2024 Giant Defy

[EtoDemerzel]

Here is my latest, LBS stripped a bike and just sold me a Pro 0 Frameset which I’ve build up with some spare bits. 7205g as seen with chunky winter tyres.




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gorgeous build
details on what saddle?

[wahla21]

M size frame - 985g (without front and rear mech hangers, water bottle bolts)

Fork (uncut) - 375g

Seat Post 153g (includes clamp & bolts)

a little bit on the heavy side but the color makes up for it.

SL version?

[GT3RS]

Saddle on mine is a Cadex Amp. Finding it pretty comfy.

[picklerick]

M size frame - 985g (without front and rear mech hangers, water bottle bolts)

Fork (uncut) - 375g

Seat Post 153g (includes clamp & bolts)

a little bit on the heavy side but the color makes up for it.

SL version?

yes

[pmprego]

M size frame - 985g (without front and rear mech hangers, water bottle bolts)

Fork (uncut) - 375g

Seat Post 153g (includes clamp & bolts)

a little bit on the heavy side but the color makes up for it.

SL version?

yes

Not a lot of people will buy a defy SL and post here - I guess this is not that type of forum. Yet, looking at the tarmac sl8 thread, that's huge! Based on that, I've read there people with size 52 and 800gr frames for which specialized announced 685gr bare paint size 56. That to me tells me a 150gr extra weight due to paint is to be expected, maybe a bit more.

In that sense, giant announced a 785gr no paint size medium size (which is kind of similar to a spesh size 56). So... 200gr is on the heavy side for paint. Maybe that paint is heavier than normal. Also... giant claimed 345gr on the uncut fork. This one yes, one could claim comes a bit heavier than normal.

I really like this new giant defy. I keep telling myself I don't need to change bikes
I also keep telling myself I better be waiting for a new version (every excuse to not buy works!) with a downtube storage. A downtube storage would add no more than 50gr to a frame and it would allow me to hide my saddle bag into the frame for a much better aerodynamic profile on the seatpost (especially now that brands are moving to super thin seatposts for better aerodynamics) and to lower overall bike weight - my saddle bag empty weights way more than 50gr.

[picklerick]

M size frame - 985g (without front and rear mech hangers, water bottle bolts)

Fork (uncut) - 375g

Seat Post 153g (includes clamp & bolts)

a little bit on the heavy side but the color makes up for it.

SL version?

yes

Not a lot of people will buy a defy SL and post here - I guess this is not that type of forum. Yet, looking at the tarmac sl8 thread, that's huge! Based on that, I've read there people with size 52 and 800gr frames for which specialized announced 685gr bare paint size 56. That to me tells me a 150gr extra weight due to paint is to be expected, maybe a bit more.

In that sense, giant announced a 785gr no paint size medium size (which is kind of similar to a spesh size 56). So... 200gr is on the heavy side for paint. Maybe that paint is heavier than normal. Also... giant claimed 345gr on the uncut fork. This one yes, one could claim comes a bit heavier than normal.

I really like this new giant defy. I keep telling myself I don't need to change bikes
I also keep telling myself I better be waiting for a new version (every excuse to not buy works!) with a downtube storage. A downtube storage would add no more than 50gr to a frame and it would allow me to hide my saddle bag into the frame for a much better aerodynamic profile on the seatpost (especially now that brands are moving to super thin seatposts for better aerodynamics) and to lower overall bike weight - my saddle bag empty weights way more than 50gr.

i am a big fan of downtube storage too (gamechanger , thats why i almost got a domane but i wanted to build a bike from scratch so the defy frame kit announcement just came at the right time. and the paintjob for this price compared to the paints on the domane was another big plus for me.

[pmprego]

(...)

i am a big fan of downtube storage too (gamechanger , thats why i almost got a domane but i wanted to build a bike from scratch so the defy frame kit announcement just came at the right time. and the paintjob for this price compared to the paints on the domane was another big plus for me.

I guess this is the next (3 years from now) update for the defy. I don't see what else can they really change now for it.

Make it a bit lighter? Go even crazier with tire clearance? Ok with that - gimme 40mm as apparently they dont quite currently fit the 38mm announced. But those are minor upgrades. Only a downtube storage solution allow them to say "And now with downtube storage!"

As a wish list... they could also start to offer either a round fork or a d-shaped thing for people have the option of using other stems/handlebars with no problems.

Apart from this... I don't see what else can be done.

[gshb]

Its really interesting the new Defy in size S is very similar to the Supersix Evo in 51. The SSEvo actually has a longer front rake and front center. The wheelbase is nearly identical, so really the front on the Defy is squeezed for the longer chainstay. Can it still be called an endurance geometry? Price for the frameset is almost 20% cheaper than the Hi-mod, making the Defy compelling.

[pmprego]

Its really interesting the new Defy in size S is very similar to the Supersix Evo in 51. The SSEvo actually has a longer front rake and front center. The wheelbase is nearly identical, so really the front on the Defy is squeezed for the longer chainstay. Can it still be called an endurance geometry? Price for the frameset is almost 20% cheaper than the Hi-mod, making the Defy compelling.

You could put it the other way around: is the supersix really a race bike?

Nothing against supersix geometry. It is just the least aggressive race bike that i know of.

[BenSiskri]

Not a lot of people will buy a defy SL and post here - I guess this is not that type of forum. Yet, looking at the tarmac sl8 thread, that's huge!

It continually astounds me; all the 'wannabe pros' buying & riding race bikes which are unsuited to your average rider. Whereas Endurance bikes designed for the same rider, don't get the same interest.......
It's laughable really.....(I take it most haven't watched 'Bikefit James' on You Tube.

[Mr.Gib]

It continually astounds me; all the 'wannabe pros' buying & riding race bikes which are unsuited to your average rider. Whereas Endurance bikes designed for the same rider, don't get the same interest.......
It's laughable really.....(I take it most haven't watched 'Bikefit James' on You Tube.

What do you mean by unsuited? Do you mean that the geometry of a "race bike" is wrong for the "average rider"? Too long and low? But if the bike fits, I am struggling to come up with some other way that a race bike might be unsuited, assuming of course that it is being used on the road.

And what are "wannabe pros"? If they are people participating in local racing, a race bike would make the most sense would it not? Or do you just mean people that were sold bikes that don't fit? I think that would qualify them as just uninformed and/or poorly served by the industry.

While I am curious about all bikes, it's the most advanced, go fast designs that really get my attention. As for the Defy, that photo above is a classic example of a bike aesthetic that I dislike. The slope of the top tube, the hoods higher than the saddle, the whole thing just looks like it's going uphill no matter the terrain. I know it's exagerated with the small frame size, but I just wouldn't be happy riding something like that unless I couldn't fit anything else. Maybe this attitude explains the lack of attention, though here I am giving the Defy (more) attention.

[pmprego]

It continually astounds me; all the 'wannabe pros' buying & riding race bikes which are unsuited to your average rider. Whereas Endurance bikes designed for the same rider, don't get the same interest.......
It's laughable really.....(I take it most haven't watched 'Bikefit James' on You Tube.

What do you mean by unsuited? Do you mean that the geometry of a "race bike" is wrong for the "average rider"? Too long and low? But if the bike fits, I am struggling to come up with some other way that a race bike might be unsuited, assuming of course that it is being used on the road.

And what are "wannabe pros"? If they are people participating in local racing, a race bike would make the most sense would it not? Or do you just mean people that were sold bikes that don't fit? I think that would qualify them as just uninformed and/or poorly served by the industry.

While I am curious about all bikes, it's the most advanced, go fast designs that really get my attention. As for the Defy, that photo above is a classic example of a bike aesthetic that I dislike. The slope of the top tube, the hoods higher than the saddle, the whole thing just looks like it's going uphill no matter the terrain. I know it's exagerated with the small frame size, but I just wouldn't be happy riding something like that unless I couldn't fit anything else. Maybe this attitude explains the lack of attention, though here I am giving the Defy (more) attention.

This Defy geometry is actually much in line with Cannondale supersix. For a size 54, the supersix is taller (taking into account the Defy uses a -10° stem) and just some 3mm longer.

A tarmac is a bit more aggressive. Yet... something 10mm spacers would easily equalize.

The propel or scott foil... thats another story. Really aggressive.

I guess more than the geometry, the bikes pros use really do sell way better.

[TwiggyForest]

See heaps of people here riding Tarmac's and TCRs with 40mm+ of spacers, they would likely better served with an endurance bike.

[hannawald]

I used to have many bikes as I am crazy and buying and selling bikes way too much. With my body proportions having longer legs and shorter torso and hands than average for my body height I struggled on some race bikes being too low and long for me.
Yet I was not happy with endurance bikes:( I exchanged my Canyon Endurace with my friends Ultimate on the same ride. Very similar bikes similar weight and the Ultimate was noticeably more responsive, every little effort was awarded by acceleration. I also had the latest Trek Domane SLR. That bike looked good, perfect frame proportions even in size 56, it was so comfortable. I was happy riding it on flats and down the hill. Up the hill it was not slow but again it lacked the snappiness. It was 7.4 kgs so not heavy. Going uphill with the steady tempo was ok but once you stand into the pedals you make 2 or 3 rotations and sit down again because the bike just goes the same...of course if you go from 250 watts to 350 watts you will notice it but from 250 to 280, that little effort is somehow absorbed in the bike:) at least it gives you that feeling. The feeling climbing standing is like pulling the bike behind you. My current Supersix is slightly more snappy and that's great. The bike feels like being under you not behind you...
Whenever I read a review of a new endurance superbike it gives the impression that it is now snappy as race bikes but that's not my experience so far. Maybe Cervelo Caledonia 5 was close. Would be interesting to know about Defy. But as its geometry is quite close to Supersix it might be better to have Supersix (comfortable, one of the best aero, lighter...) unless you need gravel clearance...
Of course some race bikes are not good for the hobby rider. From my experience Trek Emonda is such a bike. It will allow you to have 4 or 5cm of spacers but its for is quite steep, its wheelbase quite short, it is really meant for low and long cockpit. And it is quite a harsh riding bike. Climbs great but overall it is really better for experienced riders.

[pmprego]

I find it interesting the path specialized followed with the aethos by making it the same geometry as the tarmac.

That bike screams hobby cyclist but the geometry is rather racy.

Currently, the supersix is the pro peloton bike with the slacked geometry. Enve melee comes close. The defy is also in a somewhat weird place in terms of geometry (or the TCR is, dunno).

If I could buy a bike right now would be between the defy and the supersix. There are pros and cons in both - to my eyes.