Giant Bicycle Inc. 2001 TCR 2

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Ebay & Craigs List

Favorite Ride:
HILLS!!!

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 10 spd.
Tektro brakes
FSA Crank

Summary:
I pieced this bike together from parts bought off of Ebay & Craig's List. I spent about $500 USD on everything. I read all the reviews here...but that was after I'd already got the frame, so I was pretty much committed anyway.

The guy I got the frame from also had an aftermarket carbon fork, so I did not have to worry about the factory fork defect.

I was real pleased that I ended up with a bike just over 18 lbs. with a "Frankenstein" Giant... The thing is light and pretty fast.

Strengths:
Light & stiff

Weaknesses:
Can't think of any

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Van Ecyk

Bike Setup:
Stock, except for Thomson post, Flite saddle and Cosmos wheels. Ultegra cassette, Sram chain and Dura Ace chainwheels.

Summary:
This is a follow up of my earlier review. I still like this bike. It hasn't let me down yet, except for the wheels.
Have replaced the chain and cassette once
in 8800km. Also changed the chainwheels, but only because I got my hands on a set of new Dura Ace at a nice price. The 105 hadn't worn out yet.

Strengths:
Light, doesn't crack after over a year of riding on Belgian roads (cobble stones).

Weaknesses:
Have already broken 4 spokes on the wheelset. I am now using it on my cyclo cross bike and have put a set of Cosmos on the tcr.

Price Paid:  $950.00 at Landry's in MA

Bike Setup:
Stock with Spinergy Wheels
Specialized S-Works BG saddle

Summary:
This is a great bike. I am a XC MTB rider who wanted to get to the next level of my riding. I was told a road would help. Having had nothing but great experience from Giant, both in terms of quality, value and customer service, I bought this bike. And it is awesome. It's a great climber, great descender and really handles well on the twisties.

And the my mountain biking has improved in terms of strength, endurance and pedal cadence.

This is an amazing bike for the money. I particularly love blowing by riders with more money than skills or endurance on my $900 entry-level racer! In this instance, price and quality are NOT directly proportional.

Strengths:
Lightness, value, quality and looks
Fit is ideal for my body type
Love the Aero seat post -- very cool

Weaknesses:
seat sucks as oversized carbone rails limit forward/backward adjustiblity not to mention it just hurts
CXP21 wheels could be better

Similar Products Used:
None. Came from old Nishiki Custom steel (6spd) that just didn't fit correctly

Price Paid:  $3300.00 at Wallis Cycles

Favorite Ride:
McIntee Circuit, Taupaki

Bike Setup:
Stock - TCR 2 Frame, Mavic CXP21 rims, Shimano 105, Cinelli Altera bar, Giant Comp stem, Alloy setpo

Summary:
Awesome entry-level bike, my first after about 2months riding on school bike. Love it, and real pity the frame is getting small (might get composite team frame next year with centaur group set and proton wheels). This bike really rides well, don't know much about frame flex, don't think its happening to my bike. Shimano 105 group set real good value for money (Trek equivelent costing around $4500 I think compared to $4300 for Giant. I have no complaints about this bike at all.

Strengths:
Everything, it's the perfect mid-range bike, reckon Giant should've copyrighted the frame design, Avanti looks horrible (especially 2003 range!!) Love the carbon forks + seat post, makes the ride real smooth - even the horrible road surface here in NZ!!

Weaknesses:
NOTHING!!!! Just noticed though that on the fork the decal is beginning to peel, but couldn't care less :) ALSO, it's getting to small NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Pedals stink though, but not to worry, the Trek came with the same pedals

Similar Products Used:
Ridden an old steel school bike, plus my sister's Giant Peleton 8200 (Shimano 105, strait frame)

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Van Eyck

Bike Setup:
Stock except for seatpost (Thomson) and saddle (Flite)

Summary:
I am a XC racer who needed a bike to train on. I chose this one because it has very good components at a very good price. It goes fast both up- and downhill and curves like it's on rails! The ride isn't that harsh considering it's an aluminum frame.

Strengths:
Very light, very fast, looks good, cheap, ...

Weaknesses:
Giant said they would replace my fork, but I am still waiting for it (have been waiting 3 months now!) Have to ride another fork meanwhile...

Similar Products Used:
Carrera, Giant OCR, Lucianos