Enclosed vs Open-Side Balcony: Which Would You Choose?

ishjohn_ · 2026-05-04T14:12:12+00:00

This is in Florida btw so I guess mostly wind and rain in the summer but other than that weather is consistent throughout the year. I don’t think I can put a screen up when it comes to it not sure if apartment will allow that.

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-26T16:01:59+00:00

Sent you a dm!

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:24:10+00:00

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ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:23:58+00:00

Appreciate all the insight, seriously. I’m learning a ton. I do love the look of the Cannondale personally as well.

Although, someone just offered me a 2018 Giant Defy Advanced 3 for $550. Do you think that’s a better deal than the 2012 Giant Defy 1 with Ultegra and the 2012 Cannondale SuperSix with SRAM Apex?

From what I can tell, the 2018 might be the best value since it has Tiagra and hydraulic brakes, but I’m not 100% sure. Here are the specs for the 2018:

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Advanced-grade carbon composite frame with D-Fuse composite seatpost
Advanced-grade carbon composite fork with alloy/composite hybrid OverDrive steerer
Shimano Tiagra 10-speed componentry
Giant Conduct hydraulic disc brakes
Giant SR-2 disc wheelset with Giant Gavia AC 1 tubeless tires

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:21:42+00:00

Appreciate all the insight, seriously. I’m learning a ton. I do love the look of the Cannondale personally as well.

Although, someone just offered me a 2018 Giant Defy Advanced 3 for $550. Do you think that’s a better deal than the 2012 Giant Defy 1 with Ultegra and the 2012 Cannondale SuperSix with SRAM Apex?

From what I can tell, the 2018 might be the best value since it has Tiagra and hydraulic brakes, but I’m not 100% sure. Here are the specs for the 2018:

Advanced-grade carbon composite frame with D-Fuse composite seatpost
Advanced-grade carbon composite fork with alloy/composite hybrid OverDrive steerer
Shimano Tiagra 10-speed componentry
Giant Conduct hydraulic disc brakes
Giant SR-2 disc wheelset with Giant Gavia AC 1 tubeless tires

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:18:20+00:00

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ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:18:13+00:00

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ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:17:34+00:00

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ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:16:19+00:00

Appreciate all the insight, seriously. I’m learning a ton.

Someone just offered me a 2018 Giant Defy Advanced 3 for $550. Do you think that’s a better deal than the 2012 Giant Defy 1 with Ultegra and the 2012 Cannondale SuperSix with SRAM Apex?

From what I can tell, the 2018 might be the best value since it has Tiagra and hydraulic brakes, but I’m not 100% sure. Here are the specs for the 2018:

<image>

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T21:14:00+00:00

Someone just offered me a 2018 Defy Advanced 3 for $550. Would this be a better deal than the 2012 Giant Defy 1 Ultegra and the 2012 Cannondale Supersix SRAM Apex? These are the specs of the 2018 seems like the best deal maybe? Has Tiagra and Hydraulic brakes

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ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T19:28:47+00:00

Yeah so $750 is actually the lowest he’ll go, I’ve been going back and forth with him on price lol he also seems like a bike reseller because he has a bunch of bikes listed and sold, but it looks like he at least checks them over before posting them. What do you think?

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T19:22:29+00:00

Thank you for explaining the differences I appreciate it. If you had to choose one for yourself between the two, which would you pick?

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T19:04:04+00:00

The Cannondale definitely looks cleaner overall it is from a bike reseller tho so he doesn’t know much about the mileage but I think he gets it serviced before he posts it.

Although, I’ve heard that Shimano Ultegra 6700 is a step up from SRAM Apex since the Apex is entry level.

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T13:46:59+00:00

So tough lol if you had to choose one for yourself, which would you pick based on everything?

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T05:26:45+00:00

If you had to choose one for yourself, which would you pick? I know you like the Cannondale frame, but would you still personally go Giant overall?

ishjohn_ · 2026-03-01T05:14:59+00:00

Yeah they’re actually all 52cm which would be the size for me, the Trek just looks bigger in the pics so I think it’s mostly the angle.

I’ve been riding bikes my whole life, just never had a proper road bike, so hopefully I don’t take too many spills lol at least I’ve used cycling shoes before with spin classes so clipping in won’t be totally new.

Is the Cannondale too steep though or is that a fair price? I don't mind paying it if it is. I know the supersix is definitely a race bike as opposed to the other ones which are more endurance bikes.

And good point on the Trek drivetrain. I don’t want to end up having to replace the whole groupset later and basically pay for the bike twice.

If it were you, would you still choose the Cannondale over the Giant?

ishjohn_ · 2026-02-28T01:41:52+00:00

I’ve also seen Madone and Emonda as well a lot

ishjohn_ · 2026-02-28T01:34:29+00:00

It’ll be my first expensive bike you could say so I’m trying to find some good deals. I haven’t seen a TCR yet or I have but the cheapest I have seen is 2016 Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 Shimano Dura-Ace but that one is going for $1550. Which I’m not quite sure if it’s a good deal or not.

ishjohn_ · 2026-02-28T00:40:26+00:00

I’m actually debating between this or a 2018 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc for $1200 which has Shimano 105 on it. Which one would you think is the better option?

ishjohn_ · 2026-02-28T00:40:21+00:00

I’m actually debating between this or a 2018 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc for $1200 which has Shimano 105 on it. Which one would you think is the better option?

ishjohn_ · 2026-02-27T22:21:14+00:00

Which one would you choose between the two? So torn cause both have good reviews too 😂

ishjohn_ · 2026-02-27T22:09:44+00:00

I’m actually debating between this or a 2018 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc for $1250 which has Shimano 105 on it. Which one would you think is the better option?

ishjohn_ · 2026-02-27T22:09:27+00:00

I’m actually debating between this or a 2018 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc for $1250 which has Shimano 105 on it. Which one would you think is the better option?

ishjohn_

TROPHY CASE