lKeith

Hello Everyone!

I'm new on these forums and new to bike riding. My girlfriend and I both decided we would like to start a new hobby this summer. We decided to go to Bike World yesterday, our local bike shop and browse around. We will mainly use them to ride trails and fitness.

She instantly fell in love with the 2013 Giant Escape City - $545
https://bikeworldiowa.com/product/13g...w-177776-1.htm

With her set on what she wants, it was time to look for me.

I'm 6'5" 240lbs so my selection wasn't the greatest at the store. I did find 3 different bikes that I'm interested in, but confused on which is the all around better bike. I was hoping to keep our bikes under $600 ($1200 total).

2013 Giant Escape 3 - $420
https://bikeworldiowa.com/product/13g...3-175274-1.htm

2012 Giant Escape 1 - $489
https://bikeworldiowa.com/product/12g...1-105810-1.htm

2013 Trek 7.2 FX - $549
https://bikeworldiowa.com/product/13t...x-173477-1.htm

I would really appreciate input as to which one is the better all around bike. Also, if you know of any other bikes under $600 that are more bang for the buck, please list them.

Thanks!

Wanderer

Your girl made a very good choice. If I was you, I would consider the matching men's model. It's amazing how much fenders do for you and the bike. And, a rack makes carrying stuff so much easier. You really should add that to your list. MHO

bellinibean

..agree with Wanderer. I think xoxo has an Escape, plus you will match If not, I'd recommend the 7.2. I'm currently waiting on mine to get in. Since you are a bigger guy, take a look at the Trek 8.2 DS. It's comparable on price but a tad beefier in my opinion. Good luck. All of those linked bikes are great. You can't really lose out.

SLazz

The Trek Dual Sport is a good choice. It may weigh a bit more with the suspension fork but unless you plan on racing around town you won't feel the extra weight all that much. In fact, the Dual Sport has a lock out on the fork so it will work well on hard surfaces. I have a Giant Roam and looked at the Trek DS. Giant bikes offer a big bang for the buck (price and specs). Bike on!

lKeith

I think it was the look of the rack and fenders of the City that kind of turned me off, but this is coming from a guy that doesn't know how useful they probably are. With this being my first bike, looks is one of the first things I was looking at since I'm not to educated on all of the parts. I will definitely add the City to my list to ride when we visit our bike shop next.

In your opinion how useful are the rack and fenders? With me being so new to bike riding could you give me a few examples of what you would use the rack for? I assume the fenders are mainly there if you are riding on rainy days or encounter puddles.

Thanks for you help and opinions!

lKeith

Yes, I think she would love the whole matching thing . Why would you recommend the Trek over the Giants? Thanks! I will also take a look at the 8.2 on my next visit.

lKeith

How much will the suspension fork affect my speed? A light bike would be nice since I live in a 3 story apartment building and of course I'm on the 3rd floor.

CenturionIM

ew.

Just kidding. I think escape is great too. It surprised me how much money/time/effort if took me to add fenders and a rack by myself. It is nice to buy a bike that come with all of it without having to worry about clearances, braze on numbers, etc etc.

Wanderer

You are a big guy, so weigh shouldnt be a problem. Fenders are HUGE in helping cut down maintenance and cleaning. Keep you and the bike much cleaner, even on dry rides. Racks let you carry things.

TomCat_Ford

And in my case, dog and horse poo...

Truth be told, though, I don't use fenders year around (don't care for the look and I usually don't ride in the rain). I do have them installed from the fall through the spring for the snow, wet roads, etc. I will also occasionally install them if I know that the roads are going to be wet in the summer months (it only takes about 10 minutes or less to install my fenders).

If you don't care for the look of the fenders and rack, then I wouldn't get them. You can always pick up a pair of fenders later on and install them when they are needed. I suppose you could also buy the City, have matching bikes, and pull the fenders and rack until you need them.

On the subject of bikes, I'd go for the best Giant that you can afford. My wife has a 2012 Escape 1W, and she loves it.

bellinibean

I've never ridden a Giant, so I can't speak to it's quality or components aside from what I hear and read 3rd person. I'm a Trek fan and I've ridden them, so feel safe recommending the brand.

jsdavis

Out of the 3 you posted, the best deal is the 2012 Giant. Bikes are like cars so last year's bikes get discounted.

Make sure you ride the Trek also though because the frame might be slightly different and you might like one over the other. Point is get the bike that feels better when you're riding it rather than just get the best deal.

In the end, the best bike is the one you will ride.


When you say you'll ride trails, do you mean paved or not paved?

Juha

I notice none of the bikes in OP have suspension, and that's a good thing in this price bracket, IMO. More weight as stated already and one more moving part to maintain and at some point replace. Finding even decent quality suspension at this price point is a very difficult task. If you go and look at suspension fork retail prices, you'll notice the best cost easily more than one of these bikes, and even the cheap ones are in the USD 100 range.

I have thought about getting a suspension fork for my winter bike. Riding over icy ruts, front suspension might actually be useful there.

--J