'18 Giant Toughroad SLR1 fell out of the Ugly Tree & hit every branch on the way down
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Ugly
I was seriously considering the 2018 ToughRoad as the '17 was sold out in my size, but this color scheme is worse than "not my favorite," it's disgusting. I find myself actually discounting it because of color.
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Maybe it will take me until 2019 model year to lose the pounds and hopefully the toughroad will go back to an acceptable color scheme. If I end up buying a 2018 bike, I'm watching the marin muirwoods and kona big rove al now...assuming they will be available in 2018.
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It's definitely unatttactive. Still, the nasty green bits won't affect its performance.
I was reading the Gypsy by Trade blog a year or two ago, when I was in rhe market for a new bike, and saw a pic of the author's Surly Pugsly in some awful shade of purple/pink. I wondered how he could ride a bike that looked like that, a purple/pink frame with fatbike fenders made from old plastic real estate lawn signs.
I realized he didn't care, he just needed a bike to ride and he didn't have to look at it while he was riding it.
It made me think that I probably needed to be a little less judgemental about bike colors and appearances. That said, it is hard to see the bikes behind the Radioactive Giant 2018 Green "highlights."
I was reading the Gypsy by Trade blog a year or two ago, when I was in rhe market for a new bike, and saw a pic of the author's Surly Pugsly in some awful shade of purple/pink. I wondered how he could ride a bike that looked like that, a purple/pink frame with fatbike fenders made from old plastic real estate lawn signs.
I realized he didn't care, he just needed a bike to ride and he didn't have to look at it while he was riding it.
It made me think that I probably needed to be a little less judgemental about bike colors and appearances. That said, it is hard to see the bikes behind the Radioactive Giant 2018 Green "highlights."
#29
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Giant still seems to have stock of the 2017s. Both the SLR1 and SLR2 are other in stock or have "limited stock" on the Giant website. If you were waiting on the 2018s then check on the 2017s.
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It's definitely unatttactive. Still, the nasty green bits won't affect its performance.
I was reading the Gypsy by Trade blog a year or two ago, when I was in rhe market for a new bike, and saw a pic of the author's Surly Pugsly in some awful shade of purple/pink. I wondered how he could ride a bike that looked like that, a purple/pink frame with fatbike fenders made from old plastic real estate lawn signs.
I realized he didn't care, he just needed a bike to ride and he didn't have to look at it while he was riding it.
It made me think that I probably needed to be a little less judgemental about bike colors and appearances. That said, it is hard to see the bikes behind the Radioactive Giant 2018 Green "highlights."
I was reading the Gypsy by Trade blog a year or two ago, when I was in rhe market for a new bike, and saw a pic of the author's Surly Pugsly in some awful shade of purple/pink. I wondered how he could ride a bike that looked like that, a purple/pink frame with fatbike fenders made from old plastic real estate lawn signs.
I realized he didn't care, he just needed a bike to ride and he didn't have to look at it while he was riding it.
It made me think that I probably needed to be a little less judgemental about bike colors and appearances. That said, it is hard to see the bikes behind the Radioactive Giant 2018 Green "highlights."
I don't know what the ration of Toughroad SLR 1's to SLR 2's are sold each year, but due to the higher price of the SLR 1, let's say the ratio is 70:30 in favour of the SLR 2.
With these 2018 colours, I really think that ratio could go to something like 95:5 in the SLR 2's favour.
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I don't know what the ration of Toughroad SLR 1's to SLR 2's are sold each year, but due to the higher price of the SLR 1, let's say the ratio is 70:30 in favour of the SLR 2.
With these 2018 colours, I really think that ratio could go to something like 95:5 in the SLR 2's favour.
With these 2018 colours, I really think that ratio could go to something like 95:5 in the SLR 2's favour.
For those of you not in Australia, the Essendon Bombers are an Australian Rules Football club based in Essendon, Melbourne, that have black and red as their colors.
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You're in Australia, right? If you're in Melbourne, the 2018 SLR 2 is the "official" Essendon bike, just like the 2017 Fastroad SLR 1 was. Of course it wouldn't matter to anyone, but it's funny how color combos can be so symbolic in some places and you'd probably get some goofy "Bombers!" comments about the colors.
For those of you not in Australia, the Essendon Bombers are an Australian Rules Football club based in Essendon, Melbourne, that have black and red as their colors.
For those of you not in Australia, the Essendon Bombers are an Australian Rules Football club based in Essendon, Melbourne, that have black and red as their colors.
The reason my SLR 2 was 30% off was due to the Hawthorn Football Team using Toughroad SLR 2's to leisurely ride around on a two week pre-season camp at Noosa.
So whilst the bike was technically 2nd hand, it was also virtually brand new and came with a new bike warranty.
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I love the Sunshine coast, it's too long since I was there last.
Anyway, with the 2018 SLR 1, or any ugly bike for that matter, you could always try plastidip. It's a spray on coating that forms a plastic film/layer, like the rubbery bits on tool handles, and peels off when you want to get rid of it.
I haven't seen a bike done with it, but there are a lot of videos on youtube showing guys coating their cars for a temporary color change.
Anyway, with the 2018 SLR 1, or any ugly bike for that matter, you could always try plastidip. It's a spray on coating that forms a plastic film/layer, like the rubbery bits on tool handles, and peels off when you want to get rid of it.
I haven't seen a bike done with it, but there are a lot of videos on youtube showing guys coating their cars for a temporary color change.
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Anyway, with the 2018 SLR 1, or any ugly bike for that matter, you could always try plastidip. It's a spray on coating that forms a plastic film/layer, like the rubbery bits on tool handles, and peels off when you want to get rid of it.
I haven't seen a bike done with it, but there are a lot of videos on youtube showing guys coating their cars for a temporary color change.
I haven't seen a bike done with it, but there are a lot of videos on youtube showing guys coating their cars for a temporary color change.
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Agreed, I mention it as an option only. I have a flat bar Specialized AWOL that I am absolutely enamored with that I would never cover up. Still, when you have limited options for certain types of bike, options like that can help.
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I think the biggest advantage the SLR 1 has over the SLR 2, is the quality of the crankset and the quality of the gear shifters/derailleurs, so if you update the crankset, as I have done and get around to updating the gearing(which I will eventually do), then they are effectively the same bike.
BTW, did you buy a flat bar AWOL or do a conversion to one?
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They would be better off buying the SLR 2 and upgrading whatever they don't like about it.
I think the biggest advantage the SLR 1 has over the SLR 2, is the quality of the crankset and the quality of the gear shifters/derailleurs, so if you update the crankset, as I have done and get around to updating the gearing(which I will eventually do), then they are effectively the same bike.
BTW, did you buy a flat bar AWOL or do a conversion to one?
I think the biggest advantage the SLR 1 has over the SLR 2, is the quality of the crankset and the quality of the gear shifters/derailleurs, so if you update the crankset, as I have done and get around to updating the gearing(which I will eventually do), then they are effectively the same bike.
BTW, did you buy a flat bar AWOL or do a conversion to one?
Long story short, I had a drop bar AWOL before being disgnosed with back problems. I converted my bike to flat bars. It has been almost a year long struggle to find a comfortable position for my back, but I have some things ready to go now and am getting excited about riding again after an injury.
In order not to derail your thread here I may make a separate thread here in Hybrids soon to show you the bike, as it is actually a very good place for it. It's very much a hybrid of road, MTB and tourer these days.
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I see they took the toughroad and added drop bars as an option...
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...ad-slr-gx-2018
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...ad-slr-gx-2018
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I see they took the toughroad and added drop bars as an option...
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...ad-slr-gx-2018
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...ad-slr-gx-2018
Most dropbar MTBs, like the Salsa Fargo, have a high stem with a shallow flared handlebar, like the Woodchipper on the Fargo.
You could convert the new Giant easily enough, but it seems to be an oversight on Giant's part not to give it a high stem with dirt drops.
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I see they took the toughroad and added drop bars as an option...
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...ad-slr-gx-2018
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...ad-slr-gx-2018
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I really like the thinking behind that bike, but I wonder how it will ride off road in practice.
Most dropbar MTBs, like the Salsa Fargo, have a high stem with a shallow flared handlebar, like the Woodchipper on the Fargo.
You could convert the new Giant easily enough, but it seems to be an oversight on Giant's part not to give it a high stem with dirt drops.
Most dropbar MTBs, like the Salsa Fargo, have a high stem with a shallow flared handlebar, like the Woodchipper on the Fargo.
You could convert the new Giant easily enough, but it seems to be an oversight on Giant's part not to give it a high stem with dirt drops.
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To an extent, but the Revolt's bars are still pretty conventional as compared to a true dirt drop bar like a Salsa Woodchipper or VO Dajia Far Bar, with a high-rise stem (VO Cigne or Ergotec High Charisma) bringing the drops up to where your hands would be on MTB flat bars.
I really like the look of the new Toughroad, but to me it has something of an identity crisis.
I really like the look of the new Toughroad, but to me it has something of an identity crisis.
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I paid a visit to a Giant LBS today and formed the following impressions of the colours of the 3 flatbar Toughroad models.
1. Toughroad SLR 2 - Looks better than it does on the website, the coloured striping is an orangey-reddish colour and it is quite striking.
2. Toughroad SLR 1 - It also looked better than it does on the website, but it is still a very unappealing colour scheme overall.
3. Toughroad SLR 0 - It actually didn't look as good as it does on the website, but it is still an attractive colour scheme. I think the striping needed to standout more, but I guess this is somewhat in keeping with the 2017 model also having this issue.
1. Toughroad SLR 2 - Looks better than it does on the website, the coloured striping is an orangey-reddish colour and it is quite striking.
2. Toughroad SLR 1 - It also looked better than it does on the website, but it is still a very unappealing colour scheme overall.
3. Toughroad SLR 0 - It actually didn't look as good as it does on the website, but it is still an attractive colour scheme. I think the striping needed to standout more, but I guess this is somewhat in keeping with the 2017 model also having this issue.
#45
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I like the fluro highlights on my Sirrus, I'd certainly be more concerned about the base colour. Are frame decals applied at the factory or during assembly? If it's the later then you can surely ask your LBS to leave them off? And if not, can you not remove them once you get it home? If I wanted to I could remove all of the fluro from my bike (except for the text on the saddle and logo on the grip locks which are colour matched to that highlight). Rim stickers (also matched) can be removed too.
Looks like Giant are using a similar combo as Spec did in '16.
Looks like Giant are using a similar combo as Spec did in '16.
#46
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I actually like the color combo on the first post ColonelSanders provided. My Fuji SL 2.3 has a similar color scheme and I like it. I'm a new owner of a "new" to me 2016 TR SLR and I have to say that I like the black/red colors a lot better than the black/cyan or the 2018 color combo. My Marin Bobcat Trail 29er has a similar color scheme to the 2017 TR SLR 1 but it doesn't look so "tacky" on it.
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I wasn't thrilled with the pictures but I wanted the 2018, so I ordered it anyway.
Hold your opinions on the color until you see the bike in person. The gray is 'flat' and slightly textured (like a pickup truck bed liner). The black is flat. The green accents are glossy. I really like the bike in person, despite my misgivings based on the pictures.
I would post my own pictures, but they would not be better than the pictures made by Giant (who is using pictures to sell a $1250 bike).
Hold your opinions on the color until you see the bike in person. The gray is 'flat' and slightly textured (like a pickup truck bed liner). The black is flat. The green accents are glossy. I really like the bike in person, despite my misgivings based on the pictures.
I would post my own pictures, but they would not be better than the pictures made by Giant (who is using pictures to sell a $1250 bike).
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since we're on the topic, i've always despised the "adams apple" seat post pictured above..................
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