Help between Specialized and Giant.

[ParkerA]

I'm looking to buy a new bike and have my eyes on a (Giant Propel Advanced SL 3) OR a (2012 Specialized Venge Pro Force) with a good deal on both...in the end they will be close to the same price. There's too much snow to take them out for a ride but I would like to act soon. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[42x16ss]

I'm looking to buy a new bike and have my eyes on a (Giant Propel Advanced SL 3) OR a (2012 Specialized Venge Pro Force) with a good deal on both...in the end they will be close to the same price. There's too much snow to take them out for a ride but I would like to act soon. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Giant all the way, better bike, better value, more ethical company. Unless the fit is terrible go with the Propel. The Venge rides like it's made of wood, unless you have your heart set on the Venge, look hard at the Propel.

 

[prowler4]

Just one person's experience. I was the mechanic on a transcontinental (LA to NY) trip this past summer. Had warranty issues with a Specialized and a Giant - both were compromised frame issues.
The Specialized customer contacted their shop, who ordered a frame (sight unseen!) - it was in the next major town and the parts transferred over - and our rider was back on the road again with minimal pain.
The Giant customer had to contact 5 shops, all of which passed her on to someone else. The regional rep shrugged at us. We got the run around from Giant left and right. "That couldn't happen," was their repeated reply. Unfortunately, it had.
I can't recommend anyone buy a Giant after this experience.
(Then again, not a huge Specialized fan either.)

I guess it boils down to these:
What bike fits you the best?
What shop (if they're from different shops) do you have confidence in?

Then make a decision and don't second guess yourself.
There are pros and cons to both.

 

[veganrob]

I'm with 42x16ss. Giant.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

If your choice is between that Specialized and the Giant, do yourself a favor and just walk.

 

[42x16ss]

If your choice is between that Specialized and the Giant, do yourself a favor and just walk.

You may be on to something there

To the OP: The Felt AR series is probably worth a look if you are after a nice aero bike. Good value for money too. Don't bother with Cervelo (junk) or Merida (yet - give them a couple of years at WT to improve).

Cipollini and Neil Pryde do a few nice aero bikes too but $$$$

 

[86TDFWinner]

I can't recommend anyone buy a Giant after this experience.
(Then again, not a huge Specialized fan either.)

Nowadays, it's tough to make a decision isn't it? I refuse to give Trek a dime of my money for obvious reasons. I like Spech, but don't like their ******y tactics, nor politics. I've owned an old Allez, fantastic bike.

Plus, I need a larger sized frame bike, and there aren't but a handful of choices that make them that big(64/65cm). So me, I'm stuck. BUT, if a nice Cannondale, De Rosa, or something else other than Giant/Spech have larger bikes, I would give them my $$$ over those 2 obviously.

 

[purpletezza]

I ride a Focus Izalco and am very happy with it. In Australia Specialized and Giant are a "dime a dozen" on the road. I also have a 2005 Specialized E5 SWORKS and it actuallt garners more attention that the Focus.

 

[dsut4392]

I'm looking to buy a new bike and have my eyes on a (Giant Propel Advanced SL 3) OR a (2012 Specialized Venge Pro Force) with a good deal on both...in the end they will be close to the same price. There's too much snow to take them out for a ride but I would like to act soon. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

I did a very brief demo ride on a Propel Advanced 2 at an official Giant demo day a few weeks back, and came away pretty happy with my existing bike. The ride wasn't anything special, no "vertically compliant" magic going on - hit a bump and expect to get thumped up the rear. Could have been my imagination (having just got off the MTB with 730mm bars I was really there to test), but the stock bars on the large frame I rode felt awfully narrow (didn't measure them but felt narrower than the 42c-c on my own bike. Compromised position/handling in the name of 'aero' maybe?

No experience on the Venge.

My vote would be to save your money until you can do some test rides and buy the bike you like, whether it's one of these two or not.

 

[robtmitchell]

Hi,

I may be able to help a little.
I am an old guy cat 3 masters racer.

I have the Venge Pro (not sworks) model with Ultegra electric and have trained and raced on it the past 2 seasons. It is a nice race bike. I would rate it is a little stiff but not really harsh. It is a good blend between the TT bike and road bike as far as steering and handling. I use 25 mm tires for most of my training miles on chip and seal roads with the wide HED rims which I think helps with the ride.
I would rate it high as a "race bike" which to me means quick steering, and solid handling at speed, also a good descending bike bombing down from the ski area. Race bikes are stiff and fast handling because the pros demand it.

I have rented the Cervelo S5 twice, once before buying the venge (S5 56cm) and once a year after buying my Venge (S5 54cm). My venge is a 54 and I am glad I ended up with the Venge after the Cervelo buy fell thru for me.
The Venge rides more like a regular road bike, the Cervelo more of a TT bike feel.
Those are the only 2 aero road bikes I have ridden. I also have an old TT bike which is why I am comparing the ride feel to as well as other road bikes.

I would test ride the Propel before buying to make sure it was a good all around riding bike. Test it up, down and on rough roads to make sure.
Don't get to caught up with the aero fast feeling on smooth roads and be sure it is a bike for all your rides.

I owned and raced a Giant SL2 advanced with ISP and it was a nice bike as well. It handled a little slower than the Venge and felt super stable on the down hill. I would ride a Giant again as far as product satisfaction.

I have also ridden and raced the Scott CR1 and Ridley Damocles.

Hope this helps and let us know if you get at test ride on the Propel.

Rob

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I'm looking to buy a new bike and have my eyes on a (Giant Propel Advanced SL 3) OR a (2012 Specialized Venge Pro Force) with a good deal on both...in the end they will be close to the same price. There's too much snow to take them out for a ride but I would like to act soon. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Get the Giant, better company.....

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Just one person's experience. I was the mechanic on a transcontinental (LA to NY) trip this past summer. Had warranty issues with a Specialized and a Giant - both were compromised frame issues.
The Specialized customer contacted their shop, who ordered a frame (sight unseen!) - it was in the next major town and the parts transferred over - and our rider was back on the road again with minimal pain.
The Giant customer had to contact 5 shops, all of which passed her on to someone else. The regional rep shrugged at us. We got the run around from Giant left and right. "That couldn't happen," was their repeated reply. Unfortunately, it had.
I can't recommend anyone buy a Giant after this experience.
(Then again, not a huge Specialized fan either.)

I guess it boils down to these:
What bike fits you the best?
What shop (if they're from different shops) do you have confidence in?

Then make a decision and don't second guess yourself.
There are pros and cons to both.

Owned a shop, sponsored Drew Scott(Dave Scotts kid)...was sent a Specialized Venge(actually 2, one for Dave)..frame was broken...'communication' with Specialized was 'poor'..bike was a POS.

He's now on Boardman frames.