Giant CRX-2 or...?

[stefan534]

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??

[Mulger bill]

You won't hear me bag Giants Stefan, damn fine bicycles for the price, what they lack is pose value
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

[stefan534]

Exactly. funnily enough I think the ideal bike for me will be with the gear of my choosing rather than the set stuff that they want to supply me. I'm also going to try the trek fx series to see if I can get the same comfort as the hybrids without the bulkiness

[richiec]

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.

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!

[Matt_Matt]

I've just taken delivery of a 2009 Norco VFR1.

Didn't happen unless we see pics ......

[morephyous]

Unless you race in A/B grade, I'd take the recommendation of the Norco with a grain of salt.

I'd go for the CRX, but really - all these frames suck

[richiec]

You don't race flat bar town bikes - as far as I know. If you are gonna throw that sort of dough at a bike like this, do you research, eyeball as many of your 'shortlist' as you can and try and ride them.

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.

[Aushiker]

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.

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.

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

[stefan534]

I ended up getting a CRX-2 for $1199, which was a great deal as they are about to have a price hike. I wouldn't want to spend more on a flat-bar anyhow.

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!

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]

I know exactly where you can get one for $1500. (I got mine for quite bit less, but I pe-ordered and waited, and waited, and waited...) Mine was one of the first dozen to arrive. The rest of the shipment of VFR1's is arriving into Australia in the next week, and ought to hit retailers late JAN early FEB. PM me if you want details.

Rode 'the weapon' in this morning - and I am still grinning.

And can't wait to go for a long spin after work.

[R12RT]

$1500 is an excellent price given that the Norco website lists the
VFR Disc 1 at $1849.

The VFR Brake 1 is $999.

[cooper]

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?

[jasimon]

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?

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.)

[morephyous]

You'll need a M or M/L for the CRX.

[cooper]

ok thought so, thanks

[pmdub]

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?

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.

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

[elantra]

Perhaps readers might appreciate my feedback on 2006 CRX2
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 ?

[Nalkur]

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.

Also being an owner of a CRX2 - I am getting the BB squeak too. Did you manage to resolve that issue?

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).

[simonn]

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).

Get some Schwalbe Stelvio Plus'.

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.

[Fishman Dan]

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??

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.

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.

[R12RT]

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??

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.

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.

I love my CRX2.

Comfort level is good. Rides well and much faster than my old ride.

[paddo]

Can't go past a Scott SUB 10 - disc brakes rock, and the scott is fast. did heaps of research and this one does not disappoint. not convinced about the deores though. and the new brushed alloy paint job looks awesome. traded up from a hybird and not missing the comfort - the acceleration is unreal and gives the roadies a fright.

[joebiker]

Noob with new CRX2 here - can't complain so far...after 3km's

[JohnJoyner]

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

[elantra]

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

25 km is a long commute, in my opinion.
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/bikes/road/2172/31842/
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
.