This is an introduction to GIANT's "ESCAPE RX Series" cross bikes, which focus on cycling, with information released on March 29, 2024!
This is an early release model for the 2025 model year (scheduled to be released in mid-April 2024).
The GIANT cross bike gained a lot of attention in the 2023 model year, with the release of the "LTD Series" as a limited edition model due to soaring prices.
However, the announcement of the 2024 model, which would normally have been made last year (2023) in the summer to autumn, was postponed, and it has now been decided that it will be released this spring as an early 2025 model!
[Added: April 2024] Following the RX series, the 2025 models of the "ESCAPE R Series" and "GRAVIE Series" have also been announced!
*GIANT products are not available for mail order due to the manufacturer's policy. Please visit your nearest GIANT dealer or Eirin street store for purchase.
When it comes to cross bikes that are close to road bikes, there is a category called "flat bar road bikes."
Flat bar road bikes generally refer to models where a road bike (drop handlebars) has been customized with flat handlebars.
Compared to popular cross bikes, flat bar road bikes often shed unnecessary specifications to achieve the distinctive forward-leaning posture and lightness of road bikes. While they offer less "ease and convenience" than cross bikes, they promise riding performance in terms of "lightness and speed."
*Image
GIANT's ESCAPE RX series, unlike popular flat bar road bikes, is fundamentally based on a cross bike◎
・For riders who find the forward-leaning posture of road bikes "tiring" or "scary," it offers an upright position while maintaining maneuverability.
・It provides convenience with easy attachment of carriers, mudguards, etc.
・It offers the lightweight, "crisp" ride and speed of a road bike.
"I want to incorporate cycling into my daily exercise, and I want to try cycling on cycling roads... but road bikes are too intimidating."
It can be said to be a high-end cross bike model developed for such riders.
GIANT's top-of-the-line ESCAPE RX series model, "RX 1 DISC." It is a cross bike that is close to a flat bar road bike, with "SHIMANO Tiagra (2×10 speed)", a road bike component, adopted as the main component◎
●Frame
The color scheme is meticulously designed with special paint + stripe decals, similar to GIANT's high-end road bikes.
The frame material is GIANT's proprietary high-grade aluminum "ALUXX SL-Grade," a lightweight aluminum frame◎ This is a higher grade than the brand's standard cross bike "ESCAPE R series" and entry-level road bike "CONTEND series," which alone boosts the desire to own one!
●Front Fork
The front fork is a full carbon fork with a tapered steerer tube.
In addition to being lightweight and having high steering rigidity, it also offers improved vibration absorption, which helps reduce fatigue on long rides◎
●Brakes
The brakes are hydraulic disc brakes with flat mount calipers, the same standard as road bikes.
They offer sustained braking power in bad weather and excellent control with light force◎
●Seatpost
The "D-FUSE" standard, which has become a staple in the GIANT ESCAPE RX series.
The seatpost has a D-shaped cross-section. This helps absorb vibrations from the road. This model is designed to reduce stress on the rider's posterior during long rides◎
Furthermore, the RX1 DISC features a carbon seatpost, further enhancing lightness and vibration absorption!
●Points not listed on the manufacturer's official website
The "RX1 DISC" is the only model in the 2025 RX series that maintains its price. However, the parts configuration has undergone minor changes.
In particular, the crank, which was a SHIMANO Tiagra crank in the previous model, has been changed to a PROWHEEL-made crank in this model, which is a bit disappointing.
However, judging from the photos, it seems to be a crank with a bash guard, so although the riding performance may be slightly reduced, it might be a welcome feature for everyday use.
And the tire width has changed from 28c to 30c. This reflects the recent trend of "narrow tires aren't always faster for long distances"!
The "ESCAPE RX 2 DISC" is the mid-range model in the RX series. This model features SHIMANO's new component, "CUES (2×9 speed)," making it a notable release!
●Frame
The frame is made of GIANT's high-grade aluminum "ALUXX SL-Grade," which is common to the RX series, resulting in a lightweight and highly rigid frame.
The frame geometry is also consistent across the RX series, offering high maneuverability with an upright position, excellent pedaling efficiency, and vibration absorption, making it a top-class high-performance aluminum frame for cross bikes◎
●Front Fork
The front fork is also a full carbon fork with a tapered steerer, similar to the higher-grade RX1 DISC.
Lightweight, vibration absorbing, and steering rigidity—these are highly welcome features for a front fork used in a cross bike◎
●Components
SHIMANO's new "CUES" component. This spec is highly regarded for its intuitive shift control derived from MTB and its high durability◎
Although a CUES model for drop handlebars has not yet been announced, it is highly likely to be released, which suggests potential for customization!
●Seatpost
The seatpost adopts the D-FUSE standard aluminum seatpost.
While the RX1 DISC features carbon, this seatpost is a step down. Nevertheless, the D-FUSE standard reduces vibration to the posterior more than a normal seatpost, offering significant benefits for long rides◎
●Points not listed on the manufacturer's official website
Unfortunately, the RX2 DISC has seen a price increase (from ￥91,300 to ￥118,800 including tax) compared to last year's LTD series. However, considering that the manufacturer was sacrificing profit for the sale price, the current price might be neutral.
However, while the previous model's parts configuration was a "mishmash" (SHIMANO or MICROSHIFT) and became a topic on SNS, the upgraded CUES in this model is a welcome improvement◎
Also, the number of color options has been reduced. Usually, there would be three base colors and one special paint, but the special paint has been omitted this time. Disappointing 😢
The RX2 DISC, as a high-performance cross bike for cycling, offers a good balance of specifications and price. It's recommended for everyday use as well as occasional long rides!
The ESCAPE RX series' long-selling model, "RX 3." This model can be said to be the origin of the RX series!
●Frame
The lightweight and high-rigidity rim brake specific frame adopts ALUXX SL-Grade, consistent with the RX series.
It's a high-performance frame with potential comparable to aluminum road bikes◎
●Front Fork
The front fork is made of aluminum, unlike the higher-end models.
The fork shape is straight, providing a "crisp" ride feel◎
●Seatpost
The seatpost is an aluminum D-FUSE standard seatpost, similar to the higher-end RX2 DISC model.
Contributes to reducing stress on the posterior◎
●Points not listed on the manufacturer's official website
The "ESCAPE RX3" uses rim brakes (V-brakes). It is the only model with rim brakes, as the two higher-end models feature hydraulic disc brakes.
While the previous model had 2×9 speed, this model has been downgraded to 2×8 speed.
Compared to the higher-grade "RX2 DISC"･･･
Different brakes (Hydraulic disc brakes ⇒ V-brakes)
Different forks (Carbon fork ⇒ Aluminum fork)
Different components (CUES ⇒ ALTUS)
Different prices (￥118,800 ⇒ ￥86,900)
Roughly, that's how it is. Budget is a factor, but the ideal is "just the right specs for your use." Please choose based on your frequency of riding and distance!
However, the RX2 DISC and RX3 differ in brake standards and forks, meaning that even if you try to customize the RX3, it won't become an RX2 DISC.
Incidentally, the RX2 DISC can be customized to an RX1 DISC later, so if you are considering future customization, I personally think the RX2 DISC is the safest bet to reduce initial costs!
Last year, GIANT's highly popular "ESCAPE R Series" for everyday cross bikes was announced, and due to soaring prices, significant model changes were made to keep the selling price down.
In the midst of that, the announcement of the "ESCAPE RX series" cycling cross bikes was postponed, and since it is a popular model at our store, we had been eagerly awaiting information.
Among the staff, there were negative predictions such as "it will be detuned" or "it will be extremely expensive"... but it seems that they managed to hold their ground.
That being said, the price has indeed increased, which is disappointing for those considering a cross bike for the first time.
Once again, please review the "just right specs for your use" and consider the balance between performance and price that suits you!
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