which one? (hybrid)

[Exminer]

i need help deciding between two bikes that i like but i dont know much about bikes only that they look nice...
these are 2 brands that ive heard of quite a bit but not sure which is better, both are around £400
first one is
Felt QX 70 2014
http://www.saddleback.co.uk/Felt-QX-70-2014

and
2014 Giant Roam 3
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.roam.3.silver/14992/66583/

 

[Cyclist33]

I've owned both a Felt and a Giant, but both were road bikes not hybrids... but I prefer the Giant.

Probably doesn't help much!

 

[Big Nick]

Not keen on either, bin the front suspension idea if you're only riding on the road

 

[Exminer]

i was planning on using the bike for general use so on both roads and off road.

What else would you recommend then?

 

[matth411]

Depending on what you classify as off road, I would recommend the Specialized Sirrus. I have one and have used it on roads and on shared use walking paths with different surfaces including compacted mud/gravel. Decent gear range (after 8 months, I still cannot stay in the highest gear for too long!) comfortable positioning, relatively lightweight, solid performer. 400 quid at Evans. Best advice would be to find a shop that stores your choices and see if you can test ride them.

 

[Pale Rider]

The Felt looks slightly better spec - some Alvio in the groupset.

But I doubt the difference would translate to a noticeably better riding experience.

Cheapo front suspension forks don't work well and weigh a ton.

I expect the Sirrus would be the nicest ride.

 

[Heddle the Pedal]

Depending on what you classify as off road, I would recommend the Specialized Sirrus. I have one and have used it on roads and on shared use walking paths with different surfaces including compacted mud/gravel. Decent gear range (after 8 months, I still cannot stay in the highest gear for too long!) comfortable positioning, relatively lightweight, solid performer. 400 quid at Evans. Best advice would be to find a shop that stores your choices and see if you can test ride them.

I'm also looking for a hybrid (though Utility seems the current jargon.) Can anyone help please as I am bamboozled by the mags and sellers? Looking for bike with a reasonable range of gears (steepish hills near home); scope for panier; reasonably light (my Claud Butler hybrid is too heavy). Preference for drop handle bars but not essential. I am told key thing is to get the right frame - components can then be changed as required. Price is an issue at £450-500. Thoughts from you more experienced cyclists would be much appreciated.

 

[Exminer]

i have just been to a few shops and all of them said that giant and felt bike are not great hybrids
and recommend getting a specialized crosstrail Disc or Sport disc, its abit more than i expected but i did like the feel of the bike aswel as the colour,
one thing im not sure about is the Size most shops have told me to go for a Medium but in the shop that had the crosstrail they said to have a large. Im 5ft 9

Any Ideas?

I'm also looking for a hybrid (though Utility seems the current jargon.) Can anyone help please as I am bamboozled by the mags and sellers? Looking for bike with a reasonable range of gears (steepish hills near home); scope for panier; reasonably light (my Claud Butler hybrid is too heavy). Preference for drop handle bars but not essential. I am told key thing is to get the right frame - components can then be changed as required. Price is an issue at £450-500. Thoughts from you more experienced cyclists would be much appreciated.

i would recommend starting a new thread just to make sure you get more attention from users.

 

[tudor_77]

We have two Giant Roams in our house, I had the 2013 model then gave it to the missus and bought the 2014 for myself. Absolutely amazing bikes. Extremely fast, nimble and easy to ride, handles really well too.

Did the shops that said Giant were crap and Specialized were great happen to sell Specialized and not Giant by any chance? Giant always come top of all comparison tests by the cycling media and are one of the biggest names in cycling along with Specialized, Cannondale etc.. Giant often win 'bike of the year' titles etc, Specialized not so much.... They are generally more expensive and really low specced compared to competitors.

The Crosstrail is their version of the Roam, only not as highly rated and (again) quite poor value for money. Thats why I went for the Roam (twice) and not the Crosstrail and certainly have no regrets about it.

 

[Exminer]

We have two Giant Roams in our house, I had the 2013 model then gave it to the missus and bought the 2014 for myself. Absolutely amazing bikes. Extremely fast, nimble and easy to ride, handles really well too.

Did the shops that said Giant were crap and Specialized were great happen to sell Specialized and not Giant by any chance? Giant always come top of all comparison tests by the cycling media and are one of the biggest names in cycling along with Specialized, Cannondale etc.. Giant often win 'bike of the year' titles etc, Specialized not so much.... They are generally more expensive and really low specced compared to competitors.

The Crosstrail is their version of the Roam, only not as highly rated and (again) quite poor value for money. Thats why I went for the Roam (twice) and not the Crosstrail and certainly have no regrets about it.

the shops that i went to sold both giants and specialized. and i didnt say that they said they were crap. only that they were not as good as the other.
also some people on fourms have said the same thing.
but i have had a look at the Giant roam 2 which is £50 less and to me looks like it has exactly the same spec as the crosstrail.

tudor i cant find out how heavy it is online is it about the same as the crosstrail?

 

[tudor_77]

Yes indeed, the Roam is very light for a bike of that type and was a much smoother ride than the crosstrail I test rode when first in the market for a sports hybrid like this. Seems weird for a shop to say such a thing about their range though, then again the Crosstrail is a little more expensive. Quite a few posters on here who were considering the Roam V. Crosstrail chose the Roam after trying both as well. It is a common question that comes up often on cycling forums. Not saying that the Crosstrail is a bad bike, just not as good or as smooth as the Roam.

The Roam is specced hight than the Crosstrail though, i.e The Roam 1 (£649) is 30 speed and has full Deore Groupset, the Crosstrail Elite (£700) is only 27 speed and is not the full Deore groupset.

However, all opinions are subjective of course. What I might like in a bike, you may not, and vice versa.

 

[tudor_77]

Just weighed the 2013 Roam 2 at 13.5 kg. The Crosstrail Elite Disc 2014 is 14kg. So pretty much the same weight, I doubt the 0.5kg difference will make any noticeable benefit to the rider to be honest. Hope that helps

 

[Exminer]

thanks for the help, im actually going to a shop later today that has both instock so i can compare the ride.

 

[Iainj837]

Just weighed the 2013 Roam 2 at 13.5 kg. The Crosstrail Elite Disc 2014 is 14kg. So pretty much the same weight, I doubt the 0.5kg difference will make any noticeable benefit to the rider to be honest. Hope that helps

Is the Roam 2 2014 the same weight as Roam2 2013 ?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I've got a Felt QX70 - but from 2008, bought it from Wiggle, has been a brilliant bike for me, the suspension though has been changed to rigid forks, it is currently my winter bike though it is soon to be handed over to my son for him to destroy