eduskator

Hi all,

First of all, I am happy to be a new member of bikeforums.net. I current own a 2017 Giant Defy Advanced 3 that I like very much. I ride mainly mountains (100-150kms / week) near where I live, and rarely ride in the city because of the horrible streets full of potholes and cracks we have, and car drivers that shouldn't have their licenses. My longest rides are roughly 2 hours.

I like my current bike, and frankly I would keep it no doubt, but I would like to upgrade for Ultegra group set. Since upgrading my current bike with an Ultegra group set would most likely cost the equivalent or more than buying a new bike, I'll simply change it and sell the other one. This said, I am wondering if I should switch to a TCR while I'm here...

Last year when I bought my bike, the TCR was my initial choice, but my salesman convinced me to opt for the Defy and I do not regret it since I like it. Had I known I would have liked biking so much, I would have went with an Advanced 1 right away.

There's currently a good sale on 2019 TCRs and Defys at my local shop:

1) The TCR Advanced 1 disc is going for 2319$ instead of 2899$
2) The Defy Advanced 1 is going for 2399$ instead of 2999$

Surprisingly, the Defy is more expensive (+100$ on the MSRP) this year than the TCR. Does anyone know why?

I am planning on trying the TCR prior to considering switching, but I would have liked your thoughts! I am not sure if my local shop will let me try one, but I'll ask them! If anyone ever had these 2 bikes, I'd also like to know that you think as well, and know why you did switch from one to another! I've read several threads including former TCR owner who switched to Defy and vice versa. I guess it's really a ''feel'' thing, and how much your back can support the more aggressive geometry of the TCR.

Thanks in advance,
Pascal

colnago62

Do you know why the salesman steered you away from the TCR?

eduskator

It was my first road bike, and I had told him I wanted comfort as well as performance.

colnago62

Your best bet is to try a TCR out and see how you feel when you ride it.

str8jakett

Do you have to sell the Defy or can you buy a TCR and keep the Defy too? I started with a Defy, bought a TCR, sold the Defy. Bottom line, I wish I'd kept the Defy AND the TCR.

eduskator

Ideally, I'd sell it as I would have close to what I paid for last year. Why are you missing the Defy? For longer rides? When you're a little more tired?

illdrag0n

The defy really is a fantastic bike for anyone that doesn't race. It's stiff and punchy enough to get around quick and is just so comfortable over distance. I feel like going to a tcr would be marginal performance gains in exchange of comfort in your usage scenario.

str8jakett

No reason in particular, I just wish I still had it around. I've been watching out for a cheap frameset I can't refuse. A long ride or century on the TCR or Propel is just fine.

trainsktg

My first road bike was a Defy. I later bought a TCR. Mechanically they are essentially the same bike...11sp 105, Conti GP4000 tires, Toupe saddles. I still own both and don’t plan on getting rid of either. I’ll use the Defy on the trainer, for commutes, in colder conditions when I’m bundled up and a ‘racier’ position isn’t going to matter much, etc. The Defy was originally an 8 speed, so it’s the one I also learned all of my wrenching skills on.

Keith

Dean V

I am not even sure that a TCR is the faster bike.
Although it isn't being promoted as such, the new Defy appears to be fairly aero as it incorporates a lot of the features that are said to help in that department.
The TCR is not aero in any way although there is no denying that it is a great riding bike.

Lrdchaos

I recently bought a new TCR advanced pro disc and love the ride and performance. To me, the defy was a super comfortable bike, but sat me up a little taller than my liking. I pretty much had my pick of bikes and chose the TCR and I’m glad I did, however I don’t know that you will see any gains with a new bike over your old one. You might see a little speed gain due to ride position, but it a trade off in comfort/endurance.

OhioJTrek

Based on what everyone else is saying it sounds like to me a test ride on the TCR will probably be your best way of deciding this.

eduskator

Yup. Just need to figure out if the shop will let me (or find someone that has one and that would be willing to let me try it). I would need to adjust it to my specs of course, which can be tricky when it's not your bike. It's very hard to compare when you don't own both.

Edit : I found a company that loans bike for 70$/day. They have a TCR Advanced 1 2019. That's great!

MyTi

You don’t need two bikes. The only real notable difference between the defy and tcr is the bigger head tube. More head tube means a more relaxed geometry. Wheel base might be longer but I feel with a short wheel base you will adapt to and be comfortable with for long distances as well.

If you want both in one bike just get the TCR, tell them to not cut the fork and just fill it with spacers. If you want it to be more racy slam the stem, if you want your tcr to be more like a defy add more spacers.

sirjag

What about the contend line? very similar but Aluminum frame correct??

Is Al that much slower?

JAG

trainsktg

The Defy I spoke of earlier is an aluminum frame. It is not noticeably ‘slower’ than my TCR, at least not where frame material is considered.

About two years ago I was in the mood to get a disc road bike. I considered a Contend but it was wayyy too similar to my Defy, go I got the beefier Revolt instead. If I didn’t own a Defy I would have no problem otherwise getting a Contend.

Keith

surak

If your LBS doesn't do free test rides, then you need to find another LBS. Unless you're going to take it for an entire day, you shouldn't have to pay a cent.

shelbyfv

Or even one, apparently.