Boardman Road Team vs Giant Defy 1

[mjf1017]

After 3 years of commuting and the odd sportive on my Boardman Hybrid, it's time to upgrade to a road bike. I like the look of the Boardman Team and the Giant Defy 1. I'm also aware that with a new range of Boardmans due in Sept, there will be some cracking deals out.
The bike will be used for sportives and getting out and about of an evening. The Giant gets great reviews as one of the best £1k sportive bikes and the Boardman gets excellent reviews as well. However, a few of the owner reviews have said that the Boardman is very 'race' set up, and not suitable as a sportive bike.
Anyone out there ride either of these bikes and have an opionion?,
What is meant by a race geometry and what does a tall head tube actually do, that spacers don't?

 

[King Boonen]

Have a look at the bike builder here:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

Unfortunately you missed a £200 discount on the boardman, it was one day only yesterday but keep an eye out, they may do it again.

 

[ustabe]

What is meant by a race geometry and what does a tall head tube actually do, that spacers don't?

Allow you to go even higher if that's what you want.

Most stock bikes come with a 2 cm cone plus 2 or 3 cm of spacers. And I've heard some engineering types say that the steerer should be no longer than 150% of the length of the head tube, for safety, especially if it's carbon. Which means that smaller bikes or bikes with shorter (more aggressive) head tubes should carry fewer spacers. All other things being equal, there is more handlebar and head tube flex with bikes with lots of steerer showing.

That said, some racer types couldn't get their handlebars low enough on something like a Roubaix, even using a 73/17 degree stem. On the other hand, guys who need the handlebars level with their saddles should not be considering carbon F-series Felts.

The reviewers make a big issue of "sportive" bikes needing taller head tubes, and they like to create more market segments and split hairs between them to get all of us to buy more bikes. In my mind, it's more about the rider than the event. My rule of thumb, meant to be broken, is, if you need more than 2 cm of spacers plus the 2 cm cone to get the bar as high as you want, you might prefer a bike with a taller head tube.

Evaluate your position on your current bike, meaning, determine if this is really what you want to live with for a few years. Shop accordingly.

 

[mjf1017]

Thank

Thank you both for your intelligent and interesting comments....