I was looking for a Giant bike the other day only to come across a Scott bike, which promised the same specs. Confused as I was, I went ahead to research Scott bikes vs Giant bikes, and below is my finding:
Scott bikes are generally lightweight and high-quality, targeting the mid-range and high-end market, but often costlier than Giant bikes and have a shorter frame warranty. In contrast, Giant offers more affordable bikes, which suit entry-level and mid-range markets, and a better frame warranty.
But overall, there’s so much that these two leading bike brands have in common. For example, it’s hard to split them according to bike range, customization, brand success, suspension and other technologies, and components quality.
To help you understand what I’m saying, I’ll compare the two bike brands, highlighting the differences and similarities.
Let’s get started:
Scott Bikes Vs Giant Bikes: Side-By-Side Comparison
Choosing between Scott bikes and Giant bikes is never easy. It’s even more complicated considering that Giant Bicycles make bike frames for Scott.
However, here are some basics you can use to choose between them:
1. Bike Range
Scott presently stocks the following bicycle categories:
- Mountain bikes
- Cyclocross bikes
- Gravel bikes
- City bikes
- Hybrid bikes
- Road bikes
Their mountain, road, and city bikes also come in electric options, and there are dedicated lines for women and children.
Giant, on the other hand, makes the following bike types:
- Road bikes
- City bikes
- Hybrid bikes
- Cruisers
- Mountain bikes
- Gravel bikes
- Cyclocross bikes
Giant also sells electric bikes and dedicated lines for kids and women.
Verdict – These two brands stock almost the same bike types. So, there is no clear winner here.
2. Scott Bikes Vs Giant Target Market
Giant Bicycles target all kinds of cyclists, from entry-level to mid-level to high-end. They focus more on entry-level and mid-range.
Though Scott stocks a few entry-level bikes, their primary focus is the mid-range and high-end markets.
Verdict – Scott leans more towards the mid-range and high-end market while Giant leans more towards the entry-level and mid-range.
3. Bike Price
This is one area where the difference between Scott and Giant is clear. Though Giant is historically identified with high-end bikes, the options are not as expensive as Scott’s.
For example, while it’s possible to get a Giant road bike for under $1,000, you need at least $2,000 to get a Scott road bike.
Verdict – Scott bikes are slightly costlier than Giant bikes.
4. Warranty Coverage
Scott generally offers you a 5-year warranty for the frame. The warranty is limited to the initial purchaser, covering the bike against manufacturer defects.
The Swingarms also comes with a 5-year warranty, while the Syncros components have two years.
Giant, in contrast, offers a limited lifetime warranty for the bike frame, and the same goes for rigid forks. They, however, offer a 1-year limited warranty for other parts and bike accessories.
Verdict – Giant offers a better frame warranty than Scott.
5. Frame Quality
Scott first introduced a carbon frame in 1985, when their Endorphin mountain bike graved the World’s stage. Ever since, the brand has been prioritizing carbon frames over others, especially on their MTBs and road bikes.
The reasons are apparent, as carbon is lighter, strong, stable, and comfortable. So, Scott bikes quality is unquestionable.
Giant high-end bikes also employ carbon frames, which promise comfort and strength. However, most of their entry-level and mid-range bikes use aluminum, which is not as high-quality as carbon.
Verdict –Both brands employ quality carbon frames, but you will likely find more Scott carbon bikes than Giant carbon bikes.
6. Suspension and Other Technologies
Suspension
Both Giant and Scott employ different suspension technologies that are unequaled by any other.
Giant, for example, is popularly known for the Maestro Suspension, which employs a floating pivotal system to offer you a more cushioned trail ride.
Some bikes also employ FlexPoint Suspension Technology, characterized by a lighter but durable shock absorption system.
Scott, in contrast, is known for the Patented Integrated Suspension and the Single-Pivot Suspension.
The Patented Integrated Suspension makes the frame more rigid and improves bike handling, stability, and cycling confidence.
The Single-Pivot Suspension, on the other hand, is a full-suspension technology for technical cross country racing and single tracks. It’s generally lightweight and offers maximum bump absorption.
Another notable Scott suspension technology is the Twin-Lock Suspension, which allows riders to keep both of their hands on the bike handlebars while picking their preferred travel range.
Other Technologies
Giant is known to employ Aluxx Aluminum Technology to make lightweight and more robust aluminum framesets.
The bike manufacturer also employs Advanced Composite Technology and Comax Composite Technology to make stiffer, more robust, and lighter carbon frames.
Giant also employs Overdrive Steerer Tube Technology to create steerer tubes that offer riders a stiffer bike frame for an aggressive ride.
Giant is also known for the AeroSystem Shaping Technology, which they use to make aerodynamic frames.
When it comes to Scott, they are known for their Adjustable head-angle technology, which lets you adjust the head tube, depending on preference. You can opt for a slacked geometry or a more aggressive option.
Another technology that Scott is known for is Evo-Lap, a computer modeling technology that creates more optimized road bikes.
Scott is also known for Sandwich Dropouts and Seat Clamp technologies that give their road bikes a lightweight structure.
Moreover, Scott employs hollow structures to keep the weight of the frame lighter.
Verdict – It’s hard to conclude that one bike brand is better than the other here as they all employ different technologies that make them unique. So, they share the spoils here.
7. Scott Vs Giant Bikes Geometry
Owing to Giant’s Overdrive Steerer Tube Technology, Giant bikes have a stiffer geometry, suiting aggressive cyclists.
And due to Scott’s adjustable head-angle technology, Scott bikes allow you to enjoy an aggressive or slacker geometry.
Verdict – Thanks to Scott’s adjustable head-angle technology, Scott bikes offer you the option of riding aggressively or in a laid-back manner. So, Scott bikes win here.
8. Scott Vs Giant Bikes Weight
Though Giant makes bike frames for Scott, Scott’s bikes are lighter in weight. Primarily, that’s owing to Scott’s emphasis on high-grade carbon and hollow frame designs.
While Giant bikes also come in carbon frames, most feature aluminum frames, which are not as light as carbon.
Verdict – Though both brands stock lightweight carbon bikes, Scott bikes are slightly lighter, thanks to their frames’ hollow design and Sandwich Dropouts and Seat Clamp technologies.
9. Components
Scott gets most of its components from Syncros, which is a standalone entity within Scott Sports. Syncros has been making bike components for Scott for over 30 years, therefore enjoying a good reputation.
Some of the components that Syncros makes for Scott include wheels, handlebars, stems, saddles, grips, pedals, seat posts, headsets, bike mounts, and kickstands.
And when it comes to the brakes, drivetrains, tires, and suspension forks, Scott gets them from trusted third parties. For example, they get their drivetrain components mostly from SRAM and disc brakes mostly from Shimano.
Giant also gets drivetrain components, disc brakes, tires, and suspension forks from trusted third parties. But just like Scott, they have their in-house manufacturing team that builds the parts that Syncros makes for Scott.
Verdict – Both bike brands have their self-made components, which are high-quality. So, it’s hard to separate the two here.
10. Scott Vs Giant Bikes Brand Success
Both Giant and Scott have had some fantastic success stories over the years. Giant, for example, has been sponsoring pro riders in the world cycling championship since 1995.
Notable athletes include British mountain biker Danny Hart, American pro cyclist John Tomac, and Norwegian mountain bike Rune Hoydahl.
Scott has also sponsored several Tour de France, XCO world championships, and Olympic winners. One notable personality is Greg Lemond, winner of the 1989 Tour de France.
Jenny Rissveds and Nino Schurter also won gold in their respective categories at the 2016 Olympic and the XCO World Championships.
Verdict – Both brands may have different success patterns, but there is no disputing that both have been successful.
11. Bike Building
Both Scott and Giant offer you the option of building your road bike or MTB and customizing it.
Scott, for instance, not only offers you an MTB frame to customize, but a powerful shock also accompanies it.
Giant also allows you to pick a frame that matches your size and build your bike from scratch. You then select the components you want, which is crucial if you are a pro rider.
Verdict – Both brands allow you to build your bike according to your cycling needs and preference.
Scott Bikes Vs Giant Bikes Compared
Let’s see how Scott road, mountain, and hybrid bikes compare with their Giant siblings:
Scott Bikes Vs Giant Road Bikes
Scott and Giant road bikes have some resemblances, which can be confusing. However, here’s how the two brands compare:
a) Frame Quality
When it comes to Giant road bike frames, you have to choose between carbon and aluminum. Overall, there are more carbon Giant road bikes than aluminum options.
Scott, in contrast, employs carbon in almost all their road bikes, which enjoy a hollow design, thus extra lightweight.
b) Brakes
Giant road bikes come with either rim brakes or disc brakes. But overall, there are more disc brake road bikes than rim brake options.
Interestingly, Scott employs disc brakes on almost all road bikes to match their high-end carbon frames in quality.
c) Bike Price
Scott entry-level road bikes start from around $1,999.99 as it’s the case of the Scott Addict 30 to as high as $12,999.99 as it’s the case of the Scott Addict RC Ultimate.
Giant road bikes come at all price points. Their most expensive road bike, the TCR Advanced SL, costs $11,850, but most options fall under $4,000.
On a budget, you get an entry-level Giant road bike under $1,000, as it’s the case with the Giant Contend 3.
Scott Bikes Vs Giant Mountain Bikes
Here’s how Scott and Giant MTBs compare:
a) Frame Quality and Geometry
Scott employs carbon frames on their mountain bikes to promise comfort, stability, and above everything, a lighter weight. So, the frame quality is not questionable.
But to set themselves apart, Scott MTB frames mostly feature an adjustable head-angle to allow you the convenience of a slacker and stiffer geometry.
A stiffer geometry is for aggressive cycling, while a slacker geometry is for relaxed cycling.
Giant also employs carbon frames, but the difference is that you are less likely to adjust the geometry.
b) MTB Price
Scott mountain bikes are not cheap. Their cross-country, enduro, trail, and downhill mountain bikes cost as much as $8,999.99-$13,999.99. You can, however, get budget Scott sport mountain bikes under $1,000.
Giant MTBs are not as highly-priced as Scott MTBs. For example, their most budget-friendly MTB, Giant ATX, costs under $500, while their costliest option, Trance XE + Pro 29 1, costs about $6,150.
Scott Hybrid Bikes Vs Giant Hybrid Bikes
When it comes to Scott and Giant hybrid bikes, there is little to separate them in the riding comfort.
For example, expect both bike types to offer you an upright riding position and feature comfortable saddles. Expect them also to come with multi-geared drivetrains and with massive solid tires.
Perhaps the key difference is the price. Though both bike brands sell their hybrid bikes for under $1,000, Giant sells slightly cheaper as you can get one under $500 when the most affordable Scott hybrid costs about $699.99.
FAQs
1. Which Bike Is Better Giant Or Scott?
Cost-wise, Giant bikes are cheaper than Scott bikes, making Giant the better option for budget buyers. But in terms of bike quality, Scott bikes are more high-quality as they feature more high-end frames and components.
2. Are Scott Bikes Made By Giant?
Giant makes bike frames for Scott, but Scott has an in-house standalone manufacturer, Syncros, that manufactures most components.
3. Are Scott Bikes Good Quality?
Scott hybrid bikes are comfortable to ride and decent in quality. The bikes feature durable and high-performing components and enjoy lightweight but sturdier and more stable aluminum frames.
So, yes, Scott bikes are good quality.
Scott Bikes Vs Giant Bikes: Closing Thought:
When it comes to Scott and Giant bikes, you’ve to consider your budget and cycling needs. Giant is a good option on a budget, but Scott is the way to go if you want a more high-end bike.