Regarding Giant: A Question
 

Does Giant use their advantage as a large frame manufacturer to have a cost advantage on frames to appoint their bikes with higher grade components at a given price point? For example:

Cannondale:
Quick SL1
Shimano Tiagra-50/34, Aluminum Frame/Carbon Fork
700 x 32 mm
$1,450

Giant:
Escape RX0
Shimano 105-50/34, Aluminum Frame/Carbon Fork
700x28 mm
$1,275

Specialized:
Sirrus Pro
SRAM Apex-50/34, Aluminum Frame/Carbon Fork
700 x 28 mm
$1,500

Trek:
7.6FX
Shimano Tiagra,-50/34, Aluminum Frame/Carbon Fork
700 x 25 mm
$1,320

These bikes seem quite comparable in price ($1,275-$1,500) and in many construction features, yet Giant has higher grade components at a lower price point. Am I missing something? Are there other distinctions between these that I am missing?

Thanks,

Bob

You pretty much hit it on the head. Giant seems to be able to offer a slightly better group at a given price point.

Giant cut out the middle man, so you win at the bank..............

If they made a XXXL Escape RX 0, I'd be on one today. Really nice for the cash. The XL was just too small for me in too many directions.

I was inclined to get a 2013 Cannondale Quick SL 1, but, at the advice of the salesman at the LBS, I ended up buying a 2013 Giant Escape RX 0. He felt that the Giant had a better frame, and that this was more important than the grade of the drivetrain components. It also turns out that the RX 0 was approximately 2 lbs lighter than the SL 1. The weight difference may be due to both frame and running gear.

Note that I originally left the shop with a 2014 Escape RX. For 2014, Giant is apparently producing only one Escape RX model for the US market, and it's spec level seems to be closer to the RX 1 model from 2013. The shop let me swap it for the 2013 Escape RX 0 (a bit more expensive). More details on the 2014 model, and my reasons for choosing the 2013, are in this thread.