**TLDR**: Domane AL2 or the Giant Contend 2 ? I love the Trek, but I’m afraid the Giant’s a bit more expensive but a way better value proposition over the long run.
***Please share your experience if you’ve owned either of the bikes.***
Buyer Context:
Finally able to buy a real road bike, looking at the entry level segment, zeroed in on two but need help in picking one.
**Quality of Roads**: Not great, sometimes terrible. Expect to ride on occasional sharp gravel, potholes, puddles etc. So tires are important.
Preferences in order: Futureproof Frame, Weight, Ease of Repair, Upgradability, Quality of stock tires
Links:
Trek Domane AL2 (rim brakes) – [Buy Trek Domane AL 2 Aluminium Endurance Road Bicycle Online | Wide Range, Best Price – BUMSONTHESADDLE](https://bumsonthesaddle.com/collections/trek-bikes/products/trek-domane-al-2-gloss-mulsanne-blue-matte-trek-black) \[\~ $901\]
Giant Contend 2 (rim brakes) – [Buy Giant Contend 2 Aluminium Endurance Road Bicycle Online | Wide Range, Best Price – BUMSONTHESADDLE](https://bumsonthesaddle.com/collections/giant-bicycles/products/giant-contend-2-cold-iron) \[\~ $939\]
Quick Notes:
1) **Aluminum frames & Claris shifters on both bikes** although Giant has a FSA crank vs Shimano UN300 on the Trek.
2) **Giant has a carbon composite fork and internal cable routing** (both aren’t very important to me)
3) **Tires**: Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700×28 on the Trek, S-R3 AC all condition Road 700x28C on the Giant.
* Please share which one’s a better tire for the type of terrain I’ll be riding on.
My Concerns
* I love the Trek’s looks, that’s the bike I’ve been dreaming to buy, **but I’m afraid if the frame’s inferior to Contend’s** . Plus I’m not sure if the stock tires on the Trek will last me long.
* The **Giant’s more expensive** but seems to have better stock tires and a **carbon fork** (correct me if I’m wrong).
* Ultimately, **I want to buy a bike that’ll look like the better choice in 3-4 years** from now. Given I **keep both stock**.
Please correct me if I read pointless specs or/and missed key things to look for, I’m new to this. **Thanks for the help.**
[Domane AL2](https://preview.redd.it/753oxm8p2uob1.png?width=1440&format=png&auto=webp&s=09b0d345ad31cb2591d9b2522f90aba7b578ba15)
[Giant Contend 2](https://preview.redd.it/4un9og3t2uob1.png?width=1800&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e656780b3508e8697bda628c382365ec455b60a)
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by forzavettel77
2 Comments
Imo, both of these bikes will hold up exactly the same in 3-4 years. Neither of these bikes is better than the other. They’re both spec’d pretty much the same. Both of the bikes come with a carbon fork, the geometry is similar, and the price is more or less the same.
Neither tire is especially great, but they’ll do until you can upgrade to better tires. Tires are a cheap and convenient way to upgrade the feel and control of a bike, and shouldn’t be a reason to buy or not buy one. Plus, you need new tires every year or two. That being said, the Giant fits wider tires, which would probably work better for the terrain you’re riding on.
Either of these options are good. If you want the Trek, buy the Trek. It’s almost the exact same bike as the Giant and it sounds like it’s the one you want.
Carbon fork is a pretty big upgrade compared to aluminum, definitely worth the money and internal cable routing looks way better and cleaner. I also don’t like blue but that’s just me.
I wouldn’t worry about tires, they are the first thing you should replace. Maybe consider which bike has clearance for wider tires. The domane apparently can only fit 28 and the giant may be able to take up to 32, so another point for the giant.