looking at Giant Anyroad 2 or Giant roam...... i will be mostly on trails Gap/ Towpath. i will be 90% trails. Looking eventually to do the Pgh. to DC ride. what bike would you recomend? and why? Thanks I really need some help new to the sport. Jim

I would check out the Roam- it has 2 more gears 11 x 36 - 11 speed and the price is $815
compared to the Anyroad2 which has a cassette 11 x 32 9 speed at $1025
The material is the same on both Allux aluminum. The anyroad 2 has drop handlebars while the Roam has flat handlebars. If flat handlebars is what your looking for- go for the Roam. The roam also has front shocks which is more suitable for dirt trails. Both have disc brakes.
Other opinions may vary........

Since you're not going to be riding centuries,the number of gears is pretty moot. More cogs help you maintain cadence,they have nothing to do with gear range.

Jim,those are completely different bikes. The Anyroad is a road/cross mashup with taller gearing,the Roam is a dual-purpose bike with lower gearing and front suspension. The Anyroad is more biased to pavement,the Roam towards dirt. You should first decide what type of riding you're mainly going to do,then test ride both bikes to decide which fits you best and which riding position you prefer.

Neither is appropriate... the Roam has a heavy front suspension fork that won't do you any good on the GAP/C&O and doesn't leave much room for gear (panniers/bags). The Anyroad lacks rackmounts, best I can tell?

If you are set on Giant, I'd look at the Escape or Seek models.

Pretty sure the Roam is a 10 speed, not 11 speed bike.