Giant Bicycle Inc. TCR Composite 0

Price Paid:  $3425.00 at The Freedom Machine

Favorite Ride:
Beach Rd, Melbourne, Australia.

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR Composite Zero monocoque frame and fork with FSA integrated headset. Full Dura-ace groupset including pedals. Mavic Ksyrium SL wheelset, Michelin Pro Race tyres (training), Continental Supersonic Tubes and Tyres (race). Giant Carbon seatpost, headstem and handlebars (31.8). Selle Itlaia Trans Am Flite Ti (training), Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio saddle (race), 2 Profile Karbon Kages. Shimano Flight Deck, Polar WM41 HRM. Weight 6.887 kg (race), 7.2 kg (training).

Summary:
I think this is the best bike in existence, pure and simple. The bike in race setup is so fast, it's "almost" unfair to the opposition. I picked the zero instead of the T-Mobile team bike, because I prefer the total package. Granted, the TCR Advance Frameset is 300gm lighter than the standard composite, but my race spec is 250gm lighter than the T-Mobile complete bike. I am probably Mavic's biggest fan, so Ksyrium SL is the only wheelset I will ride, this with Supersonics and climbing is ridiculously easy. Flat terrain feels like downhill, and the bike turns into corners aggressively, with razor precision and I think unparalelled stability. The whole thing is so comfortable that you can really decide to hit the raod and ride all day and just enjoy yourself. Your bumb never gets sore; I think the composite rails on my saddle really helped with this. The entire set up means such an effortless ride that you can train at what used to be your race speeeds. If God rode a bike it would be this one.

Strengths:
Dura-ace is tough as nails, and shifts as smooth as a baby's bumb. Frame is light stiff and shock absorbent. SLR Kit Carbonio is probably one of the lightest and most comfortable saddles ever. God bless Ksyrium SL's.

Weaknesses:
Price. Why do bikes have to be so goddamn expensive. If everyone had a bike like this, and great sex every night there'd be no war (or pollution).

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5500, BT Track bike, Giant OCR3

Price Paid:  $0.00 at -

Favorite Ride:
Tuesday night hammerfest

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra w/ Kysrium elites,

Summary:
First of all the positives. Extremely light for an XL frame. Very smooth on rough roads, but I used to ride an aluminum Raleigh. Fairly aerodynamic, and good for TTs.
Now the negatives. As nice as this bike is, it is not nearly stiff enough for me on climbs or sprints. I'm 6'4" 215, and probably too big for this bike. But the BB shell and the chainstays have a lot of flex in them, too much for the price. Other riders that I have talked to have really liked it, but none of them were riding an XL frame. So if you are a big guys that likes to sprint, look elsewhere. If you aren't that big, or don't like to sprint, then this bike may be the one for you.

Strengths:
smooth ride, low weight (18.6), aerodynamic

Weaknesses:
Too flexy

Similar Products Used:
Nothing else carbon

Price Paid:  $900.00 at eBay (frame only)

Favorite Ride:
pyrenees

Bike Setup:
Campy Record grouppo. Syntace f99 stem. Easton EC90 bars, EC70 post. Record carbon crank. Phil Wood mag/ti BB. Rolfprima Elan wheels. Conti attack/force tires. IRD Metawire cables. Tacx cages.

Summary:
Went from a Lemond Ti to this frame. This has a better ride, is stiffer and certainly lighter. A true climbing bike. It seems more durable then I thought it would be. Smooths out the vibrations. Standing on the pedals on the hills I feel like Roberto Heras (well, a heavier version maybe!). The compact geometry isn't for everyone but fits me just right.

Strengths:
Stiff, light, durable (so far), comfortable. One of the best frames on the market for the price.

Weaknesses:
Too many stickers maybe!

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Ti. Kestrel alloy. Lemond Steel.

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at frame-local, parts-a

Favorite Ride:
To work and back

Bike Setup:
Duraace grouppo, AmClass 420 wheels, AX lightness saddle, USE carbon post, Cinelli RAM stem/bar, Kaliente tires (+Mr Tuffies...)

Summary:
I bought the first TCR carbon in New Mexico, and have had it since Sept 2002. I commute on it 5 days a week, and find it quick, responsive, light and well balanced. I spec'd it for reliability, but recently went nuts with an AX Lightness saddle and Cinelli RAM bar-stem. I don't anticipate getting rid of it any time soon, so why not? More carbon fibre than an Enzo! Lot's of people snob me because it's not a Calfee, or an Italian carbon or Scandium bike, but I'd argue it's unmatched for value for money, even equipped with the fancy stuff. My original spec. was under $3200 for a ligit. 15lb bike in large framesize. And that's for commuting in New Mexico where the state flower is the goathead...

Strengths:
Very light, well built, solid and reassuring feel. When bought as a frame/fork set you can put anything you want on it, limited only by budget, and get a dream bike.

Weaknesses:
The carbon seat post slips in the carbon seat tube but otherwise no obvious problems.

Similar Products Used:
Merlin extralight/Duraace was my previous bike for 6 years.

Price Paid:  $2999.00 at Wheel & Sprocket Bro

Bike Setup:
Switched out stem and seatpost, otherwise bone stock. Love the Ksryums, Those babies are light strong and smooth.

Summary:
As a long time devotee to steel bikes, I finally felt the need for something a little more technologically advanced. I had stayed away from carbon for the last few years due mostly to durability concerns. (How many 15 year old carbon frames do you see on your sunday group ride?) If I'm going to fork out some $$ for a decent frame, I expect it to last untill I feel I'm ready to move on to something new. I started out looking for a Colnago (having always wanted one) but couldn't seem to justify the extra price vs. all of the other great frames on the market for much less money. Then I found this website and read all the rave reveiws for the TCR. Based pretty much on those reviews, I ordered sight unseen a 03 TCR 0. And so far I would have to say the reviews are right on. The ride quality is very smooth for a bike this stiff. Standing on climbs results in no front deraileur rub, but after a long ride I don't feel beat up at all. That is a very nice compromise. Nice ride may also be due in part the the Ksyriums, whatever it is I like it. I also think the bike has a nice neutral handling quality that builds confidence on twisty high speed descents. I felt instantly comfortable going fast on this bike. Factory prep of the bike was also among the best I've seen, everything was adjusted perfectly. I also have to say that the look of the bike has really grown on me. I've become a compact devotee! I remember the first time I saw a Giant sloping frame, I thought it looked really odd, and that I would never think about buying one. Now I look at this baby and all I see is long low and fast. I'm hooked. If you are considering this bike, go out and ride one, this bike surpassed my very high expectations for a price that was very reasonable.

Strengths:
Great Factory prep, great ride, pletnty stiff. Dura-Ace, Ksyriums and a super light carbon frame and fork for under 3K? Compact geometry is the way to go. As the man said - "It's what's for dinner"

Weaknesses:
Covered in cheap decals - they come off easliy enough. I also have an issue with the stock seatpost and stem. The aero seatpost (fine if your a tri-guy) won't fit in my workstand, and I think stem looks really cheap on a bike that is otherwise fantastically equipped. No problem there though, the new Thompson black elite post and Black ITM Millenium stem fixed that problem up nicely. Sizes are also an issue. I'm 5'11 and my medium is a touch on the small side, while the large would have been a touch too big.

Similar Products Used:
Waterford 753