Which bike is better?
 

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I just want some opinions on which bike is better.. (I just ride around in the city, I plan to change the tires into city tires after I buy one of these)


1. ATX 27.5 2 (2015) | Giant Bicycles | United States

2. Aggressor Comp - Rec Hardtail - Mountain - Bikes

Don't buy the Giant ATX 27.5 2.. That bike has 27.5 size wheels which are not very common. It's very hard to find wheels, tires and tubes in a 27.5 inch size. I've never seen any bike shop even stock tires in that size.
Try to find yourself a bike with either 26 inch wheels or 700cc wheels

I wouldn't be too worried about finding 27.5 tires. You can always find some on the internet, or most larger LBS. It appears the specs are fairly similar on the two bikes, although the fork on the Giant, has quite a bit more travel. Other than that, they appear to be fairly comparable bikes. Ride both, if you can, and decide which one you like better.

Why do you want a front suspension for a city bike?

Guess it depends on where one is, they're not hard to find in my area, even the local hardware store has them.

Maybe 5 years ago, try finding a new bike with 26" wheels is getting hard now, 27.5 is the current standard like it or not for MTB's.

For the OP, both of the bikes linked to are MTB's great for their designed purpose, but a hybrid would be a faster and probably better choice of bike type for use as a commuter.

[MENTION=112025]wolfchild[/MENTION] - 27.5 is the new wheel size the bike industry is pushing for MTBs. Tires, tubes, wheels are literally almost everywhere. I'm fairly certain Giant has more of that size than 29ers in their line up now. The only problem is right now you are still going to be paying a premium - though prices are getting better. Which is good, bc it should make prices drop for 29er stuff.

OP: Those are both decent bikes if you want to get off of the streets and play in the dirt, but for what you said you are planning on using them for, I would go with something else. As they are, looking at the prices, they are both going to have very low end specs - not really great for any rough trail riding (those Suntour front shocks feel like aluminum foil - I know because that is what my 29er has). If you really are just going to stick to the streets, I would look for something without the shocks, like the cannondale quick 6 or trek, or something in the hybrid range that allows some wider tires.

I wonder why the bike industry is pushing 27.5 size ??..What's wrong with 26 inch or 700cc ??...To be honest, every time I walk into an LBS all I see is 26 and 700cc/29'er bikes and tires and even department stores carry them.... OTOH, 27.5 seems to be a very small niche market, I don't see them everywhere.

Why? So people think their bike is outdated and worthless and they justify dropping a couple thousand dollars on a bike that "combines the versatility of a 29er with the speed of a 26er"..or some marketing nonsense I have read sounding a lot like that.

I rarely see 26" bikes anymore. Maybe you have some good, smart LBS around you who aren't buying into the hype. Some brands seem to completely embrace it, others seem to be holding out to see if it sticks.

I just like how it looks. I do go on light trails once in a while with my friends.

My 2 cents.....front suspension on a commuter is like death knocking on your door unless you can lock it out. just my opinion and in some ......ok, most circles....meaningless. :). Find the bike that fits and fits your needs that you will ride.

Things change, not so long ago the same could be said about 700c.................

My 2 cents:

Breezer Bikes - Greenway - Bike Overview

Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | FITNESS | ABSOLUTE 2.3

I feel both would suit your needs, and if you want to do trail riding you can swap tires.

- Andy

I'd find a 26" wheel MTB on eBay

For city commuting, a mountain bike is not that ideal. For trail use, a hybrid is not ideal. After riding a mountain bike on the streets, I won't do it again, and if I did, it would be a full rigid with no suspension at all.

Head into your local Giant dealer and you might see two 29ers sandwiched in between the dozens of 27.5ers. 26" is only on the comfort cruisers and comfort hybrids, and one recreational (cheap) mountain bike. My shop you can't even find folding 26" performance tires any more, and only a few 29er tires, with a whole wall of 27.5 tires. Granted, for city/cheap/whatever tires 26 will have 27.5 beat unless the shop has some "650b" branded tires.

Schwalbe makes some cool, inexpensive, 27.5 city type tires.

Why not get a city bike for city riding? Much more comfortable and practical. For starters, they come with road-friendly tires...

Raleigh even offers a hybrid 27.5, 7 speed Venture.

I commute by mountain bike, have for years. But that is what i had to work with. If I were to buy a new bike, I would look for something other than a mountain bike.

The front suspension was great for off road, but not needed for the street. Shorter chain-stays on the rear cause some heal strike on my rear panniers.