Giant Revolt or Genesis CdA 20..?

[mrmacmusic]

Further my earlier thread and a trip round a few not-so-local bike shops over the weekend, I'm still debating which winter commuter to go for and would be interested in feedback and opinions on these two sensible (!?) options...

I must admit the first time I saw the Giant I thought the frame looked a bit odd, but it's growing on me and I think it would make for a very comfortable steed for using through the winter months, plus given the generous tyre clearances (a perquisite of this particular purchase) I don't think I'd have any issues running 42C Conti Nordic Spike tyres with full mudguards if/when we get some ice and snow. There's something nice about the Genesis CdA 20 though...

Thoughts anyone?

 

[KneesUp]

I rather like the Revolt too - I believe the frame spec is 'up to 50mm tyres' - the built in crud guard thing is a bit off-putting but if you want lots of clearance on drop bars it's a good choice. Have you ridden one?

 

[goody]

The bikes for work scheme just opened up at work and I had a choice of the Giant revolt and CDA 10 (or 20).
I went for the Cannondale CAADX disc. (Sora but thats being swapped for Campag).
The Giant looks to odd, CDA 20 wouldn't have enough gears for the use I'm putting it to. The CDA 10 would have been my second choice.

 

[mrmacmusic]

I rather like the Revolt too - I believe the frame spec is 'up to 50mm tyres' - the built in crud guard thing is a bit off-putting but if you want lots of clearance on drop bars it's a good choice. Have you ridden one?

No, not ridden one (yet)...

 

[mrmacmusic]

The bikes for work scheme just opened up at work and I had a choice of the Giant revolt and CDA 10 (or 20).
I went for the Cannondale CAADX disc. (Sora but thats being swapped for Campag).
The Giant looks to odd, CDA 20 wouldn't have enough gears for the use I'm putting it to. The CDA 10 would have been my second choice.

I really liked the look of the CAADX Disc (Sora, which I'd have no problem with)... Do you think it'd take 42C tyres and guards though?!

 

[winjim]

You've got to admire Giant's commitment to producing the ugliest bike possible. I mean, their road bikes are pretty horrid but they've really gone to town on those new cross bikes of theirs.

Genesis for me, although the 1x11 gearing may be a bit limited for road use.

 

[vickster]

This one really takes ugliness to new heights IMO

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Fastroad-Comax-2015-Flatbar-Road-Bike_73942.htm

 

[winjim]

Aaargh, my eyes! It's hideous.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I rather like the Revolt too - I believe the frame spec is 'up to 50mm tyres' - the built in crud guard thing is a bit off-putting but if you want lots of clearance on drop bars it's a good choice. Have you ridden one?

I think the crud guard is bolt off.

I'd like one on my bike (TCX1) tbh esp' when it is off-roaded.

 

[KneesUp]

I think the crud guard is bolt off.

I'd like one on my bike (TCX1) tbh esp' when it is off-roaded.

I think it's got the cable routing in it from memory?

 

[jowwy]

This one really takes ugliness to new heights IMO

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Fastroad-Comax-2015-Flatbar-Road-Bike_73942.htm

I cant see anything wrong with that bike at all..........beauty is in the eye of the beholder

 

[vickster]

It's the whole shape and design...I did say IMO

 

[mrmacmusic]

Genesis for me, although the 1x11 gearing may be a bit limited for road use.

I must admit I thought the 1x10 drivetrain was interesting actually quite appealing (less maintenance)...

My Trek runs a standard 10-speed Ultegra setup with compact chainset – i.e. 50/34 chainrings – and an 11-28 cassette which means my lowest gear is 34/28 (1.2 gear ratio) and although I top out at 50/11 (4.6) the vast majority of the time I'm in 6th or 7th (sometimes 8th) on the rear cassette. According to BikeCalc.com, 42/36 is the same gear ratio (1.2) as my current setup, so I wouldn't be losing anything at the low end. Despite 3 years commuting 28 miles a day my legs won't push 9th or 10th (unless I'm going downhill LOL!) which means I tend to pootle along in 50/15 (3.3) or 50/14 (3.6) and very occasionally 50/13 (3.9) – the highest gear on the CdA 20 might only be 42/11 but that's a gear ratio of 3.8 which I think in reality might suit me perfectly....

Maybe I'm missing something else though? I do much prefer the look of the CdA20...

 

[John the Monkey]

Even as a fan of Giant bikes (I love my SCR2.0, and it was terrific VfM) the CdA is the one that leaps out at me from your alternatives.

Unless there's a particular element of the Giant spec that appeals to you, of course.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Even as a fan of Giant bikes (I love my SCR2.0, and it was terrific VfM) the CdA is the one that leaps out at me from your alternatives.

Unless there's a particular element of the Giant spec that appeals to you, of course.

The only appeal of the Giant is that it 100% definitely absolutely has got clearance for the 42C studded Conti Nordic Spikes I'd like to run if/when we get snow... The CdA already has 42C tyres but not all tyres are created equal and I wouldn't really know until I've bought both the bike and tyres (and guards) whether it's going to work or not.