Giant Escape 3 vs Escape City

[Giulianna23]

OK....my girlfriend is buying a bike maybe tomorrow. She likes the Escape 3 The price for that is $420 and in the near future she wants to add a rack, bell and mirrors to it and maybe...maybe fenders.

I told her that adding all of that its going to run at least $100+ to the price. So why don't get te Escape City W better that already comes with a rack and fenders and reflective tires for safety and I believe has better components and it is just $545. But she is sold with the Escape 3 the male version because it comes in Red Color and the Esc City just has the Grey in the men and the Silver Purple in the Women version and she says those colors are boring. I told her that the Escape City W is a pretty color and she can always change the handlebars to purple and/or paint the fenders and the rack or get the accesories in the purple color like paniers or saddle bags etc etc.

Am I correct and the Escape City W is a better pick?....Would you push her to go with the better bang for the buck? or just let her get whatever she wants because of the color?.....She prob dont have the extra money to pay for the better bike but I am offering her even to pay the $100+ difference just to make sure she gets a better bike.

Any Thoughts?? pls



Escape 3 (Men)

Shimano 3x8-speed shifting
Alloy seatpost, handlebar and stem
Giant S-X3 tires with puncture protection
Handlebar Giant Sport, Low Rise 31.8
Stem Giant Sport
Seatpost Giant Sport, 27.2
Saddle Giant Sport Road
Pedals Alloy w/Steel Cage
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF-51 EZ Fire
Front Derailleur Shimano M191
Rear Derailleur Shimano M310
Brakes Tektro Alloy
Brake Levers Shimano EF-51
Cassette SRAM PG 830 11x32, 8-Speed
Chain KMC Z72
Crankset Suntour NEX, 28/38/48
Bottom Bracket SR Suntour XCT, Sealed Cartridge
Wheels
Rims Giant Alloy, Double Wall
Hubs Alloy, 32h
Spokes Stainless Steel Black, 14g
Tires Giant S-X3, 700x32

Colors: Black/White, Red/White

EScape City W

SRAM Via 8-speed shifting
Rear carrier, fenders, kickstand, integrated bell
Giant S-X3 tires with reflective sidewalls
Handlebar Giant Sport, Low Rise 31.8
Stem Giant Sport
Seatpost Giant Sport, 27.2
Saddle Giant Sport Road, Women's
Pedals Alloy w/Steel Cage
Drivetrain
Shifters SRAM Via
Front Derailleur SRAM Via
Rear Derailleur SRAM Via
Brakes Alloy, Direct Pull
Brake Levers Tektro, 4-Finger w/ Integrated Bell
Cassette Shimano PG 830 11x32, 8-Speed
Chain Z51RB
Crankset SRAM Via, 28/38/48
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
Wheels
Rims Giant Alloy, Double Wall
Hubs Alloy, 32h
Spokes Stainless Steel Black, 14g
Tires Giant P-X2 w/ Reflective Sidewalls, 700x32

[TigerMom]

I think that this is a case where you offer your suggestion and generosity but don't push it.

She may want to spend only a certain amount on your bike and not want to accept your generous offer.

Some people would rather have the "cuter, prettier" bike instead of a bike with better components. Maybe she wants the prettier bike now, instead of slowly upgrading with prettier accessories.

I guess, what I mean to say is, offer your suggestion but then support her final choice.

Besides, when she falls in love with biking, she might get n+1 bikes like we all seem to do on the TE forum.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)