Advice for beginner buying a Hybrid - Giant vs Specialized

Distorted Vision

Hi,

I'm new to cycling and you'll notice to this forum. I am looking at purchase a hybrid bike and was looking at models:
Giant Roam 0 2015 and Specialized Crosstrail Elite Comp 2015.

My last bike was Raleigh mountain bike which was my Christmas present when I was 11 years old - I'm now 36!
The new bike will be for 80% road usage and 20% for off-road. Nothing that serious off-road just dirt paths etc. I'm 5ft 9" and heavy build.

The Giant and Specialized are similar prices £725 and £700 respectively. I was wondering what the main differences are between the two? I've not able to find a dealer that has both models. In fact the Giant store in Liverpool said that they wouldn't be getting it until the New Year when Giant will be getting stock themselves but Tredz says they will be getting stock in 2 weeks. My nearest Evan Cycles can order the Specialized in for me to test ride.

I also have a few general questions:

I've found that the price of a lot of models I looked at were exactly the same across all online retailers. Why is this? Do manufacturers not allow discounting? It seemed to me to make more sense to buy from a local dealer for aftersales service as there seemed no advantage to buying online.
Why do Evans not stock Giant?

Many thanks for your help!

PS Apologies if I've posted in the wrong section. There doesn't seem to be a Hybrids sub-forum.

tangled_metal

I have the cheaper sport disc version of the crosstrail. Basically the same frame but different kit on it.

Had it almost a year and it seems to be pretty good for your needs. I basically ride the roads, mixed use cycle paths, canal towpath (mixture of grit or plain mud/grass trail). I haven't really taken it on anything tougher but it seems to me to be capable.

My one concern is my model has a dodgy fork. It is a suntour nexi I think and it has always had a temperamental suspension lock on it. I never bothered much with locking it but recently found out it doesn't lock at all or if it does the first bounce it clicks out of lock. I should have taken it back but really could not be bothered with the drive over to the next town to Evans for a replacement/fix under warranty. The higher spec version you are looking at has a different fork so probably not an issue. IIRC it is also hydraulic lock out on the bars.

I don't know about the Giant because our local Giant stockist shut down a few years back now. I did check out their CX bikes I think and personally never really liked them. That was only personal preference (did like the ridley CXers in the same shop though).

Spesh Crosstrail are made in Cambodia BTW, not sure if that has any implications. Probably means it is made in the same factory as a lot of other makes. Someone in the business said that most of the big brands are made by 1 company (he said Merida or something like that), kind of 3 out of the 4 bigger brands. If that is the case then perhaps it is all down to geometry when you try them. Fit and perference.

Distorted Vision

Thanks Tangled Metal. Are the specifications of the Giant and Specialized similar? I was aware that many brands are made by the same manufacturer. I don't really understand what I should be looking for in the geometry.
Do know retailers all seem to sell at the RRP?