squatchout

Those are surprisingly good looking bikes. If the local Giant dealer here gets any I might have to go check it out for the heck of it.

Walter Denton

So how would the purpose or function of this bike differ from the Roam 1 I have been considering?

ColonelSanders

It should be faster on the road and considerably lighter, perhaps by 5 or more pounds, but it won't be as capable handling rough stuff when you are off road.

DorkDisk

I would argue that it would be MORE capable of handling rough stuff. It seems to have fatter tires, true MTB gearing, and that suspension is a liability when things get really rough

ColonelSanders

I'm not sure how tough that carbon fork is on the Toughroad.

Is it as tough as a $600 top of the range carbon fork designed for mountain bikes?

NormanF

I have a Proflex carbon fork on my Schwinn Super Sport DBX.

Almost ten years and no issues. A tough fork.

And you'll want a carbon fork to make an alloy bike ride feel plush.

badger1

As my students would say, 'OMG!' -- I'm agreeing with NormanF!

Seriously, I think he and DorkDisc are largely right. As far as rough/off-road stuff is concerned, I don't think I'd have any concerns about this particular carbon fork. My reasons would be as follows:

1. Giant is a major mfg (not to state the obvious!), and I'd be very surprised if they didn't anticipate this bike being used in rough to very rough conditions. That is how (pretty clearly) it is being pitched. In fact, given the tire clearance etc. this is the kind of 'rigid' bike that someone might contemplate using to ride, e.g., the Great Divide route, if that someone were willing to forego suspension.

2. Along the same lines, Giant would/will be very cognizant of product liability issues. So I would imagine they'd ensure that this fork could withstand some pretty severe service.

3. ... and not least, the bike (the '1' version) is being sold with not only a rear but also a front -- low loader -- rack. As per #2 , Giant will have taken pains to ensure that this fork can withstand both the stresses of a front disc brake and carrying a static load.

All this is in the abstract, of course, but I'd be very surprised if there were any issues in the sense being discussed here.

DorkDisk

Its an OEM fork so Im going to assume that it is cheap, strong, and heavy

Walter Denton

I will have to check out the SLR 2 when it is available. I, of course, am looking for the $800 Holy Grail of bikes for pavement and light off road use I'm surprised it might be faster on the road than the Roam 1. I have some concern that the dérailleurs are a step down from the Roam 1 and I have to get used to the fatter tires but, on the other hand, I think it's a better looking bike and I like the idea of being able to go off road without suspension.

ColonelSanders

The fatter tyres will feel like a form of suspension and of course you could always change them for something skinnier.

ColonelSanders

You guys have just about convinced me.

squatchout

Giant has a lifetime warranty on their frame and forks too.

altondavis2

Colonel, Giant loaded out specs on the 2016 models today..............

Roam 2 (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States

ColonelSanders

The Roam's don't seem to have changed much except for colour.

avidone1

Based on the op's level of excitement I was expecting something bordering revolutionary.
It looks like a fine bike, but I don't see it as filling any gaps in the hybrid market.

badger1

Revolutionary? No. In the context of current offerings in North America -- at reasonable prices -- it does, however, in fact fill a gap: I'd say it is unique.

Giant has produced a bike that is genuinely light (SLR aluminum frame/carbon fork), disc-braked, and has dedicated rigid flat-bar geometry: it has a properly extended front centre, and non-suspension corrected geometry. Enormous tire capacity -- it comes stock with 50mm ("2 inch") mtb tires. It can also properly carry a load: proper provision for rear and front racks/panniers, or use it with a bike-packing set-up.

I'm not aware of anything currently available unless in 4130 chromoly steel (more weight) or custom (much higher price) that has this combination of features and qualities at this kind of price. It's an interesting bike.

Potential uses that I can see:
1. Without racks, with narrower road-focussed tires -- a light/quick flat-bar road bike.
2. Without racks, with stock tires or similar: a light/quick on/off-road flat-bar version of a "gravel bike" (I hate that term).
3. With one or both racks or other luggage system, and lightly loaded: commuting; on/off road light touring.
4. With one or both racks, moderately loaded, and suitable tires: long-distance touring

DorkDisk

Its the frame and fork. They are both a notch above what was available before in this sector.

Im expecting to be disappointed in the weight though. Sub 25 lb would surprise me. 24lb would be a good naked starting weight

I think this bike would appeal to the more experienced rider looking for a higher end comfortable bike (a n+1) over something like a DS

fietsbob

Trek has a contract with The Giant Corporation, they are really huge by now , from making so many other brands bikes .

Walter Denton

They don't list a price for the Roam 1 on the website although they do for the other Roam models. I stopped at a Giant dealer yesterday and they checked their printed info from Giant for me and quoted a retail price of $840 for the Roam 1. A previous dealer had given me what seemed to be a "guesstimate" of $800.

neuroguy6

Could I get some of your expert opinions on the toughroad SLR 1 vs the Trek 8.5? I'm planning on getting a hybrid bike soon, primarily 80% road 20% trail. Trails would be similar to the Fullerton Loop.

I only ask because my research on the 8.5 makes me think that a suspension fork on a hybrid is a bad deal no matter how you look at it. Suntour doesn't have a very good record when it comes to suspension forks. I think the carbon fiber fork on the new Giant looks pretty stellar, but can it handle the rigors that an 8.5 could?

limbot

No expert but in my experience....

Having ridden a CX with carbon fork over the same ground I ride me DS, the SLR fork shouldn't have any issues handling the milder ground where you'd take the DS and it really depends on how rough a ground you're talking about.

If your talking about well groomed gravel then there'd be fairly minor differences. ( I'm
normally locked off on smooth gravel anyway).

If your talking about something like this:



The ride of course will be slightly bumpier and harder and you'll get more deflection off rocks etc. It still be doable but slower and having to pick your line bet. Then again 50mm tires....

All depends on your what type of terrain you're riding.

Fullerton loop doesn't look to rocky from the pics I can see, looks like more groomed track. It be down to bite of tires and tire pressure more than suspension. With the 50mm tires on the SLR you could run fairly low pressure and the width would give you a better ride (compared to say the 32mm on a typical CX). So you'd have no issues IMHO.

Think about this though, what did "old" bikers do before they started putting suspension on the front forks.........?

And no suspension is not a bad deal however you look at it. All depends DS on the individual, what they're riding, where their riding etc. Me I love the suspension on the DS.

Almost a religious war if you read this forum

DorkDisk

Thats the thing. Many people have been riding spindly 20lb steel rigid bikes over way rougher terrain than your picture for decades. Its more than "doable."

Rigid bikes ride the smoothest line and use your upper body more. The better the suspension, the more you can choose the fastest line and relax your upper body. Its a different style of riding

FrozenBiker 

So........., who plans to buy the Toughroad 1 or 2? I was told they'll be available in two to four weeks.
The 50mm tire is a bit wide for me, but if all else feels good it will easily make my short-list.

Shanej

I went from a too small 96 GT Tequesta to my current Roam 1. This bike looks like a mix of the two. I don't think I want to test ride one as I might end up bringing it home.

tonyschmidt

I think I am getting the toughroad 2.

I just test rode the toughroad 1 this morning. I was looking at the Seek 1 (mainly for the internal hub low maint) but nobody stocks it and the shop told me similar geometry for feel. I am in love with this bike now. I would get the 2 as I am primarily communing and joy rides and don't need the dual racks. Drivetrain and brake upgrades don't seem to be much of a big deal for me...and locking up an 850 vs 1200 bike everyday is easier to swallow. I come from a mtn bike and I really love the feel of this bike. Solid and feels high performance, like i I can fly off a curb and not worry about hurting it, or myself. I am also thinking of seeking out some singletrack after this morning's test ride...been a bunch of years since I did that. My old bike is 15 years old now (Gary Fischer) and the aluminum build and component technology as advanced, so this bike feels really light. I thought the seek was for me, but after today I think toughroad is perfect. My shop just got the M size of toughroad 1 in Monday and was told 5 week estimate for the 2 and all sizes to arrive at the shop in the midwest.

I am glad I rode this bike before the seek, really more of a flat cruiser and would have worked for me but now I have the taste of a performance bike again.