Check6

Anyone have any first hand knowledge about this bike. It seems popular in Europe and Asia. I am a former tour rider. I have a mountain bike. I am looking for a bike I can ride recreationally and for fitness. Pavement, mild trails, around town. Being on the dropdowns just isn't comfortable anymore. I have looked high and low but can't find a review of this bike. I can get Giant, Trek, Specialized, Marin and Cannondale locally.
Thanks in advance for any help and advice.
Good Forum!
Ride Safe,
Check6

Capecodder

Seems like a lot more bike than you need...... I ride tour and road bikes and just made the switch to this. I really like this bike, and had it of road this past weekend and road it pretty hard and it performed flawlessly. It's a Trek (Kaitai) take one for a test run, I'm sure you will be impressed.

Check6

Thanks I will check it out. But I am curious, the accend seems to be a very nice, well designed bike, won some euro design awards ( which has nothing to do with how it rides) I would love to hear someone's impression of the bike. Zippo for reviews on the net.
Thanks again.
Check6

no1mad 

I think the reason why there are little reviews is due that's it's probably a brand new model.

EsoxLucius

If you want to save some money on a great bike, a new 2009 Jamis Coda Elite with a 19.5" frame is still $680 delivered from Bicycle Bananas. Steel frame, carbon fork, wider gearing, and generally better components than that $1400 Giant Accend. Trikes2Bikes near Green Bay has Jamis bikes to look at. I have a 2009 Jamis Coda Comp and love it.

2009 Jamis Coda Elite


Even a Giant Rapid 1 would be a better bike for your application in my estimation.

jbchybridrider 

I dont like it because its a soft tail and you dont need that for road riding unless your just a slowish recreational rider.
If your trying to get fit and and increase your speed over time you'll quickly out grow it, it'll be to heavy and fell mushy and you lose efficiency trying to ride faster.
The Gary Fisher and the Jamis above would kill it. I like the retro look for the jamis coda elite to after losing the suspention seat post that is.

EsoxLucius

The suspension seat post on the Jamis Codas is very stiff and might as well be rigid. But nothing a swap out for a rigid seatpost wouldn't cure if one was so inclined. I haven't because it is so stiff.

RTD

Greetings. I've just joined the forum to learn about the Accend. Your post is the closest I've come to reading any real world experience with this bike. Seems like some are trying to talk you out of it for reasons I don't understand. Did you buy it? Thanks

no1mad 

The 2011 Giant Accend looks like an updated version of the 2008 Specialized Globe Centrum or the 2007 Breezer Liberty w/Direct X frame.

qmsdc15

Reminds me more of a Moots YBB (why be beat?) pivotless rear suspension. I disagree that this very limited travel suspension design is going to rob a lot of power from the engine. In certain terrain it will faster. It will be more comfortable in all conditions. I doubt that little bumper adds a lot of weight either. I like the front suspension also very much so. I don't think we should lump this bike into the full suspension category, nor would I consider the fork to be similar to typical suspension forks. I wish I had a fork like that on my Cannondale. More Silk Road than off-road.

The Chemist

I've got a fork like that on my Giant FCR3500 and while it's no mountain bike suspension fork in terms of travel, it's no mountain bike suspension fork in terms of weight either. And it does work - very well - in smoothing out the vast number of bumps in Shanghai bike lanes.

RTD

Thank for keeping the discussion going. I ordered one and expect it later this week. I currently have a 2001 Specialized Expedition Sport (I mention the year since they seem very different nowadays), Fuji Roubaix 3, Schwinn Transit and Triumph Bonneville (efi). I'll leave a review when I get the tires broken in.

John_V 

Although the design of the three bikes look alike, the main difference is in the drivetrain. The Globe is a single speed and the Liberty and the Jamis have the Deore line of components with FSA cranksets, whereas, the Accend uses the Tiagra road bike groupo (except for the shifters). All the bikes are good bikes and if you can get to a bike shop that carries them and are able to test ride them all, then it's a matter of the choosing the bike that you feel fits you the best.

Check6

I am the original poster. Thanks everyone. I rode many bikes. I really liked the Accend but also looked at others. I loved the Trek Montare but could not get one anywhere in my size. I went with the Giant Roam 1 and am very happy. It is a good rider/commuter. It is not the best at anything but is a very good all round bike. And about half the cost of the Accend. For me it was a great choice. Good luck with your search.
Check6

itsmcgee

I got the accend last week and I am really enjoying it. As a round towner it just can't be beat. I figured out how to tune the suspension within it's limitations which Giant was no help at all. I weigh 200 lbs and as it comes out of the box it is a little bouncy in the front on climbs. After tuning it, it rides great. The ride is so smooth on our less than smooth roads you find yourself checking to make sure the tires are up to preasure. Because of the sharp headtube angle it handle very quick, however the long chainstays do make exceleration a bit slower than my steel cyclocross bike. The comfort makes it all worth it for me.

Rob M

I have a Giant Accend, and have had for a while but I have never seen any reviews on the bike either and bought mine on looks alone. I think it's a pretty decent bike and have enjoyed riding it. I never realised the suspension was adjustable, if you can remember that far back, or if anyone else knows, how do you tweak or adjust the the Giant Accend Mono Flex suspension? The same suspension was also used on the Giant Enlight.

Thanks in advance if you can be of any assistance.