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Submitted by
LeeAnn Huber
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: August 28, 2011
Strengths: Reasonable Price ($370 with 40$ rack in 2007)Gear arrangement makes it a little easier to get up hills. I can sit up straight so my back doesn't hurt.Weaknesses: Weight, Weight, WeightBottom Line: I have the 2007 women’s and am only now getting a tune up since I’ve barely ridden it in the 4 years I’ve had it. My biggest and perhaps only complaint is the weight. With a rear bike rack, a kick stand, and light weight plastic fenders, it’s about 40 lbs. When I bought it I didn’t live in a condo with 2 ½ flights of narrow stairs and I wasn’t hanging it on a bike hook to try to keep it out of the way in a small living space. After struggling to get it up the stairs, I can barely get the bike on the bike hook because it’s so heavy. I picked the bike because I don’t have to lean over and put any weight on my arms which makes my left shoulder/back scream from an old injury that apparently will never heal completely. I suppose if I was able to pay a lot more money I could find a comparable comfort bike that was lighter, but for now I think I have to live with the unwieldiness. I also picked it because it did seem easier to get up hills with. Now I’m hoping to put it to use more.
Favorite Ride: Burke-Gillman & Soos Creek
Price Paid:
$410.00
Purchased At: Montlake Bicycle in
Similar Products Used: I have a Sun recumbent that is hard to get up hills and won't fit on a bus bike rack. I leave it at my brother's cabin because it is even more unwieldy than the Scede DX
Bike Setup: bike rack, plastic fenders, and kick stand
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Maq
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: March 29, 2011
Strengths: Price over other similar models
Seat Comfort
Upright Position
Gearing like mountain bike (42/32/22)
Nice Stable Shifting
Kick Stand
Color: Blue / Silver
Great Breaks
Can get Fenders,Chain Guard,Rear luggage Rack
Weaknesses: Brake Cables not as Clean
I'm told more difficult to transfer in
bike rack
Bottom Line: My wife bought a Trek Pure and wanted me to buy something to ride with her. I rode her bike and I thought it was great, but, I'm a shopper so I had to look at all the Crank Forwards and determine which I thought suited me best. They are all great, for all those like me, who are riding much more for pleasure and fitness, than for any other purpose. Yet, I did not want a bike that I couold not take up hills like some cruisers or commute to somewhere in reasonable time.
So, after much research and riding all I could find including the Trek Sport 21, Electra Townie 21, the REI Novara21 and the Schwinn Sierra 21, I chose the Giant Suede Dx 21 speed. The shifting is very smoothe, the seat very comfortable, and the handle height extends enough for my longer arms. This bike comes in a reg 17.5 frame and a lg 21" frame. Where the other forward cranks come in 2 sizes Mens 16 and womens 14. I'm 6 ft tall with long legs and felt that the 21 in large worked for me. Don't get me wrong though, the other medium sizes fit fine with the seats extended. The gearing for the townie, rei bike and trek are all 48/38/28..for the 21's and 38 for the 7's. The gearing for the schwinn is 44,34,24.. but the gearing for the Giant is 42,32,22.. more like a mountaing bike. I live in a realatively hilly neighborhood, have two bad knees and chose the bike with slightly easier pedaling for those difficult climbs.
I think the quality of workmanship on all are very good. The schwinn was very nice and if the crank had been forward I may have picked it instead of the Giant DX 21. I really liked it's sleak design. The position is actually very nice and quite upright. Plus, the price is almost 100 cheaper then the crank forwards 21 speeds. Someone also told me the Schwinn is shorter and easier to travel with. We'll see I guess on that regard.
There is a lot to assimilate in a short amount of time when you are picking out a Bike, making a sizable investment and haven't ridden that much in quite a few years. I'm not always comfortable just letting the salesman tell me what to buy. I find that frequently they find the "exact best bike for" me in what they have in stock! Can't blame them.
I have had a mountaing bike for years and rode it very little .. It was extrememly uncomfortable. I don't understand why the seat and position have to be so uncomfortable? Someone told me "wind resistance".. Well that doesn't do you any good if you are never on the bike... I'll take a little wind resistance, probably help me, like walking with weights. I'm positive that a little wind is just fine for my cardiovascular and leg workout. I wish I could ride that way, but it is just too uncomfortable. Hurts my back, my neck and definitely my butt.
So far, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. I can highly recommend without reservation the Giant Suede, DX, and GX. Ride Safe and Have Fun.. get on something you enjoy!
Favorite Ride: Giant Suede Dx 21
Similar Products Used: Trek Sport
Electra Townie
Schwinn Sierra
REI : Novara
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
tim holton
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: June 22, 2010
Strengths: COMFORT!!!! (Upright sitting position.)Weaknesses: It wasn't free.Bottom Line: Bought this bike for exercise. I was going to commute with it before my "position was eliminated"....oh, well. No fenders, no rack; bought and added those. The bike is comfortable to ride and the seven gears are more than adequate for my asphalt, concrete, and gravel roads of varying rise. I live on a hill and look forward to cranking up at the end of my rides. Last bikes were an old Legnano 10-speed road bike and a GT RTS-1 mountain bike. The forward placement of the crank axle on the Suede, the comfortable seat, and the pullback handlebars have been a blessing for my ancient spine. The staff at Builer's was wonderfully helpful with adjustments prior, and subsequent, to the purchase. This type of bike is ideal for older riders who need to keep their arteries clear and leg muscles in shape without irritating the old hip bursitis. Thanks for a great design. I'll let you know next year how the bike is holding up.
Favorite Ride: Look forward to getting on the bike every morning, regardless of whether I have anywhere to go!
Price Paid:
$319.00
Purchased At: Builer's Cycles and
Similar Products Used: I tested some other bikes, a Raleigh, which was nice, but had a forward offset which put my toes against the front wheel in a turn, and another bike, which had a BACK REST(!!!!), but which was more than twice as expensive.
Bike Setup: Fenders, rear rack. May go with a giant front basket to hold a small, elderly dog.
Although I haven't yet found what I'm looking for, the front basket option is important to me, as an older guy, so I can see that what I'm carrying is intact. I've seen delivery bicycles with small front wheels and large front carrying capacity; I don't need that much, but you can get the idea from that.
Email me and I'll tell you a story about a local legend and give you further input on older riders.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Clara
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: May 23, 2010
Bottom Line: Test rode a bunch of much more expensive bikes at a variety of shops and settled on the store's discounted demo Suede GX and I'm thrilled. Great bike. Easy shifting. Comfortable, upright alignment.
Favorite Ride: Giant Suede GX
Price Paid:
$379.00
Purchased At: Martin's in Ephrata,
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Karen
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008
Strengths: Looks like a beach cruiser but has seven speeds to help you up those hills.
The seat is super comfortable.Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet - other than narrow color selection.Bottom Line: I LOVE this bike!! I'd read another review in which a woman said she'd never ride another bike again. I feel the same way.
I accidentally came across an Electra Townie first - but had read a few horror stories about poor quality. Then I found some reviews for the Giant Suede and decided to give it a test ride.
This bike is fabulous. Smooth easy ride, and a super comfortable seat. The riding position is upright and is great for your back. You can put your feet flat on the ground.
After a few rides I took out my Specialized HardRock sport for a spin. Within a mile my back and butt hurt. I felt every bump and the ride was very stiff. That really drove home how much I like the Suede. No more mountain bikes for me.
Favorite Ride: Giant Suede W
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At: Freewheel San Franci
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