Enigma Etape vs Giant Defy Advanced

[Splatter Paint]

The geometry is virtually identical…

Defy ~£2500 but comes with a proprietary wheel / tyre system.

Etape ~£4200 for similar spec but conventional wheels

Carbon is fragile.

Ti cracks.

I have a racy donor bike I could build either frameset up with 12mm axles and flat mount hydraulics.
I’ve yet to see a mint M/L Defy frameset or 56cm Etape though. I’ve been looking for months and not bought anything second hand. Urg.

If I buy a new Defy I’ll need to use Giant-specific tyres or cough up for new wheels. If I buy a new Etape frame it’ll cost the same as a complete Defy!

Thoughts?

 

[d8mok]

I can’t offer a opinion directly but in May 2020 I built myself a Enigma Escape which is similar I guess.

Firstly Enigma are great to deal with. Friendly and helpful and you actually get to talk to someone who solves your issue or question. 10 year warranty so don’t worry about it cracking.

Secondly it rides so so well. It’s my most used bike by far.

Thirdly , Who would ever stand back and admire a Defy. It’s soulless in my opinion

 

[Splatter Paint]

Thank you! That helps.

 

[d8mok]

Soon it’ll tick over 10k miles. These were when it was first built. It’s now running it’s third set of tyres , 3rd chain , 2nd BB , 2nd headset , 3rd pads

 

[jonnyboy666]

wow, for me there isn't even a 1% chance i'd consider the Giant out of those 2 options.

Enigma is owned by a guy called Jim Walker, he's been in the bike trade for years, he's ridden all over the place, and loves bikes, really knows what he's doing, as part of the company he trains frame builders, properly (which is great for the industry in the future) they build some beautiful frames and if you do get an issue i can't imagine he'd be funny about it.

the Giant wheels are ok but not particularly special, so i'd be happy with whatever Enigma supply wheel wise, then if i wanted something aero down the line i'd buy what i want as opposed to generic wheels from Giant.

buy the Enigma, or buy 1 of about 120,000 Giants sold in the UK each year

to me there is no debate.



(i don't mean to be down on Giant, TBH, they are fine . . . just . . . beige)

 

[Splatter Paint]

Thanks guys. I’m still having a hard time wrestling £2.4k of my pocket for a frameset to be used in the crappiest of conditions!!

 

[d8mok]

That’s the best reason. Annoys me more when I drop decent money and it doesn’t get used much.


Mine is going through hell and cleans up like a new bike.

I got mine from The bicycle lounge

 

[Splatter Paint]

I tried a few bikes but the front ends all felt low. In the end I bought a Giant Contend AR and have upgraded it with bits from the donor bike.

 

[pigman]

I bought a £850 titanium frame from spa cycles as a winter frame. Sure, it's not up there with enigma, but one of those frames plus Ultegra kit and you'll have spent 2,400 on a new titanium bike