Giant Escape R1 / R2 / M0 / M1

[Bear]

Hi all

New to the forum, but not new to biking. I've searched & read all the posts on the site regarding the Escape ... but have a few questions still if i can.

I've rode an R2 recently, and i like it, it fits me well ... can anyone confirm, are all the series the same geometry ? I have looked, but cant find the info anywhere ??

Anyone know the years they were produced, & what specs ?

This looks a good price http://www.ashcycles.com/power/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=521

also older, and cheaper http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/12223/Giant_Escape_M1_Bike_Spring_2007

The only other bike that i didn't get to try, was the Marin Muirwoods (tried a 19", 20.5" out of stock)

Any owners / thoughts appreciated

 

[summerdays]

I have an M0 - its a year old now - looks the same as mine though I'm not a techy person that would notice. I changed the tyres in the shop for Marathon ones.

I keep wondering about changing the 26/36/48 for maybe a 38 in the middle as I always seem to be in the higher gears on that ring.

I have the M (19" I think), whereas my previous bike had been a 17" (a Dawes).

 

[MrRidley]

I bought an M2 2009 for £350 (although it's now £375) from here www.dalescycles.co.uk and find it to be a great bike, very comfy and suitable for most surfaces

 

[Bear]

Thanks for that.

Have you ever seen one with v brakes only ? I rode the mechanical disc, & would have been interested in a real basic set up.

 

[skrx]

I've only been cycling since 1st January, at first with a 25kg thing that probably came from Asda. I bought an Escape M0 a month ago. I don't know enough to compare the M0 with anything else decent, but I'm very pleased with it.

This looks a good price http://www.ashcycles.com/power/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=521

When I bought it, it was £30 more expensive from that shop. Note that Ash Cycles aren't really a local bike shop. They're a small version of Halfords, since they sell car parts too. I was surprised when I went in that they didn't really seem to know much about bikes, I think only one staff member did and he was too busy assembling Internet orders to speak to me. But, I was willing to save the £100+ even if it meant the seat post wasn't properly tightened and the brakes not quite adjusted right when I rode the bike away from the shop.

The tyres it comes with are fine for roads, and they're OK most of the time on nice recreational paths (the ones surfaced with fine, loose grit -- they can skid a bit if I'm going irresponsibly fast). They're not suitable for mud. (I don't weigh much, which presumably doesn't help.)

The M0 has hydraulic disc brakes, which are really nice. I've been glad I've had them a couple of times already when pedestrians have stepped out straight in front of me (and when I went down a hill on a busy road at 45km/h when it was raining, and rounded the corner to see traffic backed up).

According to the man in my local LBS the Giant Escape frame sizes are all compatible.

 

[Bear]

Thanks for taking the time mate ... appreciated

 

[Piemaster]

I've ad an M0 for a couple of years now and can't fault it. Apart from some unplanned deflations (a memory since fitting M+) only fault that I've had was a broken chain, which was really my fault due to no lube and a lot of wet weather riding at the time.
The R series (700c wheels) didn't appear until just after I'd bought it or I would probably have gone for one of those instead. Still very happy with it though.

 

[Bear]

The R2 i just rode had 26" wheels, and that was the key for me ... didn't realise they did it in a 700c

 

[Piemaster]

I actually thought that was the main difference between them 'R' is 700c, 'M' is 26" according to the Giant website anyway.
If I was choosing from the current offerings it would probably suit my use more to have the 700c version with alfine hub. IMHO an ideal low maintenance, commuting / utility bike.

 

[sticky sherbert]

I will agree as I have an M0, the only problems I have had are with the previously mentioned deflations ( 8 in two weeks ) other than that its a fab bike.

 

[Bear]

Whats going on with all the deflations ?!

To all the people who bought an Escape at the time, what else was in the running ?

Would still like to try that Marin Muirwoods, but seems pricey for what it is

 

[Trickstar]

I quite fancy an R series Escape but I want to run 700x40 hybrid tyres. This question is for the R series owners in particular... The bike came with 700x32 tyres fitted so it won't be a massive jump so what sort of clearance does the tyre have (at the chainstay/bb area in particular) and do you think it would be possible to fit bigger tyres?

Thanks in advance

 

[2Loose]

I have an M0 and my boss has an R1 with 700c's - from the look of it it will happily take 40mm tyres as there is loads of clearance. IIRC it is a Giant XTC frame with rigid forks, so there is room for nobblies if you so wished.