Thoughts on Giant Vida & Stiletto

[Brian]

Does anyone have any experience with either of these bikes? My wife already has a full suspension race bike and a BMX cruiser, but she really wants a Vida for those short Sunday coffee rides. Now, I'm not one to deprive my Princess of a new ride, but I figure I've got to get something for myself. So I was looking at the Stiletto. I'd much rather build a chopper, but don't have the time for that right now. It will probably get cannibalized in the future. In the meantime, opinions about either bikes would certainly be welcome.

[Brian]

Ok. I want to bolt together a bunch of old crap into some unsafe rolling heap of garbage. Anyone have experience with that?

[FlatTop]

Sorry, Exp. The look of that freshly minted chopper makes me gag. I hates it.

Not because it's new, or factory.

Because to me it is an ugly pile. With very good parts, but still ugly.
I thought a couple of the non-choppers on the maker's site were acceptable. But you didn't ask about them. So I didn't mention it.

I'm not impugning your taste, or the manufacturer's. Nor is this a personal attack, as I enjoy your posts.

[Brian]

I've actaully expanded to looking at Electra's lineup. We have very limited choices, so the Stiletto was probably my only choice from Giant. I'll check the website and then go back and see if they can order anything else. I checked out the questionable thread on Electra bikes, but it's mostly about the Townie. We're just looking for something slow and fun, but hopefully with a 3 speed Nexus hub.

As a side note, if you enjoy my posts, I worry for you.

[FlatTop]

I prefer the offerings from Electra. Especially the Streamrides. About half of them have a center tube under the top tube, and that just visually works for me. It gives the bike a strong and purposeful look, IMO.
The other Streamride models, those without the center tube, look sleeker and would probably make a better transition to chopperbike, if the mood struck you further down the road.

The Townies aren't bad either, and might work well as a future customizing base. Box-stock, I like the looks of the Streamride cruisers, though.

[Brian]

Yeah, I look at the Stiletto, and think of all the things I could change. Then I look at some of the offering from Electra, and see that a fair bit of work is done already. Just needs the 7 speed hub with a disc conversion, and a suicide shifter behind my left knee. And a front disc. Oh, and have the frame stripped and all the welds smoothed. That's a good start.

[geebee]

Have you looked at the Felt cruisers?
http://www.feltracing.com/05_cruiser...iser_line.html
I love the lead sled.

[FlatTop]

"...I love the lead sled."


What geebee said.

[Brian]

Yeah, they seem to all be single speed, but I should have a look. Actually, I should see if they can even be ordered over here.

[geebee]

The lead sled is a 3 speed or at least the one I saw was, don't know about the others.
Oh, It was in a shop in Tassie so they should be available else where in Oz.

[Brian]

Looks like we're taking the tandem into town to put a deposit on the Electra Rosie for the missus. Now if I can only find something for me. I'm thinking the Jester suits my personality.

[Brian]

Well, we went with the Rosie. Now I just have to find my bike. Anyone care to offer any comments on Electras other than the Townie?

[EnigManiac]

I can't speak for the other models mentioned, but I have been riding my Stiletto as my daily commuter now since March and I think it's dynamite! The appearance is only so-so in my book: better than some, not as good as others. With the minor additions I've applied, it looks better. The rear disk brake is terrific and can stop me in two seconds. I have been grateful for the 7-speed every day. I've even taken on some hills that I had figured I'd be walking up. Went up without breaking a sweat. I've raced the Nirve, Spoiler and Electra choppers and left them so far back it wasn't even a race. It is rugged and durable although I'd like to change the seat as it isn't very comfortable. My sons 12 year old girlfriend (don't worry...he's 12 too) loved riding it and loved the attention even more. I'll bet your wife would get a real kick out of it. It's easy to ride and the secondary sprocket makes getting going a breeze. It has my vote anyway, for whatever it's worth.

[Brian]

Rear disc and 7 speed? Yours has a Nexus hub? I'm sure the one I looked at was single speed/coaster brake.

[Rev.Chuck]

Try www.masterlowrider.com They have all the stuff you need to build a chop. The stiletto does work real well. In the US it has a seven speed der. set up. with rear disc. No disc up front but the fork has a mount.

[Brian]

Oh. No derailleur for me please. Nexus or nothing. Can't put a suicide shifter on a derailleur. I'll go back to the LBS and have a closer look.

[EnigManiac]

The Stiletto doesn't have a Nexus hub. It has a 7-speed derailleur (see link: http://www.giant-bicycle.com/uk/030.....asp?range=218 ) with rear disk brake.

[EnigManiac]

I've not found a need to add the disc up front. Even at top speed, I've been able to stop with only a slight skid in a matter of a foot or two.

[Brian]

That's the Giant.UK site - not the same bikes down under. The derailleur looks terrible on there. The disc is not so much a mechanical necessity as a cosmetic one. Rim brakes and derailleurs just don't look right on a chopper.

[geebee]

The Aussie version has the 3 speed hub.

[Brian]

Do you happen to know if it has the disc mounts?

[EnigManiac]

I've not seen nor even heard of the Stiletto with a 3-speed hub. Here, in Canada, there are a variety of choppers, most either single-speed or three-speed and I've ridden most of them. They can't touch mine for speed, even though they are nice looking, comfortable to ride and, alas, far too expensive.

[FireTeamCharlie]

Ex if you get a chopper, go for the full experience, Get some 25" Ape Hangers!

[Brian]

I ordered the Jester yesterday. There will be no ape hangers, ever. Just like the Harley that my little princess promised me for our 5th wedding anniversary, my pedal chopper will have a flat drag bar.

[FireTeamCharlie]

Ah man. Ex c'mon ape hangers are cool.