Giant Bicycle Inc. TCR Composite 2

Price Paid:  $1350.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
giant tcr c2

Bike Setup:
2005 Giant TCR composite 2, Full Ultegra Group, Ksyrium equippe wheels

Summary:
Light and stiff, great power transfer. Handling is race inspired and could be a little twitchy if you're used to a touring bike, but is precise and enjoyable.

Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, good components. Great mix of forgiving ride feel due to the carbon frame, but stiff enough for great power transfer.

Weaknesses:
Not for those wanting a bike for loaded touring, or upright riding position.

Price Paid:  $1750.00 at Velocity, Edmonton

Favorite Ride:
Trossachs (Scotland)

Bike Setup:
Standard: Full Ultegra groupset, Mavic Aksium race wheels, Michelin Pro Race 2 tyres, Race Face bars and stem, Fi:zik Arione saddle.
Upgrades - I have a pair of Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels which will come out for special occasions.

Summary:
I bought this in the sale at the weekend - below cost! I've raced and trained on Giant compact frames since 2006 and haven't looked back since then. This was a chance to upgrade to a full carbon bike and this spec at this price is a steal!! The carbon frame is soooo comforatble, yet responsive and fast too. It feels like having a tailwind on the climbs, pity the legs don't!

Strengths:
Wonderful complete package with the Mavic wheels and full Ultegra Groupset. A real carbon seatpost and a decent saddle are nice and the Race Face bars and stem seem fine too, appearing identical to Giant's own branded ones?

Weaknesses:
Why don't they just supply pedals with it to complete the groupset?

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR Alliance with 105 gears, Ultegra chainset, Tiagra brakes(why?) and those Xero XSR wheels which is replaced by the C2, Giant TCR carbon with 9 speed Dura Ace and handbuilt wheels (in my pre-Canada life)

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
1999 or older

Bike Setup:
all stated above all at just under 13lbs thanks giant giant bicycles your frames are perfect for me

Summary:
tcr c2 completly gutted except levers and deraileurs ultegra crank dura ace chain and cassett junked the factory mavic rims and replaced with dura ace wheelesthompson elite seat post and rs stinger saddle from serfas along with the serfas carbon bottle cages

Strengths:
bad to the bone ! bike climbs very fast nice comfortable rigid ride

Weaknesses:
quite nervous on fast descentsbut got used to it quickly

Price Paid:  $2300.00

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra Groupo.
Mavic Aksium wheels, Michelin Pro2 Race tires.
Race Face Cadence Handlebar and stem.
Fizik Arionne saddle.

Summary:
This review is for the 2008 TCR C2.

This bike is so much better than my old aluminum frame Specialized Allez Elite (w Carbon Forks). It is lighter, climbs and accelerates faster, much more stable going downhill, and best of all, is more comfortable to ride as the carbon frame soaks up vibrations better.

On a 70km hilly road course that I train on, I averaged 29.5 kph on the TCR and this is just the start of the cycling season. That is about 1.5 kph better than I ever did on my old aluminum bike.

It is true what they say about good carbon bikes... they are stiffer but at the same time absorbs road buzz better.

Strengths:
Great value for the money.

Weaknesses:
I initially thought the color was on the bland side but now I love it... simple and understated.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Coates Cyclery

Model Year:
2001

Favorite Ride:
Davis Double Century

Bike Setup:
100% stock, Ultegra, shimano wheelset (low spoke count)

Summary:
Bought this bike in 2001. The LBS was in need of unloading some in order to get next shipment and sold below cost. I've now had this bike 7 years and have never, and I mean never had a problem with it. I stayed with all stock componets which are Ultegra and never even had to make a cable adjustment. I'm basically an endurance rider and do a lot of double century rides and longer. This bike has never let me down.I have now logged 28,000+ miles on her and yesterday did the Solvang Double and it never ceases to amze me the deal on got on it. A lot of my riding buds have gone thru two bikes since I've got this one and they keep asking when I'm going to upgrade, but I find that question difficult to answer as this bike is still very tight and has no issues.I've only had to replace the cassette, bottom bracket,cables and chain and that was only once in all these miles.

Strengths:
Ultra durable, compliant ride, great componets package

Weaknesses:
color scheme could be a little better

Similar Products Used:
I've only had one other road bike and it was a tri bike so I don't have much to compare it too.