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Giant Defy 1 review

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$1275

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There’s a flow and vitality to the Giant Defy 1 frame that puts it in a different class to anything else we’ve ridden in its category this year

BikeRadar verdict

4.5 out of 5 stars

"Superbly responsive yet fluid ride backed up with an excellent spec for the money"

13 comments
Wed 25 Jan 2012, 8:00 am GMTBy

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Giant’s Defy has been the dominant bike in this price category for the past few years, but the big bike brand haven’t rested on their laurels, and the all-new 2012 frameset sets new benchmarks for alloy responsiveness and ride quality at this pricepoint.

  • Highs: Superb chassis creates a responsive but flowing ride backed up by balanced handling and excellent components for the money
  • Lows: The wheels are okay for now but the frame and component quality mean it’s worth upgrading to something lighter
  • Buy if: You want the best riding bike we know of for this price

Rather than one frame doing duty throughout the range, trading up to the Defy 1 from the excellent Defy 2 gets you smooth triple-pass welds and a press-fit bottom bracket. The latter means a 50g increase in weight over the Defy 2 but it’s worth it as the increased stiffness of the wider frame shell (and stiffer Shimano crank axle compared with the skinny FSA axle) is immediately noticeable on climbs. 

The complete bike weight of 8.87kg is another big factor in how well the Defy defies gravity, picking up speed immediately and encouragingly in any gear. The relatively short stem, tapered fork/ head tube and big down tube mean you can really brace your shoulders against a gear without feeling like you’re going to tear the front end off. 

Cornering accuracy is similarly precise, with a playful and responsive steering feel in tight turning situations that still stays the right side of stable at higher speeds on greasy roads. You get some spoke twang from the wheels the first few times you do it, but once they’ve settled, the Giant branded rolling stock performs fine, albeit at a relatively high weight. 

Giant’s PR3 tyres are proving a useful addition to their growing own-brand collection too: predictable, trustworthy grip underlined with puncture protection. It’s this ride quality that really makes the Giant stand out from its peers. We’re not talking princess and pea differences either; there’s a flow, fluidity and vitality to the Defy frame that puts it in a different class to anything else we’ve ridden in its category so far this year.

The riding position is really well balanced between comfort and combat, with a compact bar and full-carbon-shaft seatpost augmenting frame comfort. The component spec is excellent considering the quality of chassis that you’re getting for the money, and touches like Defy-specific close-clearance mudguards and an aftermarket seat collar that includes rack mounts complete a superbly designed package.

Giant defy 1: giant defy 1

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine.

What's the score with BikeRadar reviews? You can find a full explanation of our ratings here.

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User Reviews

There are 13 reviews on this post

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 comments

  • Looks a solid bike to me and good looking too, but how does it compare to the Dale Caad 10? I notice they are similar spec and weights but the giant comes in £400 cheaper so could be a real bargain...

  • Good point about the CAAD10 comparison.

    Is it me or don't they mention the component spec?

  • Full spec on the right. Caad seems to be a full 105 groupset but comparisons in terms of handling and ride are where I am leaning. Both look like great bikes and proof that allow still has life left as a frame material in the road world.

    I ride a Trek Madone 4.7 and like carbon bikes but I also have a Giant tcx 3 in alloy. I would buy an alloy road bike again if it was the right bike for me.

  • @senjo

    Click the 'Full Specification' link on the right.

  • They don't mention the group set because you'e only getting some 105 stuff along with tektro brakes for a grand. They can't diss it because Giant fund their empire for them along with specialized.

    I admit, I am rather grumpy today ;) but the prices of bikes has gone silly. This bike is crap value for money. Especially when 2 years ago it would of been at least £300 less.

  • Never bought a current model bike,alway bought one the year after and saved a fortune.

  • "They can't diss it because Giant fund their empire for them along with specialized."

    How does this work then?:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-specialized-secteur-elite-12-45863

  • Never bought a current model bike,alway bought one the year after and saved a fortune. The good bikes are starting to sell out mid season now :-( the manufacturers have sussed your purchasing tactics my friend!

  • Each year they rave about a different bike and your brain gets mushed. Cube Attempt v CAAD 10 v Defy 1 ahhhhhhhhhh. Also, last year CAAD was only £1200 - is it worth the £400?

  • You cant really compare the Caad and the Defy -> one is a race bike, and the other is not. The Defy is designed to be smoother and more comfortable, sacrificing some stiffness and it has a less aggressive geometry.My 2012 defy one is amazing though, can't fault it!

  • Does the weight mentioned above (8.87 kg) include the pedals ? I also wondering why Giant didn't put full 105 componentry on this 2012 model ? Defy 2011 model has got full 105 componentry.

  • 2011 doesnt have any 105 gear on it ,the frames different too and the crankset. I put some speedplays and a water bottle holder on mine (2012 medium) and its a touch over 9kg. I dont know why people diss tektro brakes , i pull the lever the bike stops ......amazing. Great Bike , looks great , rides really well (no more achy neck muscles) . Great acceleration. Even had a bloke ask me if it was "one of those posh bikes" while i had stopped at a level crossing.

  • For anyone who is looking for a good spec road bike for under £1,000 then the Defy 1 is it.

    I am amazed how the combination of the new alloy frame, carbon forks and seat tube soak up the road vibration.

    I agree it would of been nice to go the full 105 on the brakes but this really is not an issue.

    The frame is truely a masterpeice. Although the compact frame feel is different if you are not use to it but you soon get used to it.

    The issues I have had is with the tyres although they provide excellent puncture protection and are very hard wearing due to the harder compound, I got caught out going round a bend too fast in the dry and the rear wheel slipped out causing me to come off. This is partly because i had been using a softer compound tyre on my winter bike and didn,t take this into account. I also noticed great grip in the wet but again you need to be careful going into bends. I have found a softer compound of tyre in the wet improves the road holding. I,m using Vittoria Rubino tyres and the improvement has been amazing.

    Overall the Giant Defy 1 is a fantastic bike and I would highly recomend anyone to buy it if getting into the road biking.

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Specification

Name:
Defy 1 (12)
Built by:
Giant
Price:
$1275.00

Available Sizes:
M, L, L, M, S, S, S, S, S, S, M, L, XS, XS, XS, XS, XS, XS, S, M, L, XS, S, M, L
Weight (kg):
8.87

Frame & Fork:

 
Frame Material:
AlUXX Sl grade aluminium.
Frame Weight (g):
1530 g
Fork Model:
Carbon, alloy OverDrive tapered steerer
Fork Weight:
560 g
Headset Type:
Giant

Geometry:

 
Seat Angle:
73.5 Degrees
Head Angle:
72.5 Degrees

Brakes:

 
Brakes Model:
Tektro TK-R540 Giant specific, dual pivot

Transmission:

 
Cranks Model:
Shimano R565 50/34, 172.5mm cranks
Bottom Bracket Model:
Shimano, press-fit
Rear Derailleur Model:
Shimano 105, short cage
Front Derailleur Model:
Shimano 105 braze-on
Shifters Model:
Shimano 105 STI
Cassette:
Shimano Tiagra 11-28

Wheels:

 
Rims Model:
Giant P-R2

Contact Points:

 
Saddle Model:
Giant performance Road
Seatpost Model:
Giant Connect carbon, 30.9x350mm
Stem Model:
Giant Connect 10cm
Handlebar Model:
Giant Connect compact 42cm

:

 
Bottom Bracket Height (cm):
27 cm
Chainstays (cm):
42 cm
Seat Tube (cm):
50 cm
Standover Height (cm):
77.7 cm
Top Tube (cm):
54.5 cm
Wheelbase (cm):
99.5 cm

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