anitje

Hi.
I have the opportunity to buy a 2015 Defy Advanced bike.
The owner is unsure of which model, but he claims it has "Shimano Ultegra components, and Pacenti hand built wheels".
Questions:
1. If it has Ultegra components, does that make it a Defy Advanced 1? Is there any way, when I check out the bike, to know? Like a number on the frame?
2. He is asking $1000. Is that a good price for the bike, assuming it is in good shape?
3. Has the Defy Advanced 1 substantially improved since 2015, to the point that you would not recommend buying the bike?

Thanks in advance,
anitje

anitje

Also,
4. Would the fact that it does not take a tire wider than 28mm be a game changer?
The Pacenti wheels are SL25.

Thanks.

Maelochs

https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/valu...nced%20SL%201/

https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...advanced-1-l-3

Her is a review of the 2019 model which has the SL2 wheels in the Adv 1 build ...... so it is possible the SL2 wheels are original

This review lists PR-2 wheels as standard in 2015----https://www.7hundred.co.uk/dpt/pgr/2015-giant-defy-advanced-1-ultegra__38025

From what I recall and what I read here the frame is of high quality though it only fits 28s---my Chinese defy clone only fits 28s and as I only ride it on pavement I have never wanted more.

28s are fine for road riding (IMO) but everyone has different tastes.

I am absolutely sure that Giant has records of its bikes serial numbers. How much effort you want to make to find those records and that bike is up to you.

I am not sure about the price---that is subjective. The bike is almost ten years old, which means the drive train is almost ten years old. If the owner put a lot of hard miles on them ... I have a ten-year-old 6800 drive train on one bike and other than one brifter breaking when the cable snapped and the ball-end jammed itself into the works, the whole thing works quite well still, and I really like it---but I would change the cable immediately after buying it.

I like the bike but .... I don't know your budget, your needs, your desires, your hopes, what or how or how often you ride or want to ride.

To me it seems as if, were the bike in Really good shape, you would be getting a lot of bike but that is still a good bit of money ... but on another hand a grand won't buy you much new, nowadays ... For pavement use you would be getting quite a good frame and decent wheels. How is the used market where you live? Are there similar deals on similar bikes? Is this exceptionally expensive or cheap compared to what else is available around you?

The biggest question, of course, is "Does it fit?" If it fits you really well, then you have to decide how used it is, and then decide how badly you want it. Go with $900, offer $750 and jump to $800 or $850 if he balks, and then tell him $900 is all you have, and see what happens,. If you still want it, tell him to hold it until the next day and hope he does. or just decide on a number that you feel comfortable with and don't bring any more than that. The price might be high but the bike might be in excellent condition. I don't know.

If it fits you, well, in its day it was an excellent bike and if it hasn't been abused it is still quite a good machine even by modern standards. How much it is worth to you in dollars, I cannot say.

PeteHski

They updated the frame in 2019 specifically to accommodate wider tyres (officially up to 32c). Otherwise I don’t think there is much difference. So it really depends on what tyres you intend to use.

anitje

Great responses! Very helpful!
Thanks for taking the time!

PeteHski

If you go for it also check that it is actually a 2015 frame, as the 2014 model is an even older design.