Meet Stealth, my new road bike (PIP)

[sadlebred]

Meet Stealth, my new road bike. She is a Giant Defy Advanced with Di2-U (electronic shifting), hydraulic disk brakes, and...I can't believe I finally got to bring her home tonight!

I turned the big 4-0 this year, and I wanted to do someting special for myself. My lovely custom titanium Dean is about 10 years old, and the components are worn out. I decided that a new road bike was in order. I usually don't go for bleeding edge technology on my bikes, but I couldn't help myself when I saw bikes like this online. I've been looking since the spring. It took me a few months to find what I wanted. I'm thankful that my awesome LBS (ok, one of a few great LBSes I shop at) was able to grab the first one in the US for me.  I cannot wait to ride her!

Full specs for the fellow bike lovers:
www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.advanced.pro.0/18731/76103/

[katandkevin]

Very pretty!

[chw57]

I have BIG TIME bike envy right now. Enjoy!!

[labbie]

Beautiful! And a great name. Congrats!!

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[turboteal]

Very sleek!

[Deleted]

Holy shitballs!! What a gorgeous machine!! LOVE

[jordylee]

That is a gorgeous; a perfect 4-0 birthday gift! Enjoy!

[bostonmichelle]

Very pretty!

[CallingAllAngels]

[bullygirl979]

That is one bad ass mutha-f*cking bike! Congrats and happy birthday!

[cinco]

So pretty! Enjoy !

[boston340]

Awesome!!

[Susie]

:Y: The blue bar tape was a good choice.

That aside, that is one sexy machine.

[sadlebred]

...and a funny tidbit...I did not follow my own advice to ride a ton of bikes before I bought one. Based my measurements, several bike fittings, and such, I can tell what will fit. I rode a Trek Madone, a Trek Domane, and only a few other newer bikes over the last 6 months. I bought this one sight unseen. The LBS owner's wife (and my friend) is almost exactly my proportions. I test rode her Giant TCR around the parking lot several times and figured the Defy would fit well.

[theoriginalbean]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!

[trigal]

Woohoo!!!! You will LOVE the Di2!!!!

[finallykrisb]

So pretty!

[Susie]

Oct 1, 2014 8:54:49 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

I rode a Trek Madone, a Trek Domane, and only a few other newer bikes over the last 6 months. 

What is the difference between the Madone, the Domane, and apparently there is now also a model called the Silque?

Is the Silque the bike formerly known as the Madone WSD, or is it a different bike entirely?

[katinthehat]

you gotta get back into road racing with a sweet ride like that!

[Susie]

Also, I just realized what it reminds me of in looks: it is like the Batmobile of bikes.

[sadlebred]

Oct 1, 2014 11:42:36 GMT -5 Susie said:

Oct 1, 2014 8:54:49 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

I rode a Trek Madone, a Trek Domane, and only a few other newer bikes over the last 6 months. 

What is the difference between the Madone, the Domane, and apparently there is now also a model called the Silque?

Is the Silque the bike formerly known as the Madone WSD, or is it a different bike entirely?

Madone is the "racing" geometry bike. Domane is the "endurance" model with the Isospeed that dampens road vibration. Both have "Men's" and Women's/WSD versions. I've ridden both around parking lots. The Domane fit me better, and I liked it. It was a serious contender. As I get older, I like the slightly more upright position. I haven't ridden a Silque, but Trek PR says: "Nothing smoothes out the road like the all-new Silque. Trek's innovative IsoSpeed decoupler and women's ride-tuned frame deliver the perfect balance of smoothness and power." It sounds like a Women's Domane to me with some frame or geometry tweaks.

[sadlebred]

Oct 1, 2014 12:37:23 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

you gotta get back into road racing with a sweet ride like that!

Alas, it isn't race legal for USA Cycling races. The rules don't allow for disks in road racing. It's one reason why I'll be keeping my old bike....just in case I ever get the crazy notion to hop into a crit. Not likely....I'll stick to dirt!

[So_Fetch]

So pretty! I love the wheels!

[pinkwillow]

Very nice!!! I really love the line up that Giant has right now and I am a Trek convert (rode the Madone before getting my Envie). How do you like the electronic shifting? I really went back and forth on it and ultimately decided not to get it.

[sadlebred]

Oct 1, 2014 14:34:02 GMT -5 pinkwillow said:

Very nice!!! I really love the line up that Giant has right now and I am a Trek convert (rode the Madone before getting my Envie). How do you like the electronic shifting? I really went back and forth on it and ultimately decided not to get it.

So far I like it. I really want to see when I get some longer rides on the bike after cyclocross season.

[gncorman]

That is gorgeous!!! Great idea for a birthday present! Enjoy!!