2012 v 2011 models

bigchiefally

Hi,

I am looking to get a simplish bike to commute to work and back with the occasional 20mile ride or so at the weekends. I live at the top of an awful big hill so within my budget my main criteria is the bike being light!

I am looking at the Giant Rapid bikes as I dont really want to use the drop handlebars again.

My question is regarding the difference between the latest models and last years ones. I can get the 2011 models with around 1/3 off the price of the current model. For a limited user like me is there any reason why the 2012 model is worth a 1/3 more? The price difference is such that I could get the Rapid 2 2011 for the same price as a Rapid 4 2012, or instead just get a vastly cheaper Rapid 4 2011.

Ta for your help,

Ali

styxd

No, get the 2011 model

logitech208

Most 2012 bikes I have seen seem to have been downgraded over the 2012 models, My mate has the rapid 2 its a cracking bike I nearly bought one myself but wanted drops.

alihisgreat

bigchiefally wrote:

Hi,

I am looking to get a simplish bike to commute to work and back with the occasional 20mile ride or so at the weekends. I live at the top of an awful big hill so within my budget my main criteria is the bike being light!

I am looking at the Giant Rapid bikes as I dont really want to use the drop handlebars again.

My question is regarding the difference between the latest models and last years ones. I can get the 2011 models with around 1/3 off the price of the current model. For a limited user like me is there any reason why the 2012 model is worth a 1/3 more? The price difference is such that I could get the Rapid 2 2011 for the same price as a Rapid 4 2012, or instead just get a vastly cheaper Rapid 4 2011.

Ta for your help,

Ali

It depends -> sometimes there are significant changes like the frame that do make the newer models worth it.

For example the 2012 Giant Defy has a better frame than the 2011 models.

I would go for drop bars though, even if you don't use the drops that much -> you will still appreciate the option when its windy, as well as the different hand positions on the hoods and tops of the bars.

solosuperia

Mr. Cynic here....It is a fashion thing, they change the colour! Obviously from time to time there are minor changes. Do they improve the bike....Well maybe is it worth athe extra cash I sincerely doubt it.
All my off the shelf mountain bikes over the years were last years model saving a shed load of money
Save your money

Cosmo79

Def get the 2012 I've the 2009 and commute to work 20k great bike for d city

bigchiefally

Thanks for the replies.

If I go for the Giants I actually think I might go for the 2012 models. Main reason for this is that if I buy a 2012 I can get it locally, whereas all the 2011s are to be bought online. When the extra costs of shipping to Northern Ireland (usually £40) extra are factored in, along with the extras being thrown in by the local shop and the further 40% discount coming from the cycle to work scheme the difference between 2011 and 2012 is a lot slimmer.

Any opinions on the choice of bike?

Options seem to be Giant Rapid 4 (£520), Rapid 3 (£600) are up against 2 2011 I have found here Ridgeback Ultraflight 02 (£540) and a Specialised Sirrus Comp 2011 (£499).

Afraid I will be going for the flat bar ALIHISGREAT :-)

ugo.santalucia

Take my advice for what it's worth, but since the introduction of indexed shifting (STI levers) there is nothing really new or innovative. That was in 1992, give or take... so over the past 20 years there hasn't been any significant development in bicycles... let alone between 2011 and 2012... get the cheapest