Ride Report:
I got the frame set t though a dealer on the Central Coast of California.
I heard that Giant is out of stock at the moment.
It weighed in at: 15.9 lbs
It is built to suit a powerful rider with cheap,heavy training wheels.
I've got a few hundred miles on it already.
The ride:
It's an EXCELLENT balance as you would expect for a purebred racer. The angles this TCR uses are a great blend.
Handling/Climbing:
The 73 degree head angle makes for relaxed,stable and predictable steering. I don't know why so many companies use steep head tubes and make nervous front ends. We're not track racers. The slack seat angle is very comfortable. It climbs wonderfully as the stays are only 40.5cm long. The wheel is pulled in tight. It's a mashers delight as there is hardly any bottom flex at all. I climb an 8% grade two miles long everyday. Do note that I had to slide the seat forward an extra cm to get over the crank properly. The seatpost only flexes a bit which is great so my saddle doesn't move all over hell and back. I don't feel like I am on a pogo stick the way my Tarmac SL felt. This TCR and my R3 both climb excellent. Lighter wheels like my 303's would shine at this.
Comfort:
The shock absorption is very good. It smooths out most of the bumps but you can still feel the texture of the road. It's not totally isolating or "muddy" nor is it a jack hammer like my aero Cervelo S2. I can grab both my seat stays and squeeze. You will see them move. Although I haven't done any 4-6 hour rides yet, I don't expect comfort issues as I should have felt warning signs by now. I've owned many frames that are too rough. This is not one of those.
Frame Design:
Okay, this frame just feels solid. Two seat collar bolts with a big collar, huge tubes everywhere, stout front and rear end, cool looking solid seat post. Is it aero? Some tubes look aero but the downtube looks like a square brick and the head tube is big round sucker-- So, I really don't know. I pull hard and fast and climb hard too. I am in it for the ride. I think aero has more to do with body position than bike tubes anyway.
Overall:
Is it plush? Yes, plusher than you would think... but there are even plusher frames if that's your goal.
Is it stiff? God yes...very stiff.
Is it light? Kind of...under 16 pounds loaded is not bad for a budget bike.Of course it could be lighter...cha ching.
Is it fragile? It feels super solid but I am not going to bang it around. Lifetime warranty is good.
All of us here want the best of these three categories. This TCR does everything very well. You can buy a $12k superbike but I doubt you will enjoy it anymore than this one.
But, if you've got the cash....go for it.
Here is a parting shot from today's ride--- over the mountains and back to the sea!
