Advice needed: choosing between Trek F400 or Giant Halfway
04-09-05, 09:19 AM
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Advice needed: choosing between Trek F400 or Giant Halfway
Hello,
Has someone an opinion about (one of) the Trek F400 and/or Giant Halfway bike?
They both sell for the same price here (Europe). The Giant is equipped (Trek not), and the Giant comes with transport bag.
The Giant has a single fork/rear. This looks cool, but is it also cool in pratice (strong enough)? If single forks/rears are really cool, why doesn't come all bikes with a single fork/rear?
What is your opinion about those 2 bikes?
Thanks!
Jos
Has someone an opinion about (one of) the Trek F400 and/or Giant Halfway bike?
They both sell for the same price here (Europe). The Giant is equipped (Trek not), and the Giant comes with transport bag.
The Giant has a single fork/rear. This looks cool, but is it also cool in pratice (strong enough)? If single forks/rears are really cool, why doesn't come all bikes with a single fork/rear?
What is your opinion about those 2 bikes?
Thanks!
Jos
04-09-05, 02:22 PM
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I am in the US and had the same 2 bikes in mind when I ended up choosing the Halfway.
I had great experiences with TREK in the Past and my halfway was my first Giant. I cannot tell you anything about TREK, but I am very happy with my halfway for the past 6 months or so. Very solid bike and strongly recommended by most users.
What really sold me the bike was the customer service from the Giant Dealer. They were very supportive and helpful. I cannot say the same thing about Trek. Pretty much they laugh at you here in the US when you mention you are loooking for a 20"wheel.
Just my US$0.02
Rafael
I had great experiences with TREK in the Past and my halfway was my first Giant. I cannot tell you anything about TREK, but I am very happy with my halfway for the past 6 months or so. Very solid bike and strongly recommended by most users.
What really sold me the bike was the customer service from the Giant Dealer. They were very supportive and helpful. I cannot say the same thing about Trek. Pretty much they laugh at you here in the US when you mention you are loooking for a 20"wheel.
Just my US$0.02
Rafael
04-09-05, 10:19 PM
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I would recommend test riding both. You should find the Trek a bit heavier but also stiffer. The geometry of the Trek is better suited to taller riders. The Giant has a funky geometry that puts more of your weight over the rear wheel (especially if you are taller) so that you'll wheelie more easily when heading up hill. The Giant also tends to be a bit under geared. On the flat, if you are a stronger rider, you'll run out of gears on the Giant. The Trek has a slightly larger chainring for a 10% higher top gear. The Trek generally uses higher grade components: Bontrager cranks and seat post, Schwalbe tires. The Giant's components tend to be a bit more generic. But the proof is in the ride. Take both out for a spin and the choice should be apprarent.
04-10-05, 12:05 AM
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I have 2 Halfways. A single speed and a 2005 7 speed. I do not have the Trek folder but I have other Trek model.
I think Giant workmanship is better than Trek.
I love the Halfways. My regular bike is a Klein Performance. I rarely touch the Klein since I bought my first Halfway nearly a year ago. I just pumped up the 700c tires and shall try my old love today!
The single forks are very cool, strong, easy to clean and change tires. The only draw back of the single forks is you could not use conventional parts for upgrade. I think this only drawback is what keeps other from coppying.
I think the geormetry of the Halfway is perfect. I am 6' and weigh 73 Kg. I ride bicycle regularly since I was 4, I am now 74. I think the Halfway may be the best bike I ever own. I shall check that out by going out this evening with my Klein, which I used to think is the best bike!
I think Giant workmanship is better than Trek.
I love the Halfways. My regular bike is a Klein Performance. I rarely touch the Klein since I bought my first Halfway nearly a year ago. I just pumped up the 700c tires and shall try my old love today!
The single forks are very cool, strong, easy to clean and change tires. The only draw back of the single forks is you could not use conventional parts for upgrade. I think this only drawback is what keeps other from coppying.
I think the geormetry of the Halfway is perfect. I am 6' and weigh 73 Kg. I ride bicycle regularly since I was 4, I am now 74. I think the Halfway may be the best bike I ever own. I shall check that out by going out this evening with my Klein, which I used to think is the best bike!
Originally Posted by josr
Hello,
Has someone an opinion about (one of) the Trek F400 and/or Giant Halfway bike?
They both sell for the same price here (Europe). The Giant is equipped (Trek not), and the Giant comes with transport bag.
The Giant has a single fork/rear. This looks cool, but is it also cool in pratice (strong enough)? If single forks/rears are really cool, why doesn't come all bikes with a single fork/rear?
What is your opinion about those 2 bikes?
Thanks!
Jos
Has someone an opinion about (one of) the Trek F400 and/or Giant Halfway bike?
They both sell for the same price here (Europe). The Giant is equipped (Trek not), and the Giant comes with transport bag.
The Giant has a single fork/rear. This looks cool, but is it also cool in pratice (strong enough)? If single forks/rears are really cool, why doesn't come all bikes with a single fork/rear?
What is your opinion about those 2 bikes?
Thanks!
Jos
04-13-05, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by folder dude
I would recommend test riding both. You should find the Trek a bit heavier but also stiffer. The geometry of the Trek is better suited to taller riders. The Giant has a funky geometry that puts more of your weight over the rear wheel (especially if you are taller) so that you'll wheelie more easily when heading up hill. The Giant also tends to be a bit under geared. On the flat, if you are a stronger rider, you'll run out of gears on the Giant. The Trek has a slightly larger chainring for a 10% higher top gear. The Trek generally uses higher grade components: Bontrager cranks and seat post, Schwalbe tires. The Giant's components tend to be a bit more generic. But the proof is in the ride. Take both out for a spin and the choice should be apprarent.
The Trek has many parts that were imported from Dahon. I remember reading that Dahon worked with Trek on the Geometry so they have it right. I also remember reading that Josh Hon (Dahon) said the Giant had the geometry wrong.
Personally, I test rode the Giant and it felt ok. I also test rode the Birdy and the drive train felt better but that bike cost twice as much. The Giant being undergeared is not an issue unless you intend to race. Since these are town bikes, a lower geared bicycle actually works out better if you intend to do light touring. I would prefer a low geared bicycle especially since you don't have a tripple chain ring.
