Bike Comparisons- All $670
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Bike Comparisons- All $670
Looking into getting a bike less than $700 that would be great for riding in the city (not a full out mtb). I wanted a hybrid bike since I'm not that comfortable in riding the dropbar however I do want to be able to go on graveled path as well as having a front suspension. Here are the choices:
Giant Roam 2- https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/roam-2-disc-2020
Specialized Crosstrail- https://www.specialized.com/us/en/cr...=237264-157825
Trek Dual Sport 2- https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...?colorCode=red
These 3 bikes are all $670, which is in my budget however are they all equal in term of quality, probably 75% of the time will be riding on a asphalt road and sidewalk, other $25 would be just going to a park and riding on grass and going down a flatish bumpy gravel path.
Giant Roam 2- https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/roam-2-disc-2020
Specialized Crosstrail- https://www.specialized.com/us/en/cr...=237264-157825
Trek Dual Sport 2- https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...?colorCode=red
These 3 bikes are all $670, which is in my budget however are they all equal in term of quality, probably 75% of the time will be riding on a asphalt road and sidewalk, other $25 would be just going to a park and riding on grass and going down a flatish bumpy gravel path.
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Same bike basically, all asian, pick the components and color you like best.
Tim
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They are all fine. The primary difference I see is the crank. The Trek and Specialized are both 48/38/28 and the Giant is 44/28.
My wife has a Verve 2 that, I think, has the same drivetrain as the Trek and it works fine. I ride it on the turbo trainer as it's easier than swapping my bike on and off. The biggest issue is that being 8-speed some of the jumps are a bit large. But the bike is 1/4 the price mine is.
My wife has a Verve 2 that, I think, has the same drivetrain as the Trek and it works fine. I ride it on the turbo trainer as it's easier than swapping my bike on and off. The biggest issue is that being 8-speed some of the jumps are a bit large. But the bike is 1/4 the price mine is.
#4
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The suspension on all three will be completely worthless. Nothing more than a gimmick that only makes the bike heavier. Get a rigid fork.
If you need a softer ride go to a bigger lower pressure tire.
If you need a softer ride go to a bigger lower pressure tire.
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Crosstrails are nice. I rode one for a few thousand miles when I was getting into bigger tires and really only quit because the flat bars weren't working with my wrists and ribcage muscles. Some folks will diss on any suspension that isn't built for hard core mtb action, but it's perfectly fine for rough roads and gravel.
Last edited by bcpriess; 08-18-19 at 08:08 PM.
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#7
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I can deal with the small weight difference (perhaps 1 - 1.5% of total weight) and if they wear out in 10 years (many have lasted longer then that) I'll be due for a new bike before that anyway.
For serous roadies, Well that's another matter, But for most average cyclist's and commuters I would highly recommend them.
I'm considering buying a Giant Roam 3 for myself, since I am so pleased with my Sedona. Giant seems to have a knack for building high quality bikes even at budget prices. I prefer the mechanical disc brakes. I really don't want to deal with hydraulic fluid.
BTY, Take a close look at the Giant and Trek bikes the OP is considering. Those frames look almost identical except for the color, I wonder if this Trek bike is one of the many other bikes that Giant supplies frames for.
Last edited by xroadcharlie; 08-19-19 at 08:36 AM.
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The Roam 2 has better derailleurs. It's the combo I have on my 2017 FX 3 (they changed it this year), and I really like the shifting on that.
Can you test ride these?
Can you test ride these?
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Giant. Giant really offers a good price point and quality, when talking about LBS bikes. Bikes direct may be cheaper.
#10
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The bikes are all very similar in design and components. I like double cranks vs. triples, less hassle in the long run. The sus forks on these machines are either coil spring or elastomer. Not the best for performance, but for just lolly gagging along, they are fine. Lock them out when the bobbing gets to you. Can't go wrong with any of them, however my vote is the Giant due to the crank.
#12
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That was my thinking when I bought my 2018 Giant Sedona with it's 50mm tires. And might be true with cheap Walmart bikes, But these bikes have decent suspension forks. And I agree that a GOOD wide tire is a smart first step to a smooth ride, Too wide however (over 50mm) will slow you down. Since much of my riding is on broken cement and rough ash fault on MUP and roads. My next bike WILL have suspension forks. But decent ones like on these bikes. When properly adjusted, Not only do they make for a more comfortable ride, but a faster one too as I can ride more quickly over rough patches that would otherwise be too punishing for anything less then a FAT bike, And they aren't even in the same league as the Roam in terms of speed. The Roam is so much faster.
I can deal with the small weight difference (perhaps 1 - 1.5% of total weight) and if they wear out in 10 years (many have lasted longer then that) I'll be due for a new bike before that anyway.
I can deal with the small weight difference (perhaps 1 - 1.5% of total weight) and if they wear out in 10 years (many have lasted longer then that) I'll be due for a new bike before that anyway.
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I just bought a Specialized Crosstrail like the one you mentioned and been riding for 2 weeks now. So far I have about 35 miles on it and really enjoy riding it. Only change I made for it to really feel good to me with a pretty inexpensive adjustable stem to raise the handlebars up some and added a set of Shimano M324 clipless pedals (I really didn't need to do this but got a great deal on them so decided to give it a try) but I was plenty happy with just the stem. Overall it's a really fun bike. I enjoy having hydraulic disk brakes as I have never owned a bike with disk brakes and really like them. I have no issues with the front suspension fork as it soaks up the smaller stuff and don't give me any bounce when really pedaling hard so for me I like having it as the little extra weight isn't a big deal to me.
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People buying 30# hybrids to ride around town just want to take some of the crap out of the crap pavement. They're not looking for the performance of a $1K Fox. They're riding through the grass in the park, not doing technical downhill. It'll be fine.
#15
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Actually those suspension forks Giant, and others use in many of their entry level bikes do have hydraulic damping if they have a hydraulic lockout. One leg is the hydraulic damper that may be adjustable or lock, The other a spring with an adjustable preload and sometimes lock. Admittedly not the best set-up for say jumping off rocks, But perfectly fine for recreational riders. Those expensive ones likely have an adjustable spring, either air or steel, and an adjustable damper on each leg, as well as more travel.
Even the best suspension forks still change the geometry of the bike some when they work. Again, fine for recreational riders and jumping off rocks, But if your in a tight road race group going down hill at 40 mph in a curve on 25mm tires and have to brake, This might not be good. They probably do have suspension systems that work in this situation, But are much less intrusive then the conventional suspension forks you see on hybrid or mountain bikes.
Of the 3 bike the op is considering, The Specialized Cross Trail has the best suspension fork that has variable damping that allows the fork to almost simulate a rigid fork on little bumps, Improving peddling efficiency (over conventional sus forks) and soaks up potholes when necessary. Pretty cool if it works as advertised.
Even the best suspension forks still change the geometry of the bike some when they work. Again, fine for recreational riders and jumping off rocks, But if your in a tight road race group going down hill at 40 mph in a curve on 25mm tires and have to brake, This might not be good. They probably do have suspension systems that work in this situation, But are much less intrusive then the conventional suspension forks you see on hybrid or mountain bikes.
Of the 3 bike the op is considering, The Specialized Cross Trail has the best suspension fork that has variable damping that allows the fork to almost simulate a rigid fork on little bumps, Improving peddling efficiency (over conventional sus forks) and soaks up potholes when necessary. Pretty cool if it works as advertised.
Last edited by xroadcharlie; 08-20-19 at 06:52 AM.
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This might sound like a joke but I'm serious--at that price point, the first question I would ask to help you figure out if suspension is for you is whether you have to carry the bike up a flight of stairs on a regular basis (not unusual for urban cyclist). If so, whatever margin of comfort you're getting from the suspension might be outweighed (literally) by the extra burden on the stairs.
#17
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When my previous bike got stolen, I would use my girlfriends Dutch bike for commuting for a while. It had a rigid alloy fork and 35mm tires, and I was soon convinced that my next bike would have suspension fork - and it does. I have to carry it only for two flights of stairs each time I get back home, so the extra 2-3 pounds don't upset me much (especially since I've lost over 20 lbs myself since having this bike).
Don't listen to all the haters, a semi decent suspension fork on a hybrid (i.e. one with hydraulic lockout and damping) is nice to have. Means also that you can put some more pressure in your tires, which helps on smooth roads.
Don't listen to all the haters, a semi decent suspension fork on a hybrid (i.e. one with hydraulic lockout and damping) is nice to have. Means also that you can put some more pressure in your tires, which helps on smooth roads.
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The bikes are all very similar in design and components. I like double cranks vs. triples, less hassle in the long run. The sus forks on these machines are either coil spring or elastomer. Not the best for performance, but for just lolly gagging along, they are fine. Lock them out when the bobbing gets to you. Can't go wrong with any of them, however my vote is the Giant due to the crank.
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When my previous bike got stolen, I would use my girlfriends Dutch bike for commuting for a while. It had a rigid alloy fork and 35mm tires, and I was soon convinced that my next bike would have suspension fork - and it does. I have to carry it only for two flights of stairs each time I get back home, so the extra 2-3 pounds don't upset me much (especially since I've lost over 20 lbs myself since having this bike).
Don't listen to all the haters, a semi decent suspension fork on a hybrid (i.e. one with hydraulic lockout and damping) is nice to have. Means also that you can put some more pressure in your tires, which helps on smooth roads.
Don't listen to all the haters, a semi decent suspension fork on a hybrid (i.e. one with hydraulic lockout and damping) is nice to have. Means also that you can put some more pressure in your tires, which helps on smooth roads.
I actually have a point here--people usually only consider weight as a factor for speed, which is actually quite marginal. I think it's a bigger factor in handling the bike before and after the ride, and I think I've heard "it's too much trouble to get the bike downstairs and back" as a reason why people don't ride the bikes they have just about more than any other.
Glad your suspension worked out so well for you and good on you for losing the 20 pounds.
#20
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" Pretty cool if it works as advertised."
Invariably the "technology" does not work as advertised. Not sure how it is possible to take a bit from 3 grand plus bikes and use it on a 700 dollar bike and get similar results. Not much room to work with at a 700 dollar price point. Works great as marketing hype, but in application, it is a Suntour NeX fork.
Invariably the "technology" does not work as advertised. Not sure how it is possible to take a bit from 3 grand plus bikes and use it on a 700 dollar bike and get similar results. Not much room to work with at a 700 dollar price point. Works great as marketing hype, but in application, it is a Suntour NeX fork.
#21
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" Pretty cool if it works as advertised."
Invariably the "technology" does not work as advertised. Not sure how it is possible to take a bit from 3 grand plus bikes and use it on a 700 dollar bike and get similar results. Not much room to work with at a 700 dollar price point. Works great as marketing hype, but in application, it is a Suntour NeX fork.
Invariably the "technology" does not work as advertised. Not sure how it is possible to take a bit from 3 grand plus bikes and use it on a 700 dollar bike and get similar results. Not much room to work with at a 700 dollar price point. Works great as marketing hype, but in application, it is a Suntour NeX fork.
Actually it's a "SR Suntour NEX fork w/ Fitness Brain technology"
I agree it isn't possible either to get the same damping results with these sus forks on a $700 bike as we would with $500 - $1,000 forks alone. But it is possible to manipulate the flow valve assembly in the damping cartridge in such a way that it will be less sensitive to small vibrations and peddling forces, While still responding to sudden hits, Like potholes.
While my guess is this nearly identical fork, Just fine tuned is probably more effective then the other two contenders, I wouldn't base a purchase of a Specialized CrossTrail because of that alone. And while it looks like a fine bike, I would still buy the Giant Roam based on the outstanding job they did with my 2018 Sedona. They really know how to build entry level bikes as well as the $5K + bikes. Also the sus forks on the Roam are a proven design used on many bikes. Not what you get on a $5,000 bike, But I think most folks would welcome the improved ride over the rigid forks like on my Sedona.
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After reading the specs on all three, there is one important factor that I could not determine, but you, OP, can. Which bike shop offers the best service/mechanics? If that doesn't matter because you work on your own bikes, then it's totally your call. If the shop performs the work, pick the shop that you are most comfortable with because those three bikes are very close in their build, components and quality. Can't lose with any of them.
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#23
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How many of these entry level forks will ever be serviced? What owner at this price point is either going to pay a shop to rebuild this turd or have the know how to diy it? Can you even find a seal kit?
A year from now it will be frozen solid or close enough.
For the real world use the build on these bikes really does suck. It would be much better to have your money go almost anywhere besides the fork . Better rims and tires would be my first choice. The cheap Shimano hydraulic brakes would be awesome. A wide range 1x8 drivetrain built with a heavy but bulletproof e-bike casette would eliminate 90% of the annoyance casual riders have with their bikes.
A year from now it will be frozen solid or close enough.
For the real world use the build on these bikes really does suck. It would be much better to have your money go almost anywhere besides the fork . Better rims and tires would be my first choice. The cheap Shimano hydraulic brakes would be awesome. A wide range 1x8 drivetrain built with a heavy but bulletproof e-bike casette would eliminate 90% of the annoyance casual riders have with their bikes.
#24
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We get it, you don't like cheap hybrids with suspension forks. The fact is thousands (millions?) are sold every year and are still on the road. People like them and buy them, so manufacturers will continue to spec them. For most users commuting in the city and puttering around the park with an occasional gravel trail or camping trip they perform as intended.
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Would like to mention, this bike is not meant for offroading like a forest trail or something like that, primarily for urban commute, which ranges usually 3-10 miles in the city. If I want a bike for actual mountains and dedicated bike trails I'll probably would move my budget up to $1000. My question is bikes like gravel and cyclocross don't have suspension yet can handle 2 feet drops and things like that, so do I not need a bike with front suspensions?