Level Entry Road Bike Advice

[dmuk]

It has been a while since I looked at new bikes and seeking advice!

I am after a new road bike inlight of my current bike starting to show it's age (Giant Defy).

I ride road and cycle paths, mostly flat to low elevations but the occasional hill climb. Weekend rides - 2 hours / 50km+.

I believe I am after something like:
Budget under $1.5k
Endurance category
Aluminium frame
700c wheels
Rim brakes
Likely 2x9 (34-50, 11-32) - Sora or above (?)

Current short list:
Trek Domane
Giant Contend
Cannondale CAAD
Polygon Strattos
Merida Scultura / Ride

I am open to second hand if I can find something in the right size and well maintained. Marketplace is a bit hit & miss. New is very tempting given the online store options.

[Duck!]

What's wrong with the Defy you have that's "showing its age"? Yes parts wear out with use, but rarely to an extent that warrants a new bike.

That said, on your list the Contend is the direct successor to the Defy, with only minor geometry tweaks primarily aimed at increasing clearance for wider tyres.

[AndrewCowley]

Rim brakes? I don’t think any of the bikes on your list are available with rim brakes any longer.

Also you mention wanting endurance geometry. The Cannondale and Polygon are not that.

I would forget about rim brakes. Look at this if you can stretch your budget.

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike ... urance-400

For the riding you are doing, I’d want Shimano 105 instead of Tiagra.

[Retrobyte]

If you can stretch your budget to just under $2k this is a good option - GRX drivechain, hydraulic disc brakes, endurance geometry, can take wide tyres. But has a steel frame.

https://www.99bikes.com.au/norco-search ... lue-2020-1

You can get aluminium for just over your budget, however for that you get mechanical disc brakes, which can be finicky ... https://www.99bikes.com.au/norco-search ... green-2021

[dmuk]

Thank you for the responses.

What's wrong with the Defy you have that's "showing its age"?

I started to price up replacement parts and it was easily $600 (assumed geuine parts) not including labour. Also couldn't find all the components locally.

A newer bike may offer the potental for running wider wheels and disc brakes. The quality of the discount stores has increased since I last bought a bike.

Rim brakes?
For the riding you are doing, I’d want Shimano 105 instead of Tiagra.

Rim brakes from a cost and simpicity perspective but discs now becoming more common.

I am a little torn on the groupset tiers. I don't mind the lower tiers if I can get the range of shifting.

If you can stretch your budget to just under $2k this is a good option -

Weighing up between Giant/Trek with basic components (on brand) versus a 99bikes/online special for the same price but higher tiered groupset.

[CmdrBiggles]

Rim brakes can still be seen on a few roadies around my neck of the woods, but really, disc brakes are ruling the roost now and going forward.

There is a generally accepted consensus that tim brakes will eventually be phased out in preference for the simplicity of disc brakes. Not so long ago we all thought that disc brakes had no place on road bikes — bikes seen with such were frowned upon as "not real road bikes", to quote one wag from some years back, much less being on the bikes ridden now in the Tour De France (among many others). Now look where we are! Discs made a big splash from around 2016 when they were officially given the green flag by UCI. My first "road" bike, a GIANT CRX-ZERO (a heavy flat bar affair) was fitted with disc brakes (AVID Juicy) — waaaaay back in 2007 — I had many head-over-heels moments with overzealous application of the front brake!!

I do wonder nowadays how common aluminium frames are in a world that is awash with carbon of an shape and flavour.

I am unsure if the older Defy models have 'endurance' geometry like the present day models. I am sure however, the extant GIANT Defy can be modernised very well if you update all the components; If you grind and gnash gears and are less than silky smooth, a cheaper transmission like Shimano 105 or (semi-wireless) ULTEGRA will be a softer hit on the pocket at replacement time than other, higher end gruppos (e.g. SRAM). You can save on labour costs by DIY, although some techy aspects of assembly might be better left for shop techs.

The choice of cable or wireless transmission will be a sticking point in terms of desire-vs-cost; wireless will be snappy, consistent and trouble-free with direct feedback to the cockpit computer display (e.g. usually showing on the display as 1/2 and-or 6/12, front and rear gears respectively), while cables will give tactile feedback but become fiddly and imprecise over time. SRAM's Rival is the mid-entrance level for their wireless transmissions (about the same level is 105), but there are a lot of other things beside front and rear derailleurs (e.g. crankset with or without power meter; integration with your onboard computer (Garmin, Wahoo, Karoo, iGPSPORT, et al). What have you got now, and is it replaceable, or does it speak of a full update?

In your post in answer to @Duck!, you stated that replacement parts for the existing Defy hit around $600. That would be the start of something...BIG (e.g. amount being spent...).

For some gruppos, e.g. SRAM's and DuraAce (never mind mentioning Campagnolo!), +/- $600 is the cost of a rear derailleur (if it is FORCE), or more still (if it is RED !) — definitely not the sort of trinkets you want to gleefully mash, grind, gnash and generally belt the living daylights out of...

To extend serviceability, dig deep and go for components with a proven history and long life, relative to the style of riding you do. It will sail easily well over $600. $2K to $3K-plus I would think, realistically.

Avoid the temptation to buy a bike online, unseen; you must be fit-tested as an essential first step.

[Duck!]

I am unsure if the older Defy models have 'endurance' geometry like the present day models. .

The Defy and OCR before it have always had "endurance" geometry within their contemporary contexts. The only significant shifts have been in tyre clearance and pretty much total adoption of disc brakes. The Contend model name, which has been in use since about 2015 is simply the aluminium versions within that family of bikes.

I am sure however, the extant GIANT Defy can be modernised very well if you update all the components; If you grind and gnash gears and are less than silky smooth, a cheaper transmission like Shimano 105 or (semi-wireless) ULTEGRA will be a softer hit on the pocket at replacement time than other, higher end gruppos (e.g. SRAM). You can save on labour costs by DIY, although some techy aspects of assembly might be better left for shop techs.

The choice of cable or wireless transmission (I think here you mean mechanical vs electronic) will be a sticking point in terms of desire-vs-cost; wireless electronic will be snappy, consistent and trouble-free with direct feedback to the cockpit computer display (e.g. usually showing on the display as 1/2 and-or 6/12, front and rear gears respectively), while cables will give tactile feedback but become fiddly and imprecise over time. SRAM's Rival is the mid-entrance level for their wireless transmissions (about the same level is 105), but there are a lot of other things beside front and rear derailleurs (e.g. crankset with or without power meter; integration with your onboard computer (Garmin, Wahoo, Karoo, iGPSPORT, et al). What have you got now, and is it replaceable, or does it speak of a full update?

In your post in answer to @Duck!, you stated that replacement parts for the existing Defy hit around $600. That would be the start of something...BIG (e.g. amount being spent...).

For some gruppos, e.g. SRAM's and DuraAce (never mind mentioning Campagnolo!), +/- $600 is the cost of a rear derailleur (if it is FORCE), or more still (if it is RED !) — definitely not the sort of trinkets you want to gleefully mash, grind, gnash and generally belt the living daylights out of...

To extend serviceability, dig deep and go for components with a proven history and long life, relative to the style of riding you do. It will sail easily well over $600. $2K to $3K-plus I would think, realistically.

Avoid the temptation to buy a bike online, unseen; you must be fit-tested as an essential first step.

Everything you've written in this section is way beyond the scope of the OP's criteria, not least the specific term in the title "entry level" and a maximum budget of $1500!

[CmdrBiggles]

Everything you've written in this section is way beyond the scope of the OP's criteria, not least the specific term in the title "entry level" and a maximum budget of $1500!

It would still cost more than $1500 to update a Defy as an 'entry level' — nothing is cheap! I have seen this idea before and it has lead to stress and tears as the cost continues marching northward. Buying second-hand might be a better option (assuming he/she can get an in-person size-up, inspection and second-party check before purchase), and that's certainly a route I investigated back in January, only that it left me feeling very let down by the dishonesty of people (ergo, in it to make a quick buck rather than strive to satisfy the prospective purchaser's needs!).

[Duck!]

Bulldust. Something would have to be SERIOUSLY phuqed up on the existing Defy to even get close to the $600 figure mentioned earlier. Reading between the very blurry lines in the OP, we're looking at Tiagra spec at best, but more likely Sora or Claris.

[dmuk]

I'm happy to be corrected on the repair costs. And the bike could still do more kilometres with no work. But it is no longer enjoyable.

A set of replacement shifters Sora alone cost $250. The bike is at the stage of needing a full overhaul including group set, bracket etc Even AliExpress clones are pricey. Maybe second hand is an option.

Hence rather than sinking money into a old bike, I was looking second hand bit a little bit wary of reliability.

And new is tempting because $1.2k is ok:
https://www.99bikes.com.au/merida24-scu ... ack-silver

While carbon frames, wireless transmission and hydraulic braking sound amazing, I'd be happy with a minor upgrade to what I have now.

[Mr Purple]

I'm with you. If your Defy is defiantly old school and running rim brake/narrow tyres I'd be upgrading rather than spending money on it at all.

I have a Roam that's been modified into a Defy (long story) as a trainer bike. I wouldn't spend a cent on it, it's just wrong and unfixable in many ways.

I was actually going to suggest Merida Scultura as a good and easily available option. But honestly I'd spend a bit extra at $1540 on the Tiagra version below:

https://www.99bikes.com.au/merida-22-sc ... -blue-grey

I think that'd be equivalent to the older 105 level bikes. It's almost exactly the same spec (10 speed, 9.4kg) of the 2007 Avanti Giro I rode for about 15 years quite happily, but with the advantage of decent tyre clearance and disc brakes. I reckon you'd get a solid decade out of that.

[WyvernRH]

<snip>
There is a generally accepted consensus that rim brakes will eventually be phased out in preference for the simplicity of disc brakes.
<snip>

Sorry, just taken notice of this thread and that comment made me giggle...
If you want disk brakes get them by all means, they are great. However, 'simpler' I don't think so - nor strictly necessary for the majority of riders IMHO.

Richard

[g-boaf]

<snip>
There is a generally accepted consensus that rim brakes will eventually be phased out in preference for the simplicity of disc brakes.
<snip>

Sorry, just taken notice of this thread and that comment made me giggle...
If you want disk brakes get them by all means, they are great. However, 'simpler' I don't think so - nor strictly necessary for the majority of riders IMHO.

Richard

He's actually probably correct: simplicity in only offering disc brakes, rather than two very different systems of braking. Not simpler for enthusiast buyers however.

Sort of like the Ford idea, you can have any colour you want provided it is black.

Rim brakes aren't necessarily simpler if they are hydraulically operated (Magura RT8 TT).

[AndrewCowley]

I wouldn't upgrade to a Tiagra or Sora bike. Save your money until you can get an entry level 105 bike like the Merida Scultura Endurance I linked earlier. In the mean time, make do with what you have.

Also, picking up on your original post and you saying you want an endurance bike. The Merida Scultura comes in two flavours; normal and endurance. The endurance version is shorter and taller. If the geometry matters to you then make sure to consider it. Endurance bikes vary a lot in geometry. Some aren't very endurance at all despite the marketing saying otherwise.

What are the specs of your current Defy? You only said it has rim brakes. What is the groupset and what year is it?

[warthog1]

^^Agreed. That is a nice bike.
https://bicyclesvictorharbor.com/produc ... 9bGu_vD3iw

[Mr Purple]

^^Agreed. That is a nice bike.
https://bicyclesvictorharbor.com/produc ... 9bGu_vD3iw

I take back my previous comment. if you can get a Scultura with 105 for that price buy one of those!

Bargain. And pretty much indestructible.

[dmuk]

Thank you again for the further comments.

Please explain the benefits of 105s?

What I understand is you essentially are getting similar gearing as the higher tiers (Ultegra & Dura), which means smoother and quicker gear changing. Also wider range of gearing (12 speed). Lighter and crisper shifters leading to less effort changes. Better durability. ??

At least this helps narrow down the new and second hand options. And the Merida is on special around the place noting the sizing differences between the race and endurance models.

[warthog1]

105 is basically lighter and a higher grade than the lower spec groupos.
More gears so closer gaps between gears and a good range. Disc brakes are hydraulic not cable.
It is Shimano's cheaper race level groupset.
Good stuff. I have 10's of thousands of ks on that level shimano stuff.

[Duck!]

Pretty much all modern groupsets offer a wide gear range. The key difference is that as you move up the range and gain more sprockets in the cassette, the intervals between gear ratios get shorter, so you get a much smoother progression through the mid-range.