Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I have no personal experience with Giant, but I know they are a good brand.

That being said, even the best bike brands have lower entry level bikes and thats what that Giant is.

Depending on what youre purpose is of having a bike, it may or may not be a good fit for you.



Are you going to do hardcore off-road riding or long road trips? Then no this is not a good bike.

Are you looking to have a simple bike to ride around town on the weekends and may to and from work? Then yes this is a good bike to have.

Nothing hardcore, road or trail. Some trail riding for sure, but mostly road. Nothing extreme at all. I want entry level. If it's something I fall in love with then I'll trade up. But I don't want to drop $600-700 and not end up using it. Especially considering I'll need a helmet, wall rack, and other basic accessories.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Nothing hardcore, road or trail. Some trail riding for sure, but mostly road. Nothing extreme at all. I want entry level. If it's something I fall in love with then I'll trade up. But I don't want to drop $600-700 and not end up using it. Especially considering I'll need a helmet, wall rack, and other basic accessories.

Then I think the Giant would be OK as an ELB.
Take a look at Performance Bicycle too.
They have pretty good deals right now and you might get a better bike for the same price.
I can try to reference some if you need.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

If I were to choose between the 2, I would choose this one.

Same price point and better components...

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1148874_-1_400322__400322

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Then I think the Giant would be OK as an ELB.

Take a look at Performance Bicycle too.

They have pretty good deals right now and you might get a better bike for the same price.

I can try to reference some if you need.

Yeah that'd be great. I'm a little wary of not test riding it and having it assembled by someone who knows far more than I do. That's why I was looking local.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Yeah that'd be great. I'm a little wary of not test riding it and having it assembled by someone who knows far more than I do. That's why I was looking local.

Yeah that sucks that youre not close to a PB.

Well here, try this. Talk to your LBS and find out what their return policy is.
Find out if you can ride the bike for a week or a month and return it if you dont like it.

You can also ask them to compare the 2 bikes and most LBS will assemble a bike for $50 or less.

I live in Chgo so my options are much more than yours apparently.

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Yeah that sucks that youre not close to a PB.



Well here, try this. Talk to your LBS and find out what their return policy is.

Find out if you can ride the bike for a week or a month and return it if you dont like it.



You can also ask them to compare the 2 bikes and most LBS will assemble a bike for $50 or less.



I live in Chgo so my options are much more than yours apparently.

That sounds like a good plan. We have a handful of local shops here in KC but no major stores other than sporting good stores. I feel like the difference won't be terribly huge. I don't even know what to look for honestly.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

That sounds like a good plan. We have a handful of local shops here in KC but no major stores other than sporting good stores. I feel like the difference won't be terribly huge. I don't even know what to look for honestly.

Again, that depends on what youre going to do with it.

Notice the bike I posted has front fork shocks. Yours didnt.
This is good if you plan to do some off road.
You want like a hybrid tire. Something not to knobby fore the road, but not too bald for the dirt.
You want nothing on your components to be plastic. Like the sprockets, pedals, cranks, derailleurs, brakes, chain and guards.
Plastic is ok for brake levers and shifters but they can break.

One think I like about your Giant is there is a lot of Shimano parts. The Fuji has a lot of Sram and Im a Shimano man but both are the same quality..

THe Giant is a nice bike, but its all about how it feels under you.

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Again, that depends on what youre going to do with it.



Notice the bike I posted has front fork shocks. Yours didnt.

This is good if you plan to do some off road.

You want like a hybrid tire. Something not to knobby fore the road, but not too bald for the dirt.

You want nothing on your components to be plastic. Like the sprockets, pedals, cranks, derailleurs, brakes, chain and guards.

Plastic is ok for brake levers and shifters but they can break.



One think I like about your Giant is there is a lot of Shimano parts. The Fuji has a lot of Sram and Im a Shimano man but both are the same quality..



THe Giant is a nice bike, but its all about how it feels under you.

Yeah I get the shocks point for sure. I'm gonna go to another store here locally and see what they'd recommend. I'm not really in a hurry. It's still gonna be cold here for awhile.

[DJ]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Alright so I've been doing some research and from talking to a local bike shop, this seems to be a great option for me. Right around my price range and the reviews on it have been solid. Anyone have experience with Giant?

Giant Escape 3

Bought a Giant Sedona last year. Really like it as a commuter bike. Great brand of bikes.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Yeah I get the shocks point for sure. I'm gonna go to another store here locally and see what they'd recommend. I'm not really in a hurry. It's still gonna be cold here for awhile.

Yeah, I cant imagine your weather is any better than mine right now, so you certainly have time. But dont wait TOO long. When the season hits, those cherry deals will be Wyclef Jean.... Gone til November!

[Cabke]

Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Yeah, I cant imagine your weather is any better than mine right now, so you certainly have time. But dont wait TOO long. When the season hits, those cherry deals will be Wyclef Jean.... Gone til November!

I'm looking to figure it all out this week. I've got the money, it's just figuring out how to spend it. I'm a little nervous about it all because I know nothing and I'm afraid I'm not gonna make the right decision. Most of my motivation is fitness oriented. So I know I can't really make a BAD choice. I just don't want to make the wrong one.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I'm looking to figure it all out this week. I've got the money, it's just figuring out how to spend it. I'm a little nervous about it all because I know nothing and I'm afraid I'm not gonna make the right decision.

Understandable. Not sure if you saw the bike I have now, but thats the 3rd bike I went thru at PB.... technically 4 cuz I traded one in for a different size.

Thats why I say, talk to the LBS and ask them about trying the bike out.
Anything other than the parking lot. Youre not gonna know a bike til youre in the saddle for at least 5 miles.

If you cant home test it, maybe they have an indoor trainer you can try it on for 20 or 30 min.

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Yeah I'll for sure figure out what the return policy is. Hopefully we'll get some nice weather so I can actually try it out.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Yeah I'll for sure figure out what the return policy is. Hopefully we'll get some nice weather so I can actually try it out.

Is there a Trek store near you?

OH! AND! If your LBS is any good, they know how to professionally fit you to a bike.
More than just the nut test.

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Is there a Trek store near you?

OH! AND! If your LBS is any good, they know how to professionally fit you to a bike.
More than just the nut test.

Yeah there are a couple within 20 miles of me.