Jerseyroam

Hello everyone, I’ve noticed the Cannondale Quick, Trek FX and Specialized Sirius have their own threads, but not the Giant Escape. I've seen many Escape posts on here so why not have a central one. Post up your Escape, comments, pics and ask questions.

I just picked up a 2020 Giant Escape Disc 1 xl. I’m quite happy with it. The carbon fork helps smooth out the bumps. The disc brakes feel great. The 2x drivetrain is plenty, don’t feel the need for a 3x. Tires are tubless and have room to fit larger tires up to 45c. Going to throw some Ergon Gp1’s on as well as a top tube bag.

jskash

I am a happy owner of a 2018 Giant Escape disc. It replaced a 2016 Giant Escape 1 that developed a cracked frame. I recently put on the Ergon GP3 grips. They have made a huge difference on how my hands feel at the end of a ride.

Jerseyroam

Hello Jskash, what kind of pedals are you using and how do you like them?

jskash

I have Shimano Saint PD-MX80 pedals on my bike. I love them. I had a hard time keeping my feet centered on the pedals until I got these. My feet never slide off the pedals either. You can find them on Amazon or see if your LBS can get them for you.

Bryan C. 

Seems like the Giant Escape isn't that popular, well at least around BF anyway. I picked up a 2019 Escape disc 1 last year and swapped in a new drivetrain and wheels. It's a very comfortable and capable bike. I think the changes on the 2020 model fix a few of the problems associated with the stock bike.





My build thread

hokiefyd 

I have a 2015 Escape 3 that I got in a lot of four bikes purchased off Facebook Marketplace. It was pretty neglected and was evidently stored outside. The chain and freewheel were pretty rusty (tossed, both), and the grease in the hubs were just a rusty muddy mess. The cones in the hubs were pretty shot, but I cleaned everything out as best I could and repacked with new bearing balls. I was able to reuse the front hub cones, but I put new rear hub cones on it. It's also sporting a new-to-it freewheel and chain from my parts bin, as well as new brake pads and new shift cables. My intent is to clean it up for resale in the spring, so I'll hold onto it until then.

The weather has been prohibitively cold and windy lately for riding, but I have had it out a few times and I rather like it. It's a basic model, so it has the steel bladed fork, but the geometry is pretty nice. It feels pretty natural to ride. The 2015 model had a neat line in the frame, where the top tube is flat, and is one piece as it curves down to the rear axle area. The seat tube appears to protrude up and through the top tube. It's a different look, but it's nice. Mine's the matte charcoal color, and is still featured on Giant's website (where you can see the frame styling).

ps249

I bought a Giant FCR3 back around 2009 which was very similar to the Escape models of today. It was a very fast bike I rode some of my fastest times on a bicycle on that bike. Today I am riding a Specialized Carbon elite but if I needed to purchase a new bike for whatever reason, it would be a Giant Escape. The Escape line up are some of the best hybrids today.

jskash

I had that same frame on my 2016 Escape 1 but the frame cracked at the seat post. The bike was replaced by my current 2018 Escape disk.

Welshboy

I loved my 2015 Giant Escape 3 choosing it for a very short (1.8 miles each way) commute I had at the time, only selling it on when my commute became 10 miles each way. Apart from the steel fork I thought the frame itself was impressively light and stiff - indeed, I still have a Strava KOM acheived whilst riding it (an uphill sprint). I did toy with the idea of putting drop bars on it and wish I had now.

GGreenhorn

I have a 2015 Escape (blue and green) and it's been a great bike. I had over shopped everything and was tired of looking at bikes. I went back to this one bike shop and asked if it was suitable, they said it was so I bought it. I rode for a while, then it was a garage ornament, then I started riding in earnest July 2018. I've rode it quite a few miles since then. I have added Ergon Grips, Shimano XT PD-T8000 SPD Pedals, a Rack and a Bag. I had the back wheel rebuild after breaking a few spokes a few times, I'm a little bigger fellow and ride a little physical sometimes. I also replace the tires a while back. I really enjoy riding it, it suits me quite well.

Jerseyroam

Weather is breaking here in the northeast. Went out for a ride. Added Ergon grips handlebar extender, top tube

bag, pedals and some bottle cages.

flmsrgn

I have the exact same bike (large). Without having ever seeing your photo, I decided to do the exact same thing you did. Top tube bag, seat post bag, handlebar accessory extender, Ergon Gp3 grips, etc. What top tube bag and accessory extender did you decide on? Also, are you running the original tires? If not, what are you running now?

Beavis5220

2014 Escape 3 owner.....put 4,000+ miles on it and upgraded to new bike in 2017. Couldn't let that Giant sit around so I turned it into my ZWIFT bike. Great bikes for the money!

Jerseyroam

Hadlebar extender is:KBROTECH GUB 31.8MM Double Clamp Carbon Fiber

Top tube bag is:

Topeak Fuel Tank with Charging Cable Hole

both purchase off Amazon

tires are original

flmsrgn

Thanks for the info. Did you get the medium or large Topeak?

Jerseyroam

I believe it is medium size.

Gigglenuggets

I've had my Giant Escape 1 for about 3 weeks now and overall love it. I actually had to drive out of state to pick it up (about 3 hours away) but absolutely worth it. Bikes in my town were selling out left and right. It was between this and the Trek FX 3 but they didn't have those in stock here either. I didn't realize how important color was to me but this one just really grabbed my attention. I went with the 1 to avoid doing too many upgrades initially. I have added a water bottle cage and rear rack (Giant Rack-It Metro) and got the Giant MIK Double Rear Panniers. It's been perfect for grocery runs. The panniers fit pretty much the max amount of groceries I can physically carry up the stairs to my apartment. I will post pics soon. I can already tell though the first change I will be making is thinner tires!

JS41989

This is my second Giant Escape I picked this up about 5 weeks ago and I've put about 300 miles on it.

Giant Escape 3 Disc
Ibera Rack and Bag
Elite Vico Carbon Water Bottle Cage
Shimano GR-500 Pedals
Specialized Power Expert Saddle
Specialized Contour Locking Grips
Continental Grand Prix 5000 Tires
Quad Lock Phone Mount

Jerseyroam

Added:
niterider
saber 80 taillight, niterider swift 450 headlight

cateye: urban wireless
cyclocomputer

pedals:
meetlocks

thule cell phone mount

Headlight, cyclocomputer, cell holder

Tail light

SteveKB

I'm an old guy, was regularly riding from the early '70s-late '90s. I kind of lost momentum when my bikes got stolen in '03.
Anyhow, I got back into cycling a few years ago when a buddy that was moving gave me his vintage Specialized Rockhopper Hybrid.
I put many kms on that bike and last year upgraded to a used Giant Escape 3 that I saw on the local craigslist.
The Escape is lighter and better handling than that old Specialized (which I passed on to my brother).

I'd post a pic, but have insufficient posts.

Jerseyroam

Hi SteveKB, I agree the escape feels pretty light. Please post a pic of your Escape when you have enough posts. It’s always fun to see different escapes with different mods...

Cornchips

I bought a Giant Escape 3, or Cross City as it's known here in Australia. I think it is a 2018 edition.

After owning a Giant Roam with front suspension, I must say the Escape rides a little rough - especially off road with the aluminum fork. There's also something in the geometry that feels a little 'off' to me - I seem to be leaning forward and 'reaching' for the handlebars. I feel like I'm sitting 'on' the bike rather than sitting 'in' it, if that makes sense.

I've noticed Giant have redesigned the frame on the 2019 and 2020 editions, which look way cooler and have whacked thicker tyres on (38c) which would smooth out the complaints I have made above. So yeah, I'm a little disappointed with it to be honest. I mean, it gets the job done, but it is a bit of a rough ride off-road IMO.

SteveKB

I look at the Giant Escape as a good compromise for the urban cyclist that checks a lot of boxes for an all-rounder. It's similar to how an SUV offers some light off-road driving while offering more comfort than a rock-climbing 4x4.

The Escape won't win any weight weenie approval, but compared to the chromoly '90s bikes I had before, it's noticeably lighter when I carry it up the front stairs.

I made the mistake of buying by price and not fit, as it's really too small for me, but I got an extra long seatpost and it's OK for rides of about 50 km before my hands start to hurt.
I'll be reading the threads on fitting & adjusting for recommendations for improving the fit.

Cornchips

My current ride Giant Cross City 3 (2018)

SteveKB

I think it's a 2016 Escape 3,if anyone can identify it for sure, please correct me) love the colour!