butlerkid

Clyde1820,

I just got home from an 18 mile ride! I am truly loving my bike! It may not be logicial....but I love the looks of the bike. It is very striking...it really turns heads. Now that I've got THAT confession out of the way....

I don't really feel qualified to prepare a proper review of the bike. My old bike was a 25 year old heavy, clumsy mtn bike and I hadn't ridden in about 12 years or so. But I will tell you of my experience with the Rove O so far. I have ridden about 76 miles on hard dirt or paved roads so far.

I find the Rove O very responsive and fun to ride. When climbing, it is stable and seems well balanced. When screaming downhill, the bike is stable and easy to steer. The Giant seat seems to be very good. My sit bones are toughening up and seem comfortable on the OEM seat. Although I have a gel seat, I don't plan to use it.

The frame seems solid and sturdy. Maybe a bit stiff but I have the tires filled to about 60+ lbs....and going over 3-4" pavement rises hits a bit hard. But I really have no idea of what "stiff" and "flexible" would feel like anyway! I've have not used the front suspension.

Regarding fit....I am 5'3" and weigh about 130 lbs. My arms are a little longer than normal....and my LBS had to raise the seat some to get me comfortable. To me, it seems that finding a good (great!) LBS who is willing to spend the time to tweak things here and there is the key to getting a good fit. I would think that any bike that is your size could be modified to fit you perfectly. My LBS dropped the handle bar a bit, moved the seat back, etc.

The components are a big reason I chose the Rove! The hydraulic brakes are awesome. So smooth and easy to use! And the brakes levers are adjustable. I needed them brought closer to the handle bar because of my small hand size and finger length. That's a nice feature. The Rapid Fire Shifters are smooth and it is quick to change gears. I tried a lot of bikes and didn't find any shifters that I liked as well as these. Most other brands of bikes offered Shimano Acera grade components....the Deore components are just smoother and nicer.

Front and rear derailleurs....not sure what to say. Changing gears always feels smooth, without any snags, drags or delays.

As I mentioned, I've not ridden in conditions where I could put the front suspension to good use.

I am riding with seasoned riders with many years of experience. They have taken a spin on my Rove O and are very impressed with the handling of the bike! Some of them are riding bikes that cost 2 or 3 times as much as my Rove O cost.

I compared a lot of brands of bikes......you get a LOT of bike for your money with Giant.

You don't indicate where you live. My advice is to get acquainted with the closest Giant dealer near you and determine if it is the kind of LBS that will take really good care of you and your bike. Ask them if they will put in an order for a Rove O in your size for the 2015 models so you could try it out. And see if they will do that as soon as Giant starts accepting orders for 2015 models. It seems that Giant only builds bikes to fill the orders that various LBS's have submitted to them. They don't seem to build "inventory".

I now believe that I was extremely lucky to get the Rove O. I know that my LBS in Knoxville will be ordering at least a couple of 2015 Rove's......and I HIGHLY recommend him!

If you have more specific questions about the Rove O, I will do my best to answer them.

BTW - my husband bought a Roam 2 a couple of years ago. Loves it!

Clyde1820

Not bad, though.


Have ridden a variety of bikes over the years, but mostly it's been with somewhat older, heavier vintages. Notable exception was a Cannondale in the late '90's with a HeadShock suspension fork, suspension seatpost, flat/swept bars, 700x38 tires, decent components, with a moderately forward position. Call it a hybrid/urban type layout, with reasonably relaxed geometry. Haven't owned one with disc brakes, or another with a suspension fork. Preference is for a combination of features like what the Rove has, or similar.

Have just started evaluations, as I've been out of the bike market for a few years. Much has changed. Have been reviewing the Trek FX, DX and Neko, the Giant Rove and Roam, a couple of "cross" bikes with drop bars (incl the Trek CrossRip) and a handful of used bikes of similar format. Have experience with some more-traditional touring layouts, back when, but there are few of those on the market these days. Have a strong bias for 8/9/11/14 gear internal hubs, though some of the modern shifting and derailleurs have gotten pretty good in this "level" of bike. Am not even looking at bikes over $1K; though, less would be just fine.


Mostly, I've been reading reviews, checking out possible models in shops, considering designs that go back about 10yrs max.


Good to hear. Haven't found a Rove to try out, yet. I'm sure a few shops will begin getting the 2015 models when Giant starts flooding the pipeline.


My intent is for a city/commuter type setup that'll handle off-asphalt trail work well. So, the suspension lock-out feature is nice, as is the option for a bit larger tires. Like the idea of the disc brakes, though I haven't yet compared hydraulic v. mechanical. The Rove seems like a lot of bike for the money.


Once I get my hands on a Rove, I'll beat around on some trails. Many of the bikes that are hybrid/city sorts with front suspension forks just feel a bit too rickety on less-than-solid surfaces, despite the suspension. I'd like to get away from that, if going with a suspension fork.


Fitment is so vital. Had a "proper" fit done a few years ago, though my strength and fitness levels have changed somewhat. Still have a good idea of what I'm looking for. Lots of reasonable choices, out there.


Yes, they are. Spent a bit of time in the 1980's with a couple of Ritchey MTB's, including the Ultra. Loved the components. As you say, so smooth and reliable. And things have gotten better in many respects, at a lower price point.


They don't exist, right now. You've got one of the few around, I'd say. Lucky dog.

I will definitely keep your shop in mind, if I can't get one in at a nearby shop. Bummer, that Trek dealers don't ship, though I understand why Trek holds them to that.


Apologies if this takes your thread in a different direction. Didn't intend on doing that. I'll post a new thread if seriously asking questions about what models are out there that fit the bill.

Thanks for the comments on the Rove, though. Much appreciated.

butlerkid

Glad I could help.

I can only emphasize that Giant seems to build only to what dealers have ordered. If your local dealer has not ordered any Roves.....then he may not be available to get one!!!!! Really try to get your dealer to put in an order for one for you to try..... I spoke with my LBS today and he agreed.

I got clip-less pedals installed today! Sure hope I don't put a scratch on my bike! LOL!

Clyde1820

I have a hard time believing a shop would order one based on a desire to try, without a commitment to buy. Have never sat on one, let alone ridden one. While I haven't yet asked my Trek shop that question exactly, I got a cool reception to my inquiry about when it was planned to get any of the models they didn't yet have on the floor.

butlerkid

My local Trek shop was willing to get in a bike, just for me to try. Another shop ordered a Cannondale and a Fuji just for me to ride. No obligations...in fact, I didn't like either. The LBS I ended up buying from, ordered the Rove 0 for me......and I'm sure that if I had not liked it I would have had not obligation.

The frame of the Rove 2 is the same as the Rove 0 (I think...). It is the components that make the Rove 0 "sweeter". If at all possible, try a Rove 2. It may answer a lot of questions for you! LOL! Based on riding the Rove 2, I felt comfortable ordering a Rove 0! And BTW - I did NOT pay retail.......!