Please choose my bike!!!

CRX 3, its not a difficult choice. the others use entry level MTB bits. If you are light and when you are comfortable with the bike, change the original tyres for some Conti Ulta Gator Skin slicks in 23 or 25mm and rocket past the rest!! 😄 Take care on the short cut. 😉

Thanks George...you have confirmed my gut feeling, I've been leaning toward the CRX 4...I'm thinking I might forget about the fire trails and focus on the road. Do you know what the difference is between the CRX3 and 4? Apart from the price it is all technical jargon to me!!! ...one last beginner girlie question...do these bikes splatter mud up the back of you when riding in the rain? Always had that prob with my old cheapie bike...and also the skinny tyres, I just can't conceive how they handle loose bits of gravel and divets in the road? (can you tell I'm reeeeeeally attatched to big fat tyres?!!!)

Hi Pixi,

I have a friend who bought a CRX4 and regrets it daily. The CRX3 has road components, better quality, hence the price. Another thing, it has wider clearance CrMo forks, better for off road use and they can take mud guards too. You Giant Dealer can show you the "road" mudguards in the catalogues, without them, all bikes give you the wet stripe up the back. 😄 You will be OK on the 28mm tyres, look at the skinny ones next summer. 🙂

My GF has gone from 26x2" MTB tyres to 650cx23mm road tyres in 12 months of riding (and changed 3 bikes). What if we try some 26x1.3 slicks on the MTB first?

If you have a look at this: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t326125.html he also has a CRX and does this commute daily.

...one last thing...I have decided to go the CRX 3 yaaaaaaay...now about the tyre size (which I completely don't understand either...why can't they be S, M or L?) I noticed on the Giant website that this bike will take a 32c + a fender...I am assuming this is a bigger tyre than the 28 it comes with? and that a fender is a mudguard? or without a fender it will take a 35c. Now do you think a fender is worthwhile or no matter what you get the water splatter stripe up your back?...and should I go a 32 or 35 or is this detrimental to overall performance and I should just stick with the CRX 3 exactly as it is for best performance...information overload!!! Tomorrow is new bike buying day!!! and I want to go in prepared!!! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for all of your help!!!

Little Jackie just arrived (GF) she says go for the CRX3 too!!

The Standard tyres will be ok for most riding, 32/35mm if you go into sandy conditions, not likely by the sound of things. Mudguards, see what he has available in the shop and look at the SKS ones in the catalogue. Ask the shop to recomend comfortable tyre pressures to suit your weight, some inflate Maxxis Detonator Tyres too hard.

I just looked at the pedals. Give some thought to toe clips, the strapless type (from BiCorp).

Print this out and take it to the shop with you tomorrow. 😎

gclark8 said:

Little Jackie just arrived (GF) she says go for the CRX3 too!!

The Standard tyres will be ok for most riding, 32/35mm if you go into sandy conditions, not likely by the sound of things. Mudguards, see what he has available in the shop and look at the SKS ones in the catalogue. Ask the shop to recomend comfortable tyre pressures to suit your weight, some inflate Maxxis Detonator Tyres too hard.

I just looked at the pedals. Give some thought to toe clips, the strapless type (from BiCorp).

Print this out and take it to the shop with you tomorrow. 😎

I have officially been staring at my computer toooooooo long...now I am beginning to think maybe I should up my budget seeing as I'm going to be saving lots of $$$ on fuel plus helping the environment!!! Now I'm thinking how much is too much to invest in yourself and a fit and healthy future...now I'm thinking OCR 1 or CRX 1??? Remembering I am a beginner with my main goal fitness and commuting what do you think? plus do I really need special shoes? How much extras will I need...I was thinking lights and saddle bag? maybe mudguard? Thanks once again for your time 🙂

misspixie said:

I have officially been staring at my computer toooooooo long...now I am beginning to think maybe I should up my budget seeing as I'm going to be saving lots of $$$ on fuel plus helping the environment!!! Now I'm thinking how much is too much to invest in yourself and a fit and healthy future...now I'm thinking OCR 1 or CRX 1??? Remembering I am a beginner with my main goal fitness and commuting what do you think? plus do I really need special shoes? How much extras will I need...I was thinking lights and saddle bag? maybe mudguard? Thanks once again for your time 🙂

I feel that a CRX1 or CRX2 would not be suitable for your needs as they both have only 2 chain rings, so you would lose your hill climbing ability ( important if you are commuting!) CRX3 has suspension seat post and some comfort features if you are going to be taking short cuts over slightly rougher terrain. I don't feel that OCR range at all suitable for what you are going to use it for. Check out the Giant web site to see what each bike is recommended for.

You don't necessarily have to spend the most to get the best bike for your needs. You may like to keep a separate bike for serious training and events later once you decide what you are looking for. I have found that my bikes have evolved!

George has set a lot of us women and quite a few men up on bikes ask him for help if you have any doubts.