Strengths: Comfort, durability, not too long or narrow, like a Flite.
200 km rides a breeze
Weaknesses: Mine kinda groans and squawks when I really grunt down on it climbing. I have broken a rail on one, the magnesium..some say heavy, what kind of price can you put on comfort and no saddle sores??
Bottom Line:
Been using Turbos of all types for almost twenty years, mu bum was made for them, tried San Marcos and even Flites but they didn't have that shape that works, and they have consistently been a fantastic saddle.
Similar Products Used: San Marcos Rolls, Ritchey WCS, Fizik Pave, Titanium Flite
Bike Setup: Giant TCR1, full Campy Record carbon, G3 wheels, Ritchey bars and stem.
Moser Over, full Campy Chorus, Mavic wheels, Ritchey bars and stem.
Giant TCR Team, full Campy Chorus, Mavic wheels,Ritchey bars and stem.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DanielT
a Recreational Rider
from Breckenridge, Colorado
Weaknesses: As with other reviews: paint chips, fades/scrapes in the divit behind seatpost. Not as plush as steel or ti, but lots of bang for the buck. Get a carbon seatpost.
Bottom Line:
Got a great deal on this bike, so naturally I was a bit cynical (ALWAYS USE PAYPAL OR ESCROW,COM!!!). But the bike came in good shape, and once I got it dialed in it has been great. With low level components on it, it still weighs about 19 lbs. Climbs great on big long mountain passes I usually ride (over 3000 ft.) Very fast, mauevers well, almost too responsive on big decents. Long rides can get weary, but hey, its a light alum. bike, this is typical.
Strengths: Very light, very very light. Firm yet comfortable ride. Good high speed decender. Good in crits. Good in long RR.
Weaknesses: If you buy a frameset, replace the headset asap. Don't even think of buying the Giant seatpost or stem. Go with DA or Campy or a Chris King.
Bottom Line:
If you want an expensive bike to show off, get a Lightspeed. If you want to ride hard, get a TCR.
Purchased At: Pro deal from Giant and kit from my shop
Similar Products Used: Canondale, Bianchi TSX w/ Campy Chorus
Bike Setup: Euro- TCR TEAM frame w/ Dura Ace kit. DA seatpost DA headset, ITM bar and stem. Flite Gel seat. Wheel depend on use. Standard DA spoked wheels for Crits w/ CX & CG, Mavic's w/ Conti comps for RR. Clinchers for training.
Strengths: Light! 18lb very stiff,nimble as hell great to climb,sprint and roleur
Weaknesses: cheapo paint,marks and chips fairly easily
Bottom Line:
From the first time I saw Jaja on one of these,I saw what Giant was doing and traded in my custom Cyclops steel for my TCR. I have put this thing through the mill, period. It has been on the tough end of a 65kmh crash, twice!...BTW,I did lose the original forks in the first crash...and survived the chimps at the airlines with ease.I climb like I never have, am noticeably quicker in my jumps and sprints, and never get pinch flats,as I can either flick the bike around all over without thinking, or the bike absorbs the hit...as for not being comfortable,I took it omn a 10 day trip up through the Pyrennes with something like 6-9hr a day in the saddle,and it was superb.Buy one of these bikes, you will not regret it
