Giant Advanced 1 (standard 105 2x11) vs Advanced 2 (modified to 1x11) vs Advanced 2 (standard Tiagra 2x10)

[Sloth]

Yes I see from a bit of Googling that there is some contention about this.
Can I ask why you favour carbon fork/alloy steerer?

Is it common for carbon bikes to have alloy steerers?

 

[Cycleops]

Alloy steerer is much safer, carbon can fracture and splinter, not much chance but I wouldn't want to risk it. See my recent thread about a recall for carbon handlebar/stem for Trek bikes which can break. Pretty nasty for bars but could also be a danger if that happens to a steerer.
Carbon fork and alloy steerer is the much more common combination.

 

[Grant Fondo]

I am now seriously looking at a Giant Fastroad Advanced.
The frame looks good and the geometry appears to suit me also, (although in M or M/L I'm not 100% sure yet).
Also, although my level of ability will be well exceeded by these bikes, I would like to build in some 'future proofing' so I am not dissatisfied with the bike next year etc. as I improve and end up regretting not getting something better when I had the money. Eventually perhaps but not for a few years at least.

I am on the fence between a road biased set up (Shimano 105 2x11 - 34/50+11/34) and a gravel/hybrid 1x11 set up (Deore 5100 42+11/51).
For my style of riding (fitness only) and where I'll be riding (B roads/country lanes) I'm wondering if I will benefit more from the hill climbing low ratios of the 1x11, especially the super low 51t rear gear.
I'm not into speed racing or club/road racing etc, just keeping fit, trying to get up hills without having to get off and push and to not be 'spinning' along the flats or less steep decents on hills! I'm fine with resting my legs downhill on occasions though!

Anyway, why the 'Advanced'? Well it's a little lighter than the standard Fastroad SL1, has better spec and rims etc, but mainly because the frame will absorb shocks better and looks pretty darn nice as well!

So the dilema?
Well, I can get a new Advanced 2 within 2 weeks or so and have it adapted to a 1x11 Deore 5100 42+11/51, for around £1,700 - ride away.
That includes for the LBS keeping the Tiagra gear the bike comes with, and offsetting some of the cost against the new parts and workshop time etc.

or...

I can just order an Advanced 1 (around 8 weeks delivery) and keep it as standard, with the 105 34/50+11/34. This would cost around the same or a little less (£1,665) with a 10% discount.

or...

I can order the Advanced 2 and just keep it as standard on the 2x10 2x11 - 34/50+11/34 Tiagra set up.

Which would I find best for fitness and getting up hills?
Would the 1x11 be noticably better up hills? or will it spin out too much?
Will the 105 be noticably better than the Tiagra (smoothness/accuracy) and will it's 2x11 be noticably easier up hills than the Tiagra's 2x10?
Is it worth paying the extra for the 2x11 105 on the A1 over the Tiagra 2x10 on the A2 if I were sticking to the factory standard set ups?

Will (regardless of the groupset) simply having a better, lighter bike be much easier up hills than my previous 14kg Deore 3x9 27 speed MTB?

Of course, the A1 looks amazing in the blue but the A2 is no ugly duckling either.

Perhaps these dilemmas may seem daft to some more experienced cyclists, but as I'd be spending well north of £1k, up to £1,700 I really want to be sure.

I definitely wouldn't muck around with 1 x 11 swap, A2 standard bike would be my pick, although wheelset looks iffy for that cash (there is a thread on here about Giant generic wheels)

 

[Jameshow]

Yes I see from a bit of Googling that there is some contention about this.
Can I ask why you favour carbon fork/alloy steerer?

Is it common for carbon bikes to have alloy steerers?

By volume more carbon bikes will have alloy steerers, but more expensive bikes have carbon steerers.

Unless your really large 120kg+ then I don't think it's a problem and you follow the advice on not clamping up too tightly and your headset bearing fit properly then your very unlikely to have a issue.

 

[cyberknight]

gear calc
1x11 set up gives a low gear of 0.78 , the double set up gives you a 1.0
so not much in it

 

[Sloth]

gear calc
1x11 set up gives a low gear of 0.78 , the double set up gives you a 1.0
so not much in it

Thanks.
So in a real world setting, attempting a hill, will the difference (however small) be enough to get up/not get up it?

 

[Cycleops]

Thanks.
So in a real world setting, attempting a hill, will the difference (however small) be enough to get up/not get up it?

Depends on yer legs.

I’m beginning to see what @kingrollo meant about wind ups.

 

[Sloth]

I’m obviously missing something? 🤔

 

[Mo1959]

I’m obviously missing something? 🤔

I think the fact that you have been discussing this since June, maybe there’s some who are beginning to wonder if you are serious? Maybe I’m too impulsive when buying things as I’ve never taken nearly 3 months to make up my mind

 

[Grant Fondo]

Thanks.
So in a real world setting, attempting a hill, will the difference (however small) be enough to get up/not get up it?

It's a good point. I recently ran out of lowest gear on a nasty climb in north Wales (18% ish). Thats with 32 chainring and 34 rear cog. A younger and fitter me would have made it easily.
Those 2x11 Giants are 34/34 so slightly higher low gear and around 1kg heavier than my bike.
On balance this happens so infrequently that I would still not go 1×11 due to the wider gaps between the most used gears (cadence is king at the end of the day).
I would go 1x11 on a purely off road MTB, not a speedy hybrid like you are considering.

 

[Sloth]

I think the fact that you have been discussing this since June, maybe there’s some who are beginning to wonder if you are serious? Maybe I’m too impulsive when buying things as I’ve never taken nearly 3 months to make up my mind

No wind up, got better things to do than mess about winding up strangers on a forum.
My initial enquiries were in advance of the funds being a available no purchase possible.
Other delays from lack of bikes to try and my desire to get it right by going my homework.
How long that takes is up to me, it’s my money after all.
I appreciate constructive advice but should some be irritated they can of course choose to ignore my posts?
I’m not winding anyone up but I am getting tired of barbed or piss taking comments.

 

[cyberknight]

It's a good point. I recently ran out of lowest gear on a nasty climb in north Wales (18% ish). Thats with 32 chainring and 34 rear cog. A younger and fitter me would have made it easily.
Those 2x11 Giants are 34/34 so slightly higher low gear and around 1kg heavier than my bike.
On balance this happens so infrequently that I would still not go 1×11 due to the wider gaps between the most used gears (cadence is king at the end of the day).
I would go 1x11 on a purely off road MTB, not a speedy hybrid like you are considering.

i had similar trouble the other week , a 27 % section was hard on my 36x28

 

[kingrollo]

i had similar trouble the other week , a 27 % section was hard on my 36x28

I can feel an e bike thread coming soon.

 

[cyberknight]

I can feel an e bike thread coming soon.

nah i should have changed my smaller ring to the standard 34 compact , it was just a grind where you fight to get on top of the gear

 

[Sloth]

Serious question.
Will having an authorised dealer swap the components, from new and before delivery, from Tiagra 2x10 to Deore 1x11 void the warranty in part or in full?