Giant Cypress DX or Escape1
 

Hello all, new to the forum and just getting started riding after 20 years. I have searched the forums the last few days and have learned quite a bit about the hybrids and I have a couple of questions.
I have ridden both the Cypress DX and the Escape1 and was looking for input from others that have owned or do own both of these and can shed some light on the better fit for me. I'm currently riding a too small Haro V2 Mtb and need to get a XL frame bike. I'm not keen on the front suspension or the twist shifters on the Cypress, but could live with them I suppose. I have been riding 4-6 miles 5 days a week for the past 3 weeks and I can't see myself doing more than that on the old Mtb. I'm 6'4" and weigh 240# right now. I enjoy the upright riding position of the Cypress and the Escape1 really isn't that much worse, I don't want to get the Cypress and then have to start upgrading it or get another bike if my needs change 6 months down the road. Are there any really tangible differences in the 2 bikes that justify the extra $250? Can the Escape be made more comfortable if needed? I really like the adjust-ability of the front stem on the Cypress, but I truly don't like the twist shifters. Look forward to your input and picking up a new bike next week!
Brian

FWIW......my wife had the Cypress, over my objection as I felt that in the long run she would not find it comfortable. She liked it, BUT: she got in an accident that totaled the bike. We replaced it with Trek 7.1 FX (similar to the Escape) and she absolutely loves it. I think you'd find the Escape a better ride, presuming you are comfortable on it. You may find you want a different saddle.

I have a 2003 Cypress DX, great bike, and very comfy after replacing that saddle with the hole/slit in it.

Though I do not own either of these bikes, I have owned similar bikes over the years, so take my advice FWIW. Generally, unless you are purposely moving from a more sporty bike to a less sporty bike (say because of a chronic injury) , my view is if you are just getting started with riding and one of your choices is more plush or comfort oriented, the other slightly more sporty, go with the more sporty option. That has been my experience, that as I started riding more, I grew to hate the plush features I initially liked.

Escape looks to be slightly sportier. Not exactly race worthy, but perhaps better suited to rides longer than 10 miles than the Cypress DX. Cypress has a heavy suspension fork, Escape has what looks like a carbon fiber fork. And with a 9 speed drivetrain rather than the 8 speed on the Cypress. Finally, Escape has somewhat upgraded shifters and derailleurs over the Cypress.

The fork alone accounts for a 2 lb weight difference between the two bikes. Though Giant does not list the bike weights, I would estimate the Escape is at least 4 or 5 lbs lighter than the Cypress just looking at the forks, tires, and components.

So, other things being equal, I would say the extra money spent on the Escape would be worth it, if you can swing it. The Cypress would be a fine bike for rides of 5 to maybe 10 miles total, so best for a casual rider, or a student commuting to campus, for example. While you might take the Cypress on the occasional dirt road, I would not recommend it for anything more rugged than fine gravel or packed dirt and frankly, you could just as easily ride the Escape on those surfaces, too. If you see yourself riding longer than 10 miles, I would recommend the Escape 1 or something even sportier.

Finally, don't know what you mean by making the Escape more comfortable. you can always switch out things to make the bike fit better, such as stems , handlebars, and saddles. I recommend you work with your bike shop to get this dialed in sooner rather than later. And you can somewhat change things up by switching out tires for speed, durability, or ride quality (sadly, improving one these things sometimes compromises the other two, but people do switch tires).

[MENTION=89424]MRT2[/MENTION]
What I meant by more comfortable was the steering stem height and maybe some bar ends. I felt more at home on the Escape and the front end felt so much better. I will ride them both again this Tuesday, they have a leftover 2014 Escape1 with some wear on the grips and I'll ask if I can ride it overnight for a couple of days. If I like it, I'll see if they will negotiate a little bit.

Bar ends can be added, and stems can be switched for longer, or shorter ones. That really goes to fit. I would think that would be something the bike shop would work with you on getting that dialed in when you buy the bike.

I have an 02 Cypress SX, although it has little semblance to it's original state.

lol. I don't think those wheels came stock on that model.

Sorry, off-topic. But what pedals do you have on that Cypress?

I've done century length rides on my Cypress ... no problems

Fair enough.

You can do a lot with a bicycle, if that is what you have. You can tour on a single speed, or an vintage 10 speed. Or ride single track on a modified road bike. And you can do a century on a comfort hybrid.

But if someone asked what bike is best suited for centuries, or metric centuries, a comfort hybrid might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

Xpedo Faceoff 18's

True. Maybe next time I'll use my single speed Huffy cruiser. Just to make 100 miles a "long" ride. :)

Just went by and bought the Cypress DX. Had them swap out a rigid seat post and will find a different seat and install some new pedals.

WooHoo!!