Giant Escape 1 (2018) - Review

The ALUXX grade aluminium frame on the Escape 1 is single butted which makes it strong and stiff. The responsiveness of this frame from the surface is excellent and contributes towards a smooth ride. The single butted tubes with smooth welds help create a lightweight frame and also a comfortable riding posture.The alloy composite fork is bladed and contributes to the lightweight frame and also to the smooth steering.

Like the other bicycles in the Escape series this model also comes with MTB gearing from Shimano. A combination of Altus/Alivio powers this performance-focused hybrid. The Alivio at the rear helps shift quickly and smoothly without any lags at all. The 27-Speed drivetrain has the depth for both climbs and acceleration. The Shimano Altus shifters are easy to operate.

The Escape series is all about simple yet neat and classy design. Being a higher end bicycle in this series, the Escape 1 has a top-notch paint job quality. The full back matte finish and red colour come with subtle graphics. The internal cable routing has been done perfectly making the bicycle look neat on all sides.

The Escape 1 comes in 2 variants, V-brakes and Hydraulic Disc brakes. The one which I test rode came equipped with Tekro's CL53 V-Brakes at the front and rear. These brakes were superb in functioning with balanced stopping power on both sudden halts and interval braking. The brake levers were easy to operate with just 3 fingers and had a nice feel on how much braking pressure has been applied.The Giant Connect low raise handlebar is an ideal mix of performance and comfort. The width gives the aggressiveness to control the steerer whilst the raise from the middle gives a comfortable riding posture.

The Giant S-X2 Puncture Protect 7x32C tires are excellent on smooth roads. They generate fast rolling resistance and also provide superb traction on both wet and dry surfaces. The puncture-protect technology on these tires saves you from majority of the minor punctures on the road, which is very helpful when touring. The stock saddle Giant Contact Comfort has an ergonomic design and shape with some road saddle characteristics making it perfect for fast rides, but the average commuter might need some extra cushioning. The overall ride quality was fast and comfortable on urban roads.