Advice Appreciated on Purchase of New Bike - Giant Thrive Composite?
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Advice Appreciated on Purchase of New Bike - Giant Thrive Composite?
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the site and am hoping for some sage advice on the purchase of a bike. I'm thinking of the Giant Thrive Composite women's model. Here are my parameters:
I'll be riding steep hills with occasional changes in terrain (to packed mud roads). None of the trails will be heavy duty at all.
I prefer the flat bar with a more upright position - will probably ride about 4 hours at a time.
Can spend up to $1,500, which is what the Thrive costs.
Other bikes I think are available here: Trek, Cannondale, Kona (still checking out what each shop carries).
I've been reading around the site and see some other recs on women's bikes, but other than the Trek, I don't think any are sold here. I prefer a not-too-skinny tire for stability. The roads tend to have some gravel on the side shoulders and I'm not confident enough yet for a road bike (plus I think the bent over position would get to me, and I'd have to stay on paved roads).
I can test ride some of the bikes, which I plan to do. But, I thought I'd pick your brains first and start getting really serious and buying something this coming week.
The Thrive appeals because it's supposed to be light and has the flat bar.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
BKinCO
I'm new to the site and am hoping for some sage advice on the purchase of a bike. I'm thinking of the Giant Thrive Composite women's model. Here are my parameters:
I'll be riding steep hills with occasional changes in terrain (to packed mud roads). None of the trails will be heavy duty at all.
I prefer the flat bar with a more upright position - will probably ride about 4 hours at a time.
Can spend up to $1,500, which is what the Thrive costs.
Other bikes I think are available here: Trek, Cannondale, Kona (still checking out what each shop carries).
I've been reading around the site and see some other recs on women's bikes, but other than the Trek, I don't think any are sold here. I prefer a not-too-skinny tire for stability. The roads tend to have some gravel on the side shoulders and I'm not confident enough yet for a road bike (plus I think the bent over position would get to me, and I'd have to stay on paved roads).
I can test ride some of the bikes, which I plan to do. But, I thought I'd pick your brains first and start getting really serious and buying something this coming week.
The Thrive appeals because it's supposed to be light and has the flat bar.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
BKinCO
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Might want to test ride that model on those steep hills you have mentioned since it has a double crank. Then try a bike with a triple crank on those same hills and make your decision on which feels better. Tats a lot of coin to make the wrong decision on. Welcome to the forum!
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Dew,
Thanks much for this advice. I so hear you on the serious coin I'm about to drop! Any suggestions for the triple crank? This is all new to me. Just want to get the right bike.
BKinCO
Thanks much for this advice. I so hear you on the serious coin I'm about to drop! Any suggestions for the triple crank? This is all new to me. Just want to get the right bike.
BKinCO
#4
Senior Member
That 34/48 double is a little tall for climbing. It *might* be ok for you, depending on how steep you climb. My Cannondale Quick has a 28/38/48 and I *know* I couldn't climb much in that 38 ring. The 28, however, is nice & easy. So definitely test-ride if/when you can.
I know a lot of bikes are moving to doubles, especially as rear cassettes are getting more gears, but I still like the idea of 3 chain rings. (shrug)
My recommendation for a good contrast of ride......
https://www.cannondale.com/catalog/pr.../category/936/
I pick the 4 (like mine but women's) because of the price/feature point.
Alum frame
carbon forks
triple
32cm tires (perfect hybird tire size, imho)
very comfortable bike/geometry, imho
I know a lot of bikes are moving to doubles, especially as rear cassettes are getting more gears, but I still like the idea of 3 chain rings. (shrug)
My recommendation for a good contrast of ride......
https://www.cannondale.com/catalog/pr.../category/936/
I pick the 4 (like mine but women's) because of the price/feature point.
Alum frame
carbon forks
triple
32cm tires (perfect hybird tire size, imho)
very comfortable bike/geometry, imho
Last edited by loimpact; 03-30-14 at 04:29 PM.
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loimpact,
Thanks a lot for the link and list of features. I'm going to check out some different things this week. Really appreciate the help.
BK
Thanks a lot for the link and list of features. I'm going to check out some different things this week. Really appreciate the help.
BK
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Test ride it first is what I would also say. I have the male version of that bike: Escape RX composite. it also has what your looking for: light and flat handlebars. That is why I chose the RX- I do not want to step up to a road bike for many reasons: bad geometry, looking at the road most of the time (instead of the scenery about you), safety reasons and the lifestyle attachment that goes with it: gotta wear tight spandex shorts, goofy looking helmets (even motorcyclists don't have to wear them anymore around here and it also looks like your wearing cheese on your head ..... Sponge Bob?), shaved legs, and the uppity attitudes that most have. I say go for Thrive!
Last edited by ps249; 03-30-14 at 11:06 PM.
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Another suggestion from Specialized. It's an aluminium frame, so may be little heavier than composite, but it's not as fragile as composite. It also have a better gearing for your needs.
Specialized Bicycle Components
Specialized Bicycle Components
Last edited by lopek77; 03-30-14 at 10:40 PM.
#8
aka Phil Jungels
Try the Thrive, and try it on a nice hill - 34-34 might be OK. Only you will know!
#11
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My wife bought a Thrive based off of nothing more than a press release photo. So far, (after a long wait post order/deposit), she has been thrilled with the Thrive. Everyone that has seen it has had nothing but praise on its appearance. Seems like a pretty good value for the money. Can't really comment on the climbing ability other than to say this...we are novice riders that are new to the sport and live in the hills of Tennessee; she routinely pedals up grades that amaze me. (not much insight I know) The light weight and comfort go a long way on pushing the distance and incline it seems. Probably prepare for a saddle change, but it may work for you. Some have said a brake upgrade would be a good idea eventually but they've been fine so far. Her confidence level has increased so much on this bike she has joined a weekly women's ride from a nearby LBS and just made the, (surprisingly seamless), transition to clip-less pedals. Tires are 28 width and have never flatted. Think up a 32 would easily fit if that would be a better choice for your riding style. Don't know if you have seen one in person or not but they have a really unique finish. In a sea of black bikes the satin dark red is pretty amazing in that it appears more like a translucent stain allowing the carbon layup to become visible in some lighting situations.
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Wedge, great information. Thanks so much! I'm still pondering and am getting to the bike shop (plan to finalize decision this week). Not sure if you'll come back to this thread, but thanks much for your information.
BKinCO
BKinCO
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BKinCO, the Thrive is basically the women's edition of the Escape RX Composite. While I can't comment directly on the Thrive I can comment on the RX as I purchased two last month. One large for myself and one small for my wife. These are AWSOME hybrids. I don't think you can find a better value in a carbon bike for close to the price. Second on the saddle thou. And yes there is room for larger tires. My only wish was that Giant had put a better shimano group set on the bike. But, I was able to swap out the 105s from my RX 0s so all is well.
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DowneasTTer,
So glad to hear your positive comments about the Giant. I ended up with the Rove because the bike gurus were adamant that it was best for the kind of riding I'll be doing. The Thrive has skinny tires and isn't ok on off-road terrain. So, we'll see how it goes. They were very positive about the bike. Super excited - will take a couple of weeks to get here, but I feel good about the decision.
Thanks to everyone who posted here!
BKinCO
So glad to hear your positive comments about the Giant. I ended up with the Rove because the bike gurus were adamant that it was best for the kind of riding I'll be doing. The Thrive has skinny tires and isn't ok on off-road terrain. So, we'll see how it goes. They were very positive about the bike. Super excited - will take a couple of weeks to get here, but I feel good about the decision.
Thanks to everyone who posted here!
BKinCO