Giant Rapid 4

Ravinder15

Hi,

This is only my second ever post so please go easy on me!

Looking to upgrade my old Freespirit Albany
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freespirit-Alba ... B001GHHRWU

To a Faster, Lighter and Higher Quality Bike. I have been looking at the Giant Rapid 4 which is £450 and can purchase it through the cycletoworkscheme so should get around 40% off the RRP.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 866/38976/

The bike would be used purely for commuting to and from work with the odd weekend ride for fun.
My daily commute is around 8 miles (4 Miles each way).

I did intially look at the Giant Expression and CRS but don't think they will as quick or as fun as the Rapid 4

I would greatly appreciate any advice or experience that anyone has had with the Giant Rapid 4.

Many Thanks

Rav

DonDaddyD

From experience and once in the same situation as you I would say buy the Giant Defy 4, 3.5 or 3.

I had a Giant Escape M2 (mountain bike hybrid with disc brakes and slick tyres).

I wanted something faster over longer distances and was first immediately lured by the CRS and FCR (the predecessor of to the Rapid, both are flat bar road bikes).

I bought the road bike equivalent, a Giant SCR3 it was exactly what I wanted. A bike that could go fast comfortably over long distances, thus opening up weekend rides for me. I haven't looked back.

Ravinder15

Thanks DonDaddyD.

I have also thought about the Defy 4 drop handle road bike

I will be riding primarily in town and like the more upright position of the flat bars. I'm a little worried about the riding position of drop bars, are they comfortable for you back etc and looking around to see traffic etc?

I thought the Rapid 4 was a good compromise as it's essentially a road bike with flat handlebars.

Just want to make sure I make the right decision as I will be keeping the bike for a long time.

Your views are very much appreciated

Rav

UndercoverElephant

Give them both a try. Drop-bars take a little getting used to, but come the first headwind, you'll be glad you did.

DonDaddyD

A few misconceptions I'll clear up - found out from experience because others like to buy into those misconceptions.

Ravinder15 wrote:

Thanks DonDaddyD.

I have also thought about the Defy 4 drop handle road bike

I will be riding primarily in town and like the more upright position of the flat bars.

Features:

AluxX SL aluminium, Fluid Formed frame
CroMo fork
Wide-range 24 speed Shimano shifting with FSA Tempo triple crankset
Giant Sport Road rims, Formula hubs/stainless spokes, wheelset
SIZES: S (46.5cm), M (50cm), M/L (53.5cm), L (55.5cm), XL (58.5cm)
COLOUR: Silver/White/Black



Features:

AluxX SL aluminium, Fluid Formed frame
16 speed Shimano 2300 shifting
Alloy stem, Kenda Kriterium tyres
Giant Sport Road rim, Formula hubs/stainless spokes, wheelset
SIZES: XS (43cm), S (46.5cm), M (50cm), M/L (53.5cm), L (55.5cm), XL (58.5cm)
COLOUR: Silver/White/Black

Same frame, different bars and on the Rapid I'd argue lesser gears and brakes. With drop handlebars you can replicate the same riding position as the flat bars. Tust me on this I had the same reservations and I found that revelation to be quickly true.

The Defy, like the Rapid, SCR and FCR gives you quite an upright ride.

little worried about the riding position of drop bars, are they comfortable for you back etc and looking around to see traffic etc?

Coming from flat bars and getting cramp in my hands with them I personally find drop bars more comfortable. The extra hand positions means you can rotate your shoulders, move your arms and reposition your back into different positions making the ride more comfortable.

I thought the Rapid 4 was a good compromise as it's essentially a road bike with flat handlebars.

I thought the same, in short it's not. Hybrids of the mountain bike frame and slick tyres variety work as you retain the agility of the frame and add a little more speed with slick tyres larger wheels. Rigid road bike and rigid riding position bought about by flat bars don't make a good comprimise. It's ok in a straight line, headwind not withstanding - descending, climbing, leaning into corners all rigid all wooden.

Just want to make sure I make the right decision as I will be keeping the bike for a long time.

Best thing you can do is go to the shop and try them out.

Your views are very much appreciated

Rav

Thanks


Serious go to your local bike shop (not a chain shop) try a bunch.

Ravinder15

Thanks DonDaddyD

Really appreciate your knowledgable advice.

These are the answers I was looking for before taking the plunge. I am seriously going to consider going with the Defy 4 now.

I will go down to my LBS and try some Road Bikes out.

Thank You for you helpful advice

Cheers

Rav

the_prophet

have you got a giant / zero g store near you? Ive recently bought a defy 2 and they were really very helpful when i did. they were explaining to me the differences etc between the two bikes you mention. could be worth looking at where the nearest one to you is if your only looking at the Giant Range.

The defy is a cracking bike though, i'm loving mine. first road bike for me.

Just checked and the zero g stores ive mentioned are specific to bristol only

here's a list of the other giant dealers though which may help

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/dea ... ode=&gbs=1

DonDaddyD

Ravinder15 wrote:

Thanks DonDaddyD

Really appreciate your knowledgable advice.

These are the answers I was looking for before taking the plunge. I am seriously going to consider going with the Defy 4 now.

I will go down to my LBS and try some Road Bikes out.

Thank You for you helpful advice

Cheers

Rav

If you can try other makes as well Trek, Bianci, Cannondale, Specialized. If not Giant is absolutely fine.

If you want to go for a flat bar road bike try out a Specialized Sirrus.

Let us know how you get on!

Ravinder15

the_prophet wrote:

have you got a giant / zero g store near you? Ive recently bought a defy 2 and they were really very helpful when i did. they were explaining to me the differences etc between the two bikes you mention. could be worth looking at where the nearest one to you is if your only looking at the Giant Range.

The defy is a cracking bike though, i'm loving mine. first road bike for me.

Just checked and the zero g stores ive mentioned are specific to bristol only

here's a list of the other giant dealers though which may help

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/dea ... ode=&gbs=1

Thanks Prophet, Appreciate the Link

Rav

Greg T

The size of bike is important. Going to a bike shop where they'll fit you correctly is key.

Where are you?

Ravinder15

DonDaddyD wrote:

Ravinder15 wrote:

Thanks DonDaddyD

Really appreciate your knowledgable advice.

These are the answers I was looking for before taking the plunge. I am seriously going to consider going with the Defy 4 now.

I will go down to my LBS and try some Road Bikes out.

Thank You for you helpful advice

Cheers

Rav

If you can try other makes as well Trek, Bianci, Cannondale, Specialized. If not Giant is absolutely fine.

If you want to go for a flat bar road bike try out a Specialized Sirrus.

Let us know how you get on!

Thanks DonDaddyD


I Live in Bedford where there are a couple of really good bike shops specialising in Trek, Bianci, Specialized and Giant. I will try as many bike as I can.

Will defo let you know what I end up getting.

Many Thanks

Rav

UndercoverElephant

Greg T wrote:

The size of bike is important. Going to a bike shop where they'll fit you correctly is key.

Where are you?

For God's sake, Rav, don't answer that one. GregT's "fitting" sessions are well known round these parts. I still have the nightmares. :oops:

Ravinder15

Greg T wrote:

The size of bike is important. Going to a bike shop where they'll fit you correctly is key.

Where are you?

Hi Greg,

I'm in Bedford so will go to either Transition Bikes or Priory Marina Cycling.

Thanks

Rav

Greg T

UndercoverElephant wrote:

For God's sake, Rav, don't answer that one. GregT's "fitting" sessions are well known round these parts. I still have the nightmares. :oops:

Too late for regrets now Shirley.

Love to the wife by the way.

UndercoverElephant

Greg T wrote:

Too late for regrets now Shirley.

Love to the wife by the way.

I don't know how it happened, one minute he was measuring the circumference of my thighs and asking me about Gladiator movies, explaining that the cupping was all part of the fitting process, then he asked me if I wanted a drink. That's all I remember.

Still, when I could sit on a saddle again, the bike was expertly set up.

Greg T

Ravinder15 wrote:

I'm in Bedford so will go to either Transition Bikes or Priory Marina Cycling.

Not my patch Old Boy but I'm sure someone will rate them.

It's important to get the right frame size and not just the bike they want out of the shop.

I've tended to be offered 54cm bikes when my body shape (short and fat) fits a 52 much better - it was a revelation when i finally got a bike that fitted me.

Greg T

UndercoverElephant wrote:

I don't know how it happened, one minute he was measuring the circumference of my thighs and asking me about Gladiator movies, explaining that the cupping was all part of the fitting process, then he asked me if I wanted a drink. That's all I remember.

Still, when I could sit on a saddle again, the bike was expertly set up.

Don't you just love Ben Hur?

Alinshearah

I have a FCN 4 (which is the old model Rapid). Great bike and love it for commuting, etc. I was also concerned about using drops in the Defy version as I had never been on a road bike. However, now that I built up experience and speed, I wish I made the leap and went for the Defy straight off.

Ravinder15

Alinshearah wrote:

I have a FCN 4 (which is the old model Rapid). Great bike and love it for commuting, etc. I was also concerned about using drops in the Defy version as I had never been on a road bike. However, now that I built up experience and speed, I wish I made the leap and went for the Defy straight off.

Thanks Alinshearah,

Great to hear your view on this subject.
I was so close to getting the Rapid 4 really glad I posted on here as it's great to learn from others experiences.

Rav