Giant Roam 3 Disc (2017) :ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

The frame in the Giant Roam 3 Disc 2017 is made with an ALUXX grade aluminum material. The frame looks solid and also feels the same way when I took it for the 30 Km test ride. The frame tubes are neither flat nor cylindrical. It is flat on the top but rounds up as it goes to the bottom for all the tubes. This has made sure the weight of the bicycle is kept at check, which is what is needed for an urban bicycle. The ALUXX aluminum is optimized for strength-to-weight ratio with single butting resulting in light weight without sacrificing strength. The 63mm SR Suntour NEX HLO front suspension works enough to absorb vibrations of speed breakers and pot holes on the road.

When it comes to design, Giant is easily on top in terms of new shades of colour and design shapes on the bicycle every year. The Roam has been one of Giant‰Ûªs most successful urban bicycle series and the main selling point for the Roam‰Ûªs have been the aesthetic appearance. The 2017 Roam 3.D 2017 which I test rode came in a black/grey colour variant. The black colour on the front of the bicycle fades into a grey shade at the middle of the frame and remains grey until the tail. This dual fade shade colour pattern definitely enhances the looks of the Roam 3.D. The sleek chain and seat stays look slick and neat which is in contrast to the large top and bottom tubes.

The gearing in the Roam 3.D 2017 is handled by a combination of Shimano M191 at the front and Shimano Acera at the rear. Combining 2 different levels of gearing have increasingly become popular amongst international brands, especially in their entry level bicycles. The Shimano M191 is the most entry level gear in Shimano‰Ûªs family but when it is put to use with the Acera at the rear the balance and smoothness in the gearing is perfect. The Shimano EF500 24 speed gear shifters were in perfect handle placement when engaging from the grips. The springs did not make much noise and also was easy to push and trigger to change the gears.

The stopping power in the Roam 3.D 2017 is taken care of by a powerful Tektro TKB172 mechanical disc brake at the front and back with an impressive 160mm rotors. This is the Roam‰Ûªs Disc variant and is one of the most important selling point of this bicycle. The disc brakes do live up to its high expectations and was balanced and safe to engage even at high speeds during my test ride.

Giant is known for their in house componentry and majority of their bicycles. One such component is the handlebar. The Giant Sport low rise handlebar is lengthy with very slight rise of 31.8mm. This resembles an MTB handlebar which means a comfortable and open chested riding posture giving a much better control over the bicycle to maneuver in traffic.

The Giant Crosscut is a new in house tire brand which impressed during the test ride. The 700X x 38C tires. They were a good mix of hybrid and MTB tire characteristics. The sleek design combined with the solid thread patterns make sure you are going not only fast but also safe during turns and bad roads. The Anti-Puncture tire gives you an extra layer of added protection from the annoying punctures during your ride.

The Giant Connect upright saddle resembles a road bicycles saddle. Sleek and wide with a perfect shape for the sit bones to be places. There is enough cushioning at the right places to escape soreness. The overall ride quality was smooth and sturdy on flat and pot-holes filled urban roads.