Articles Directory | Free Articles | New Articles Daily | The 2012 Giant Seek Range - Fast, Robust Urban Commuter Bikes With Style

With an increasing number people looking to use their bikes around town, whether for fun or commuting, the Seek range from Giant looks like a timely response. The call is for sturdy bikes that will stand up to the hard life on the streets, but are fast and fun to use.
The Giant Seeklooks to tick all those boxes - It's robust, but not over-burdened with features that you don't need; fast, yet not flimsy. The range is large enough for choice but not overwhelming. There are not models introduced just for the sake of marketing - every member of the collection is there on merit.
As you would expect, some features are shown by all bikes in the range:-
" Aluminium frames, forged with a hydroforming process for smooth shaping, and finished in smart metallic enamels. The top tube has a stainless sleeve to protect the paintwork from wear.
" The forks are aluminium too throughout. No carbon is used - no bad thing, given that these are bikes built to take the rough and tumble of the streets.
" Brakes are discs on all models. For all-condition performance discs can't be beaten. Mechanical operation on the entry-level model, hydraulic on all the others.
" Robust wheel rims, with 32mm tyres. These tyres are wide enough for occasional trips off the road, at the same time not so wide that they make cycling on the tarmac hard work.
" The pedals are flat, so fine for riding in trainers and the saddle is a nice comfortable model. There's a good range of sizes as well.
What are the models in the Seek range?
" The Seek 3 is the entry-level model. All the above are shown on this bike. There are 24 gears from sound Shimano components and Tektro mechanical discs. Nicely finished in titanium, the Seek 3 offers a great way into the range, and for a fast urban commuter bike it probably has all you could need.
" The Seek 2 features hydraulic disc brakes - so much smoother control over the power. There's an improvement in the quality of the brake components, and an increase from 24 to 27 ratios. The handlebar is nicer, forged from oversized tubing and mounted on a nicer stem. The finish is a striking matt white - great if you don't mind standing out from the crowd.
" The next model up the range is the Seek 1. There are quite a number of upgrades on offer here. Avid Elixir hydraulic disc brakes are well worth fitting, the gear components of higher Shimano quality and the fork is hydroformed to match the frame - it looks better and will be stronger too. There's a bit of a jump in price from the Seek 2, but the upgrades are worth having.
" The premier model in the range is the Seek 0. There's only one difference between the Seek 0 and the preceding model. And that's in the geartrain. The drive is no longer derailleur-based, but now has an 8-speed internal hub by Alfine. A simple trigger selects the gears, the whole appearance of the bike is simplified and so the package appears ideal for high-quality no-frills urban cycling - where the last thing you need are distractions when your mind should be on the other traffic. The finish, in brushed silver is very smart too.
When you stand back and look at the options, the Giant Seek rangeseems to have ticked all the boxes. From a solid entry-level model which has all you really look for in a fast urban bike at a reasonable price, through to a top-of-the-range bike where the best features are gathered together in a pretty sophisticated package, there's a model to suit every budget.