by Jeanine

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few rides on my new 2012 Giant Avail 2! It was the first size XXS to arrive in Canada, and for a woman who is only 4’9”, it means that I have finally found a road bike that actually fits (no small feat)! Special features on the women’s specific model, such as the narrower bars and shorter reach brakes, make it ideal for a smaller female cyclist. I thought I would share some of the qualities that have made me realize that the Avail is the perfect bike for me.

Here are the top 10 reasons why I love my new Giant Avail 2:

10. Stability when descending – it is great on high speed downhill sections, and still feels solid and stable, even when I hit the odd bump in the road.

9. Narrow bars – the women’s specific design has narrower handlebars, which means I can steer the bike easily and with confidence.

8. Braking control – with shorter reach levers, I feel like I can reach the brakes quickly whenever I need to (which hopefully won’t be too often)!

7. Off-road comfort – I often ride with the Local Ride gang and they like to add a dash of dirt to every ride, like a bit of gravel or trail – even aboard their full-on road bikes. The Avail passes the off-road test easily, as I can maneuver swiftly in tight spots, and feel very comfortable on even the rougher sections.

6. Steering – I definitely feel in control at all times, and I especially enjoy the way the bike handles in corners.

5. Easy to shift – whenever I need to shift gears, it does so quickly and efficiently.

4. Light climbing – the Avail is nice and light on the climbs, which means that climbing is a pleasant experience, and I actually know what it feels like to “dance on the pedals”!

3. Responsiveness – Anytime I choose to accelerate, the bike responds immediately when I put just a little bit more power into my pedal stroke.

2. Smooth feel – In general, the bike just feels smooth and comfortable. I feel confident and in control riding it at all times.

1. It’s just plain fun to ride!

Overall I only have praise for my new little red Giant Avail 2!