Giant Rainier vs GT Avalanche 2.0 vs Giant Terrago

mzungu74

Hi All,

I was pretty convinced I was going to buy the GT Avlanche 2.0 having had a read on the forums and around the web. However I popped into my local Dales cycles at the weekend and the chap was really trying to put me off it- said the quality of the components was not that great, and that for my budget (£400) the Giant Rainier was way better. I had a shot of the Giant, enjoyed it, but am still not convinced. There does not seem to be that much about the Rainier, though the Terrago (which i have not been on) seems to have good reviews.

I'm confused now and would like some assistance!

Thanks

M74

Cheese Merchant

Hi Mzungu74,

About to purchase my first MB myself m8. Was that Dales in Dobbies Loan, Glasgow? I've been keeping an eye on the Ranier myself for a couple of weeks now - until this weekend the price was £350, but now it's rocketed up to £400 which is making me think twice.

Phone Dales about it this morning and he confirmned the price increase by the manufacturer, nothing to do with Dales he insisted, but a look on the web this morning confirmed other sellers are still advertising at £350 which makes me dubious. The guy did give me the heads up about a forthcoming 20% price reduction for the Giant XTC 4.5 2008 - due to come down later this week he thought to £400 mark from current £500, if you're not in a hurry.

Plenty of other competion when you get to the £400 mark - I'm now looking at the Cannondale F6 Disc 2008 advertised by Evans (one in Braehead) for £359 reduced from £439 and still has hydraulic brakes. they also have a GT avalanche 3.0 Disc 2008 for £299 and a Pinnacle peak 2.0 at £299 reduced from £399 which I'm considering.

Bit cheesed of by Dales - it's a big jump £350 to £400, especially in this economic climate.

Good luck anyway m8

supersonic

All represent good value, the new breed of £400 bikes with hydro disc brakes. The salesman is a little off the mark with his comments though, the spec on the GT is better than the Rainier, ie fork, cranks and a couple of other areas.

A few others have increased their prices too - most manufacturers are doing this with new releases, and Ginat sometimes release two bikes annually.

I'd try the bikes out.

justresting

I have a terrago which I'm very pleased with cost me £400 about 3months ago I think the rrp was about £440 then

mzungu74

Thanks for all the advice.

Cheese Merchant- yep it was indeed Dales in Dobbies Loan- how did you guess that?!

I liked the Rainier, but was just a bit taken by the salesmans anti GT rant. Going to go have a shot of the Avalanche 2.0 in Gear later this week.

Had a look in Evans- their sales is okay actually. Think might pick up some shorts and stuff there.

Only problem now is I am waiting for my work to sign up to Cyclescheme- been dragging on for ages, and worried the prices will go up by the time i get round to buying my bike!

Any more advice/suggestions always welome.

M74

Cheese Merchant

I'm waiting on my employer signing up for Cycle to Work as well , Caledonian Uni. They too have been taking their time to decide whether to join the scheme, although I understand it's now gone out to tender and 4 companies are being considered.

I'll try to wait until the end of September if I can, but desperatly fighting the urge to just go out and purchase one over the next couple of weeks - heard Alpine bikes have a sale coming up this weekend if that's any good to you m8.

mzungu74

Cheese Merchant-
If i was you, i would try and get involved in the planning of the cycle scheme at the uni- I'm based at a college in glasgow, and we almost signed up to the Halfords one last month- don't let that happen!

As far as I am aware, there are basically 3 schemes:
1. Halfords Cycle2Work
2. Evans Ride2Work
3. Cyclescheme- which pretty much covers all other bike shops.

You can only sign up to one, so if Caley sign up to Halfords then everyone has to buy their bike through Halfords...which for many reasons is not ideal at all.
The cyclescheme one is by far the best as it covers so many shops, and of course the after sales service and buying advice a Local bike shop is way way better than Halfords.


Also, had a chat with one of the lads in a cycle lane in Cathcart- told him about the long delay in the college signing up to the cycle scheme, and he offered me a 10% discount if i didn't want to wait any more...worth a try elsewhere I reckon too. Had a shot of the Avalanche 2.0- convinced this is the bike for me now.

Let me know how you get on- one of us will be the first college/uni in Glasgow (and maybe even Scotland) to offer the scheme!

M74

Cheese Merchant

M74 - thanks for the info. Not sure how much attention to me those higher up will pay, but I'll pass on your comments about the 3 different schemes. I've heard to enough to warn the about Halfords so we'll see what happens. I've to check progress on the scheme mid September, but I've a strong feeling I'll crack before then and purchase one myself so your 10% infor was useful.

I'm getting a bit confused by all the choices in the £350-£400 bracket. If the Giant XTC 4.5 comes down in price to £400 then I'll go for that - had a look at it in Dales today and it looks/feels the business. If not, your Avalanche 2 Disc looks a good contender as well (£360 online from Wiggle 08 version, or £360 online from Paul's Cycles, 07 version) but the Rainier and the Terrago still in my thoughts - then again you've got the Cannonadale 2's in Evans. Arghhhhh.


Thanks again,
David