Giant Defy Advanced 1

Although reviewers say the Giant Defy Advanced 1 offers more comfortable positioning than some other road bikes in this category, don't be fooled -- this road bike has serious racing performance. Multiple reviewers say this award-winning bike is not only fast but offers a smoother ride with less road vibration than most of its competitors. The lightweight carbon frame gets high marks for its plush feel, and reviewers say the bike can pull double-duty for racing or long-haul mileage. The components are certainly race-ready -- the Giant Defy Advanced 1 sports mainly 10-speed Shimano Ultegra components. Reviewers acknowledge that the bike comes with a hefty price tag, but the experts we consulted say it's well worth it. The women's version, the Giant Avail Advanced 1 (*Est. $3,200), also gets good reviews for combining comfort with race-ready performance. If you can't afford to spend this much, the Giant TCR Composite (*Est. $1,950) offers a carbon frame at an incredible value.

A number of sources review the 2011 Giant Defy Advanced 1, including Britain's Cycling Plus and BikeRadar.com. Their testing details provide feedback on what you can expect from the Giant Defy Advanced 1 in terms of comfort and performance. Bicycling magazine also has a useful review, although its analysis is much shorter. When reading the reviews from Cycling Plus or BikeRadar.com, keep in mind that the British version of the Giant Defy Advanced 1 has slightly different components than the American model.