SPECIALIZED OR GIANT

[Maz]

Ride them both. They're both good bikes. Pick the one that feels the best to you.

+1

 

[thomas]

Get a Specialised...but maybe I'm bias because my Mum's got a Giant and we both argue the toss over the better company. Her end argument usually is - "well Giant have a team in the tour de France..."

 

[anweledig]

I haven't got the Viena but spent a fair amount of time choosing betweengiant and specialize. In the end I went for a tricross (and I'm very pleased with the choice - it's a great bike). But the best way to choose what suits you is to try both and see. It's also a good idea to check out the shops you are going to buy from.

have fun choosing

 

[grhm]

The crs3 city - would you be happy to do a couple of week leisure tour on it with a load? Approx 60 miles a day

Not sure - I've had two fully laden panniers on the back and a bag on top of those, to the point that lifting it up the few steps out of the garden was awkward, but once on the saddle didn't really notice the difference (probably slower and harder going uphill/up-wind but I wasn't pushing hard enough to notice, just pootling)

However, when I've done 10+miles on the local country roads I find I can't always get my wrists comfy - not often, just every now and then - combination of poor road surfaces, 70PSI tyres and a flat bar.

If I was buying for a tour, I'd get a drop barred bike, but I've never had drop bars and this bike was bought as a commuter for a ~3mile commute - and has done this admirably.

(Had a quick look and the vienna look good - I stand by my previous statement - get yourself a ride on both and see which just clicks or which excites you more)

 

[DeeP]

I have just bought a 23' 2008 Giant CRS alliance and am very pleased with it. Part carbon frame very comfy & light (compared to previous Trek) , can take full mudguards (1 minor adjustment) and Rack. What is even better is that I got it for £448 (retail £750). The Retail for the 09 version is more like £900. Ash cycles in Chingford is where i got it and they still have some in stock although the smaller versions are £544.....

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Giant Kids' bikes are heavy, overpriced BSO junk. I won't buy from a company that's willing to sell rubbish like that just to make a few quid from kids.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Giant Kids' bikes are heavy, overpriced BSO junk. I won't buy from a company that's willing to sell rubbish like that just to make a few quid from kids.

My 5 year old got given a specialized bike and I think it weighs more than my Giant bike so I guess they're both guilty.

I've got a low-end Giant. It's a cheap bike but it's a good bike - nice and light, I like it!

 

[levad]

Get one of each

SWMBO and I both have Giant hybrids. Did the Coast to Coast and 3000 miles commuting on mine until I got a road bike. The Giant is still used for weekend trips around town.

 

[Funtboy]

Gary Fisher Mendota

 

[aqaleigh]

Not sure - I've had two fully laden panniers on the back and a bag on top of those, to the point that lifting it up the few steps out of the garden was awkward, but once on the saddle didn't really notice the difference (probably slower and harder going uphill/up-wind but I wasn't pushing hard enough to notice, just pootling)

However, when I've done 10+miles on the local country roads I find I can't always get my wrists comfy - not often, just every now and then - combination of poor road surfaces, 70PSI tyres and a flat bar.

If I was buying for a tour, I'd get a drop barred bike, but I've never had drop bars and this bike was bought as a commuter for a ~3mile commute - and has done this admirably.

(Had a quick look and the vienna look good - I stand by my previous statement - get yourself a ride on both and see which just clicks or which excites you more)

cheers for the reply - I'm exchanging from adrop bar bike due to ongoing neck problems, also fancy seeing some of the scenery instead of head down and ass up
I have booked a test ride with my LBS

cheers again

 

[Bug]

I used to have a Giant CRS SE ('06 model) until some scrote went and nicked it. Was a lovely bike in pearl white. Not sure what the CRSes are like now, though... Last time I looked, they had become less 'sporty' than mine was.

 

[Morrisette]

Specialized. I just think they look better!!