Giant Bicycle Inc. TCR Aero

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Johnny Sprockets

Favorite Ride:
Around the Chicago Lakefront

Bike Setup:
Stock 105 components with the stock giant carbon stem and aero seatpost. Shimano R535 wheels.

Summary:
All around a very nice bike. In only 5 months since I started biking (to lose weight and for the exercise and the sport of road biking) I hit a max speed of 27.1 mph (on the flats). I have a small bike frame, and the overall total weight of my bike is 19.7 lbs. The 105 components are adequate for the bike, though my R535 rear wheel became slightly untrue within 325 miles. My body weight went from 206 to 191.4 lbs riding this bike.

Strengths:
Aero frame, carbon stem and aero seatpost. Seat feels comfortable with no pains after 23 miles of biking. Very good looks in black and with its stock sticker set. I get a lot of comments on what a nice bike this is. Some people get the impression that this is an expensive bike. I think the looks of the 2002 model are better than the 2003 & 2004 models.

Weaknesses:
R535 wheels became slightly untrue in 325 miles. Not untrue enough to rub the brake pads. Had 5 flats in same mileage on the stock Hutchinson tires.

Similar Products Used:
This is my only road bike. Have a Cannondale F600 mtn bike.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at All Star Bikes - Ral

Favorite Ride:
Mountain Mama Challenge - WVA

Bike Setup:
All stock except for Schwinn ergonomic saddle.

Summary:
Can't really complain about this bike at all. No problems so far but a little wobble with speeds in excess of 50mph (but how often do you get the chance or care to go faster than 50?). Very fast bike though and the aerodynamics are awesome in my opinion...you can overtake most road bikes on a downhill.
The only mods I have made have been getting a bigger cushy saddle because I can't stand those little racing ones which definitely aren't cool for long rides. Go out and get one of those nice big gel ergonomic saddles by Schwinn...the comfort is worth the extra weight!

Strengths:
Fast, very fast. I also love the smooth Shimano shifters and brakes...never had a problem with Shimano though. The bike is also very quiet. Great value for the price!

Weaknesses:
Haven't found any real weaknesses other than the speed issue and I have logged close to 1200 miles on it so far.

Similar Products Used:
Tested similarly priced Bianchi and although I love my (still rigid) mtn bike by Bianchi, the Campagnolo shifters on the Bianchi turned me off to the bike which were not very ergonomic and didn't shif

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
State Park

Bike Setup:
Syntace Aero bars; Dura Ace crank, bar end shifters, and rear derailer; ultegra brake calipers, and front derailer, avocet computer, selle italia saddle, xero ultralite wheetset, shimano ultegra pedals.

Summary:
I bought this after shopping for a deal for quite some time. I got a significant component upgrade and a computer for not much more than the suggest retail price. Overall the bike has worked wonderfully for me. The frame is stiff. Rides very smoothly. Good control. I also took the decals off so the all black frame looks really intimidating. Very light, and very nice for hills.

Strengths:
weight, look, price, fit, speed.

Weaknesses:
none really. just the pedals aren't my favorite, and I need a new wheelset for training.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Hadleys

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Keira

Bike Setup:
No changes from Giants set up. Shimano 105, Cinelli bars, Shimana 535 wheel

Summary:
On smooth roads, on flat roads, and uphill this bikes is great. it accelerates, climbs and corners. But try and go downhill on anything but motorway standard road and you had better hang on because the speed wobbles kick in early and hard. Had 3 mechanics look at it and say nothing wrong with the bike. I took it back to the shop I bought it from and they said my riding style was a big part of the problem ( this may have been partly true ). But the wobble has not gone away and it makes descents in a race pretty nervy.

Strengths:
great on smooth road, fast & light, goodvalue for money

Weaknesses:
One very big one - the wobbles on death on blue metal descents

Similar Products Used:
dawes giro

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere with little traffic - hills are welcome.

Bike Setup:
Full Shimano Ultegra groupset and R635 (Ultegra) aero wheelset. Double chainrings. Selle Italia Genuine Gel Flite saddle (in yellow). Ritchey bar with black-yellow spotted Cinelli bar tape. Flightdeck cordless. Pro-Link lube!!!

Summary:
Looks cool and mean in black and decals. The "Megatube" (downtube) is an eye catcher, especially with Ultegra R635 deep-profile aero wheels. Very fast on the open road. Fits me very well. Excellent value for money.

Strengths:
Light, fast and strong frame. Compact frame gives excellent traction for rapid & steady climbs. Very responsive and sharp handling.

Weaknesses:
Decals - but only when they start to peel off!

Similar Products Used:
None.