emanuel_v19

Hello all,

I have now narrowed my decision on the bike i want after testing them out. However, i would appreciate everyones opinion and see what you have to say...

1- Specialized Crosstrail- I can get this bike for $600. They offer a 10% discount which is very attractive. They only offer free adjustments for 90 days.

2- Giant Roam 2- I really like this bike but it is a bit more expensive. $650. No discounts but they offer light adjustments for lifetime (brake, derailer adjustments)

3- Giant Roam 3- No disk brakes, which i dont think i need since i wont be doing too much off-roading. $450. Everything applies to option 2 (do discounts, free lifetime small adjustments, etc..)

Please help! I guess i dont really need the disc brakes but im thinking it could be a good thing to have in the long run?

Thank you all!

Nikon shooter

I essentially had the same decision to make except the Trek DS 8.3 was also in my list of considerations. I rode them all and decided o the Giant Roam2. Something about the cross trail didn't fit my body right, could have been the setup/fit was a little off but it didn't seem as smooth as the others and it made more noise both pedaling and coasting. The Trek was a good bike and the only thing I didn't really like was the grips, not big deal to replace, but it had mechanical disc brakes for the same price as hydraulics on The Roam2. At first I thought disc brakes were no big deal until I rode both. Now I love disc brakes. So smooth and the modulation is sick. So if I wanted disc, that ruled out the Roam 3. That left the Roam 2 and the DS 8.3. Really a toss up, but what sold me was the extremely great personnel at the Giant store and the free tune ups etc, so I want with the Roam 2. Of course it's a very personal decision and money does play a part. Have fun trying them all.

fietsbob

the dealer service matters more than the brand name

mwl001

I was pretty much making the same decision. Roam 2 to me is just one of the best values in entry level bicycles. To get similar components from Trek Cannondale or Specialized you're looking at $150-200 extra at retail prices. Just depends if you really want that much bike. I was also comparison shopping the 2014 Crosstrail disc which was available at $570 a couple of months ago in my area. That's also a nice bike but be sure to compare geometry as they are different -- I'm guessing one will be a better fit for you than the other. My Giant dealer offered the same lifetime service as yours. I also felt like the Giant was better in several areas -- better quality derailleur (also 9speed vs 8speed), shifters, and fork, not to mention hydraulic vs mechanical disc brakes. It really just depends on how much you value the upgrades and what your upper spending limit is. To improve on the Roam 2 you're looking at a major frame upgrade, major fork upgrade, or a major brake upgrade to something like Shimano, which is usually a $400+ jump in retail to get all of those together if they're important. I also really liked the 8.3DS, just a few dollars more than the Crosstrail Disc and similar components; would probably have picked that over the Crosstrail just based on color choices if the Giant hadn't worked out. Roam 3 is just a terrific deal if it fits what you're looking for. It was available for $430 end of season here.

Nikon shooter

Agree, if disc brakes aren't a deal breaker (see what I did there?) then the Roam 3 is hard to beat on value for an entry hybrid.
@mwl001 - high five from a fellow Roam 2 owner

mwl001

@Nikon shooter high five!

If you're debating Roam 2 vs Roam 3, a bleed job on the Roam 2 is likely NOT free maintenance, unlike a cable brake job. FYI. It's not with my LBS. However bleeds are not part of normal maintenance, and they need less adjustment.

Imabmwnut

I have a Roam 3. I like it! But then again this is my first real bike!

emanuel_v19

Guys thanks so much for all the replies. I have decided i want the Roam 2. They have the Black 2014 for $629 which i really like the color. It looks pretty sick. Or i can go for the 2015. I will risk the color because i have not seen it in person. It will be the charcoal with green. NOT the blue!

Shanej

I prefer the hydraulic lock out fork on the 2015 vs the mechanical on the 2104. You can adjust it on the fly instead of having to get off the bike and lock it out.

mwl001

I agree on the fork - that and the tektro Auriga on the '15 vs the hdc300 brakes on the '14. There was a drop in the front/rear derailleur to Acera from Altus but that wasn't noticeable to me. I liked the blue/orange paint job on the '14 a lot but stores around here weren't discounting the '14s so I went with a '15.

Grey.

The website says they're both Acera, though Acera would be an upgrade from Altus and not the other way around.

mwl001

Thanks -- I guess I meant the '14 has Acera, while the '15 has Altus, which is a downgrade. But as I said, I had a hard time telling any difference but also I hadn't ridden for many years before I purchased the Roam. Some people may be able to tell a difference, others won't; but I assume it's more subtle than say a jump from Acera to Deore.

Grey.

I agree that it's a small difference. So your 2015 Roam 2 has Atlus FD/RD? The website says it should be Acera. Roam 2 (2015) (2014) | Giant Bicycles | United States

mwl001

No I was referring to the '14 having the better derailleur (Altus), just got the names confused. I have Altus shifters and Acera derailleur.

EDIT: I was wrong, only the shifters and the crankset changed -- looks like both were downgraded for '15. FD and RD are still Acera.

Wanderer

I'd go for the 15, even if it is blue.................. all things being equal

emanuel_v19

Thank a lot everyone for their input! That is why these forums exist! I will get the 2015 roam 2 and pictures will be posted

emanuel_v19

Nevermind. I ended up getting this one used for $280! Comes with a kick stand and a bike rack!

mrodgers

Can't go completely by what the website states. My Giant Escape 1 was suppose to be Alivio shifters and rear derailleur with Acera front derailleur. The rear derailleur is indeed Alivio, but the shifters are Acera and not Alivio. I don't know why it matters though, my bike runs flawless, or it did as I've got about 880 miles on it and it is just now starting to shift a little bit hard, but nothing that I assume a little tweak to the barrel adjustment won't fix.