Giant Roam 1 or 2?

[ChrisV]

Tredz have 10% off, so Roam 2 is £499 down to £450 and Roam 1 is £649 down to £585. So £135 difference.

I'm not sure if the extra cost is worth the upgrade, as I'm a newbie to the hybrid market.

• Roam 1
  
  The Giant Roam 1 2015 Features are:
  
  Frame: ALUXX-Grade Aluminium
  
  Fork: SR Suntour NEX HLO, 63mm Travel
  
  Bars: Giant Connect Low Riser
  
  Stem: Giant Sport, 15 degree rise
  
  Speed: 30
  
  Front Mech: Shimano Deore Trekking
  
  Rear Mech: Shimano Deore Shadow
  
  Chainset: Shimano T521 48/36/26
  
  Bottom Bracket: Shimano, threaded external
  
  Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-36
  
  Chain: KMC X10 w/ Missing Link
  
  Front Brake: Shimano M355 hydraulic disc 160mm
  
  Rear Brake: Shimano M355 hydraulic disc 160mm
  
  Rims: Giant CR70 Double Wall
  
  Front Hub: Formula Disc
  
  Rear Hub: Formula Disc
  
  Spokes: Stainless Steel
  
  Tyres: Giant S-RX4 X-Road, 700x40mm Front Giant S-RX4 X-Road, 700x40mm Rear
  
  Seatpost: Giant sport 30.9mm

• 
  The Giant Roam 2 2015 Features are:
  
  Frame: ALUXX-Grade Aluminium
  
  Fork: SR Suntour NEX HLO, 63mm Travel
  
  Bars: Giant Connect Low Riser
  
  Stem: Giant Sport, 15 degree rise
  
  Speed: 27
  
  Front Mech: Shimano Acera
  
  Rear Mech: Shimano Acera
  
  Chainset: Shimano M371 48/36/26
  
  Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN26
  
  Cassette: Shimano HG20 11-34
  
  Chain: KMC X9 w/ Missing Link
  
  Front Brake: Tektro HDM290 hydraulic disc 160mm
  
  Rear Brake: Tektro HDM290 hydraulic disc 160mm
  
  Rims: Giant CR70 Double Wall
  
  Front Hub: Formula Disc
  
  Rear Hub: Formula Disc
  
  Spokes: Stainless Steel
  
  Tyres: Giant S-RX4 X-Road, 700x40mm Front Giant S-RX4 X-Road, 700x40mm Rear
  
  Seatpost: Giant sport 30.9mm

Any thoughts?

 

[ChrisV]

The decision is made harder by the fact I much prefer the blue frame of the 2 but the spec of the 1.

 

[vickster]

Can you lock the forks out on both? Presuming this is not a purely off road bike (or you'd be looking at something else more fit for purpose)

Shimano brakes are certainly preferable to tektro and Deore to a era, so yes, I'd say it is worth the extra (as long as neither are black )

 

[ChrisV]

They don't mention being able to lock the forks anywhere - surely they are lockable??

Is there a better hybrid on Tredz for £500-£600? Anyone have a spare 5 minutes?

 

[vickster]

Doesn't say you can lock the fork, so maybe you can't. I'd avoid if so myself

I think you missed the 10% deal, personally I went to bed!

Ash have the 2014 roam on sale, this spec mentions lockout. Phone them and ask. Can get 15% of free stuff with the. 2015 models

20% off

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-roam-1-2014

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-roam-2-blue-2014

No lockout mentioned in 2015

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-roam-1-2015

The white and red 2014 looks way better anyhow

 

[Cyclist33]

you don't say what size you are/want so anyone taking the time to research the web on your behalf (which you could do yourself) doesn't know if it's worth recommending bargains if available in limited sizes.

Eg...

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/p...ike_B14SPD17?gclid=COL5wK6-qsUCFaSWtAodLWkA_g

 

[Pale Rider]

I think LO in Suntour speak means lock out.

If that's the case, all the forks have it.

I reckon it's a largely pointless feature on a budget pogo stick fork.

None have the smooth, easy travel to make it worthwhile.

 

[ChrisV]

you don't say what size you are/want so anyone taking the time to research the web on your behalf (which you could do yourself) doesn't know if it's worth recommending bargains if available in limited sizes.

Eg...

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/p...ike_B14SPD17?gclid=COL5wK6-qsUCFaSWtAodLWkA_g

I appreciate your point. I just don't really know why the bike you link to is a 'bargain' because I don't know enough about the components. I do indeed need to do more research.

 

[ChrisV]

However, made a decision ...

I was branching into hybrid to go off-road a bit as I have a road bike already ...

... except I don't really have a road bike. I have a drop bar hybrid type machine that isn't too dissimilar to the hybrids I was looking at (Whyte Suffolk).

So, I put the 32 Marathon Pluses back on it, ordered some flat pedals and dropped the seat to a more practical level. I now have a suitable bike for going about with my daughter and commuting.




And have already started looking at 'proper' road bikes

 

[Cyclist33]

Giant Defy will be your friend.