New Rider New Bike - Giant Defy Advanced

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casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

Last year I purchased an older Cannondale R500 (did a Triathlon on it!) to give cycling a try and I was hooked. So I recently picked up this 2016 Giant Defy Advanced Disc (demo bike) for a great price. This is my first "proper" bike. First time riding in clipless pedals and shoes, first carbon bike, first bike with shifters on handlebars! I chose this bike because it was a great bargain, came with good enough components, comfortable for long rides, and would be a great all around bike for me to ride in all terrains.

Having stalked this site for a few months, I have been itching for a few upgrades. So far, I have only adjusted the stem/fork tube length, seat height and recently added a Giant Carbon cage. I would like to shed a little bit of weight (hoping for <17lbs) and have some ideas for now:

Carbon Clinchers (Chinese/Taiwanese) - I am 68kg and with disc brakes i'll take my chances for the price
Tires - maybe slight weight saving
Giant SLR Carbon handlebars - the stock handlebars are wide for me (i think i can go narrower 40cm and lighter)
Stem - after new handlebars I'll see how that changes the geometry and position and maybe go for a carbon stem
Saddle - if I don't find the stock saddle to be comfortable

First priority will be wheels. I know the stock wheels are pretty sub-par, but to be honest, it's more of a aesthetic and cool upgrade for me. I'm no pro and not competing so this will just get me more excited about riding. I've been researching different companies and have narrowed it down to a few reputable brands, but any advice is appreciated - 38mm, 24H, sapim, axle size?

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by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

thanks Juan...

for those that have upgraded the stock Giant SL handlebars, any favorites or is it personal preference? i definitely need to go narrower for my body frame and can get the Giant SLR's for a decent price. any thoughts?

casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

out of curiosity i wanted to see the weight of a few items. first up, the stem and spacers that were removed (29g)

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Giant Airway Pro 1 carbon cage with bolts (24g)

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Last edited by casper3043 on Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Johnny Rad
Posts: 2025
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:22 am
Location: Zion

by Johnny Rad

That's an awfully sharp Giant. Welcome to cycling! Not surprised that you're addicted - just like us.

No need to justify upgrades with us or me at least. If it makes you happy and ride more, then hell yeah go for it!

The saddle is an anchor. No two ways about it. Think you'll find loads of mainstream, padded options in the 200-250g range.

jeffy
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:51 pm

by jeffy

if you go for farsports clinchers, i would recommend DT Swiss hubs, either 240 or 350(cheaper) as these (as well as being great quality) are easily convertible from QR to thru axle (more future proof). They also come in centerlock(much more convenient) or 6 bolt options.

gsindela
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:48 pm
Location: Geneva, IL, USA

by gsindela

2015 Storck Scenero G3, Force 22, Ultegra wheels, Zipp AL bars, stem, post

shotgun
Posts: 319
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:38 pm
Location: Philippines

by shotgun

Congratulations on that new Defy! I've build a few Giants over the years, and I can give a few additional recommendations

Stem: Pro Vibe 1.25in - one of the more lighter ones around that are OD2
Handlebar: An UD handlebar should be around 180g or less
Rotors: Ashima Ai2 140mm - I saved some grams here
2018 Giant TCR Advance SL0 Disc
2017 Festka Scalatore
1989 Battaglin Roche
1985 Alan Carbonio

casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

quick update...i pulled the trigger on a few items: Deda Superleggera RS Carbon handlebars, Serfas Phantom Carbon saddle, 2.5mm lizard skins. Pics and weights to follow!

I was looking at the Ashima Ai2 Super light rotors. Giant says my stock rotors are 160mm. Could I go with a smaller rotor size (140mm) without issues? There is ~5 gram difference between the 140 and 160mm.

And for wheels, I have a few options...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331043638292?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
https://www.wheelsfar.com/cyclocross/25 ... elset.html
https://www.lightbicycle.com/carbon-38m ... ncher.html

So far I've decided on the 25mm, 38mm depth, 700cc clincher. Farsports are getting pricey at ~$720 shipped, however they come with dt swiss 350's. Light bicycle carbon wheels were slightly cheaper but with Novatec hubs. They ebay (speedcarbon11) wheels were REALLY cheap and come with Novatec's as well. Since I'm gambling on these carbon wheels, I'm thinking of going with ebay (speedcarbon11). At ~$420 shipped, the price is significantly cheaper than the others.

CrankAddictsRich
Posts: 2307
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:39 pm
Contact:

by CrankAddictsRich

I'd agree with above... lots of weight to be saved with the saddle, even without going toward anything extreme. I don't think you'll find any significant weight savings with stems, without going for something really costly and extreme. Wheels, tires and tubes will be the biggest change.

casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

Serfas phantom saddle is in! Weighed in at 162g, 3 grams less than advertised WOOHOO!

Yeoleo 38mm carbon clinchers have been ordered. Although the "no decal" set will take 25 days until it's shipped out. By that time I should have the Deda bar on and taped up.

I wanted to know what the stock seat weighed. i might consider changing it if the comfort isn't there (342g)

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Last edited by casper3043 on Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

after almost a month of waiting, the Deda Superleggera is in. 42cm outside to outside weights in at 190g

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started tackling the handlebars. for anyone interested, the Giant Contact SL bar weights in at 299g

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Last edited by casper3043 on Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

the old bar tape and electrical tape came in at 74g and 64g all in

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Lizard Skins Bar Tape 2.5mm weights ~30g each side (the part i cut offset the electrical tape more or less)

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casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

old Giant SL1 tires weight 246g

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Continental GP4000 ii's weight 215g just as advertised

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casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

new wheels came in...I haven't been able to ride the bike so I wan't to give it a few K's before I write a review. but at first glance, these wheels look fantastic. well packaged, clean weaves, no blemishes, true, etc. My only negative comment is the weight. They are not as light as I thought, more to come...

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casper3043
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:45 pm

by casper3043

i also ordered a Ashima Ai2 disc brake rotor as someone recommended. I weighed the stock rotor which was 134g with bolts and 121g for the disc alone. if the weight is as advertised, this would be the best bang for buck weight reduction. $13 for 50g!

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by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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