Page 1 of 1

Avanti or Giant ?

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:48 pm
by Keithb
I'm thinking of replacing my old cheap MTB with an Avanti Blade Comp (or Blade Pro) or a Giant CRX1. I will be going mainly on half day or day rides (30 to 60 km) but am also doing a 3 week bike trip next year.
I don't know anyone with these bikes but would like advice from any knowlegable riders out there.

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:57 pm
by Bnej
Both are good bikes, and if you are going to get one I think you can just pick whichever you like better, but....

For the distances you are talking, a drop bar road bike might be more comfortable. You get more hand positions, and the levers/shifters are in a more natural position than on a flat bar bike. You can get onto the drops at higher speed and save energy through better aerodynamics.

Since you're looking at high end flat bars, a drop bar roadie is going to be in your price bracket. Don't buy a flat bar just because that's what you're used to - I am a recent convert to drops and am finding longer rides far better than they ever used to be, I suffered from some wrist discomfort (RSI) previously with 20-50km rides on flat bars.

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:09 pm
by Mulger bill
Bnej wrote:Both are good bikes, and if you are going to get one I think you can just pick whichever you like better, but....

For the distances you are talking, a drop bar road bike might be more comfortable. You get more hand positions, and the levers/shifters are in a more natural position than on a flat bar bike. You can get onto the drops at higher speed and save energy through better aerodynamics.

Since you're looking at high end flat bars, a drop bar roadie is going to be in your price bracket. Don't buy a flat bar just because that's what you're used to - I am a recent convert to drops and am finding longer rides far better than they ever used to be, I suffered from some wrist discomfort (RSI) previously with 20-50km rides on flat bars.
+1

G'Day Keith :)

For those distances, definitely look at a drop bar unless your back has issues with the idea.

Giant and Avanti are both great brands, (I'm a Giant pilot BTW :wink: ) it's really a case of test ride and buying the one that makes you think "YES!" Don't ask us to define "YES" Greater minds have failed too. :lol:

Have a blast finding out mate, don't forget to roll past with a nice piccy when you're done 8)

Shaun

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:24 pm
by europa
Welcome to the nuthouse Keith. We try to keep the mtb people under some sort of control, though you wouldn't think it sometimes :roll:

Avanti or Giant? They are both good brands, buy the bike you fall in love with.

I agree with the others that an mtb is not really bike for the sort of rides you propose, unless you are going to be doing many of them on the dirt eg, fire track explorations. However, an mtb with slicks will easily do 100km rides too. A mountain bike has a very upright seating postion (catches the wind that that aerodynamic drag is the greatest force you have to overcome), tend to be heavier than any road bike of equivalent price, and fatter wheels (aero drag and effort) - they are designed to ride dirt tracks, not paved roads.

While I personally would choose a drop bar bike to do those sorts of distances, hybrids will also do them quite comfortably though at modest speeds. The hybrid will give you an upright seating position similar to an mtb, but are lighter and have more road orientated wheels - basically, they are more efficient on the road than an mtb and have quite a dirt road capability too.

You do NOT need a hybrid or an mtb to ride on unpaved road - I ride my Trek520 touring bike on dirt bike tracks, but they are smooth dirt tracks, I've got an mtb for the rough stuff.

If going for a drop bar bike, which is the most efficient on the road, you do NOT have to go for a pseudo racer - for example, Trek's Pilot range have drop bar bikes in what is a fast hybrid, or you could go for a touring bike such as the Mongoose Randonneur, similar to a racer but with a more comfortable position and tougher wheels.

Bit more thinking involved methinks, but despite all that, a Giant OCR3 will do what you want and you'll have a hell of a blast doing it, or any of a lot of other bikes.

Remember, buy the bike you fall in love with - you'll ride her further and more often :D

Richard

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:46 pm
by Mulger bill
europa wrote:We try to keep the MTB people under some sort of control, though you wouldn't think it sometimes :roll:
You'll need a bigger worm than that :wink:
europa wrote:I've got an mtb for the rough stuff.
See above quote by europa, it's hard to slap yourself down :twisted:

Shaun

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:59 pm
by europa
Shaun, you can be as rude as you like, but us elderly gentlecyclists have a different daffinition of 'rough stuff' to you younger bucks **pokes tongue out**

Richard

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:05 am
by Mulger bill
All right then, you didn't need the worm :oops:

Shaun

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:05 am
by Keithb
Thanks for your input guys - I'll have a rethink and let you know what I get. It won't be for a few weeks probably as I live in the country, so will have to make couple of visits to a big town.

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:44 am
by drevil
Hi Keithb

I was in a similar situation to you recently. I was riding a hybrid which was good, but I wanted to increase my distances and my overall speed. I looked at a flatbar road bike, but after visiting many shops, talking to heaps of people and doing the usual on-line research, I decided on a drop bar rodie.

Last week I took posession of a Giant OCR2, which is pretty much entry level except it has carbon forks & seatpost. I have only done about 35m on it so far, but I love it.

I went with the drop bar mainly because of the comfort factor on longer rides and the seating position. Definately worth a look.

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:02 pm
by Mulger bill
drevil wrote: Last week I took posession of a Giant OCR2, which is pretty much entry level except it has carbon forks & seatpost. I have only done about 35m on it so far, but I love it.
Guess who's gonna have a blast! :D

Shaun
showing bias again

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:06 pm
by Kalgrm
Guess who would have had a bigger blast had he bought a recumbent? 8) :twisted:

Cheers,
Graeme

(also showing bias ....)

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:57 pm
by triode12
My main ride is an 07 CRX1 and while it is not a bad bike. I would look at a late 80s/90s vintage steel (Cr Mo) roadie instead.

I just picked up a nice early 80s Kuwahara roadie off Ebay and it rides so much nicer (& more comfortable) than the Alu CRX1 even with it's original and worn components. And it weighs about the same as the CRX1, and will be a lot lighter with modern components/wheels. The BB feels stiffer than the one of the CRX1.

The only catch is finding a bike on Ebay in your size and perhaps having to spend another $5-700 on a new groupset (e.g. Shimano 105 or Ultegra off www.probikekit.com) and a set of new wheels (Shimano 550 - $269 from Cell bikes) and yr LBS to put it all together ($150-200).

But if you do pick up one with serviceble parts and wheels, then all that would be needed would be a full service (complete overhaul) at your LBS and a set of new tubes & tyres.

Thinking about it now, I wish I had bought a used steel roadie first off. I probably wouldn't have purchased the CRX1.

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:23 pm
by LuckyPierre
I agree with the sentiment that's coming out here (being nearly as biased towards the 'retro' end of town as europa and 531db), but you do see some funny things crop up on eBay - have a look at this. I wish I was the one who sold it to them! :wink:

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:10 pm
by Aushiker
LuckyPierre wrote:I agree with the sentiment that's coming out here (being nearly as biased towards the 'retro' end of town as europa and 531db), but you do see some funny things crop up on eBay - have a look at this. I wish I was the one who sold it to them! :wink:
Seems the seller does know if it was brought or a gift either! Also love the comment about the car!

Andrew

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:13 pm
by Bnej
"I was given these pants and shoes as a gift, but never use them as I have a car"

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:15 pm
by Aushiker
And there is this from late last year. Makes you wonder...

Andrew

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:13 pm
by GaryF
Giant or Avanti - I would go for a Giant. They're the biggest bike manufacturer in the world and they make frames for the likes of Bianchi. If they're good enough for Bianchi they're good enough for me.

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:20 pm
by gururug
Anything goes wrong with an Avanti (warranty) the bits have to be sent backt o the manufaturer for a decision on wether or not they are covered by warranty. This is what the LBS who sold me my avanti told me anyway.

I like my avanti but if giant have a better return / warranty procedure i would lean toward the giant also.

Buy from a bike shop who has gone the distance for you. Not the one with the most words and smiles "before" you buy the bike. (reputation, reputation, reputation.)

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:41 pm
by Bnej
gururug wrote:Anything goes wrong with an Avanti (warranty) the bits have to be sent backt o the manufaturer for a decision on wether or not they are covered by warranty. This is what the LBS who sold me my avanti told me anyway.
Same procedure for any manufacturer. They have to check if it is a defect (covered) or wear-and-tear/abuse/damage (not covered). Some manufacturers might send a rep who will take pictures to be sent back.

Some people abuse their bikes horribly then expect it to be covered.