Advice for beginner buying a Hybrid - Giant vs Specialized

[tudor_77]

I can recommend the Giant Roam. I have two (well, one belongs to the missus now) and they are just awesome bikes. Not only are they really well built but they are just an amazingly fun and fast ride. I also have a Giant Defy full carbon road bike and its a total dud compared to the Roam. Build quality sucks and its sluggish as hell. For me, the only Giant bike that lives up to the hype is the Roam. The Spesh is probably just as awesome too but they are very over-priced but you might be able to find a bargain out there somewhere.

Just my two cents. Good luck!

 

[Distorted Vision]

I still haven't bought my bike yet. Tredz's website is showing the Roam 0 as available in stock but when I contacted them they said they would have stock in March. I don't understand why they discontinue the 2014 versions and then don't release stock for the 2015 version for like 5 months. Makes no sense to me. I'm also not generally too impressed with Giant. They don't have any contact details for Giant UK and haven't replied to me on Facebook or Twitter.

I preferred the Giant over the Specialized but I'm running out of patience with Giant.

 

[vickster]

Giant have actual stores - give them a try? The one in Twickenham had lots of new models last week

 

[Peteaud]

Giant have actual stores - give them a try? The one in Twickenham had lots of new models last week

My local "giant" store is appalling.

 

[vickster]

The Twickenham one is good. However, looking at the first post, he has had no joy from the one in Liverpool

 

[Saluki]

I am not sure if giant stores allow outdoor test rides, but you can only ask

I had an outdoor test ride from our local Giant dealer. I was out on it for a good half an hour. It might just depend on the dealer of course.

 

[Distorted Vision]

Yeah my local Giant stores don't have it in stock either.

 

[ambitionator]

I recommend going for a specialized diverge, only just released, it's a go anywhere bike. I'm the same as you, I want primarily road, but want the option to go off the beaten track. Entry level model is £750, well worth a look.

 

[Distorted Vision]

Thanks I'll take a look.

 

[Distorted Vision]

I contacted a few Giant dealers and they are all quoting a delivery date of early March. This seems like a ridiculous long wait to me but is it normal for Giant to do this?

 

[mythste]

I'm pretty sure coast cycles (aigburth) is a Giant stockist, and though the owner can come across a bit brash he really knows his stuff and I'd trust him to look after my bike in aftersales.

I had some great service from the Giant store in Liverpool from a chap named Sam when I was inquiring about the Defy series. Didn't request a ride though.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I contacted a few Giant dealers and they are all quoting a delivery date of early March. This seems like a ridiculous long wait to me but is it normal for Giant to do this?

Depends on the newness of the model I think.

Giant are big manufacturers as you know and I think they have a pretty slick supply chain.

My bike had a two months lead time which they hit pretty much spot on.

Some other manufacturers are a nightmare in my experience - Cube being one. I just gave up trying to order one in the end.

 

[Distorted Vision]

Rutland Cycling were showing 1 in stock in medium and 1 in large. I placed an order because they also have a 5% discount this weekend. I have a feeling that it might be a display or demo unit but I have contacted them to check.

 

[Distorted Vision]

Received the bike and its fine apart from some of the black anodised paint on the crank arm on the drive side has been scrapped exposing the metal underneath. It doesn't look its been damaged in shipping but rather with a tool when the crankset was fitted. I know its minor but I'm a bit annoyed because its a brand new bike.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Received the bike and its fine apart from some of the black anodised paint on the crank arm on the drive side has been scrapped exposing the metal underneath. It doesn't look its been damaged in shipping but rather with a tool when the crankset was fitted. I know its minor but I'm a bit annoyed because its a brand new bike.

If it really bothers you then ask them to replace the crank arm.

Crank arms are one of those parts of the bike that get scuffed up quite quickly when you start using then - scuff marks from shoes usually.

If it is very minor why not just touch it in?