Giant Bicycle Inc. TCR Composite Team

Price Paid:  $800.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Jupiter Island Florida

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace 7800 shifters, rear derailer
Ultegra 6600 brakes, crankset, cassette,
Performance Forte carbon seatpost, stem, titan wheelset (lets see how long it take to snap some spokes)
FSA K Wing 44cm handlebars

Summary:
I just built up my T-mobile XL frameset won on ebay and I must say I am impressed.I am getting back on a road bike after about a 10 year break of just riding mountain bikes and WOW what a difference carbon makes. I use to ride Cannondale aluminum but I never recall it being near as comfortable to ride. Super light and stiff but absorbs the harshness of the road on my 6'6" 250 lbs body. I have it built up with Dura Ace, Ultegra, and carbon in the places that count and have it weighed in at 18 lbs according to the digital scale at work. I think just the frame on my Ventana El Salty mountain bike weighs more than this entire bike. I am actually glad the bike is magenta (not pink). I am trying to do some triathlons and it will so easy to spot in the Clydesdale rack of a race. I actually walked right by the Trek I barrowed in my last race (blended right in). I hope long term it keeps me this happy.

Strengths:
Just impressed with everything all around so far. Carbon frame and fork/steerer. Stiff and responsive. Very fast when pushed. Comfortable ride.

Weaknesses:
Wish it were built here in the US and not overseas.

Similar Products Used:
Trek Madone, Older Cannondale, Specialized

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Climbing

Bike Setup:
Dura ace 9 speed,zipp 303's (train on AC 420's),tufo 215 tires,kcnc scandium cassette w/ kmc 9sl chain,ec 90 seat post,slr saddle,kestral sl handlebars,fsa k-force isis crankset,kcnc scandium BB,syntace 90mm stem,dura ace 7800 pedals,titanium hardware

Summary:
2005 XS T-Mobile (1040 grams)frameset.Purchased last year model to save $$$. Super stiff at bottom bracket. Perfect geometry and balance.Light @ 13.6 lbs in race trim.Very quick (a little twitchy) handling above 50mph.

Strengths:
Super Climbing Machine. Very responsive race handling. T-Mobile Pink

Weaknesses:
To some the T-Mobile Pink. Do real men ride pink bikes

Similar Products Used:
oclv 5500, seven ti,

Price Paid:  $6000.00 at Revolution Cycles

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
The hills of Falls Church

Bike Setup:
10Spd D/Ace
Ksyrium SL's
Deda Newton Bar & Stem
Fizik Aliante Saddle

Summary:
I had been riding a fixed gear and my bmx for years. Then I had the itch to get a road bike. I originally had placed an order for a project one madone, just the 5.2 that came with ultegra 9-spd. I personally dont like trek products but the price I was getting was too good to pass up.

About a month passes by and I get a call saying that the price went up and that my order was never placed. But it turned out that the Giant rep was in the shop so I spoke to him. He guaranteed me a TCR Team frame/fork within the week. Never having ridden a Giant carbon frame before I took a chance. I was more happy with that fact that I wasnt getting a trek.

Anyway the frame/fork arrive and I built it up with 10-spd D/Ace and Ksyrium SL's. Holy hell this bike is a blast to ride. I was honestly surprised on how much better it felt than OCLV. I love the monocoque design, and the ride quality is next to none.

I put thousands of miles on the bike this past summer. I took it out whenever I could because of its great to ride.

I highly recommend it. At least give it a try. Oh and I love the color... only because most seem surprised to see a guy riding a "pink" bike.

Strengths:
Ride quality and stiffness...

Weaknesses:
Integrated headset

Similar Products Used:
Madone

Price Paid:  $900.00 at LBC

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Mountains of GA or NC

Bike Setup:
T-Mobile frame, Easton EC90 SLX fork, Ritchey WCS bar & stem, Thompson Elite seat post, Dura Ace shifter/brakeset, brakes, cogset (12-23), chain and pedals, FSA Team Issue carbon cranks, FSA ISIS Ti-BB, American Classic 420's, Sella Italia SLR saddle, 2 Arundel bottle cages and Michelin Race tires

Summary:
Three words to describe this frame is LIGHT, FAST and WOW!! I bought the T-Mobile frame/fork that has the flames on it. Personally thought the other had too much fuschia. Coming from an aluminum frame this bike is in a league of its own. It is very laterally stiff yet super comfortable to ride. Doesn't beat you up on long rides or on rough pavement. Has almost an "airy" feel to it in that the carbon absorbs the road imperfections. It also has a very "racey" feel too in that it goes where you point it and with the shorter chainstays and angles it makes for a great climbing and sprinting bike. Previous reviews say its sketchy but not so. This is a very nimble bike but you feel secure on it especially at speed. It sprints up to speed almost too quick, climbs faster than any bike I've had and just is a blast to ride/race. I have the large frame and weighed it on an accurate USPS scale and frame weighs 2.6lbs and total bike is just at 15.9lbs. If your looking for a carbon bike look no further. Giant uses the same carbon as top end bike makers but is able to offer a complete bike at what most other carbon frames cost.

Strengths:
Super light, full carbon with no lugs, comfortable and super fast!!

Weaknesses:
none so far.

Similar Products Used:
Interloc Scandium frame, Schwinn Peleton (steel)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at lbs

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Santa Paula/Ojai loop

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 10. Ksyrium SSC SL wheels.

Summary:
I got this frame as a warranty replacement for a TCR aluminum through my lbs (for an upgrade fee). Giant warranty service is great. They stand behind the products they make. The bike is awesome, a true pro bike. It excels in all areas. I like the geometry better than the 200l compact frames.

Strengths:
Descends like it knows the best line and guides you there. Sprints like an angry bull. Climbs - as well as the engine aboard. The finish is exceptional. The frame has a very responsive feel without any hint of harshness. There is no wasted energy.

Weaknesses:
I haven't found any. I even like the color now. I should get a free T-Mobile phone with it however.

Similar Products Used:
Past bikes are numerous. Most recent Giant TCR 2001. Eddy Merckx.