Went Bike Shopping Today

[Owlie]

105 is a mid-range Shimano component group. Ultegra's one step higher. (I'm a Shimano girl. SRAM makes no sense to me!)

I'm okay with my Avail. It was what fit in my price range at the time, but I discovered after the fact that Giant's WSD geometry doesn't agree with me. I need a short top tube because I have long legs and a short torso. I also want to upgrade the wheels and components once they start wearing out (probably another year or two). She's still a good bike for what I paid ($750) because I had no idea that I'd get into it as much as I did. Don't let me discourage you from looking at Giant. Giant makes good bikes for how much they cost--the geometry just doesn't work for me (and because of my proportions, a lot of bikes don't work). I'm looking at a Ruby for my next bike (and also at a Cannondale if I can find one to test-ride.)

Shannon, I've definitely felt rattled, but not horribly so on parts of the trail, and I'm riding aluminum, albeit with 25s rather than the 23s that came with your bike. (No, I haven't changed them yet.