2015 Giant Roam 2 and Liv Rove 2 Hybrid Bike Reviews from Pedal Power in Richmond VA

2015 Liv Rove 2 Hybrid bicycle with lockout front fork suspension

Why choose an on road or off road bike? Go where you want on the Roam and Rove Hybrids

Did the auto industry show the bicycle industry the way. Certainly cars that are perfectly fine for an every day commute with just enough engineering to make them suitable for some off road fun, too, are extremely popular. However the designers got there, there is no doubt about the huge popularity of hybrid bicycles. At Pedal Power, we particularly like the set up on the 2015 Giant Roam 2, and its woman specific cousin, the 2015 Liv Rove 2.

2015 Roam 2 Hybrid bicycle with lockout front fork suspension

The Roam 2 is a nice upgrade from the Roam 3 at very little extra cost. At this price point, the best place to upgrade that will effect daily performance is in the drive train and braking, and that is exactly where Giant has upped the ante.

Both bikes are made from ALUXX grade aluminum. The new aluminum bikes from Giant use amazing new technology that allows the tube to be shaped specifically to meet the needs of the rider. Stiffer, thinner, flatter, rounder, fatter, even egg shaped. As your eye travels along each tube you'll see the shape shifting. Here it is better to reduce weight. Over here it is better to stiffen the ride. And over here it is better to reduce drag by making the tube aerodynamic. Capabilities that once were only possible with expensive hand laid carbon fiber are now standard on bikes under $1000.


When all is said and done, you end up with a bike that is just as suitable for a quick trip to the store or a Sunday ride with friends, as it is for a zipping along trails or doing a little downhill competition. You can even buy a second pair of wheels to make the bike faster on the pavement. Likewise you can buy wheels or just tires that will give you better action off road. 


Come in today and test drive the 2015 Roam 2 or the 2015 Liv Rove 2.

Giant Roam 2 Disc Specifications:
Sizes	S, M, L, XL
Colour	Blue
Frame	ALUXX grade aluminium
Fork	SR Suntour NEX HLO lock-out, 63mm travel
Handlebar	Giant Connect low rise, 31.8mm
Stem	Giant Sport alloy, 15 degree
Seat Post	Giant Sport alloy, 30.9mm
Saddle	Giant Connect Upright
Shifters	Shimano Altus, 27sp
Front Derailleur	Shimano Acera, 34.9mm
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Acera
Brakes	Tektro HDM 290 hydraulic, 160mm
Brake Levers	Tektro HDM 290 hydraulic
Cassette	Shimano HG-200, 11-34T, 9sp
Chain	KMC X9
Crankset	Shimano M371, 26-36-48T
Bottom Bracket	Shimano UN26 sealed
Rims	Giant alloy, double wall
Hubs	Giant alloy disc sealed, 32H
Spokes	Stainless steel, 14g
Tyres	Giant S-RX4, 700 x 40c

 

1904 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
randy@pedalpowerbicycles.com
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com

2015 Giant Defy 1 Road Bike with ALUXX SL-grade aluminum and Composite, Alloy OverDrive steerer

 

The 2015 Giant Defy 1 - So much road bike for such an affordable price

The bicycle industry is talking about the Defy. While most of the attention is on the $10,000 pro model, the good news for the rest of us is that the Alloy version of this bike includes all of the engineering wizardry of the higher priced bikes.

The frame design of the Defy has been winning accolades for years, and the design wasn't changed for the 2015. But improvements were made throughout the bike. In particular the frame tubing is far and away best in class.

In fact, the entire bicycle industry has made massive strides in the construction of aluminum alloy frames, bringing them dangerously close to parity with carbon fiber. Giant, who owns their own factories and forms their own aluminum tubing is at the forefront of this technological revolution with Aluxx alloy tubing. And the Defy is outfitted with SL grade alloy.

ALUXX ADVANTAGE

From the manipulation of atomic grain structures to our advanced forming and welding techniques, Giant has been at the forefront of aluminum engineering for more than 30 years. Today, ALUXX Aluminum Technology represents the pinnacle of alloy performance.

A heritage of craftsmanship combined with unmatched manufacturing capabilities gives Giant the unique ability to monitor every step of the aluminum frame-building process. Through our
cutting-edge materials science, proprietary forming techniques, and attention to detail, we are constantly advancing aluminum performance to create bikes that are lighter, stronger and stiffer. The difference can be felt in the ride. Every aluminum bike bearing the ALUXX Aluminum Technology label must live up to the highest standards and meet the tightest tolerances of any aluminum frame in the world. Here is the skinny:

---

Giant's lightest, state-of-the-art aluminum frameset technology featuring our highest strength-to-weight ratios, most advanced forming methods, and unique welding techniques

Materials

• Exclusively features 6011A alloy for unprecedented strength-to-weight ratio

Forming methods

• State-of-the-art butting results in 20 percent thinner (and lighter) tubes than ALUXX SL
• Features extensive FluidForming (sophisticated manipulation of tubeset shaping via an injection of high-pressure fluid) and some PressForming (basic manipulation of tubeset shaping via direct mechanical pressure)

Welding techniques

Features both Smooth (double-pass weld technique with hand-sanding to reduce stress risers) and Slim (custom-fit tube junctures to decrease weld material) welding techniques for minimal weight, maximum strength and the cleanest aesthetics

The defy one offers the best components package of any bike in this class.

Sizes	XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL
Colors	Black/White/Blue
Frame	ALUXX SL-grade aluminum
Fork	Composite, Alloy OverDrive steerer
Shock	N/A

Components
Handlebar	Giant Connect, 31.8mm
Stem	Giant Sport
Seatpost	Giant D-Fuse, Composite
Saddle	Giant Performance Road
Pedals	Caged w/ toe clip and strap

Drivetrain
Shifters	Shimano 105
Front Derailleur	Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur	Shimano 105
Brakes	Tektro R540
Brake Levers	Shimano 105
Cassette	Shimano 105 11x32, 11-speed
Chain	KMC X11L
Crankset	FSA Gossamer Pro, 34/50
Bottom Bracket	Shimano, Press Fit

Wheels
Rims	Giant P-R2
Hubs	Giant Performance Tracker Road, Sealed bearing, [F] 24h, [R] 28h
Spokes	Sapim Race, 14/15g
Tires	Giant P-R3, Flat Guard Deflect 3, Front and rear specific, 700x25

1904 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
randy@pedalpowerbicycles.com
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com

2015 Liv Avail Advanced 2 by Giant - The Fantastic Reviews Are In

 

2015 is the year that the Liv Avail became a serious racing machine

Giant has created a line of women specific bikes that are branded as Liv. The idea is that they are not a Giant Liv bike. One could say that it is the Liv Line by Giant, as Giant's name is still contained on a decal, and the Liv brand is on the Giant website. This may be distinction without a difference, but the real issue comes down to whether Live is really about the women. On that there seems to be no argument. 

The bicycle industry has primary source for all important information. That is BRAIN magazine. Here is what they had to say:

Liv introduced its 2015 Avail line to media at the event in Scotland. With a goal of making cycling more approachable and appealing to women, Giant recently launched its Liv brand, which is designed, engineered and headed up by women. “Most of the composite frames are made by women as well,” said Amanda Schaper, Liv global marketing coordinator. “So Liv is truly made for women, by women.” 

 Each Liv model is handcrafted by Giant, and a small badge stating that located on the seattube near the bottom bracket is the only reference to the parent company that can be found on the frame. 

Schaper said that Liv is 100 percent committed to the female cyclist, as also proven by the expansion of the Liv soft goods line, which has also been redesigned for 2015.

Female editors attending the event rode the Avail Advanced SL 0. The frame weighs in at less than 900 grams, making it the lightest in the 2015 Liv line. Equipped with Shimano Dura-Ace disc brakes, Di2 shifting, Giant's new SLR 0 disc lightweight carbon wheelset, which it also unveiled, this model is the cream of the Avail crop.  

Many of the Avail Advanced SL's core features are borrowed from the Defy, including the D-fuse seatpost, integrated disc brakes, internal cable routing through one side of the frame and the same thin and flattened seatstays. But the Avail frame is not just a tweaked version of the Defy.

“Instead of taking the men's frame, shrinking the top tube and making the head tube taller and calling it a women's bike, we used three years' worth of body dimension research, feedback from athletes, our target consumers, and our ambassadors to determine the ideal geometry,” said Abby Santurbane, global category manager for Liv. “We also took into consideration the intended usage of the bike to find the ideal body angle.”

Santurbane also said that positive feedback about past iterations of the Avail model led them to only make small changes in the frame geometry, including lowering the top tube for improved standover height. The geometry is optimized for long rides on varied road conditions, with frame seat angles that help put the rider's center of gravity over the bottom bracket and a head tube angle ranging from 70-72 degrees.

 While the Avail Advanced bike range is not just a smaller version of the Defy, the core characteristics, including handling, stiffness, comfort, weight, and components are common to each line. For a complete evaluation of the brother bike to the Avail, see our detailed review of the 2015 Giant Defy Advanced here.

Please come visit us at Pedal Power in Richmond, VA. We will be happy to sit down with you and help you determine which of the Liv bicycles might be perfect for the kind of cycling you have in your future.




1904 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
randy@pedalpowerbicycles.com
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com

2015 Giant Defy Advance 1 Road Bike Reviews Are Stunning!

The all new 2105 Giant Defy Advance 1 provides tested best-of-class in weight and stiffness

—Defy Advanced 1: Carbon-fiber frame, mechanical disc brakes, D-Fuse seatpost, Shimano Ultegra 6800 mechanical, TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, Giant S-R2 rims

The stats don't begin to tell the story of the huge revision Giant has put into the new Defy line. Over the years, Defy has been about basic built for comfort and practical road use. With the changes in 2015, the Defy may be more comfortable and practical than ever, but there is nothing basic about it.

The engineers opted to go 100% disc on the advanced carbon-fiber frame end of the line. The chose to stay with quick release rather than move to through axles, feeling that grabbing mountain bike axles wasn't the answer, and preferring to wait until there was more clarity on the road bike standards.

Bicycling.com says:

Giant calls the Defy an endurance road bike—I’m not so sure that such classification is necessary. Much like modern trail bikes are to the world of knobby tires, the Defy seems to me to be a bike you’d choose to ride on almost any ride, any day, on any terrain, and feel confident and comfortable the whole time. 

Specifically, they point out that:

The New Defy Design
The tube shapes are different, subtly in some places and more dramatically in others. The old aero-shape seatmast (or seatpost, depending on the model is gone in favor of a
flat-backed profile Giant calls D-Fuse, which first saw use on the TCX cyclocross model. The seatstays narrow to gossamer thinness, and attach lower down the seat tube to help prevent vibration from traveling up to the saddle.

 The trick on this bike was to come up with lightness, stiffness, and still get performance and comfort that this bike is noted for.

RoadBikeReview.com interviewed Jon Swansan, global road category manager:

Weight was also a huge design driver. Swanson says the top end frame is the lightest road frame Giant has ever produced. “The perception is that with road disc you have to pay a weight penalty,” said Swanson. “We approached it as how do we offset that weight. And we actually dropped 50 grams on our top end frames, which is pretty significant when you see our competition having to add 40-50 grams to get disc tabs on.”

That weight was shed in part by using hollowed carbon dropouts, eliminating the brake bridge, and generally minimizing the need for reinforcement frame material by reducing the number of holes in the carbon frame. The front brake hose is routed externally; all other cables/hoses go into one side of the frame because when you punch a hole in frame you have to add weight with reinforcing material. Instead Giant made a single slightly larger hole on the non-driveside.

 Giant took this bike to the lab against it's most relevant competitors. They looked at weight, stiffness, and compliance, where compliance is the comfort to feet, hands, and rear end. The lower the amount of vibration that comes from the road, through the bike, to the three points of contact on the bike, the better for comfort in a longer ride.

As you can see, the Defy handily beat the others in both weight and stiffness.

When it came to compliance, the best number was chalked up by Cannondale's Synapse. However, if you look at the stiffness data above on that same model, you'll see that the bike performed very poorly in that category, apparently preferring to compromise on the side of comfort.

Giant Defy Advanced 1 Road Bike Review in RoadBikeReview.com

Giant Defy Advanced 1 Road Bike

4.77/5

(13 Reviews)

MSRP : $3700.00

Product Description

Burn up the pavement with amazing speed on Giant's Defy Advanced 1. But wait, did we mention it's one of the most comfortable road bikes you'll find...

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Brooke Willson a Recreational Rider

Date Reviewed: August 25, 2014

Strengths:    Components, frame, comfort, price

Weaknesses:    Only that I need to lose 40 pounds to do this bike justice

Bottom Line:   

I'd been waiting to lose more weight before upgrading from my 2009 Trek 2.3 (Shimano 105), believing that I just couldn't justify riding a CF bike until I was lighter myself. Upon retirement, I finally took the plunge on the blue 2014 XL Defy Advanced 1 that had been sitting in my LBS for the last nine months waiting for me. I still need to lose the weight, but . . . oh my goodness, what an incredible bike!

First, and most importantly, in my dotage I've decided that all other things being equal, SERVICE is the difference in buying anything important and/or expensive. One of the reasons I bought the Giant is because that's what my favorite Richmond, VA bike store -- Pedal Power Bikes -- sells. It's not the biggest LBS in Richmond, but Randy, Sean, Travis, and Latane know me by name and give me the frequent flyer discount. They never try to sell me more than I really need. If I have a problem, I know they're going to resolve it quickly and well.

That being said, after spending a year researching classic/plush/endurance road bikes, it was clear to me that Giants are consistently specced better than similarly priced bikes. I suspect that's because Trek, Scott, and the other bikes actually made by Giant have to pay Giant for the frame, so they cut corners on the components to match Giant's prices. That shows up especially in cranksets, wheels, saddles, and handlebars. The Defy Advanced is 100% Ultegra gruppo, a CF seatpost supporting a Fizik Aliante pro-level saddle. I did move my FSA Wing Pro handlebar upgrade from my Trek to the Defy, but that's the only upgrade I felt I had to make. If you're comparing the Defy Advanced to similarly priced bikes, look carefully at the components. Trust me, a FSA crank does NOT shift as well as an Ultegra. Trek's stock saddles are horrible. Compare apples to apples.

Riding this bike is just astonishing. Once I got the fit dialed in by putting a shorter stem on it, the bike "disappeared beneath me." That's a cliche from bike magazine reviews, but once in a while cliches are true. The day after I bought the bike I rode the same 30 mile loop I rode the day before I bought the bike. I was 1.1 mph faster on the Defy Advanced. Not only did I climb hills faster, I descended hills faster. I can explain the first, but not the second. More importantly, at the end of the ride I wasn't worn out by the road buzz from my old aluminum frame. From my hands to my butt, I felt so much better I couldn't believe it.

The Ultegra group is wonderful. Shifts are crisper and quicker than 105, with shorter lever throws and less effort. The brakes are everything I could ask for and more.

I was amazed at the out-of-the-box comfort of the Fizik Aliante saddle. On the Trek, I went through three saddles before finding one I could live with (Bontrager Affinity RL). I have no need to swap out this saddle, and it gets better with every ride.

I see that Giant is tweaking the frame for 2015, and going all-out on disk brakes. Obviously, they know something about the UCI. My recommendation is that unless you really need disk brakes, and your ego requires the latest-and-greatest of everything, don't hesitate to snatch the current Defy Advanced while you can. As the British would say, this bike is brilliant.

Favorite Ride:   Ashland, VA area

Price Paid:    $2900.00

Purchased At:   Pedal Power Bikes, 1904 Staples Mill Rd. Richmond VA 23230
(804) 658-2126

www.pedalpowerbicycles.com

Similar Products Used:   2009 Trek 2.3

Bike Setup:   Full Ultegra gruppo, FSA Wing Pro Compact handlebar, Shimano PD-A520 (SPD) pedals, Continental Gatorskin tires




1904 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
randy@pedalpowerbicycles.com
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com

2015 Giant Talon 27.5 3 Review - Light, Quick, and "Playful"

The 27.5 compromise - "playful" results for the Giant Talon

Also called 650B, the new wheelsize and accompanying smaller lighter frame provides the greater stability and confidence of a the larger wheels, while creating a more "playful" feel. Don't take our word for it. Here is how BikeRadar.com reviewed the Giant Talon 27.5 3:

The Talon 4 was our first experience with a 650B wheeled bike at this price point, and we liked the outcome. 

650B makes a lot of sense at the budget price point – it provides a lighter feeling and more playful ride compared to a 29er, while still providing greater control to 26in wheeled bikes.

 Ride and handling: handling and control beyond its price

The Talon 4 is an entry-level bike that’s full of surprises. Taking the Talon off-road, we were immediately surprised by its confident handling and playful ride nature. We’d previously ridden the Talon 29er and found it slow to accelerate and hard to throw around, but the 27.5 does away with these traits.
It was sprightly and easy to get up to speed, yet never felt twitchy. This characteristic made the Talon a joy to ride, encouraging us to find the limits of the tyres in and out of every corner. Large volume tyres meant it didn’t feel harsh – they numbed much of the trails buzz. 

While the entire lineup of Talon's offer great performance, we suspect that the Giant Talon 3 will be the choice of most Pedal Power customers. We believe that the better drive train offering, with Shimano HG20 11x34, 9-speed casette and FSA Dynadrive, 22/32/44 crankset, makes it well worth a few extra bucks compared to the Giant Talon 4.  Besides, you can also buy the 3 in Yellow! What more could you ask?

Giant shows off their amazing proprietary aluminum frame design capabilities on the Talon. Giant opts to increase lateral stiffness in the headset and bottom-bracket areas, which helps to make the ride even feel more nimble.

Here are the complete specs:

Frame
Sizes	S, M, L, XL
Colors	Black/Red, Yellow
Frame	ALUXX-grade aluminum
Fork	SR Suntour XCM w/ hydraulic lockout & preload adjuster, 100mm travel
Shock	N/A

Components
Handlebar	Giant Connect XC, Low rise, 31.8mm
Stem	Giant Sport
Seatpost	Giant Sport, 30.9mm
Saddle	Giant Connect, Upright
Pedals	MTB Caged

Drivetrain
Shifters	Shimano Altus
Front Derailleur	Shimano Altus
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Alivio
Brakes	Tektro Auriga, Hydraulic disc, 160mm
Brake Levers	Tektro Auriga
Cassette	Shimano HG20 11x34, 9-speed
Chain	KMC X9
Crankset	FSA Dynadrive, 22/32/44
Bottom Bracket	FSA sealed

Wheels
Rims	Giant Alloy, Double wall
Hubs	Giant Tracker Sport Disc, 32h
Spokes	Stainless Steel, 14g
Tires	Giant Sport, 27.5x2.1

1904 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
randy@pedalpowerbicycles.com
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com

2015 Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 1 Review — Pedal Power Bicycles

The Fastest Way to Conquer Technical Trails. Stay Smooth Through Roots, Rocks and Ruts.

This composite Trance Advanced 27.5 is light, agile, and built to go fast on technical trails. Developed with input from Giant’s champion enduro pros, the Advanced-grade composite frame is engineered specifically for 27.5, the ideal wheel size for all-around trail capabilities. With 5.5-inches/140mm of smooth Maestro rear suspension, as well as an OverDrive steerer tube and a PowerCore bottom bracket for steering precision and pedaling stiffness, it’s an all-around trail slayer that climbs as well as it descends. Frame details include internal cable routing, integrated downtube protection and ISCG-05 chain guide compatibility.






"So how does it stack up on the trail? From the get-go, this is a bike that lights up as well as a lot of race machines as soon as you brace against the pedals and give it some gas. The relatively long chainstay and sensitive start stroke keep the rear wheel locked onto the ground and the impact deadening, traction boosting 27mm wide carbon rims are easy to convert to tubeless.

While it sprints and floats over rises and jumps like a cross-country bike, the Trance comes into its own when things get fast and loose. The basic looking Giant dropper seatpost is the only component that looks a bit out of place, but it gets the seat out of the way fine and it takes most restrictions on technical line choice or entry speed with it."
 - Bikeradar

Don't take our word for it, come by today to check out our full line of Giant Bikes and much much more!




1904 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 658-2126
randy@pedalpowerbicycles.com
www.pedalpowerbicycles.com