Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit

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2009-08-31 12:47 PM

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Subject: Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit
I ride a Cervelo P2C TT bike with Dura-Ace. It's the only road bike I've ridden to this point.

However, I just bought a Giant Defy3 as an occasional-use pure road bike when I'm visiting my fiance out of town. It cost $695, and comes with Shimano 2200 components. I intentionally bought a downspec'd bike since I might occasionally use it for errands and town rides during which I'd lock it to something.

My first reaction upon seeing the Shimano 2200 spec was "the horror!" Nearly everyone shouts 105 MINIMUM for serious riders.

Still, the frame was light and after I took it for a mellow test spin, it handled fine. Ended up buying it, thinking that at worst, I'll sell it after a year.

I've just ridden it twice, so this is definitely a first-look impression, but I'm actually impressed with the bike as well as the 2200 components. I knew the frame would be legit based on reviews, and I'll just say that there's nothing intro-level about this frame - you could race this thing to victory at any race if you're good enough.

The 2200 component was the surprising thing. They seem to work great. A bit less precise shifting under pressure than my DA Cervelo, and they also have an extra thumbshifter which is a different style than the Tiagra-DA lineup. But they work great, and even with a triple, I had no problems.

We'll see how well this hardware holds up, but on bikeforums, people have told me that the current 2200 is equivalent to last year's Sora, and there are serious road racers still using Sora and winning. For years.

Would love to hear from others with experience with 2200 parts, but my initial impression is that it's PLENTY good for any triathlete. At least it's plenty good for me, and I'm a FOP cyclist. Unless there are real durability issues, I'd say that the "105 or bust" theory is false - I'd have no problem recommending 2200 spec parts for racing, even at high levels. 

And of course, you'll save a lot by foregoing 105. The Giant Defy 1 is 105 spec and costs nearly $500 more than my Defy 3 with 2200. Same frame. 

2009-08-31 1:31 PM
in reply to: #2380647

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Subject: RE: Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit
The Defy is a great bike.  Giant does some really solid stuff for some of the best prices out there.

Of course I'm biased having sold them for a few years.
2009-08-31 2:02 PM
in reply to: #2380647

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Subject: RE: Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit
I don't buy the "105 or bust" theory either.  I rode my friends 105 lemond and I tried out some sora/tiagra bike.  I can't tell much difference... Probably not "expert" enough to feel it.  My friend told me that 105 will out last anything below.   We haven't have enough mileage to prove it.


I am currently riding and racing a bike with 10 years old sora groupo, but again I am not a big cyclist.  I log less than a thousand this year.




Edited by yorkee 2009-08-31 2:06 PM
2009-08-31 2:08 PM
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Subject: RE: Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit
For the record, the reason to go with 105 has only a little to do with reliability and performance.  It mostly has to do with availability of replacement parts from the entire Shimano line of 10-speed stuff (Ultegra, Ultegra SL and Dura Ace) and aftermarket cassettes and such.
2009-08-31 2:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit
Daremo - 2009-08-31 3:08 PM For the record, the reason to go with 105 has only a little to do with reliability and performance.  It mostly has to do with availability of replacement parts from the entire Shimano line of 10-speed stuff (Ultegra, Ultegra SL and Dura Ace) and aftermarket cassettes and such.



That's good to know.  I will keep racing with my 9 years old sora bike.
2009-08-31 3:16 PM
in reply to: #2380647

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Subject: RE: Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit
agarose2000 - 2009-08-31 1:47 PM I ride a Cervelo P2C TT bike with Dura-Ace. It's the only road bike I've ridden to this point.

However, I just bought a Giant Defy3 as an occasional-use pure road bike when I'm visiting my fiance out of town. It cost $695, and comes with Shimano 2200 components. I intentionally bought a downspec'd bike since I might occasionally use it for errands and town rides during which I'd lock it to something.

My first reaction upon seeing the Shimano 2200 spec was "the horror!" Nearly everyone shouts 105 MINIMUM for serious riders.

Still, the frame was light and after I took it for a mellow test spin, it handled fine. Ended up buying it, thinking that at worst, I'll sell it after a year.

I've just ridden it twice, so this is definitely a first-look impression, but I'm actually impressed with the bike as well as the 2200 components. I knew the frame would be legit based on reviews, and I'll just say that there's nothing intro-level about this frame - you could race this thing to victory at any race if you're good enough.

The 2200 component was the surprising thing. They seem to work great. A bit less precise shifting under pressure than my DA Cervelo, and they also have an extra thumbshifter which is a different style than the Tiagra-DA lineup. But they work great, and even with a triple, I had no problems.

We'll see how well this hardware holds up, but on bikeforums, people have told me that the current 2200 is equivalent to last year's Sora, and there are serious road racers still using Sora and winning. For years.

Would love to hear from others with experience with 2200 parts, but my initial impression is that it's PLENTY good for any triathlete. At least it's plenty good for me, and I'm a FOP cyclist. Unless there are real durability issues, I'd say that the "105 or bust" theory is false - I'd have no problem recommending 2200 spec parts for racing, even at high levels. 

And of course, you'll save a lot by foregoing 105. The Giant Defy 1 is 105 spec and costs nearly $500 more than my Defy 3 with 2200. Same frame. 


That's how it works in most of the families of components...last year's DA becomes this year's Ultegra, last year's Ultegra is this year's 105, etc.

It's one of the reasons a lot of people don't care to pay the crazy prices for Dura Ace in the first place.

Edited by rghbsn 2009-08-31 3:17 PM

2009-08-31 6:02 PM
in reply to: #2380647

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Subject: RE: Shimano 2200 "intro" level components - seems legit
I just took my Giant Defy out again for a hilly ride in the Palo Alto area. Powered up some big hills, hitting 18-19% on Joaquin (still a b**ch even with a compact), and hammered it faster than the auto traffic on the highway after climbing Old LaHonda. Really tried to put it thru the wringer.

Bottom line - it rides like a dream. For $695!?! It's not carbon but it rides smoother than my Cervelo, but that's not entirely fair since the Cervelo is made to be super-stiff, and the Giant has 25c stock wheels on it (vs 23.) 

Seriously, after riding this "intro" Giant Defy, I can't justify any reason to buy anything higher than Shimano 2200 in the future. The shifting, even for a triple, is spot-on, even on the climbs, especially in the rear derailleur. The FD isn't as super-crisp, but as long as you give the shifter a good pull, it locks right on. I actually LIKE the thumb buttons as well - they are super precise for the critical FD downshift and RD upshifts. Instantaneous response - almost like it's "electronic" since you just push a little lever and it kicks right in.

I would race this bike with no hesitation and expect no compromise of performance. I'm usually a FOP cyclist and runner as well. (My main bike is a 2008 Cervelo P2C Dura-ace!)

The intro level bikes and components today are amazing. For bang for the buck, $695 will get you all the bike you'll need to win. (You'll still have to add aerobars and clipless pedals, though for best performance in tris.) For beginners in the market for a new bike - check this bike out, and don't feel bad at all about 2200 parts on a new bike - they're for real.

Edited by agarose2000 2009-08-31 6:22 PM
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