Giant Liv Invite Comax

[Helene2013]

Good day ladies!

I am looking into a cyclocross. It would be my secondary bike. So I did not want to pay more than necessary. If I could find a used one, it would still be ok. But not an old model.

Husband has been digging the web for what could be good for me (he's looking for one for him too).

So far, the only one I like for looks (I just cannot go dark again - My Amira SL4 is enough) is this one
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...x/20488/80044/

It will only be used while on vacation, and sometimes to do some gravel bike paths around.

I'm just not sure about the derailleur as it is in Tiagra. Was always told it was not the best thing. I'm used now to Ultegra

Front Derailleur - Shimano Tiagra
Rear Derailleur - Shimano R350

Anyone has experienced with a similar bike. Altough it seems new for 2015?

Can we change it for at least at Shimano 105?

Thank you.

[Eden]

The model of the derailleurs is probably of no consequence. What will feel different to you is the brifters, which are somewhat sneakily labeled R460, which is, I believe, Tiagra level. You can, I think, still get 105 shift levers in 10 speed, so they could be changed without having to change the whole drive train and would cost, probably, a little more than $200 for the parts. As far as I know Ultegra level components are now all 11 speed, so you'd have to find NOS to replace the levers with Ultegra.

[Helene2013]

Thank you.

Yes my road bike is on Ultegra 11 speed.

I do know it will totally be different and the purpose of this crossbike is for light gravel purposes. If we're going to ride some 100km (both on/off gravel/asphalt) I wanted something comfy - no flat bars. It won't be used daily either. I also realize that this cross bike is an entry level I think for this type.

If I go with this bike, I will see with the bike shop to have it modified. I have not seen it, nor test-drived it. Not even sure they have arrived in our area. Wished my own bike shop that I loved carried Giant but they don't. But at least where hubby goes for spinning and bought his 1st Cervélo, they sell it. So good connection.

Edited: what is NOS in your last sentence....sorry...my French kicked in and I just can't get that acronym. hihi

[Eden]

lol. NOS = New Old Stock, so somewhere out there on some dusty back shelf, there's probably a new Ultegra 10 speed brifter set that no one bought

[Helene2013]

Thank you.

Read your comments to husband and he said if we are going to have to change too many things, we may as well start looking for something one notch higher with no modifs to make.

[Helene2013]

I don't know Muireen.

I spoke to the owner of my LBS (the guy I liked). He said a Specialized Tricross would have been good but not carried anymore. He called them directly and stocks are all gone (for our heights anyway). He told me to look at the Crux on the Specialized site and get back to him with what we'd like and he'll do all he can to get a good price for our 2 bikes.

I just don't know yet if I'm ready to put that much into secondary bikes.

I know so little about bikes that I can gobble way too much without knowing. At least my LBS is pretty honest in the feeling I'd get on the road, and luckily, when he has a size in a bike I like, he lets me borrow it for a weekend so I can give it a long ride. Their service is so good that it would kill me to buy somewhere else. But I know too that they can't carry every singl brand on the market.