Slightly OT, but same for their new Anthem. It is quite expensive when comparing to the Epic 9 and the new Oiz - at least here in the UK.
As someone that has owned a few Giants, when I have bought them it was usually because the value proposition was fairly high compared to other brands. Kind of the same reason I have bought multiple Canyon bikes. But now it seems Giant is getting more and more expensive and I’m sorry, I don’t want a bike with all the parts made by Giant that costs basically the same as other high priced brands.
They’ve gotta leave room for huge discounts. I own two Giants and paid 65% and 55% of msrp for them.
Yeah, the industry is super broken and I expect a significant adjustment in the next few years as some of these Chinese brands take hold. I did a big local group ride (500+ people) and was surprised how many people were on Chinese frames (a bunch of Winspace bikes and a couple other brands). It was a low percentage compared to the big traditional brands, but it seems like a growing trend.
And maybe I haven’t been following close enough, but seeing all these brands offering Rival builds in the $7-8K range with carbon wheels and bars seems like a recent thing. I guess it’s cool to offer the higher end Rival builds, but not when they eliminate the ~$4k rival build option with aluminum wheels and bars. And to be fair, Rival is functionally just as good as Red these days (minus the bonus buttons), so I’m all for offering different Rival build levels without adding the Force/Red upcharge. But it seems like they are almost doubling the price just by adding some good (not great) wheels and bar.
And as much as people bash on Specialized for their premium pricing, I’m happy that they chose to offer a basic Rival build for $4.5k on the new Crux. I still felt like I paid a ~$500 premium for the Specialized brand tax, but that’s a premium I can live with.
What options are out there for a bike that is has at least some aero-ness in the frame tubes, clears 50mm tires and uses a round seat post?
Enve Mog
3T Extrema
Open UP Wide
What else?
Factor Sarana aero-ish and clears 57’s I believe.
More details on the Ridley prototype. Aero gravel race bike with 55mm clearance and downtube storage.
Crux 5?
Crux 4 was round but they switched to an aero post for the Crux 5 (so no way to use a dropper as far as I know)
2x is a plus. As is downtube storage.
I have this frame built up. Have only ridden on the trainer so far, waiting on new handlebars before I connect the brakes. I think it can take larger than 57’s up front.
Lets see some pics! Are you getting the new Terra bar?
Does anyone know of a frame that will fit 50mm / 2.0 tires in a 2x drive train configuration?
Giant Revolt
New one? I don’t think it’s 2x.
I think the new Ridley aero gravel bike might be the only one. The Factor Aluto can run 2x and I know up front a 50 is fine. The rear is tight but 48s fit so maybe a 50 as measured.
Ventum GS1
Thanks for the suggestions:
- Ridley ASTR - 52 millimeters with a 1x setup and 47 millimeters with a 2x setup
- Ridley Prototype RSS / RS2 (??) might fit 50mm / 2.0 in a 2x configuration, but not released
- Ventum GS1 - says 50mm in the rear, but not clear if that is in a 1x or 2x configuration
Do you run Shimano or SRAM? In my experience you get a little more clearance with the Shimano derailleur, around 3-4mm. On my Aluto it wasn’t the front derailleur that limited my tires it was the frame. But the battery on SRAM protrudes more.
Right now I’m running Shimano and finding that the side “nibs” on Continental Dubnital 2.0 (measure out at 48 or 49mm) are hitting the front derailleur on my Parlee Taos frame.