Giant Anyroad 2
 

Looking to get a Giant Anyroad 2. Seems like a really good entry level gravel/adventure bike for a great price. Just wondering if anyone has ridden one before and/or what your opinions are about it? Thanks!

I was looking at the Anyroad 2 when buying earlier this year. Decided to go with the Revolt 3. I am glad I made that decision as I really like the gearing better than the Anyroad 2. The Revolt 3 has 3 up front instead of 2. Makes a big difference on hills. I love my Revolt 3. Same price too.

Are NYC streets in Manhattan enough of a reason to get the Anyroad 2 "cyclocross" ? I want the durability of a bike and not have to worry about popping or damage tires/bike.

I don't really want a Hybrid (was looking at Escape and FX3) since I want to go fast sometimes at Central Park and want the road bike feel.

I doubt I will ever ride in gravel unless I take the bike on a vacation somewhere else. What do you guys think? I feel like the Anyroad 2 is the best versatile bike for under $1000 and I love the look. Thanks

It's a good deal but I personally would get a 2018 Diverge, mainly because even the base E5 has thru axles, flat mount disc brakes and fits a 42c tire. It has all the updated stuff and I don't believe even the new 2018 AnyRoad's do. Not sure how big a tire they fit but riding in NYC (I did when I lived in NJ) I would want a big tire. If you get the base Diverge it has Claris components. The only real difference with Sora is one cog.

I've got Anyroad 2 2017. Happy with the bike so far. Before buying I was concerned riding position might be too upright for me, but it was not a problem. I lowered the handlebar and can, if need be, get a steeper stem. Its a very comfy ride thanks to 32c tires and Dfuse seatpost. New Sora looks neat and shifts smoothly. Put on fenders and a Topeak rack/bag to turn it into a long distance commuter. Just make sure not to put anti-slip grease, which comes with the bike, around the seatpost clamp - it produces an annoying creak that can only be fixed by wiping it off completly ☺ And yes, it misses thru axels. But it has decent flat mount TRP Spyre brakes and takes, I beleive, up to 40c tires. I really like the fact that it has threaded bottom bracket. It is a simple and proven system that is not prone to persistent creaking problems unlike press fit BBs used in most modern bikes. That is a big plus for me

Call me crazy...but I'd like opinions...

I've been looking at a new bike to replace my Giant Escape 2 Hybrid (wrecked). The bike's primary job would be limestone chip trails during off hours and a hilly but short commute daily. On the high end I've looked at the Giant Anyroad CoMax (love it), Salsa Vaya (haven't test ridden one in my size but liked it), All City Space Horse (like it) and in the midrange category the Surly Cross Check (meh) and Giant Toughroad and Roam (same as Salsa, test ride was in the wrong size but liked both with the edge to the TR). Wouldn't consider the Anyroad 1 - like the components, hate the florescent paint job. Didn't even try it.

Can't make up my mind, so today I'm on my way home from work and I stop in the bike store and try a 2018 Escape Disc. Ah, memories...but it just doesn't feel like 'enough' bike. Before I leave I see a Giant Anyroad 2 - in my size. The paint job doesn't suck. $850 or half the price of the Vaya, Anyroad Comax or Space Horse. What the heck...

And y'know, the thing rides really nice. The standard specs are pretty good and great for the $. It has charcoal color with orange highlights - probably the best looking of the Anyroad family. I figure I might be able to get this thing, run the Sora components into the ground, then upgrade it to Tiagra or something nicer. Put a nicer seat on it and...

Am I crazy?

If you like it get it. You'll probably have to ride many years before you run Sora into the ground. The modern low end Shimano groups are friggin nice. My Diverge has Claris and it's so nice I feel bad about replacing it with lighter stuff that really won't make me faster.

Have you ridden any of the Diverges?

I'm struggling between the Anyroad CoMax and the Diverge Comp E5. The E5 is alloy and not quite as upright. I haven't gotten to ride one yet. I did ride the 2017 CoMax and liked it. Both have 105s. It's another $300 to move up to the carbon Diverge, but you get Tiagra which is still good in my opinion.

I'm not sure which way I'll go.

I haven't ridden a Diverge. I'd like to buy from my LBS but they do not stock Specialized. That said I've bought from my local Specialized dealer before (my big orange Fatboy) - just inconvenient for servicing.

I like the upright position of the Anyroad - one of it's better features....

I just bought one and did 33ish miles on it yesterday. I'm a pretty s*** rider, I have asthma and suck at hills and into the wind, and my other bike is a road bike on 23 tires...
What it does well:
The geometry is comfortable for three hours (I'm 6' tall and bought the Medium)
The gearing combo climbs well
It handled dirt and gravel as well as I expected
Its pretty light (I don't have a number for you)
Disc Brakes are good

What I don't like:
The pedals were seized on. I had to cut them off then use a torque wrench. Might be the LBS' fault or the factory's.
The seat is probably fine for racing but sucks for long rides (go figure)
The Front Derailer doesn't like going small chainring to big chainring. Might just be an adjustment/break in issue. If I followed rule #90 it wouldn't be an issue

Good short review - sounds like it was what you expected? The gearing issue could be a break-in problem...I'll have to Google Rule #90. The pedals are a bit of an odd deal but that's one reason for buying from my LBS - I'll just have them mount some Shimano MTB pedals on it I already have and I agree about the saddle just from my short test ride....think that's a definite upgrade I would want to make...

After I get more miles in I'll report back on the front Derailer. Yes, exactly what I expected otherwise from the bike. I'm going to grind some gravel tonight and put my other seat on it to get to know it better, then I'm making another beer run this weekend.

Curious what the OP decided to do?

As an FYI, the Diverge is arguably closer to the Giant Revolt, than the Anyroad. In geometry and bike position at least. With the Anyroad being a bit more upright and relaxed still. Though there are no high-end Revolts, like there are with the Diverge, where the sky's the limit.

That'a good to hear about the components. The Salsa Vaya I'm looking at has Claris components which are low-end for an $1,100 bike.

The E5s only fit 38mm tires according to Specialized. Need to go up to the carbon ones for 42s. Why this would be the case, I can't imagine.

Someone in another thread said their LBS put a set of Sawtooth 42's on one.

carbon frames most likely have slightly different chainstay shapes than aluminum, which allows more tire clearance. different materials allow different shapes (sometimes)

I don't think he specified E5 model. I hope you're right though.

I'm over an hour away from the nearest Giant dealer. If I were closer I would go and just measure the distance between the stays.

I just purchased a 2016 AnyRoad 2 because I was specifically looking for an endurance/gravel bike with a triple chainring and found one still in my LBS. The 2017 & 2018 are doubles. I am a little concurred about the group set but in order to get a triple I am willing to take a chance. The hills around my home are just too much for me on my CAADX at my current skill level. After a few rides I will report back.


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bstaggs

IMO compact cranks should have never replaced triples.

I didn't see a follow-up post to this - how has your experience been?

Ha, our collection would agree with you....lots of road triples. I put a sugino triple on my gravel/tour bike which works really nicely. I log a lot of training miles on a flat bar bike on gravel...was contemplating putting the sugino 46/30 double on it....what's your opinion of the "new" sub compact + doubles?

Thanks for the reminder. The front shifting isn't as much of a big deal as long as I have the rear in the appropriate gear first. The bike climbs well. I'm still finding where the seat height/forward-backward position is.
With a proper seat I didn't start to get miserable between my legs until about 35 miles.
I have mine set up with a gel seat, spd dual sided pedals, and wire bottle cages and mine weighs about 23#. The intermediate tires on it aren't great but they aren't terrible. Since I ride more on bad paved roads than I do on gravel I might switch to a smoother profile for less resistance.

Thanks for the follow-up. I went back to my LBS tonight since they have an end of year sale on and the last of the Anyroad 2's were probably not long for the world. That said, I had the same shifting problem with both the Anyroad 2 and CoMax versions I had on previous test runs and the guy at the LBS tried to teach me how to sync up the shifting "like you have to do with a Giant"....but by then....

I had also tested the Salsa Vaya (Claris version) for the third time and it's just a magic carpet ride of a bike. I'm not wild about the group set, but it shifted flawlessly and the ride was composed and comfortable on asphalt or the trail. The Giant is a great bike, weighs less, has better components and it would probably kill the Vaya in a race. But since I already have a bike that's built for speed, with both at 20% off the Vaya was the one that got my credit card out of my wallet.

Maybe one day I'll have the opportunity to own an Anyroad and I hope all of you that own one and/or have been generous with your opinions continue to have good times with yours...