Hi

I'm finally changing from old style mountain bike to a hybrid.

I have 2 I like but wondering if I can get some help (advice), is one better, have better equipment etc.

1. Specialized Crosstrail Sports Disc

2. Giant Roam 2.

Many thanks

Between the two, the Giant has basically the same components for $180 less (retail). The Draco brakes on the Specialized are the next step up from the brakes on the Giant, but I don't know that you'd notice much difference.

If it were only between these two bikes, I'd buy the Giant and spend the $180 on accessories.

HOWEVER... I wouldn't buy either, because I believe a front shock on a hybrid is worthless. The marginal shock absorption from a cheap fork doesn't make up for the weight and handling penalty. Front shocks are for absorbing big hits, like when you jump something on a MTB. A rigid fork is fine for hopping curbs; BMX and rigid MTBs have done it for years.

I'd check out a hybrid with a rigid fork, like the Giant Escape, or the Specialized Crossroads (not Trail), Vita, or Sirrus. The bike will be lighter and easier to pedal than one with a front shock.

Buy the one that rides the best!

Hi, thanks for the reply, I live in the UK.
the Giant is £50 cheaper here.

The bike is not just for road, will use on canal/tow paths and possibly forest paths.

2014 Giant Roam 0 (2014) | Giant bikes UK & Ireland official website | UK / Ireland

Specialized Bicycle Components

If you don't need the front suspension fork I would consider a hybrid with a hard fork, maybe Chromoly. You can still ride a hard fork bike on dirt paths, forest paths, etc, even with some small obstacles in the way. If there are a lot of rocks, roots, etc you plan to go over then maybe the front suspension is worth it (just make sure there is a lockout option, which I think these both have). In that case these are both pretty close overall. You can try riding both and see if you prefer one over the other, otherwise might as well go on price.

So, the Giant Roam 2 is identical to the Specialized Crosstrail Sports Disc???

So is the Marin Muirwoods 29er.

They're basically dual sport bikes built with mountain bike tough tubing for harsh urban streets and dirt trails.

Giant Roam 2 or Specialized Sports Disc??

This thread was finished after the first response.


Right is right. Why drag dirt along??

Marin Muir Woods 29er is not the same, as it is 1) steel and 2) has a ridged front fork (no suspension). I actually think its a great bike (on my short list for a future bike) but its is very different then the two the OP listed.

If the OP doesn't really NEED a front for, I would actually recommend the Marin Muir Woods 29er.

If you really want the front suspension, then ride both and pick the one you like best. If you can't decide after riding both, get whatever is cheapest. Or buy from the shop you like best/will give you the best service. At the end of the day these two bikes are about the same.

Merida. Another Huge contract builder in Taiwan makes The Specialized bikes for the Brand ..

Giant is another huge company making many brands in addition to their own ..

the Product manager(of the importing brand) picks the components to be assembled into the Bike , boxed and shipped to the countries distribution warehouses.

Now there are Regional distribution centers so whether its Port of Entry is Long Beach, Oakland , or Bremerhaven or Rotterdam, depends on the country being supplied.





So which is your favorite Bike shop to do business with? .. 1st priority .. pick the shop.