dizzydtrain

Went to test ride a few bikes this weekend after initially being interested in the diverge. Tried out the defy 1 and 3 after testing out the synapse and roubaix compact from 2013.

The price difference between the 2014 Defy 1 and 3 is around $360 for an upgrade to an aluxx sl frame and 105 components. Is this worth the price over the Aluxx frame and sora? In all honesty, I felt like the Defy 3 rode just as well and shifted identical. I will admit the the 105 shifted quicker but the bike is intended for fitness riding.

Thoughts?

MRT2

In general, I say go with the best bike you can reasonably afford. However, if you really can't tell the difference, then maybe go with the cheaper bike. I went through this with my wife a few years back. She test rode two Jamis road bikes. Difference was a couple of hundred bucks. I asked which one she liked better. She said she liked the cheaper one better. I said the more expensive one had better shifters and a lighter fork. My wife shrugged her shoulders and said she still liked the cheaper one.

puckalish

My vote is for the cheaper bike. I mean... I used to have a Defy 5 (the cheapest of the line) and it was plenty comfortable and speedy enough for what I was doing (commuting, training up for a century, long rides, fitness)...

Speaking of fitness, the difference in the frame is that the Defy 1 is a lighter, yet still strong, aluminum... the difference will be negligible next to any weight you lose off of your actual body.

105s are better than the Soras, sure, but, again, if you're getting it for training, the difference may not really be worth it.

If you have the extra money to spend, get other stuff for the ride.

mrfreezesdefy3

My first bike was the 3 I love it my lbs said the gears and shifting would be better for me but the defy 1 looked sweet I just couldn't see more $ for my first bike

dizzydtrain

Thanks for everyone's input. I Think the 3 will be my bike soon. really like everything about it, looks, performance, and price. Definitely a frame worth keeping for a while.

AlexGS1

I had the same dilemma just a few weeks ago. Luckily, it was solved by a shop having a barely used DEFY 1 available in my size for the same price as a DEFY 3. I can't say which to choose, but I can say that I am enjoying the 105 group a lot, and it is noticeably better than the SORA/CLARIS components I was using while test riding a few models.