Giant Bicycle Inc. TCR 1

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at road bike reviews cl

Favorite Ride:
one with hills

Bike Setup:
ultegra wiht thompson elite stem, mavic cosmos

Summary:
i never bother with reveiws, but this site has helped me so many times, i decided to give a little something back

i love this bike , it blows away the free road bikes i was riding.

Strengths:
light, stiff, and aero shaped, very cheap. this bike was built for hills

Weaknesses:
stiff, only 3 frame sizes still cant find a seat im really happy with. under hard climbing the carbon fork can creak, and im not that heavy 160 pounds

Similar Products Used:
1980 univega, 81 ceturion,(junk) gary fish mnt bike

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
When I'm on my bike.

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR Once Team Limited Edition
Full Shimano Ultegra (top to bottom)
Performance Fuego Rims w/ Forte' hubs 16f/20r, Hutchison Carbon Comp tires
ITM Millenium Stem w/ ITM Ergal bars
Selle Italia Pro Gel seat
Planet Bike 9.0 computer w/ temp. readout

Summary:
I want to state first that I have ridden a Giant CFR full carbon since '96. When I started my search, I looked for the best value. I was happy with my other Giant, but I wanted to "lose some bike weight". The newer compact design appealed to me and it made for a lightweight frame set-up. When I bought my other bike, at John Cobb's Bicycle Sports, he fit me to that bike and I was very comfortable in that postion. So, when I recieved my the TCR, I set it up with the same measurements. The medium compact frame allows for more stand-over height, which I like when climbing(not as much top tube to get in the way). The TCR weighed in at about 16lbs. It is responsive, quick and seems to climb and descend well. The BB is stiff, so I don't feel like I'm wasting energy in an 'all-out' effort. I'll give it an A+

Strengths:
Lightweight, Stiff BB, Responsive, Comfortable, Affordable

Weaknesses:
Frame creaks occasionaly, primarily the seattube.

Similar Products Used:
Started cycling on a '87 Cannondale Criterium w/ mixed Suntour components. So, I now what a rough riding frame feels like!

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at sydney

Favorite Ride:
sydney

Bike Setup:
standard

Summary:
strong as...and light

Strengths:
wheels strong,ultegra flawless operation,strong frame, great looks, lots of admiring looks, ..no creaks on mine, i think a creak would come from the bottom bracket, strip it down and put plumbers tape or anti seize on the threads

Weaknesses:
frame is a bit long at 55cm, i am 5.8 and its a stretch, might cut down to a smaller stem

Price Paid:  $1450.00 at performance

Favorite Ride:
Blue Ridge Challenge

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra with the low spoke count shimano 535 wheelset

Summary:
I got my TCR 1 in trade. It has been an incredible bike. It has not been tuned in that entire time and I have put over 1800 miles on it and it's still working flawlessly. Excellent construction and workmanship. The frame is light and forgiving for an aluminum frame similar to a steel frame. Might be due to the large frame on my example. No sideways flex, but plenty of give on long rides. The carbon seat post and fork help of course. Very light. Did I mention I weigh 200 lbs. This frame can take my weight and doesn't feel noodly like my steel peugot and lotus did. If you are a big guy, this is the bike for you.

Strengths:
This bike is fast and stable. The ultegra components are 100% reliable. The bike is very light for a large. Looks are incredible. Same frame as used by Team ONCE, except theirs is yellow.

Weaknesses:
The frame is a little on the long side for me and with the long stem makes for a stretch, but nothing that can't be corrected. A shorter stem on this large frame would work on my 5'10" body.
The only other weakness is the creaking which is nothing new to giant alum frames. It can be bothersome to some, but when you understand that it is not a problem and just part of the design, it is a non issue. The price you pay for a superlight and strong aluminum frame designed for racing.

Similar Products Used:
Nishiki, Lotus, Look, Lemond, Peugot

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at bicycle sports pacif

Favorite Ride:
sea to sky highway (99)

Bike Setup:
all stock, full ultegra, cosmos wheels. added '03 ultegra pedals.

Summary:
Crazy nice deal for what i paid for it. Good deal for reg. price too. compact geometery may not be for everybody but it might be for you. cornering is precise but you may find it a bit "nervous." tiny rear triangle means instantaneous response to pedalling. carbon parts absorb alot of road vibration (especially with nice tires with high tpi) but neither they nor the hard ass frame will take any real road abuse for you eg. bumps and pot holes. full ulregra is spot on. no worries there. wheels are reliable and compliant but not light. some higher quality, stiffer wheels would be better for handling.
hutchinson tires are fast and like butter, ie. smooth but soft. shredded mine up in a couple of months.

Strengths:
stiff and light for sprints and climbs. descents are surprisingly stable but this may be due to a set up for long reach (not that comfortable but make you fast)

Weaknesses:
harsh ride. cosmos wheelset is a curious choice. ultegra bikes should come with mavic ksyrium elite at least. i think giant cheaped out and spec'd a reliable wheel with mavic name, but not a racing wheel set. bb cups came undone after about 1500 miles. probably an anomally.

Similar Products Used:
giant ocr 3. test rode cannondale r400 and r1000. friend's trek 2200.