Giant rapid - good for commuting?

[Paulq]

I am shortly due to start commuting to work around 3 times a week with a round trip of abut 24 miles. The bike I have is a 2008 GT Transeo 4 hybrid which I have hardly used out of sheer laziness (at least I am honest ), and this is what I had planned to use for the commute having fitted it with a rack and a rack bag and a set of slightly narrower Marathon Plus tyres.

However my eyes were today dragged towards the Giant rapid range in my LBS which is more of a road bike but also fitted with rack eyelets etc.

There is no doubt that the Giant is a far more desirable bike and arguably would be more dual purpose when I am not commuting. Just wondered whether it's a bit OTT for commuting and whether anyone uses one as such and how it fares?

Cheers

Paul

 

[BentMikey]

OTT for commuting - of course not. There are many people here who commute on bikes costing several thousands of pounds. If you want it and can afford it, go for it. Equally there's nothing wrong with using your current bike.

 

[HLaB]

Unless your planning on going seriously of road in your spare time it looks an ideal bike, go for it. I used to commute on a similar type of flat bar road bike (a spesh sirrus) and although mine hardly ever left the road, the 28mm tyre could cope with tracks no problem.

 

[Paulq]

Unless your planning on going seriously of road in your spare time it looks an ideal bike, go for it. I used to commute on a similar type of flat bar road bike (a spesh sirrus) and although mine hardly ever left the road, the 28mm tyre could cope with tracks no problem.

I must admit the Sirrus is another one I looked at along with the Kona Dew Deluxe and Cannondale bad boy. The route I will be taking will be roads in the main, of varying quality of course, so whichever bike I use is gonna have to take some hammer. My only hesitation with the Giant or the Sirrus is whether they will be as robust as my current hybrid or the other urban type bikes I mentioned above?

I guess I'd like a jack of all trades kinda bike that will deal with maybe forest trails/canal paths but also be fast enough on the road when commuting.

Paul

PS: And the more you research the more options you find and the harder the choice is....

 

[HLaB]

Although my Sirrus now has 25mm tyres and converted to dropped bar. Its seen 10,000+ miles some of which have been a bit rough and its never let me down.

 

[Paulq]

Any views on the above bikes:

• Cannondale Bad Boy disc
• Kona Dew Deluxe

Really like the look of the Cannondale to be honest but as a commuter?

Cheers

Paul

 

[HJ]

Try riding it, if you still like... the idea number of bikes is n+1

 

[Matty]

Always had and have a soft spot for Konas. My Cinder Cone is approaching 20 years and still going strong! It has, however, recently been retired from commuting duties.

Can recommend 25mm Marathon Plus tyres, they seem as good as the chunkier ones on the Cinder Cone, plus plenty quick enough for commuting.

Matt

 

[fossyant]

Kona Cinder Cone....hubba......hubba...

Got a DB Ascent here............no suspension rubbish.........

 

[automatic_jon]

I keep seeing this thread and reading at as "Giant rabbit - good for commuting?"

As you were...