Originally Posted by
Impervious Rex
Damn. Well, I'm pretty anxious to get out and start riding, so I guess I jumped the gun a bit. Are the frames the same? If I were to start swapping in better components as I learn more about the bike, and I just putting good components on a so-so frame at that point?
Yeah, the frames are the same, but that's just about it. Your fork is made of hi-tensile steel, but the Escape 2 is made of aluminum. In general, I don't like aluminum forks! Your bike is a 7 speed. The Escape 2 is an 8 speed. Your bike has bottom of the line Tourney derailleurs. The Escape 2 has Altus derailleurs (one step up). The Escape 1 has Alivio derailleurs. It's a 9 speed and has a carbon fiber composite fork! It also has better shifters and a better crankset. It's just a better bike all 'round!