24 speed with 40c tires vs 21 speed with 700x32 tires

12gauge dave

Hi guys me and a two friends are collecting are bikes tomorrow after our bike to works coming in.

I decided with a giant escape 3 which are 21 speed with 700x32 tires

My two friends opted for the merida crossway 20md
Which is 24 speed with 40c tires amd disc brakes and front suspension.

I was wondering how my giant escape wil hold up against their bikes? Will I be slower with less gears? But I have thinner tires which should help right?

The cycling will be all road use with no trial or dirt roads and distances of up to 15miles.

Thanks in advance

smacl

Number of gears isn't so much of an issue as range of gears, the escape has SRAM PG 830 11x32, 8-Speed cassette and 28/38/48 cranks which is a good range, exactly the same range as the Merida.

The suspension on the Merida can be locked out but still adds weight, and the suspension seatpost can make the bike feel a bit spongy. The 40c tyres also add weight, and being cross tyres are more suited to gravel and tracks than road.

All else being equal, the Giant escape 3 will be faster on the road. FWIW, the Giant would also be fine on the likes of Coilte tracks.

12gauge dave

smacl wrote: »

Number of gears isn't so much of an issue as range of gears, the escape has SRAM PG 830 11x32, 8-Speed cassette and 28/38/48 cranks which is a good range, exactly the same range as the Merida.

The suspension on the Merida can be locked out but still adds weight, and the suspension seatpost can make the bike feel a bit spongy. The 40c tyres also add weight, and being cross tyres are more suited to gravel and tracks than road.

All else being equal, the Giant escape 3 will be faster on the road. FWIW, the Giant would also be fine on the likes of Coilte tracks.

Thanks for very informative reply much appreciated.
Would a tyre upgrade be a good idea for the escape or are the standard tyres good for fast road use?

12gauge dave

Also I think its the giant escape 2 that gets the 8 speed I think the escape 3 is a 7x3.
Now dont quote me on that I barely know what im on about:) ha
As long as I can keep up with my friends ill be happy I chose the giant for its price reliability and good reviews it seems like an ideal starter bike.

happytramp

12gauge dave wrote: »

Also I think its the giant escape 2 that gets the 8 speed I think the escape 3 is a 7x3.
Now dont quote me on that I barely know what im on about:) ha
As long as I can keep up with my friends ill be happy I chose the giant for its price reliability and good reviews it seems like an ideal starter bike.

If you've similar levels of fitness It's more likely they'll have to keep up with you.

12gauge dave

Hi everyone just letting you know that I am well able to keep up with friends infact my escape 3 is faster but more than anything holds its speed better. My biggest cycle yet was

11.1km in 33mins with one large hill and the wind against me for a while I was wrecked after that I pushed myself hard on that one. In general im averaging about 11mph.

I am 245lbs 24 year old male at 6'1 so losing weight and fitness are my goals.

Paul Kiernan

Welcome to the cycling world. Glad you're enjoying it.

Just one thing I'd watch out for is making sure your tyres are always well-inflated (to avoid "pinch-flat" punctures, esp. on potholey roads). Ideally you'd want about 90psi rear and 80psi front but I'm not sure if the Giant S-X3 tyres are rated for these pressures (it'll be written on the sidewall of the tyre)? A track pump with a pressure gauge is a pretty much essential piece of equipment so you can check/top up every couple of weeks or so!

Cape Clear

The 40c tyres are probably an advantage given the state of the roads after the storms