Giant Escape 1 (2018) - Review

by Simon Ananda Raj May 19, 2025 1 min read

Giant is a bicycle manufacture who is considered one of the biggest and most popular international brand. With a wide range of models for different types of terrain and riders, the 2018 range of bicycles from Giant are now available in India. From their successful Escape range of hybrid we got the opportunity to test ride the Escape 1 (2018) and here is what we thought.

A good looking hybrid bicycle with a lot of road characteristics, helping you ride fast and be comfortable at the same time.

Simon Ananda Raj

Giant Escape 1 (2018)

Snapshot

3.8

Product Rating Out of 5

Performance 3.9

Design 4.1

Features 3.7

Value for Money 3.3
THINGS WE LIKE

✔ Lightweight and strong aluminium frame

✔ Aesthetic design and graphics

✔ Smooth and precise gear shifts

THINGS WE DON'T LIKE

✖ Lack of extra cushioning

✖ N/A

✖ N/A
Frame

Aluxx Grade Aluminium

This top quality aluminium frame is stiff and has a comfortable riding geometry.
Fork

Advanced Grade Composite

The alloy composite fork is bladed and contributes to the lightweight frame and also to the smooth steering.
Gearing

Shimano Altus/Alivio 3x9-Speed

The 27-Speed Shimano Altus/Alivio drivetrain is ideal for both commuting and touring.
Breaks

Tektro CL 530 V-Brakes

The Tektro V-Brakes are balanced and perform well on both wet and dry conditions.
Tires

Giant S-X2 Puncture Protect 700x32C

The 700Cx32C tires with puncture-protect technology are fast rolling and have have good traction.
Battery

N/A

N/A

: 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.

This top quality aluminium frame is stiff and has a comfortable riding geometry
: 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 27-Speed Shimano Altus/Alivio drivetrain is ideal for both commuting and touring
: 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 a single colour variant - Matte black with red graphics
: 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 Tektro V-Brakes are balanced and perform well on both wet and dry conditions
: 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.

The 7Cx32C tires with puncture-protect technology are fast rolling and have have good traction

: Provide the answer to the question here.

Quote
: With a perfect mix of road and hybrid characteristics this bicycle can go fast while being comfortable on smooth roads. With top-notch derailleurs and a stiff frame this bicycle is perfect for long distance rides and commuting. Priced at Rs.48, the Giant Escape 1 is an ideal bicycle for anyone looking for a closer alternative to a road bicycle's performance but on urban roads without compromising on comfort.Prices are subject to change by the brand, without due notice.