bikecrate

I've been off and on toying with the idea of replacing my 2003 Trek 7500FX for the last 5 years. My goal was to get a fast hybrid with Tiagra level components. One thing holding me back was the bikes I was interested in were almost always either black or grey. I kept holding out that the black bike color craze would end. Alas, I have given up. I was set on getting a Jamis Allegro Elite allegroelite. However, the one Jamis dealer I bought my road bike from said that he had no 2016 Elites in stock, his computer didn't even show any coming or when they would be available. This was at the beginning of December and even though I left my contact info I've never heard from them again. I'm not sure he took me seriously, but not good follow through to make a sale.

Meanwhile I came across this Giant Fastroads SLR 1 FastRoad SLR 1 (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States. I never even considered Giants mostly because I found their overuse of their logo kind of annoying. However, I really like the style of the frame and it has many great features for only $1 more than the Jamis. Long story short a local store had one in stock and I bought it. I can't wait to try it out on some long rides. Here's a couple of pictures factory fresh before I add my accessories.

mark2810

Wow, that is one hybrid for the books.
It's like the Lambo of Giant Escapes

Very cool.
Take care of it, lock it up, Well done!

McBTC

You just need a white seat and you'll be good to go...

bikecrate

Thanks, when I get some rides in I'll hopefully have reviews of the performance. No locks for me. I never leave my bikes out my sight.

bikecrate

Funny you should say...the one thing I have noticed about the saddle is it is really small. I'm not a big person, but this thing feels like a knob even on the test rides. There is only one saddle I can stand right now and it's a Terry. Doesn't look all that sporty, not in white either. I'll be transferring from old hybrid.

2702

I too asked about the 16 Jamis Elite months ago. The shop say the Jamis's site was down and they would get back to me, they never did. So I ride a Synapse instead.

I use to have that bike, you feel the road more than a Synapse alloy frame. However I found your bike is better for hills and climbing. My Synapse weak point is climbing. The ride is more smooth on mine.

I figure to get the best of both worlds you have to spend about 2500 bucks or more to get power and comfort. I rather just get 2 bikes for one, if you ask me for 2500 bucks.

NormanF

FastRoad is essentially a true flat bar road bike.

For those who can't get comfortable riding a traditional drop bar road bike.

Congratulations on your acquisition of your new Giant.

Lordfartblaster

Nice one. May I recommend upgrading to the Tioga Zero Axle Pedals. They are the best of the best in my book for bikes like ours.

practical

Awesome bike! I have the Giant Escape but I think I would like one like yours. Have fun!

Doctor Morbius

Great looking Giant! Congrats.

bikecrate

Thanks everyone, would I look out of place riding around with a Darth Vader helmet?

Another issue, the bar ends are enclosed so I can't put on a bar end mirror. They are a separate component from the grips so I'm thinking of just replacing them with Giant's bolt on aluminum bar ends. I'm not fond of helmet mirrors. Any other ideas?

Wanderer

Nice Bike! I'm jealous!

What is wrong with the included bar ends? Could you just drill out one end to fit a Myrricle?

bikecrate

They are kind of small and plastic. Drill out might be an option though. I did pick up these at the LBS today. If they look okay I'll go with these.

quicktrigger

I'm with you on the color thing. ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to consider Black/Grey bikes. I have 5 bikes, and four of them are brightly colored. The one that is not, is Titanium, and it's not brightly colored well because it's Titanium.... you want to show that stuff!

quicktrigger

I'm with you on the color thing. ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to consider Black/Grey bikes. I have 5 bikes, and four of them are brightly colored. The one that is not, is Titanium, and it's not brightly colored well because it's Titanium.... you want to show that stuff!

Oh, and the Sirrus is a nice flat bar hybrid road style bike. And they come in color too, like my blue one.

McBTC

Satin black is still sort of shiny and many like it (I do); and, pros like it too..

bikecrate

Slight update...I like the bar ends I got. They feel more natural and have a little thumb rest at the top. Also allow for my mirror. Another little thing. I got some nice looking (cheap) water bottle holders in from Amazon. However, the clearance on the seat tube is much shorter and won't fit my 24 oz. Polar bottles. Doh, I had to order a new smaller water bottle. Tomorrow I hope to go for a real ride. Today it is raining like nobodies business. So no matter what the new bike's gonna' get dirty.

bikecrate

Well, got to ride it this weekend. Here are some first impressions. I like it. It is definitely a step up from the 2003 Trek 7500FX. Rough estimate it has to be about 5 pounds lighter and less jaring. It is just a notch off from my Jamis Quest, which is steel and probably a bit lighter. I really liked the bar ends. Where were theses all my life? The ride I took was about 42 miles. The first part was into a fairly strong headwind, but I was able to maintain about 16 - 17 mph without getting too beat up. I was getting this funny spongy feeling from the frame and the pedaling was getting harder towards my turn around point. Then I noticed my seat post was sinking. Oops, when I adjusted the height before leaving I hadn't tightened it enough. After readjusting and tightening it up properly all went well on the way home. Bottom line I'd buy it again.

bikecrate

It's funny to read my last post here. I must have been in the thrall of new bike fever. I've come to the opposite conclusion after riding the Giant for over a year. It has some nice features, but I have found it to be a bit rattly and a surprisingly harsh ride. It is lighter than my old Trek, but the performance isn't that much better. I've already moved on to a new love. I just purchased a 2016 Jamis Renegade Expert as a replacement. It is considered an "adventure bike", but I plan on using it in the same way I did the Giant with some additional off road excursions.

So I'm leaving the dark side.

gemini

In the photos of that model it looks like there's still a lot of black on that frame

I was complaining about the dark side here last summer, when I ended up with a nearly-black Trek Allant 7.2. Trek made it in bright blue also, but the store didn't have that and I didn't want to wait. Most of the other bikes in that LBS were black, too. I don't much like the busy, supposedly sporty designs with lots of stripes and logos and whatnot either. Trek's solid colors, all blue and all red ones looked pretty good to me. E.g. last year's 1.1.

hokiefyd 

That's a really sharp looking ride. Enjoy it in good health!

bikecrate

Thanks, not sure you read my most recent post. The Giant and I never "bonded". I've moved on.

hokiefyd 

Sorry, I should have been more clear -- I was referring to your newest acquisition, your Jamis. How do you like the X'plor MSO tires? It and the USH both look very interesting to me.

bikecrate

I do like the tires. They are pretty fast on the street even with the size being 700 X 35. They also absorb the bumps well. I did a short 4 miles off road. Not bad, but the really soft sand was a problem. If I was really serious about off road riding I'd probably opt for a wider tire.

I need to post some pictures. I just haven't had any time.

bikecrate

Some photos of the Jamis Renegade. I'm really liking it. Just as fast on the road as the Fastroads. More comfortable and much more capable off road.