Giant ToughRoad SLR 0 2017

The Toughroad SLR 0 is an interesting bike. Calling it Toughroad makes sense, but just as easily it could have been called a Giant 'Fastmountain', or something similar. 

The Toughroad is a wide tyred (50mm) 700c hybrid style bike without suspension.

Or the 'Fastmountain'  description could have read, 'non suspended 29er Mountain Bike with 2 inch tyres'.

The Toughroad SLR 0 has a carbon fibre front fork fitted to a superlight aluminium frame, forming a formidable chassis on which to assemble a range of high quality components. 

From the factory, the Toughroad is fitted with 700 x 50 tyres, which is a great size for off road riding, bike paths,  dirt and gravel tracks and trails or off road touring.

The Toughroad SLR 0 is the top model in a range of 3 bikes. Each shares the same frame and fork with the quality of the components varying between models.  A significant difference is the gearing that is provided with each model. Depending on your use for the bike and your fitness/strength level, one model may be more suitable than the other. If you are interested in a Toughroad, but are uncertain which one, call in for some helpful advice. 

The Toughroad SLR 0 is one of the new breed of bikes with just 11 speed gears. A simple arrangement, it has just one chainring at the front and a wide range 11 speed cassette at the rear. The lowest gear ratio being 24 inches with a top gear of 94 inches.

This Toughroad SLR 1 is the middle model which has a 20 speed setup with 2 chainrings at the front and a 10 speed rear cassette. The lowest gear ratio being slightly lower at 22 inches with a higher top gear of 110 inches

The base model Toughroad SLR 2 is a 27 speed bike, arrived at by 3 chainrings at the front and 9 sprockets at the rear. The lowest gear ratio being 18 inches with a top gear of 110 inches

So, the SLR 2 has the widest gear range, but has the heavier and more complicated mechanism.

This SLR 1 has a slightly higher bottom gear and the same top gear from a slightly lighter, slightly less complicated mechanism.  

The SLR 0 low gear is slightly higher again and the highest gear is a fair step down, but the mechanism is the lightest and least complex with just one chainring and no front derailleur. All of the other components are also of a higher standard than the lower 2 models.