Giant Boulder SE - differences?
 

The 2008 Giant Boulder SE, for both Canada and the United States, are identical. However, there are two different colours. Each of the two colours have minor differences. I was wondering a couple things.

1) The seat for the Dark Blue/Blue version is the Unity Groove Plus. The seat for the Gray/Black version is is Giant DJ. What is the difference between these seats? I cannot seem to find any literature or more photos of them. Does anyone who's seen or tried both of them prefer one of the other?

2) The tires for the Dark Blue/Blue version are called "MTB Trail". The tires for the Gray/Black version are called "Kenda K-Rad. I have read that the Kenda K-Rad are good for urban riding and dry off-road riding. Is this correct? Also, I could not find anything out about the "MTB Trail" tires. Are the just generic Giant brand? Which tires are better, and for what?

3) The colours: Dark Blue/Blue and Gray/Black. From the stock image on the Giant website, I like the look of the Dark Blue/Blue bike the best. I was wondering, does anyone have any alternative images of these bikes? I was to see better what they look like.

Frame Size

4) My Local Bike Shop has one of the Black/Gray and one of the Dark Blue/Blue bikes coming in. The Black/Gray version should arrive next week. However, the Dark Blue/Blue version won't be here until near the end of April. I have already purchased the bike, but I have the choice of which model I want. However, I was concerned about something. He ordered two 20" frames (L) and I was wondering if this might be too big for me. I am only 5"8 with a weight of around 170-175 lbs. I have been upwards to 200 lbs before though. Should I be getting an 18" frame, or will the 20" be fine?

Thanks!

I can't help you too much, but try standing over the frames. The top tube should be at least three inches below your crotch (mine is more like 4 or 5 I think). When seated on the saddle, you should be able to reach to the handlebar and maintain an upright position but it shouldn't be as if the handlebar is right in front of you (this ensures the top tube isn't too long or short) - imagine what it'd be like on the trails: would you feel comfortable or are you to bent over?

Finally, make sure that when you're seated your feet can rest on the pedals in a manner allowing your knees to be slightly bent when the pedal is in the lowest position.

Well, given that most people on this bike forum state a small (16") bike is good for someone below 5'7" and a large (20") bike is for 5'9"+, I took the middle road and asked him to order me in the medium (18"; I am 5'8"). I am not worried about the medium being a little too big, but I am worried about the extremities of the size difference the small or large might have with me.

I also ended up going for the Dark Blue/Blue version as he was able to get it in earlier now (hopefully by tomorrow or Monday). I am surprised that nobody on this info-packed site has any information between the Unity Groove Plus and Giant DJ saddles.

Also, I like the Dark Blue/Blue version because it comes with the MTB Trail tires which appear (in photos, anyway) to have a little more grip than the partial slick DJ/Urban tires (Kenda K-Rad) on the Gray/Black version.

It's like they wanted the gray and black to be more city oriented, and the blue to be more trail oriented.
Interesting!

Yeah. This is why I ended up choosing the trail oriented Blue/Dark Blue option. Also, it looked a lot nicer. It should arrive early next week so I will be able to get it when I return from my work shift.