Hybrid Bicycles - fellow giant roam riders

any fellow giant roam riders? i have a 2012 giant roam 1. what have you guys dones with your roams? pics?

Here's mine from last Saturday256994

I think Roams are very nice bikes. I even thought about buying one at the time I bought my Scott but the model is sadly not available in my country and sending a huge amount of money overseas for the top model I think is risky.

any fellow giant roam riders? i have a 2012 giant roam 1. what have you guys dones with your roams? pics?

What have you done with yours? Pics?

I have such a rare bike it seems... I have the lovechild of the Escape and Roam: the Seek. So I'll hop in here since it's pretty much a solid forked Roam.

I haven't done much, but my bike came in with an unexpected present: an Avid BB7 front brake. WOO free upgrade! The stock levers stunk so I swapped them for Avid Speed Dials and it's been much nicer ever since. Then a WTB Freedom Aon seat for the all important male soft parts divet (stock seat was 'suffocating'). A frame pump and lights and that's all she wrote:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lLolAVxEcQ4/T7O1UyEL3mI/AAAAAAAABH0/jdtr_60I0OE/s720/IMG_20120511_190805.jpg
And added Fiks 3m rim tape so when a car at night sees me the black turns white (I still play with flashlights because it just seems so cool)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kwlMOxUV7h8/T6luSbBKV-I/AAAAAAAABD8/xgq0n49g18c/s720/IMG_20120507_223438.jpg

Oh and pedals since I killed the original junky ones after 2 months. Got Shimano A530s with both an spd and platform side. Now the search for shoes begins.

What have you done with yours? Pics?

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I actually do want to see what he has done to his. I prefer to see upgraded / modified hybrids rather than the stock standard, brand new ones.

i havent really done much to mine. im waiting for my ergon gc3 grips to come in. i swapped out my tires for 700x32c specialized inifinity armadillos. Cateye hl-el220 LED headlight, ive got a giant bottle cage, thinking about swapping them out and putting in carbon fiber ones. Cheap Bell cyclometer from target. it gets the job done. i will post a pic later.

I actually do want to see what he has done to his. I prefer to see upgraded / modified hybrids rather than the stock standard, brand new ones.
+1

I have such a rare bike it seems... I have the lovechild of the Escape and Roam: the Seek. So I'll hop in here since it's pretty much a solid forked Roam.



I did consider a 2010 Giant Seek 1 (or whichever one was right below the model with Alfine IGH) also. I ended up with a Marin Muirwoods 29er instead. I looked at the Roam but, like you, wanted something rigid, since it's for city rides.

257997

I've not done anything since I'm a newbie to this..but I really like my ROAM.

I bought a 2010 or 2011 Road 2 while on vacation a couple weeks ago. I bought it with the idea of flipping it when I got home, but I have to say that it's grown on me. At home, I mostly ride either an older steel Bianchi road bike or an older KHS steel mountain bike that I've upgraded extensively and put 26x1.75" tires on. The Roam does feel unique in that it has more of a mountain bike feel, but I can easily average at least three to four MPH more than my KHS.

I put 189 miles on my Roam while on the Clearwater last week. Nothing too exciting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Only think I'm not crazy about is the brake levers feel mushy. Not sure if that's due to the levers, the brakes themselves or possibly the rims or cables. Not a deal breaker by any stretch and the brakes work just fine, they just feel much less direct than the XTs on my KHS.

I was going to take mine to the local state park today but they day just got away from me... maybe tomorrow.

Here are some pics in Clearwater Beach, FL and Dunedin, FL.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh248/cratz2/Bikes/P1010823a1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh248/cratz2/Bikes/P1010812a1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh248/cratz2/Bikes/IMG_8891a1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh248/cratz2/Bikes/IMG_8888a1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh248/cratz2/Bikes/IMG_8883a1.jpg

I recently got a great deal on a '11 Giant Roam 1..(guys wife rode it once then they split up).. been the perfect bike for me.. very fast, yet durable and cool looking.. only thing I changed was the grips that wouldnt stay put..258341

Still shopping for my first REAL bike, and the Giant Roam 0 is currently on the top of my list. I'll be transitioning from a cheap mountain bike, so I'm looking for something durable, as I do some light trail riding (paved/packed gravel) and occasionally have to deal with curbs/sidewalks as necessary. I'm not terribly hung up about weight/speed, as I suspect anything will be lighter/quicker and more efficient than my Wal-Mart MTB.

Could somebody elaborate on the main differences between the Giant Roam and the Giant Revel? I assume that the Roam is more "capable" because of the higher cost...

26" wheels

26" wheels

Is the wheel diameter the only real difference? I don't have a bike with 700C wheels, only an older hybrid with 26" wheels. I am not a competitive rider - but I am fussy - so will I notice the difference in mixed riding situations (commuting, riding hard for fitness, gravel trails)?

Are there any other major frame or component differences that would greatly enhance the ride itself on the Roam compared to the Revel?

They have different forks which will have their inherent differences. but as for 26 vs 700c/29er you'll have to ask the guys who do that sort of thing.

But from http://www.bike198.com/26-vs-29-mountain-bike-debate/ it's going to be less room for suspension travel and the 29er is going to feel cushier due to air volume and contact patch differences but it's going to be up to you to feel it out with a test ride.

Basically if you plan on keeping the stock tires, I'd say there's very little difference. If you are considering the idea of getting a bike and working on the idea of doing ~30+ mile rides, I'd personally suggest going with the Roam over the Revel if only because of the wider selection of appropriate tires for such uses.

Basically if you plan on keeping the stock tires, I'd say there's very little difference. If you are considering the idea of getting a bike and working on the idea of doing ~30+ mile rides, I'd personally suggest going with the Roam over the Revel if only because of the wider selection of appropriate tires for such uses.


Hey I have a 2012 roam 1 and I use it only on trails. I bought it thinking I wanted to ride both but fell in love with trail riding so that is all I do. Any tires I can get to make it perform better on trails? I have looked at some 700 X 40 but want to go a little wider if possible.

Exploring the abandoned State fair grounds here in lincoln Neb With my roam..

Well, doesn't look like this thread has taken off. I guess I'll add anyways with my modified Roam 1.

1. I dumped the suspension fork. Coming over from mountain bikes the suspension fork on the Roam was pretty crappy. So I know what you are thinking, "why doesn't he just lock the fork out?" Well, if you are like me, when you do this you notice that the ride is very uncomfortable on bumpy roads. I stuck a chromoly Surly Karate Monkey on in the retired Suntour's place. The ride is much better (I ride 80% poorly paved roads and 20% dirt/gravel roads). I didn't notice a big change in the geometry. Might be a little higher in the front end, but no major difference.

2. This is my commuter/fun (ride with the girl) bike so I stuck an Old Man of the Mountain Sherpa Rack on the back. I highly recommend these racks. Very nice and sturdy. Don't be afraid of the high cost (ha)...it's worth it. I'll keep you posted on clamp size for the seat stay, as the 1 inch isn't as snug as I would have liked. However, when you tighten everything up that rack is not going anywhere, regardless. I might try one size smaller anyway.

3. I got rid of the stock grips for some cheap Profile Design Logo Grips from REI. I hate those comfort grips that come on all the hybrids.

4. I like handlebar ends when I sit back for climbing, so I bought a set of cheap Profile Design handlebar ends from REI.

I'll probably work on making the bike a little lighter for future upgrades, as the bike is pretty heavy climbing over 4 huge hills to work with full panniers.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7647069944_8665d87c58_c.jpg

Well I owned a Roam (XR1) for couple of weeks and was a bit unsatisfied with the ride...don't get me wrong, bike is great but It wasn't what I expected.

Here's the pic (100% stock) >
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2671/36290243.jpg


I switched it for Seek (1) and change the tires so I can ride local light trails...
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/8999/38153538.jpg

I replaced the stock front brakes (Avid BB5) on my Roam about a week ago. I went with the Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes. These provide a lot more stopping power. I left the rear brakes alone b/c I don't use them much. Pretty nice upgrade for $65.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7695062654_b592b81bfb_c.jpg

Use mine mainly as a commuter...added a rack with a Topeak MTX bag, lights, handle bar extension and a handle bar phone holder!


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j7AdC--kdNI/UEjlK6W4gRI/AAAAAAAABDk/y5yz7Rvf9QM/w729-h547-p-k/20120905_154154.jpg

Didn't know if I should've put this in my 'dual sport riders' thread or not, but since this is more favorable to the Roam...

I just did a quick comparo of the 'Big 3' brands dual sport models for 2013. You can't do a true side by side, since the component specs differ, so I just went with generalities- lock out fork and disc brakes.

The Specialized Crosstrail Disc is roughly $40 cheaper than the Trek 8.3 DS for 24spd and mechanical disc brakes. However, the Giant Roam 2 splits the difference in pricing and offers 27spds and hydros. The Giant matches the Specialized with the highest gear (48x11), but has the lowest gearing of the three at 26x34. So on paper, the Giant has the best bang for the buck. :)