Giant Bicycle Inc. TCR C3

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Scotts Cycle and Spo

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
La Grande, OR

Bike Setup:
2008 Giant TCR C3, Mavic Ksyrium SL (black with one red spoke)Gatorskin tires.

Summary:
I have had my Giant for just over a year now and I love it! I went and put Mavic Ksyrium SL on with gatorskin tires. Its a sharp looking bike with the Ghost paint Giant across the top tube. Its a fast bike and good entry level carbon, handles nice, smooth.

Strengths:
Price, reliable, fast, smooth.

Weaknesses:
Shimano 105's, but you can always replace those. Other than the Ghost paint across the top tube the looks are sub par.

Similar Products Used:
First road bike

Price Paid:  $999.00 at Off Ramp, SJ, ca

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Mount Hamilton, ca

Bike Setup:
TCR3 with 105 groupe
Michelin tires
Xero rims

Summary:
Nice bike at a great price. My bike has 105 groupe with some cheap components such as brakes. It rides well and is very fast. Max speed I got on it was 43 mph coming down the mountain. I also commute with it. It has a very aggressive seating position. If you want something more comfortable, this may not be the one for you. But for control and speed it's great

Strengths:
Affordable entry level carbon

Weaknesses:
It's an entry level bike. For more mileage you should upgrade tires and components.

Similar Products Used:
Novara Road bike

Price Paid:  $1379.00 at Harpers in Koxvile,

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
giant tcr c3

Summary:
If you want a great bike at a moderate price, get a Giant tcr c3. I have this bike and I love it. I had one stolen but at this price I went out and purchsed a new one. I replaced the stock wheelset with Mavic ksyrium elites and my saddle of choise the flite classic. I'd like to have Shamano dura ace, but the 105 works just as good. I notice the club riders shifting and drive train noice and mine is quiter. Tuning and technique is the difference. The bike is stiff sprints well and I love the truvative compact crankset. You can't find a bike that performes any better for twice the price.

Strengths:
stiff, smoothe ride, looks good, fast, handles well.

Weaknesses:
none that I can find. I wish the dropouts were not painted, dropouts should be non-corosive metal or carbon

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ATA Bikes, Cambridge

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Monarch Pass, Colorado

Summary:
This full carbon bike has served me well and provided a strong frame around which to upgrade components as my skill level/need for speed increases. I originally got it to train for mountain biking (my primary cycling interest). However, this thing is almost as much fun as bombing trails! Contrary to popular opinion, the Xero XSR Lite wheelset has been quite solid and after about 4000 miles, has only needed an annual true. Michelin Dynamic tires are heavy and very prone to flats, so they were the first to get replaced (Conti 4000s). The seat came next because the seat that comes with this bike was poorly designed and too squishy. Truvativ Roleur GXP cranks have been surprisingly rock solid given my 175 lb. weight and "sprinty" riding style, as well as the mostly 105 gruppo. The front derraileur is Tiagra which is sub par but gets the job done adequately, so I will probably replace this soon. Other than that, the bike has remained stock; but will soon have a set of DT Swiss Mon Chassarals on it!

Strengths:
Durability, Upgrade-ability (mostly standard spec), full-carbon frame, crankset

Weaknesses:
Tires, wheels are not top performers but quite trouble-free, squishy uncomfortable seat

Similar Products Used:
This is my first road bike.