Is the price difference in these bikes worth it?

oxygen

Apologies, I know alot of bike to work threads looking for recommendations get started on this subject by people availing of the bike to work scheme.

Can ye tell me is the price difference in these bicycles justified? (I'm veering toward the more expensive bike myself but only because it looks cooler and I'm guessing would be a bit lighter. Not the best reasons in the world)

Cube Hyde Bike 2012 :
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=47727#details

€586.25 (Before tax – Including Corporate discount)

Giant Escape 3 Bike :
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=44408

€310.62 (Before tax – Including Corporate discount)

Thanks in Advance

petethedrummer

At a quick glance.
The Cube has hydraulic disc brakes, which would add to the price. Whether they are a good idea in the long run is a different question. I prefer the easy maintainability of regular brakes. But disc brakes have more stopping power.
It also has an 8 speed cassette (24 gears), the giant has a 7 speed (21 Gears).
The cube frame does look nicer.

Does that all add up to the difference? I'm not sure.

smacl

If you're spending the guts of €600 euro on a hybrid, the Giant Rapid 4 or Lapierre shaper 100 are a better comparison to the cube. At €624, the Boardman hybrid is also worth a look at 10.75kg versus 12.2kg for the cube.

For a functional bike to get you from A to B the Giant Escape 3 is certainly better value. For something a bit faster, lighter and more fun, I'd tend towards the Lapierre.

happytramp

+1 on that Lapierre. It's a nice looking bike.

ratracer

I like Lapierre bikes, they're well built and gave me little trouble. BUT.... It's called a 'shaper'...might as well be called Fred!

Slightly OT I know

oxygen

Thanks alot for the replies guys, loads of info there. Given me a bit to think about. Based on petethedrummer's reply I'm leaning towards The Cube, more expensive of the two bikes. I could probably make more of an effort to take it out at weekends and stuff, not just on the commute to justify the extra expense.

I have to have a look over the bikes smacl suggested. They look fairly good, but I'm trying to stay away from flashy or expensive looking bikes since they have more of a tendancy to get stolen. IMO The Cube doesnt look too flashy or stand out too much.

petethedrummer

It doesn't matter what your bike looks like if its poorly locked it may get stolen.

part 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTA3JsZWiec
part 2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8UpUj_8tWI
part 3 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCbU83_G6nA