Giant Bicycle Inc. 1999 TCR 2R

Price Paid:  $899.00 at Bath Cycles

Favorite Ride:
South Wiltshire

Bike Setup:
Standard except Answer flat bars, xlite stubbie bar ends, XT brakes and shifters.

Summary:
This bike is so comfortable. It just seems to float. It is even better now I have moved to flat bars and bar ends.

Strengths:
Cardbon Forks and Frame

Weaknesses:
Drop handlebars and stem flex

Similar Products Used:
First road bike, but have had many Mountain Bikes. Current is a well used but loved Proflex 757

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at used from a friend

Favorite Ride:
long days in the San Juan's

Bike Setup:
Dura-ace, Velomax Circuits (great wheels!), ITM stem, Alien carbon seatpost, chris king headset,

Summary:
For the money, this is a great, work-horse racing bike. The geometry allows someone like myself, with short legs and a long upper body, to stretch out a little and be comfortable. I love to climb and this seems to be the TCR's greatest strength. Would I rather have a state-of-the-art Italian or titanium frame? Sure, but I don't think that there is much out there that can match the fit and function of the TCR at anywhere near this price range.

Strengths:
Light and quick. Climbs like a mountain goat on roids! I imagine (if I had any fast-twitch muscles anywhere in my body) that it would also be a decent sprinting bike as well. Long top tube. This is the first road bike that I've owned where I don't need to buy the longest stem made in order to be comfortable.

Weaknesses:
The fork, while interesting looking, may be a little stiff for a compact aluminum bike. I've given up trying to adjust the derailleurs to keep the chainrings from grinding on each end of the spectrum (may be caused from really short chainstays). The welding is a little sloppy, but this bike is more about cheap speed than fine art. Steering is quick and requires a little bit of finess and attention when riding in a large peloton (more of a weakness on the rider?).

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi SLX, a Cannondale Too-stiff, and a Miyata Too-heavy.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Sausilito Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Dam loop in Marin Cty

Bike Setup:
105 group, Mavic wheels, threadless stem(although upgraded to Deda), carbon fork and seatpost, VERY light frame.

Summary:
Fast, responsive bike that is $400 cheaper than anything else out there with the same componentry and materials - carbon fork, threadless steerer tube, clipless pedals, full 105 group. If you don't mind the stiffness of aluminum and don't mind upgrading the stem and saddle, then this is an excellent bike! (and I think the 2001 model has a better stem on it now).

Strengths:
Great value right out of the box. Good base of products and easily upgradeable. Tight, stiff ride. Modern technology and materials.

Weaknesses:
Stem, saddle.

Similar Products Used:
KHS Flight800

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Toms Rivertrail Bikes

Bike Setup:
stock, with mavic open pros, ultegra derailers and Bottom bracket. new Salsa stem

Summary:
Great for the entry level to mid level racer. The frame is only .2 lbs. heavy than lance armstrongs bike, you can widdle this down to 16.5 lbs, if you want to spend 4000 dollars. Or you buy it for around 1200, and you have a reliable, great entry level racer that is going to last you, I like the compact frame idea. Schwinn switched to it, introducing the Schwinn fastback. The smaller frame idea has better handling and less weight.

Strengths:
Very fast acceleration and climbing, very responsive, and nice stiff fast ride. Great value, very upgradeable

Weaknesses:
none that I know of, everything is mid-level and you can upgrade things, such as wheels, components, etc.

Similar Products Used:
diamond back interval

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at bikesport, michigan

Favorite Ride:
any road/criterium race

Bike Setup:
WHILST I WAS HAPPY WITH THE ORGINAL SET UP I BECAME OBSSESSED WITH IMPROVEMENT AND CHANGED TO DURACE GROUPSET
DEDA 215 BAR, H2O PROFILE STEM, SALSA SEAT CLAMP,SPINERGY SPOX R1 WHEELS WITH AXIAL PRO MICHELINS, WITH TIME MAG PEDALS

Summary:
I LOVE THIS BIKE
IT WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE...
THE LOOK CREATED INTEREST, THE WEIGHT CREATED AWE,THE FIT WAS PURE(THX TO BIKESPORT) THE COMFORT IS SURPRISING AND THE VALUE PHENOMINAL.
THE ENHANCEMENTS THAT I MADE ONLY IMPROVED THIS EVALUATION

SO WHAT DO I REALLY THINK?????
I HAVE PUT THIS BIKE BACK TOGETHER IN COMPLETE TCR 2R FORM TO SELL COMPLETE SO I CAN GET ANOTHER...THE TCR 0(2001MODEL)

I AM SO HAAPY THAT I BOUGHT MY GIANT

Strengths:
IT LOOKS GREAT AND NOT LIKE EVERY OTHER BIKE
THE FINISH IS GOOD/THOUGH THE WELDS ARENT THE NEATEST
THE FRAME IS STIFF
ITS EXTREMELY LIGHT
ITS HIGHLY RESPONSIVE IN ACCELERATION
ITS VERY MANOUVERABLE
ALUMINUM FRAME RIDE QUALITY IS SOFTENED WITH CARBON FORK AND SEAT POST
105 GROUP SET IS VERY GOOD AND GREAT VALUE
105/CXP23 WHEELS ARE EXCELLENT FOR TRAINING AND TOURING
FITTING SYSTEM FOR THE BIKE IS INFINITELY FLEXIBLE
FRAME QUALITY IS OF UPGRADABLE QUALITY
EXCELLENT ENTRY LEVEL RACER OR SERIOUS ENTHUSIAST BIKE

Weaknesses:
ADJUSTABLE STEM IS TOO FLEXIBLE FOR LARGER RIDERS
4MM SEAT CLAMP IS NOT THE BEST
THE YELLOW COLOR SCHEME REQUIRES FASTIDIOUS UPKEEP
I DIDNT LIKE THE HUTCHISON TYRES

Similar Products Used:
None