Scott, Giant or Cannondale? Which to buy?

swelsbyuk

A guy at work wants to take advantage of our cycle to work scheme and has asked my opinion on which he should buy as he knows I ride a bike (I also drive a car, and I know s0d all about them too!)

Can you help me to help him, please? All three bikes are around the same price - £900 / £950 and he will be using it on cycle paths, bridleways etc with the hope of joining us on our Purbeck jaunts in the near future.

The bikes are all 2012 models - the Scott Scale 60, Giant XTC 2 and Cannondale Trail SL1 - links below to all three. Any views welcome.

Scott Scale 60: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec030812

Giant XTC 2: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 343/49897/

Cannondale Trail SL1: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... 0#features

Many thanks

S

EH_Rob

They're all pretty similar I'd say, slight differences in the spec/finishing kits but all three have the same fork and decent quality 3x10 drivetrains. He should try and sit on them and see which feels best, and in all honesty probably which one he likes the look of most.

All three of these are way more bike than is required for bridlepaths, but all three I'm sure are solid bikes that won't let him down should he want to start doing rougher stuff. I have a Cannondale SL3 (so 2 down from the SL1), and although I've upgraded the fork to one beyond the spec of these three bikes, and a few other bits, I took the bike as stock round several red and black routes in Scotland and found that I was the weakness! It handles everything I chuck at it very well.

You might want to ask him if he has budgeted for safety gear such as a helmet, maybe gloves, lights, a few spare bits (inner tubes, pump and the like), clothing and a decent lock - a decent helmet and lock alone could be over £100.

If he hasn't and would like to spend a bit less on the bike, I would suggest he takes a look at the Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon, and the Carrera's at Halfords - he can get all the bike he needs for less money, and can get his accessories on C2W as well. Just a thought though, it's his wonga!

cooldad

Could do better for the money. What shops are you restricted to?

swelsbyuk

Thanks for your imput. Think he is likely to go with the Rockrider instead.