Giant Seek 2 or Ridgeback Element

[inky]

Evening all,

I've decided to get a bike for occasional commuting (17 mile round trip) and just to get out and about riding a bit more. The two I'm currently looking at are the Giant Seek 2 and the Ridgeback Rapide Element.

I'll mostly be riding on roads, cycle paths and towpaths so think that these two should be suitable. I have a old Hardrock Sport Disc bike in need of minor repair should I need to ride on anything rougher, but to be quite honest I can't remember the last time I rode through anything muddy!

I'd be interested to see which you would think would be the better buy, or if I should be looking at something else in the region of 5 or 600 pounds. I'll be getting the bike through the Cycle to Work scheme so I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of discounted or sale bikes.

Thanks in advance,

Tom

 

[festival]

giant frames are generally better than anyone else's in the same price range.

 

[chugsy]

Seek 1 at JE James for £460 - much better spec and under budget!

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-seek-1-gents-city-bike-id54032.html

 

[2Loose]

That Seek frame looks just like the last model Escape M frame, which I loved (before it got nicked). A great do it all urban bike, fast and pretty light, although I have noticed that they have removed the rack and mudguard mounts.

Seek all the way though.

 

[inky]

Thanks for the feedback.

It's a shame you can't use the Cycle Scheme for discounted bikes as that Seek 1 would be ideal!

Are there any other similar models anyone could suggest?

Cheers,

Tom

 

[chugsy]

Errr... I bought my Escape R1 from the Chesterfield branch of JE James last year on the CS which was discounted from 500 to 300

 

[HCFC Clark]

I recently bought a Giant Seek 3 from Wiggle, £379.99 delivered and i'm very happy with it.

I'm no bike expert, so I'm not sure if a Seek 2 is better then a Seek 3 or vise versa, but somebody will no doubt.

P.S It's a 2010 version.

 

[inky]

Thanks all for the feedback.

I have decided on the Giant Seek but am now deliberating between the Seek 1 and Seek 2.

I know the Seek 2 is a good bike but I'm just wondering if the better components on the 19th are worth the extra £200....