikes whilst there and cycle surgery said they price match which were
giant defy composite 3 £849.99
giant defy composite 2 £998.93
cube agree gtc race £1099.00
the links are below

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/gi...2014-p232652?gclid=CKHWzNuw9MACFULmwgodvTQAVg
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/giant_...014-ID_61601?gclid=COiPo9at9MACFRHLtAode0wAYA
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/cube-agree-gtc-race-compact-road-bike-white-black-blue-id81169.html

seems giant defy composite 3 has tiagra instead of 105 and giant composite 2 has same spec as defy 1 and cube has slighty better spec is it worth paying extra money for carbon frame? and if so is it worth paying extra for cube over for the defy 1 or for defy 1 over defy 3 .thanks

 

[vickster]

Go ride them. Only you know what is worth more or over something else (even when it comes to components). If it doesn't fit or feel right, it isn't worth all the tea in China even if it is aesthetically / weight wise better to your mind

105 is a bit smoother than Tiagra and a bit lighter, also cables routed under the tape so neater, but that can affect shifting performance apparently if there's any sort of kink/blockage

 

[Deanno1dad]

I've just purchased the Defy 1 Composite...for a couple hundred more sure the carbon Defy 2 will be available..it's a lot of bike for the money..Love mine

 

[markstokeshughes80]

thanks for replies just wasn't sure if the defy composite 2 was worth £300 more than the defy 1 as have been told the defy 1 is top end alloy and composite at that price range would be lower end carbon and wouldn't be much better, lighter or stiffer if any than the alloy is this true?

 

[slowmotion]

None of the above. Get a Cinelli Experience, either Veloce or 105 drive train. The former is fantastic and a lot of fun.

Sorry, I just have to spread the word.

 

[vickster]

thanks for replies just wasn't sure if the defy composite 2 was worth £300 more than the defy 1 as have been told the defy 1 is top end alloy and composite at that price range would be lower end carbon and wouldn't be much better, lighter or stiffer if any than the alloy is this true?

Go ride them and see what you think