I've been doing some research (ok, some is an understatement) about what the best option for a commuter bike would be. My dilemma is that I'm going to be travelling 10-20K per day approximately 3-4 days a week plus some weekend rides with friends (leisurely but probably some longer trips too). I have not been able to find a comparable bike to the Giant Rapid without going to a true road bike. I really like the idea of a flat bar road bike and felt very comfortable on this bike when I rode it at my local bike shop. I've been stuck comparing it to other urban commuter bikes like the Specialized Sirrus or the Norco VFR. Are there other brands that I should be looking at? I have not seen a bike from another company that fits the same category as the Giant Rapid...unless I'm missing something? I have read great things about the Sirrus and VFR, but I feel like I might regret not going to more of a road-worthy bike like the Rapid in a year or two. Maybe my analysis is wrong, but I'd love some feedback for this newbie.....

Cheers!

Just about every major bike manufacturer and many smaller ones have flat bar road bike models (e.g. fuji absolute, trek fx, cannondale quick). What is it about the Giant that you don't think you can find something comparable elsewhere other than the Specialized or Norco?

Spec for spec I'm sure there are comparable bikes out there from every brand. Even the tires are easily replaced if I really wanted to. I think what I like was positioning on the frame, and the sales guy at the shop said there was a distinct difference between the two frames. In reading another thread on here about the Sirrus, sounds like that bike is more than capable of doing what I need it to do...and many riders are pushing it beyond the commuting functionality to some longer road trips. It has got me rethinking. Good thing I do my research because I've never been convinced that the Giant Rapid was the only option...but then as I researched it started looking like it was in a class of its own? Perhaps I am overlooking the road functionality of the Sirrus and VFR? My fear was getting stuck with a hybrid and wishing I had bought a road bike a year or two down the road.

The OP actually (possibly unintentionally) raises a good point: there are 'flat-bar' road/city/commuter bikes available from most manufacturers. However, many of these (perhaps the majority) tend to be a kind of 'flat-bar light touring bike' in geometry etc. The Trek FX series, the Norco VFRs, the 2012 Sirrus (except the 'Limited' model) are cases in point -- long rear centre (chain stays), ample tire clearance, etc. Another example might be the Devinci 'fast hybrids'.
The Rapid, otoh, is much more a true 'flat-bar road bike' if by 'road bike' we mean something that tends more toward the 'road race' paradigm. It is, in fact, a Giant Defy with a slightly-longer t/t for a given size (to account for the missing forward throw of drop bars), short rear-centre, caliper brakes, etc.

Thanks badger, that's actually exactly the point I was trying to raise, I just wasn't sure the technical reasons behind what makes for the difference between a true flat-bar road bike in the hybrid category and an urban commuter bike. Right now my debate is between the VFR, Sirrus and Rapid. From what I'm reading, there's no reason that you couldn't get similar posture out of the Sirrus or VFR by adjusting the seat and bars, although it still doesn't make up for the longer centre. If I knew that a Sirrus or VFR wouldn't completely inhibit my ability to do longer trips or make me feel like I bought the wrong bike completely, then I would pull the trigger tomorrow. I guess in my mind I'm trying to justify the additional cost of the Giant and if that bike really adds much value to my commute.

I have a Giant Rapid (2010 model 1) and really enjoy it. I tried Specialized and Trek as well but thought the Giant was the best of the three for equipment, fit, and ride. Also, it was sold by the best LBS in the area, which was a factor.

That said, I occasionally have heel strike and note that the Specialized frame would have avoided that. Check you heel when you pedal and look at the clearance when it crosses the chain stays. Make sure it's plenty while wearing your bicycle shoe.

From my non-scientific observation - which might be off - is seems that the carbon Sirrus has a frame that is very roadie-like and very similar to the Rubaix.

Good point thdave, I will check this out when I'm back in the shop. I agree with the point about the quality of the LBS. The guy that explained all my options was amazing, which is probably contributing to the fact that I've narrowed it down to those three bikes. I'm sure there are comparable bikes outside of those brands but hey, that's what makes a good bike shop great right? The people. In reality, I'm going to be back there any for my accessories and tune-ups so why wouldn't they make an investment in hiring the right people....but, I digress. I'll be back in the shop today or tomorrow as an even wiser consumer, thanks to this board. Love this forum.

I doubt that the slightly less aggressive geometry would keep you from doing rides that you would otherwise do on the Giant. You don't specify what you mean by a longer trip, but the Specialized or Norco may actually be a better bike for the longer trips as well as the routine commute. I don't know how you plan to go about your commute, but the majority of commuters here find that getting the weight of their gear off their back (i.e. backpack/messanger bag) and on to the bike (i.e. rack with panniers or trunk bag) is preferrable. As thdave points out, that is something a bike with longer chainstays makes easier. Also, clearance for wider tires and fenders is often a desireable attribute of a commuter bike, as well as longer ride, touring-style bikes.

If a longer ride to you means club rides with roadies, then you probably will eventually be wishing you had a road bike with drop bars.

Good point about clearance for wider tires and fenders. Thanks all! Will report back on my purchase and post some pics.

Not off at all, the Sirrus "Limited" (last year they called it "Pro") is a Roubaix (SL2) frame ... completely 'roadie'! It's only problem (one shared by this year's Giant Rapid Composite, which is a Defy Composite frame w/flat bars [don't think it's available in the states]) is that it doesn't have modified geometry (read: slightly longer effective t/t) to account for the absence of drop bars.

Agreed on all counts. All depends on primary/secondary uses. I ended up with a Sirrus Comp in 2010, rather than a Rapid (came down to these two, at my LBS), precisely because my riding was/is a mix of daily commuting and longer rides (up to and including centuries) on weekends/evenings, all done solo. I liked the fact that the Sirrus was/is just that little bit more versatile (tire clearance, etc.) than the Rapid, while still being pretty 'roadie' when I feel like it; it's equally happy with 25c Conti 4000s or 32c Panaracer Paselas. The new Sirrus geometry goes much further in the 'touring' direction than mine (2010), but that's neither here nor there.

badger1 I think you just sold me on the Sirrus....that's the direction I was leaning I think. I will compare with the feel of the VFR from Norco (just got onto this one last night in my research)! I have always thought that for a more road-bike feel, and for longer trips if I start going that route, I can always look at a second set of rubber to accommodate when I need it.

That's what I thought. I bought a Rubaix last week and I had a look at the Sirrus and would have bought a Sirrus if it had disc brakes, but I went with Rubaix because it did feel comfortable enough for a roadie and I figured dropbars might come handy on long rides. So far I did two 50 mile rides and it does feel good.

I bought a 2011 Giant Rapid 2 a couple weeks ago. (I love this bike!) I have to agree with badger1's assessment that the Rapid can easily be called a flat bar "road" bike. I certainly have no trouble keeping up with roadies with it.

Giant's Rapid is a flat bar ROAD bike. If you wanted a commuter/flat bar comfort road bike they have the escape models for that which is alot like the sirrus you bought.

I would not call a Trek 7.ANYTHING FX a flat bar road bike. It doesn't feel anything like my road bike. You should test ride a real road bike, a hybrid and then the Rapid or any other bike you are considering. You'll then be able to tell which ones feel more like road bikes.