Giant CRX-2 or...?
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Giant CRX-2 or...?
Postby stefan534 » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:21 pm
Any other bikes I should consider? This one was going for $1200. Would the CRX-3 be much of a downgrade. How does the Sora rear derailler handle??
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Postby Mulger bill » Sun Dec 28, 2008 11:46 am
For mine, I'd avoid Sora if the budget allows, the jump to Tiagra and above is fairly steep IMO.
I'll toss Avantis Blade series and Orbeas flatbars into the mix too.
Main thing is how does bike X feel under your bum? Get this right and every ride's a joyous experience.
Shaun
London Boy 29/12/2011
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Postby stefan534 » Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:43 pm
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Postby richiec » Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:31 pm
This bike is a total weapon. I spent more then four months researching ALL the flat bar road bikes and this thing is head and shoulders above anything else. Sorry to all the Giant and Trek, the Avanti/Orbea fanatics that lurk around this website, but the Norco smokes them all. I test rode most of them and agonised over it.
It is brilliantly specced, looks awesome and rides like a bullet. I am one very happy camper. PM me if you want a full rundown on it.
I am collecting my thoughts at the moment, prior to taking some pics of it and doing a full review. Come back in a week and have pics and a review somewhere here. If the VFR1 (at about $1500) is justbeyond your budget, check the VFR2 or VFR3 - both of which come in a disk brake option.
Many people around here reckon disks are overkill. No way. They are superb and I have no regrets about going for that option.
The only flat bar roadie that came close for me, was the Scott SUB 10 or SUB20 - both of which have disk brakes.
Good luck!
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Postby morephyous » Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:38 am
I'd go for the CRX, but really - all these frames suck
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Postby richiec » Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:27 pm
Best bit of advice I got (from some Zen guru on this site actually), was go with the bike 'that speaks to you'.
All I'll add, is that I went through this very excercise of looking for a new commuter/flatbar, I put around four months of very detailed research into it, had a firm budget, and the Norco came out on top. It's bike porn. And I am that company's biggest fan. The end 'product' is way, way better than I imagined and I am completely stoked.
Out of the 10 that I started with on my list, the Giant CRX 2 (& 1) came in probably mid-field for a whole bunch of reasons.
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Postby Aushiker » Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:27 pm
As a 2007 CRX 1 owner I would have to agree. If you take a close look at the spec of the CRX 2 and 1, they ain't that hot. At least the 2009 models have less FSA "Faulty Spares Attached" components.richiec wrote:Out of the 10 that I started with on my list, the Giant CRX 2 (& 1) came in probably mid-field for a whole bunch of reasons.
Personally based on my experience now, if I could go back in time to July 2007 I would have brought a dropbar roadie that could take a pannier. Funny thing is I am now planning to use the forthcoming Surly LHT on commuting duties or get a second hand roadie that can take a pannier rack for commuting duties and thus retiring the CRX 1.
Regards
Andrew
Aushiker.com
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Postby stefan534 » Thu Jan 08, 2009 6:06 pm
I'm sure the VfR1 would smoke mine, but you got it for $1400?? If you can source that bike for under $2000 I would be very surprised.richiec wrote:I've just taken delivery of a 2009 Norco VFR1.
This bike is a total weapon. I spent more then four months researching ALL the flat bar road bikes and this thing is head and shoulders above anything else. Sorry to all the Giant and Trek, the Avanti/Orbea fanatics that lurk around this website, but the Norco smokes them all. I test rode most of them and agonised over it.
Good luck!
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Postby richiec » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:22 pm
Rode 'the weapon' in this morning - and I am still grinning.
And can't wait to go for a long spin after work.
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Postby jasimon » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:20 pm
Too small. You are probably looking for a 50cm in a CRX2. (Speaking as someone who is 180cm with a 32" trouser and rides a 50cm CRX2. A 55.5cm might even be appropriate.)cooper wrote:just seen a crx2 at my local pawnbrokers for $250. 46.5cm frame, didn't have time to try it, at 180cm with a 32'' trouser would that be about right size or would i really need a large frame?
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Postby pmdub » Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:30 pm
My research showed that inside trouser length is not really indicative-but some do suggest taking 10 inch off inside leg length.So you are getting closer to 22inch.cooper wrote:just seen a crx2 at my local pawnbrokers for $250. 46.5cm frame, didn't have time to try it, at 180cm with a 32'' trouser would that be about right size or would i really need a large frame?
I understand the correct sizing method is stand bare foot on a flat surface with feet approx 10 inch apart.Take a hard bound book and straddle it between your thighs as high as possible then ask some one to measure the distance from top of the book to the floor.Two-thirds of this length will be the approx size of the frame.
I am 66in,inside leg length 28in, the distance as above was 29inch.I went for a 20in bike and seems ok so far.
HTH
PM
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Giant CRX2
Postby elantra » Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:49 pm
mine is a 50 cm frame and i am really tall, and i paid $ 1 000 for it new
i bought it from a bike shop a long way from home.
Initially i was quite disappointed in this bike.
there was a persistant and annoying squeek in the BB and the Tektro gear changers do not give much visual clue as to what gear you are in.
The adjustable headset looked really ugly
After only 1yr of only moderate use the drivetrain started slipping badly which was very disapointing
So i visited a LBS and had a heart to heart with them about replacing certain items
$300 later and now with Sora crankset 50/34 and some other smaller modifications i really love it
The only thing i would like to do now is replace the Tektro gearlevers and change to drop handlebars.
But that would cost lot of money and it begs the question why didnt i buy a bike with drop bars in the first place ?
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Re: Giant CRX2
Postby Nalkur » Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:00 pm
Also being an owner of a CRX2 - I am getting the BB squeak too. Did you manage to resolve that issue?elantra wrote: a persistant and annoying squeek in the BB and the Tektro gear changers do not give much visual clue as to what gear you are in.
The adjustable headset looked really ugly.
Yes - it has an ugly headset
I presumed the idea behind the Tektro changers was it didn't matter what gear number you are actually in, it more matters that you are in the gear that is right for what you are needing at that moment. But that could just be my nieve nature
My beef with this bike is the number of punctures. The Maxxis Detonators just seem to be letting everything through. (I mainly am riding bike paths on my commute with the regulation broken glass).
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Re: Giant CRX2
Postby simonn » Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:37 pm
Get some Schwalbe Stelvio Plus'.Nalkur wrote:My beef with this bike is the number of punctures. The Maxxis Detonators just seem to be letting everything through. (I mainly am riding bike paths on my commute with the regulation broken glass).
I have not had a puncture since I put them on ~4000km ago for rear and ~2500km for front. Prior to this I had Conti Ultra Gatorskins and was getting at least one puncture every week doing exactly the same routes.
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Re: Giant CRX-2 or...?
Postby Fishman Dan » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:26 pm
Stefan - I bought my CRX-2 about 3 months ago and have never looked back. The level of comfort is fine, even for my large-ish frame, but all I can suggest is that you make fine adjustments until you are in the right spot. I was fortunate to get in just prior to the price hike.stefan534 wrote:Rode quite a few bikes today, including this one. Tried out the hybrids and they were a much more comfortable ride but heavier and I didn't like the drive trains on them.
Any other bikes I should consider? This one was going for $1200. Would the CRX-3 be much of a downgrade. How does the Sora rear derailler handle??
Bikes have changed so much since my last purchase, this is a great way to get mobile again and enjoy a cycle.
The closest competitor for me was the Trek 7.5FX - but the same options in this set up cost a little more with the Trek.
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Re: Giant CRX-2 or...?
Postby R12RT » Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:02 pm
I love my CRX2.Fishman Dan wrote:Stefan - I bought my CRX-2 about 3 months ago and have never looked back. The level of comfort is fine, even for my large-ish frame, but all I can suggest is that you make fine adjustments until you are in the right spot. I was fortunate to get in just prior to the price hike.stefan534 wrote:Rode quite a few bikes today, including this one. Tried out the hybrids and they were a much more comfortable ride but heavier and I didn't like the drive trains on them.
Any other bikes I should consider? This one was going for $1200. Would the CRX-3 be much of a downgrade. How does the Sora rear derailler handle??
Bikes have changed so much since my last purchase, this is a great way to get mobile again and enjoy a cycle.
The closest competitor for me was the Trek 7.5FX - but the same options in this set up cost a little more with the Trek.
Comfort level is good. Rides well and much faster than my old ride.
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Postby paddo » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:21 pm
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Trek 7.5FX...
Postby JohnJoyner » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:41 am
I am new to this forum & have so far found it very informative. I have just gone from a 7km commute to 25km commute each way. I put thinner tyres on my Trek4400, but am looking for a quicker, more comfortable ride & am keen on a flat bar roadie.
Has anyone got or ridden the 2009 Trek 7.5FX?
Ther are so many options & I would appreciate any advice or recommendations. I am looking to spend about $1,200 to $1,500. What is the best for that price?
JJ
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Re: Trek 7.5FX...
Postby elantra » Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:35 am
25 km is a long commute, in my opinion.JohnJoyner wrote:Hi All,
I am new to this forum & have so far found it very informative. I have just gone from a 7km commute to 25km commute each way. I put thinner tyres on my Trek4400, but am looking for a quicker, more comfortable ride & am keen on a flat bar roadie.
Has anyone got or ridden the 2009 Trek 7.5FX?
Ther are so many options & I would appreciate any advice or recommendations. I am looking to spend about $1,200 to $1,500. What is the best for that price?
JJ
To do that you need something really comfortable and some really puncture-resistant tyres.
The first rule of bicycle purchase is - correct fit (frame size) is essential
I have, as you may have seen from previous post- Giant CRX2
Mine is a few yrs old and has been "improved" and now has a nice 34-50 shimano Sora double ring crankset
The new CRX2 i think has a shimano Sora triple ring crankset.
I think it is a good commuter bike but i would be tempted to go for the Giant Defy 2 which is a similar bike but with drop bars. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bik ... 172/31842/
Of course drop bars might be unfamiliar to you after the Trek MTB but they are usually more comfortable for bigger distances and hilly terrain.
But only if the bike is correctly sized and adjusted for you
Of course you will probably need some sort of device to carry stuff, I use Topeak DynaPack http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/DynaPack
.
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