Giant Bicycle Inc. TCR Advanced 1

Price Paid:  $2484.00 at Lifecycle

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
2009 TCR Advanced 1
2010 Sram Force
American Classic 420 Road Wheelset
Fizik Arione
FSA bars & stem
KEO pedals

Summary:
This is a review for the 2009 model. Mine came with the Sram Force group, but with the aluminum crank.

I swapped out the stock groupset, the Raceface bar & stem, Ksyrium Elite wheelset for the 2010 Force, FSA bar & stem, AmClass 420road.

My bike came out 15lbs .06oz. Ride is excellent & stiff. Point it to where you want it to go and it does. It's fast and smooth. Good climber, excellent going down without the shimmy. I'm looking forward to a long riding relationship with this bike.

Strengths:
Stiffness. Comfort.

Weaknesses:
I was expecting a carbon crank out of the box. But after upgrading, none at all.

Similar Products Used:
None, this is my first road bike.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Clark Tire And Bicyc

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any ride with HILLS

Bike Setup:
I bought an 2009 GIANT TCR ADVANCED Frame and fork. Dura-ace Brakes,Shifters,Front and rear Derailleurs.Rear derailleur has ceramic bearings in the pulleys.Sram 1090R Hollow pin chain. Sram Red 50/34 Crankset with Sram red ceramic press in Bottom Bracket. Easton EA 90SLX Wheels with ceramic hub bearings. Tires are the Michelin Pro3. Handlebar is Easton EC90SLX.Sram handlebar tape.

Summary:
Best bike I've ever owned! It does it all! Climb,Corner,Descent!Smooth ride!

Strengths:
Stiff,Climbs like a mountian goat! The red is a very cool color! Price was not bad either!

Weaknesses:
NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:
2004 Giant TCR, 2006 Giant TCR

Price Paid:  $3500.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Mavic Ksyriums, Sram Force, Selle Italia SLR Carbonia. Look Keo Carbon pedals. Hutchinson Atom tires, maxxis superlight tubes.

Summary:
This is a review for the 2009 TCR 1 Advanced. I have never been a Giant fan, but when I saw this frame, I was converted instantly. First, the downtube is HUGE! the bottom bracket is also. The frame is super stiff and is also light. Out of the box the bike minus pedals weighed 15lbs 2oz. Comes with full Sram Force group and Mavic Ksyrium Elites. the wheels are 1550g and bulletproof. The only thing I changed was the Fizik seat, wich is an ass-hatchet. I am also changing the Michelin Pro3s to Hutchinson Atoms, which will save 50g.

Strengths:
fast, smooth, light. Has Sram group. handles well and corners great. very lively as it is a race frame.

Weaknesses:
none-awesome ride!

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Team Superlight, Ridley Aedon.

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Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Two Wheels One Plane

Favorite Ride:
Oc Velo Sunday

Bike Setup:
Tcr Advanced, Dura Ace 7800, Easton Bars & Stem, Mavic SSL Wheels, Speedplay Zeros

Summary:
This is my 3rd Giant carbon Frame and 2nd TCR. Giant finally got if correct this time with the stiffness of the frame in the bottom bracket. I'm 200 lbs and push upwards of 1500 watts on sprints. The smooth riding is a bonus. I had tested the Ridley, Cervelo R3, Sl2 and Colnago C50. The best of all combined and all around is the TCR

Strengths:
Stiff, Stiff, Stiff and can ride all day without being beat up. Light as well 15.lbs with pedals and cages

Weaknesses:
Takes a while to break in Bottom bracket

Similar Products Used:
2006 TCR C0, 2005 OCR Linited

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at lbs

Summary:
2009 advanced tcr 1 w/sram force. I upgraded from a 12 year old Specialized Allez alumimun bike. Never bought into the hype of carbon bikes until I bit the bullet and forked out 3200. The only downgrade is the crank which is a rival I'm guessing. Still, its an Ultegra-level component and works fine. Giant probably did this to keep price in check. The ride is everything it should be for this type of bike-stiff, efficient yet forgiving when riding over rough roads. Handling is spot on-point and bike goes where you want it to. Didn't think you can get a frame that does it all-climb, sprint, corner and still be comfortable. I switched out the wheels with a pair of Rolf elans and conti gp4000's. Bike w/speedplays is mid 15lbs. If you buy this bike, get one size smaller than you normally ride. These frames are deceptively long and made for you to crank the seat post way high like the euro pros. Unless you have unlimited cash, the SL model seems like a waste of money. Work on the engine instead.

Strengths:
Great frame design. Very light. Excellent ride. Sram force is good as anything else.
Good value for the price.

Weaknesses:
Not really a weakness, but you expect a full group when spending this kind of money:the crank. Would have liked to see the carbon force crank. Graphics are a little obnoxious and similar to Cervelo.
There is no doubt as to what brand bike you're on-decals are HUGE and all over the bike. Some like that look, but I prefer seeing the carbon weave with just a few reminders of the brand bike you're riding. Perhaps I'm being too critical. The only other thing is you have to switch out the bar and stem to size.

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