I want to go faster, do I need another bike?

[lesley_x]

I've got the ladies version of the Giant Roam 2 and it's a cracking bike for cycle paths etc.

I very quickly 'grew out' of it when cycling on roads. It has it's use - I live and mainly cycle on the canal towpath right now so wouldn't dream of taking my road bike on there - and it does very well for that purpose. I also find the front suspension, while it's great for the potholed towpath, it does add weight. It's not a bike designed to go fast.

Think about what type of riding you're doing and the surfaces. If you're planning to do road cycling then I would ADD a road bike to your bikes but keep the Roam it will come in handy.

 

[MrJamie]

I've got a Roam 2 too and love it for its versatility, it's alright in the woods and its reasonable on the roads. You can lock off the suspension to make it a bit more efficient on roads, especially hills, but as a heavy rider I don't notice any weight penalty from it. I've also got a Giant Seek 2, similar bike really, no suspension, skinnier tyres and it is a bit sharper and more responsive feeling, perhaps a tiny bit faster at the expense of being a lot less comfortable on bad roads. I could at best average about 18mph over a 10mile circular road route on the Roam, at which point I felt like drag was the real restricting factor and while other things would help a little, drop bars would be the only change to give me significant gains and the Seek seems to confirm that IMHO.

At some point i'd like to get a bike with drop bars, perhaps a Defy (yes, I like Giants) or a cyclocross bike, but i've already got 3 bikes and don't cycle enough to justify a 4th!