Giant defy 3 XS
Aluminium body
Weight 9.4kg
3^9 gear
Carbon rim
Carbon seat
Micr tech
Shimano Sora all parts
Price 119 (negotiate)
Crafted from Giant's ALUXX SLgrade aluminum, the Defy frame features a dramatically flattened top tube that is actually thinner than the chainstays and nearly as slim as the seat stays. Giant's engineers opted for these skinny tube shapes to help deflect as much road chatter away from the rider as possible. To maintain some level of performance, however, the square-shaped downtube is quite large where it meets the head tube, which is intended to increase front-end stiffness, and the frame is paired with a carbon composite fork. And for those interested in some truly long-distance rides or those seeking extra versatility, the Defy frame comes with rack mounts. As you'd expect at this price point, the Defy 3's parts list includes mostly house-branded items. These include an aluminum seatpost, handlebar and stem combination, as well as Giant's S-R2 aluminum clinchers and S-R4 tires. The drivetrain is nearly all Shimano, with Sora shifters, derailleurs and a compact crankset, and a nine-speed HG-50 cassette. The build is completed with a KMC chain and Tektro TK-R340 brakes. Comment as Dynover...