LHawes

Yeah I feel pretty bad about that. I'll do so soon.

BigC_82

I really like the 2017 version of this model as it fit the needs of having gravel/commuter bike. I am curious if there are fender mounts. Anyone ride their xl frame toughroad?

ColonelSanders

Yes there are fender mounts.

Very versatile bike.

tiguanito

I'm having a hard time to decide between the toughroad slr 2, and a mountain bike with front suspension. (trek x-caliber 8 is currently on sale at $850)
I'm going to use it on paved roads and trails (probably 50/50). I won't go quick on trails with bumps, no jump, no race, no high speed. But still, I wonder if I won't miss the front suspension.
I've done a quick test of the toughroad on a parking lot. I wish I could test it on a trail.
The reasons I've selected the slr 2 are :
< $1000
Feels very light
Big tires for an hybrid. I was initially considering the Roam 2, but the tires are too small for some trails with rocks.

The trek x-caliber 8 is going to be heavier (probably + 5lbs), but has some nice components too. And a rockshox suspension + good tires, so would be safer on some trails with holes and bumps.

Do you sometimes miss the front suspension on yours ?

The store currently has the 2016 SLR 2 in large, at $800. I'm 6 ft (and 45y old), it's the right size for me.
I know the 2017 should be available soon, but they don't want to discount the 2016. If some components are improved on the 2017 model, I should probably wait until it's available. Would you wait a few weeks to get a 2017 model ?

idiotekniQues

sounds like you are going to be riding some smooth trails and the rest pavement. slr2 sounds good then.

not sure of the differences between the 2016 and 2017 but it's strange they won't discount the 2016. no other LBS options somewhat nearby?

tiguanito

I haven't found another LBS that sells the toughroad or any Giant bike. Most local stores here ( SF Bay Area) sell trek , specialized, diamondback.

FrozenBiker 

At $800, the bike is slightly discounted (retail was always $870)
Unfortunately, the 2017 has slightly downgraded crank, rear derailier, and brakes.
Nothing too drastic, but they should've reduced the price since the bike barely sells.

ColonelSanders

I don't see the 2017 model as an improvement, and arguably it is a small backward step.

https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...ad-models.html

tiguanito

This is an example of trail in my area:

I keep seeing bikes with front suspension.

idiotekniQues

that looks bumpy enough that a suspension would help. the other issue with a mountain bike on the road though is the gearing. it may be too slow for the road having 2 small rings up front. have you considered a dual sport hybrid like the Trek DS series? At 38mm the tires might be too narrow but you should be able to have the LBS swap those out for you before walking out the door with the bike.

tiguanito

I initially considered the Roam 2 , equivalent to the Trek DS. I asked the LBS for some bigger tires on the Roam, and they didn't have some in stock. I should try with another LBS. The Roam 2017 has 700 x 38c , the rim is 19mm so I think I should be able to go up 45mm.

ColonelSanders

Have you seen this video?

It shows the sort of trail one can take the Toughroad on.

Haffster

To be perfectly honest, after having used the bike for about 700 KMs this summer, my conclusion is that this is a bike that does a great job being a little bit of a road bike and a little bit of a mountain bike. If that's what you're after, you can't go wrong.

But I'd highly recommend figuring out if that's exactly what you want. I've taken this bike to some trails that weren't quite suited to it, and going over roots and stones on this is not fun at all. Your bones are going to suffer. Light gravel, packed mud, you'll be perfectly fine. On the road, you'll feel the rolling resistance. It's comfortable and light, but anything over 25 KMs, you'll feel it. I changed the tires to 35 mm with a nice road tread so it behaves quite a bit better on pavement.

Bottom line: I'd highly recommend focusing on your usage. If you're going to be on pavement 80%+ of the time, get a road bike. Heck, you might even start going the distance with that on weekends. Personally, I'm thinking of putting the fatter tires back on and use this for a bit of light off roading (read: light), and getting a road bike for what I actually really like doing.

I love this bike, but it is designed to do a little bit of everything reasonably well and it does. But this is not a road bike and this is not a mountain bike. A lot of people are quite happy with that, and again - if that's what you're after, you couldn't go wrong.

And yes - I do miss having a front suspension. Like you, I didn't intend to use this bike for any serious mountain biking, but going over roots and stones, you need a front suspension (at least).

LHawes

I think this is a great analysis of the Tough Road. I have the SLR1 and ride mostly road but have a park I frequent that has some dirt/gravel sections and the roads I take to get there have minimal shoulders with some dirt sections that I like to take shortcuts through. Love the big tires and I run low (35 psi R 30 psi F) pressure for the comfort and relative ease through those dirt patches. I really dislike looking down at a 23 - 25 front tire and am not interested in speed so for my purposes it's a great choice.

But as stated above it's not a mountain bike. If you are going off road for some more serious mountain biking you'll miss a front fork. And to repeat the above post again it's not a road bike either but you could fit it with smaller tires and make it better suited, but if you love the road, and only the road, then it's not a great choice. I rode it about 20 miles the other day and have no problems going slow with the large tires but I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority road riding on 29 x 2's and enjoying the cushy ride while sacrificing speed. I could see some 35 - 40's on it pretty easy though.

Just thought of this - there was one section of the 20 mile road ride where we came up on a very narrow overpass with lots of traffic and no paved shoulder. There was a dirt shoulder with a paved berm and a sidewalk over the overpass that I just bounced over to (to avoid the traffic) with no problem, and a bit of variety and fun for me. My buddy on a 22 tired fixxy had to use the overpass. No big deal for most but for me I love the option at any time to just bail out on to the dirt to get by or around traffic.

I looked a long time for something like the Tough Road, and it's actually pretty unique among the choices out there but I have a pretty unique area and terrain I ride and pretty unique desires in a bike. Best of luck deciding and let us know what you choose.

tiguanito

Thank you all for the feedback.

After some visits to several LBS during the week-end, I went back home with a Giant Roam 2 that was on sale ($449). I will probably replace the tires with some Rock n'Road (Rock n' Road Tires 700c x 43mm ? ), and see hot it goes on trails.
The Toughroad 2 is really a nice bike. But I was not sure how I was going to use the bike the most, and about the rigid fork. Didn't want to spend too much until I had a better idea of the right one for me.

LHawes

Great bike, great price, hope it works out for you.

coominya

Summed up very well. The Giant is a compromise and an especially good one for blokes like me. I weigh 220 pound, or 100kg, and although I only ride on the road I find I don't trust the super slim tires on road bikes nor do I like the steering. I tied a roadie for a month and it wasn't me. One thing the toughroad allows me to do is utilize the footpath when I feel it a safer option. The footpaths here have gutters but are often grass or a dirt single track, a lot easier to negotiate with wide tires.

If you're on the heavy side and are prepared to take a loss in top speed and range then a hybrid like these is a great way to get exercise on the road.

travbikeman

I know you have already bought your Roam, but the 38's that come with many hybrids could easily handle this trail. I've ridden many trails like this already with my 38's.

Of course though, I did recently hit some rocky patches on a trail that did destroy the rear rims, but hey....it was fun!

nardus010

I have the same problem. I`ve red it`s an issue with the Giant D-Fuse Seatpost. I will contact my Giant dealer.
Also resolved the bad squeaking from the steerer tube when steering :applied some teflon spray and it`s gone. (for good i hope)

LHawes

I had that same squeak, resolved the same way.

ColonelSanders

Where exactly on the steerer tube did you spray a lubricant?

I think mine is squeaking too.

nardus010

ColonelSanders

Thanks.

I had visions of taking off the headset cap and squirting lubricant all around it and allowing it to run down.

markutz

Yeah that squeaking is annoying but lubricating it has helped and it's silent now. My seatpost was fixed by the LBS. They replaced the expander wedge that clamps the seat in place and put loads of lube in first. It's also silent now.

Has anyone considered putting drop bars on their Toughroad ?

gsa103

It's generally too expensive and complicated. The main problem is that you would typically need a smaller frame since drop-bars put the handle bars ~50+ mm further forward. The second problem is the expense of new shifters.

In general, you would likely be better off buying a Revolt or AnyRoad.

Drop-bar conversions are mainly popular with older MTB conversions where a non-original owner buys a smaller frame that fits properly with drop-bars. That or custom builds from a specific frameset.