Giant Rove

[BKinCO]

Thinking of buying this SOON. I'll be riding lots of hills with easy off road trails. Would appreciate feedback from anyone familiar with this particular bike!!

Thanks,
BKinCO

[ny biker]

It might help if you could provide a link to information about this particular bike.

[BKinCO]

Thanks for the comments!

Here are the specs and a link if anyone cares to weigh in. I'll be riding steep paved roads with some packed mud/gravel roads.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/rove.0/14858/66249/

Women/X-ROAD/Sport/Adventure/Rove/Rove 0Back to the overview
ROVE 0 $980

FRAME
Sizes XS, S, M, L
Colors Matte Black/Gloss Black/Gloss Pink
Frame ALUXX-grade aluminum
Fork SR Suntour SF11 NCX D, lockout, 63mm travel
Shock N/A
COMPONENTS
Handlebar Giant Connect, low rise, 31.8mm
Stem Giant Sport
Seatpost Giant Connect Composite, 30.9mm
Saddle Liv/giant Sport
Pedals Resin platform w/steel cage
DRIVETRAIN
Shifters Shimano Deore
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Brakes Shimano BR-M447, hydraulic disc, 160mm
Brake Levers Shimano M445
Cassette Shimano HG62 11x34, 10-speed
Chain KMC X10
Crankset Shimano M521, 26/36/48
Bottom Bracket Shimano Hollowtech II
WHEELS
Rims Giant S-X2, double wall
Hubs Formula Disc, 32h
Spokes Stainless Steel, black, 14g
Tires Giant P-RX2, FlatGuard Deflect 3, 700x32

[ny biker]

Ah, scratch that, just read your post a little better. I guess you need to ask yourself if a hybrid is sturdy enough for the trails, or if a nice mountain bike wouldn't be better. Changing the tires on a MB could make it faster on the road, but still eaiser to ride off road. Hybrids are nice, but they feel a little delicate to some of the other options to me. (I do have one, would kind of like to get something a little more versitile, but that is me).

OTOH, I think hybrids are generally lighter than mountain bikes, which could make a difference on the steep hills. And it might be possible to change the tires on the Rove to something wider or a bit knobbier than the stock tires in order to make it ride better on the off-road trails.

Ideally, you should test ride the bike you're considering on the terrain you're planning to use it for. The triple chain ring on the Rove should definitely help with the hills. Regardless of the bike you ultimately get, it will ride better on dirt if you put less air in the tires, e.g., inflate to the psi on the low end of the recommended range rather than the high end.

[rebeccaC]

It has good gearing for your hills and should work well on some packed mud or gravel. Giant doesn’t give a weight and like ny biker wrote that can make a difference in road climbing. Have you thought about a cross bike? That may come with the same gearing and disc brakes and would be better on the road, probably good for the off roads you’re writing about and may weight less. A rear fender will help in not giving you a mud stripe on your back on those roads :)

+1 on trying to do a test ride on the terrain you're going to mostly ride on

[BKinCO]

Thanks much for the feedback everyone. After a lot of research and the options I would have where I live, I decided the Rove is right for me. It can accommodate a bigger tire for true mountain biking, but I feel like I'll be on the road more than trails. And if I do trails, they'll be mild. They call the Rove a cross over, so I think it's like a cyclocross bike?

Really appreciate the advice and I'll report back once the bike comes in!

BKinCO

[Boudicca]

One thing to think about, and do you need the suspension fork? I bought a hybrid with one because I thought it would be a good idea, but regretted it pretty quickly -- I didn't need it on roads and it does add a lot of weight.

Mind you, I had a shoulder injury once, and while I was recovering it was the only bike I could ride. It ate up the bumps on the road quite nicely. :)

[Wahine]

I replied here (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=53360&p=691539#post691539) on the other thread you posted in "new riders".

[BKinCO]

:)


Thanks so much everyone - you were right about the Troll. Spent a lot of time with the owner of the Surly shop and decided it was the right bike.

Can't thank you enough for all the sage advice.

I posted on the new rider thread too.........sorry to have ended up with 2 threads - one didn't have any activity for a while, so that's why i reposted another thread.

Anyway, i'm so happy and can't wait. Should be able to ride next Friday.


Yay, yay, yay!!!:)


SO appreciative for all the good advice you guys gave me. Feel like i have the right bike now!! Very excited!!

[BKinCO]

Sheila,

They are ordering it - won't be in until next week. It's that gorgeous eggplant/purple - yum! Should have it fitted and home on Friday some time - not sure exactly.

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/troll

Thanks a mil for your help!!