petea

Hi everyone i have a quick question. I recently started looking at purchasing a new bike for myself. I just need something basic for around town and an occational trail, but nothing too intense. I have narrowed it down to the Trek 820 or the Giant Boulder SE. They seem about the same to me except the Giant has a alum frame. The are about the same price. I previously owned a Giant Rincon that I bought about 12 years ago that my brother is still riding. I am just looking fo a little advice from someone who would know better than me since i have not purchased a bike in a long time. Thanks for your help.

Pete

LowCel 

Have you test rode both of them? If so which one feels better to you? If you haven't then I would suggest trying them both out, that is the only way to really make the right decision.

petea

Thanks for your help. I have and I like both.

aussiewheeler

well if you like them both and they are the same price why not go with the bike with the aluminum frame. im no expert but lighter is usually better

Pheard

820? the bottom of the line steel fram hardtail from trek? I wouldn't suggest you buy that. Minimally get a 4500.

LowCel 

If that is the case my personal preference would be Giant. I just feel that for the money they make a better bike. There is nothing to back this up though, just opinion.

xenochimera

yeah if you are gona do anything techincal, do not get a Trek lower than a 4500, heck get a 6000 series if you dont want it to brake up.

Jameson

Not familiar with the Giant but I did own an older 820. I beat the hell out of that thing and didn't really have any problems. I ended up taxing the shock and most drive train components with several hard years of use combined with MINIMAL up keep. I would however choose the Giant because that thing was a heavy mother. I remember hike-a-biking with it.....sucked.

EJ123

couldn't agree more

harov3

If your happy with both, then pick a colour? Nah! seriously, choose the one that felt best. personally I'd take the Giant, as LowCel said they tend to give more bike for the money and as Jameson said its going to be lighter.

Quadzone.com

I do tons of technical stuff including jumps, ruff azz single tracks, etc, etc, with my 4300 so your statement is straight out of the BS bag...

EJ123

Cool what year do you have?

Portis

Trek uses the same frame from the 4300 clear up through the 4900. So really the difference between the 4300 and 4500 is just in components. "Better" derailleurs, cranks, hubs, wheels, fork, shifters, etc. but the exact same frame with different numbers on it.

So let's be real. There is going to be very little handling difference between these bikes. I don't do a lot of "technical" stuff but i do ride a lot. I have two Trek 4300's that I ride nearly every day. I have over 7000 miles on one of them and 5000 miles on the other and adding more every day. Of course I have replaced worn out components and upgraded a few things but that is it.

EXCALIBUR

I used to have a Giant Rincon. The Giant Boulder SE is just one model below. Go with the Giant. You will get a lot of bike for the money and an aluminum frame as well.

Killer B

I'll NEVER own a Trek, even if I won one. I'd sell it (if I could )....

CRG

Same here, overpriced bicycle at its finest.