Which is the better spec, choice of two

andy9964

So, I've sort of narrowed my choice of new bike down to two.
Boardman Hybrid Team £749 and Giant Escape RX Disc £679
Im assuming the Boardman is a better spec, due to being a few quid more, and that they are generally regarded as being well equipped for the price. But how much better than the Giant is it, as it'll really be pushing my price limit

Links and spec's copied below

Cheers

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... pping#tab2


Forks: Full unidirectional carbon front fork with carbon steerer.
Frame: Lightweight 6061 triple butted aluminium frame with tapered headtube
Frame Colour: Grey
Frame Material: Alloy
Gender: Mens
Headset: FSA 1 1/8 - 1.5 Aheadset
Hubs: Formula 32 hole Q/R disc hub
Rims: 700c Ritchey Pro double wall black 32 hole disc rim with CNC braking surface
Tyre size: 28c
Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro 700 x 28c rigid black
Wheel Size: 700c
Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Chainset: FSA Gossamer compact crank 50/34T
Front Brake: Avid juicy 3 hydraulic disc brake 160mm rotor
Front Mech: Microshift
Gear Shifters: SRAM S700 2x10
Gears: 16-20
Handle Bars: Boardman 31.8mm alloy low-rise
Number of Gears: 20
Pedals: Wellgo alloy body fitted with toe clips & straps
Rear Brake: Avid juicy 3 hydraulic disc brake 160mm rotor
Rear Mech: SRAM Apex
Saddle: Boardman black with cro-moly rails
Seatpost: Boardman 350mm x 31.6mm black alloy
Stem: Boardman black alloy 31.8mm
Approximate Weight (KG): 9.79
Frame Size: 21-22
Cassette: 11-28T
Exact Frame Size: 21"
Geometry: Performance/Sports


http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Escape-RX ... _56279.htm


The Giant Escape RX Disc 2013 Features are:

Frame: ALUXX SL Aluminium, Fluid FormingTM 

Fork: Carbon Composite, aluminium steerer 

Bars: Giant Sport, Flat 31.8 

Stem: Giant SPORT, 31.8 

Speed: 27 

Front Mech: Shimano Alivio 

Rear Mech: Shimano Alivio 

Chainset: Shimano Alivio 48/36/26

Bottom Bracket: Shimano ES25, Octalink

Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-32, 9s

Chain: KMC X9

Front Brake: Tektro HDC300 hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors 

Rear Brake: Tektro HDC300 hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors 

Rims: Giant GX-02 

Front Hub: Formula F32h 

Rear Hub: Formula R32h 

Spokes: Stainless steel black 

Tyres: Giant All-Condition road tire, 700x28c Front Giant All-Condition road tire, 700x28c Rear

Seatpost: Giant Sport forged 27.2x375 

corshamjim

I don't know, but if the Boardman has disc brakes, then it shouldn't matter that the rims have "CNC braking surface".

BelgianBeerGeek

Don't know where you live, but the Giant has a much wider range of gears, which could be useful if it's hilly. And the Boardman seems to be more of a hotchpotch with SRAM and micro shift etc.
Giant bikes are usually pretty well sorted, and it's cheaper! I'd go for the Giant.

supersonic

Not too much in it, but I bet the Giant is a couiple of pounds heavier.

andy9964

To be honest, I was leaning more towards the Giant. Can't quite put my finger on why, maybe just like the look of it more. There's also the price factor, and it'll be from a LBS where I can get a test ride, whereas (I believe) Halfords don't allow
Wider gear range will come in handy if I do choose the hilly routes. Don't think the weight will be too much of an issue as my current bike is around 35 lbs (Specialized Hardrock ) plus add ons

You can never have too many braking options