Giant SCR 2

Scotsnapper

I have finally pinned down the first road bike I want to get, a Giant SCR 2. A couple of questions:
I cant find anything cheaper than £545, is it worth me waiting til 09 model comes out, if so when would that be?
Also, the tyre size is 700x26, could i fit Schwalbe marathon plus tyres on this bike, because my commute to work involves a little bit of off road/rough track stuff. Any advice on tyres appreciated.
Would also like to hear what other SCR 2 owners think of theirs?

Thanks in advance

Steve_F

I've got the SCR 1.5 and not a word of complaint about it. Think you've made a good choice.

No idea about your other questions tho

grantus

I'd hang fire - certainly if last year's discounts are anything to go by.

At the end of last summer and into autumn lots of places were selling them for £450 or less.

Or you could check out www.paulscycles.co.uk

They have last year's specialized allez sport and trek 1200 both reduced from £700 to £500 inc. free delivery.

I've never bought from them personally but my brother-in-law bought a mountain bike from them and two other mates have made three bike purchases between them from pauls all with no hassle and no delay on the stock. I think they are one of the few online retailers who have in stock what they list on their website

doktorsteve

I guess you could go up to 700x28 quite easily without mudguards. Thats the nice thing about this frame - big clearances.
Using the 700x26 tyres fitted you have to be careful when you fit mudguards - easy to get rubbing somewhere.
I changed my tyres to Vittoria Rubino Pros 700x23. Nicer ride and more grip (well I think so). Shaves 100g off each wheel too.
Oh, I ride an SCR LTD

Ruffy

Hi,

Try www.cyclexpress.co.uk - 10% off and free delivery. Great company to deal with and no I don't work for them, I bought a SCR2 off them 4wks ago and coming from mountaing biking am having a blast out on the roads.

Cheers.

Scotsnapper

WellI just could'nt help myself! I went to LBS over lunch to have a look at SCR 4 (he did'nt have a 2 in stock) Had a sit on it, glad i did too, because I found the position a little too far forward for my liking, so he suggested a shorter handlebar stem to make the position a little more upright, not something I would have known if i bought off tinterweb. Anyway after a good long chat about the bike with the shop owner I decided to put down a deposit and order an SCR 2.

Thanks for your comments guys.

doktorsteve

How did you get the size? I am 5'10" and I bought a medium. When I tried the large it felt too long, possibly because I was used to my MTB. After a few months I wanted to get a bit more stretched out so I got a longer stem (120mm). At least I have the option of going back to the short stem as I get older and greyer!
Have a look at this article about sizing :
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/us/05 ... 00.100.asp

thamacdaddy

I got my first road bike a month ago after riding MTB for about 12 years. I too felt stretched out, was worried about whether I had made the right decision and wondering on replacing the stem but a few weeks on and it feels totally natural.

So I would only say maybe keep hold of the longer stem. Soon going back to that MTB position will feel weird 8)

daz51

Ok ready for an argument i know,

I looked at the Giant Scr range and the Specialized Allez range when i was looking at my first road bike. I thought the Giants looked Tatty and cheap compared to Specializeds offering.

sorry guys, doubt anyone will agree

also remember with a road bike your there to do a job so you will get comfortable but never comfy

deal

doktorsteve wrote:

How did you get the size? I am 5'10" and I bought a medium. When I tried the large it felt too long, possibly because I was used to my MTB. After a few months I wanted to get a bit more stretched out so I got a longer stem (120mm). At least I have the option of going back to the short stem as I get older and greyer!
Have a look at this article about sizing :
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/us/05 ... 00.100.asp

it seems this isnt widely known but there is an intermediate size in the giant sizing system between Medium and Large, Medium/Large, sounds like you would have been an ideal candidate for this size.

GIANT COMPACT SIZING GUIDE
5’2” - 5’4” = XS
5’4” - 5’7” =S
5’7” - 5’10”=M
5’10” - 6’0”=M/L
6’0” - 6’3”=L
6’3” - 6’6”=XL

carl_p

I'm looking to get my first road bike soon and it is likely to be the SCR2. I'm choosing this mainly on colour to be honest. It was a toss up between that and the Specialized Allez but I don't really want a black bike.

When there is something particular you want imo it is dodgy to wait for the sales especially if you are a popular size. You did right to order now if this is the bike you really want. Like everything else in the world there is likely to be a price hike on 2009 bikes and entry level will be nearer £600 than £500 for decent spec.

LBS told me they will be reducing the Allez Sport to £600 from £700 very soon so I might just see what that looks like in the metal before parting with my credit.

Hope you enjoy your bike. Keep us posted on how you find it.

Scotsnapper

deal wrote:

doktorsteve wrote:

How did you get the size? I am 5'10" and I bought a medium. When I tried the large it felt too long, possibly because I was used to my MTB. After a few months I wanted to get a bit more stretched out so I got a longer stem (120mm). At least I have the option of going back to the short stem as I get older and greyer!
Have a look at this article about sizing :
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/us/05 ... 00.100.asp

it seems this isnt widely known but there is an intermediate size in the giant sizing system between Medium and Large, Medium/Large, sounds like you would have been an ideal candidate for this size.

GIANT COMPACT SIZING GUIDE
5’2” - 5’4” = XS
5’4” - 5’7” =S
5’7” - 5’10”=M
5’10” - 6’0”=M/L
6’0” - 6’3”=L
6’3” - 6’6”=XL

Yes, this is the size I have gone for. It said on the frame of the SCR 4 that it was for peolple between 5' 10" and 6'. It is a 55.5 cm sized frame, whereas i would have normally ordered a 58 going by other website guides, jus shows how different Giant frame sizes are.

Scotsnapper

Expecting to pick up new bike early part of next week from LBS with different tyres and mudguards added and shorter handlebar stem, can't wait!
Many thanks for your inputs folks, I will let you all know how i get on with it in due course.

doktorsteve

Confession time: I bought my SCR LTD because it was the cheapest bike with Tiagra shifters. At the time it was £499 from Winstanleys.

OK the paintwork is a bit naff but its nice and shiny.

As far as I know there is no M/L size for the SCR range. I had to choose between starting out stretched on a large or a bit upright on a medium. I chose the medium.

Lagavulin

daz51 wrote:

I looked at the Giant Scr range and the Specialized Allez range when i was looking at my first road bike. I thought the Giants looked Tatty and cheap compared to Specializeds offering.

sorry guys, doubt anyone will agree

No, I had a look at the SCR range when I was choosing my first road bike but spec wise they looked a bit bland. I eventually got my Allez Sport for £600 (down from £750). My only regret now is not having spent that bit more and gone for the next model up (the '06 Elite) which would've come with the E5 Columbus frame.
I've since spent at least the difference on a set of Aksiums for what is now my winter/hack bike.

judokev

Hello, Finally someone saying they do sometimes go on the rough stuff with there bike.

rbreach and Scotsnapper(once you get your bike) how does the bike handle a bit of light track then? I have been in a couple of lbs and asked about going on canals or just off tarmac if the need be and been looked at in disbelief,

I dont want to be limited to only being able to use what will be my first road bike on the road although it mostly will but I thought with the right tyres then it should be ok yes?

Cheers all Kev

yorkshireraw

I got an '07 SCR2 in January, again first road bike. Ordered from Paulscycles on the monday afternoon - phone call 11am Tuesday from the courier who was outside my house with the bike - top service. I'm about 6'1 (longish legs) and got a large which has been fine. I've time trialled on it, done a road race and been over Wrynose, Hardknott & the Struggle in the Lake District and the only problem has been the skill / fitness of the pilot. I did updgrade the wheels & tyres though as the stock ones were a bit dodgy. All in all for the price I paid it's been very good.

Scotsnapper

Glad to see you have enjoyed yours so far Yorkshire. What wheels did you upgrade to?

vs4b

i've got an scr 2 - had it a year and ive been very pleased with it.

Ive got the L but find it just a bit big - better now i flipped the stem but still a bit too big. (i'm 6'2") i must have short arms or something!

Also, i take mine on a canal path regularly and so far never had a problem doing so.

espokes

I changed from an allez to an SCR 2 just over a year ago. Why? I suppose the more relaxed riding style, tiagra gears, and capacity to add guards, racks, etc,. The spesh is more race oriented. Has delivered on all fronts and a bargain at £525 when I bought it. I have changed the tyres to Continental GP4000 23's and it rides better for it in my opinion since the supplied tyres are dreadful in comparison. Reports about the heavy average factory wheels seem justified. I may soon spend up to £200 on a wheelset upgrade. With hindsight I would have got the local giant dealer to change these and knock abit off the price. I also changed the saddle and swopped the pedals for clip ins. This bike has got me seriously into cycling again in my middle years so I would highly recommend it.

doktorsteve

Are the wheels really so bad? The rim weight is roughly the same as Mavic Open Pros according to the Alex website. Mine have gone about 1mm out of true in 1200 miles.
I certainly agree that the tyres are horrible.

Arch Stanton

Had my 08 SCR2 since December and it's was my first ever road bike. I like it and have swapped the wheels to Mavic Aksiums after experiencing a broken spoke and subsequent buckled rim, fortunately this happened just as I got home and parked the bike up.

judokev

Sounds like the Giant SCR 2 is getting a good press should i expect the same from FCR 2?
As I have said else where looking for a flat bar road bike and I can get a 07 FCR 2 for £395 does this sound like a good deal?

Judokev :shock:

doktorsteve

My SCR LTD is identical spec to the 08 1.5 apart from the shiny blue gold and white paint job, so I expect the differences with this years FCR will be cosmetic too. The 07 SCR was selling for £425 at the end of season so £395 looks about right.

Mal_A

Have just ordered my first road bike for about 20 years.

My LBS recommended the SCR 2 for £545, they wouldn't negotiate on price at all even though I needed pedals & shoes to go with it... I appreciate that it's not good form but when I got home I found the SCR1.5 on wiggle for £550, this is £100 off the list price, they had the right frame size, imo a nicer paint job (not a fan of the blue on the SCR2); it seemed a no brainer. Am currently awaiting delivery!

I will be using it for improving cardio fitness (currently shocking), will let you all know how I get on!

judokev

Hi All,

Bit of advice please,

I have bought the Giant FCR 02 got it from winstanleys for £370 which seemed like a bargin to me, even got the wife to pick it up for me on our wedding anniversary?

Here is the problem been out for a quick play on the bike about twenty mins max, the gears are very "clunky" when you change and when i got off the seat to see how it shifted which it does the noise coming from the crank was quite scary.

Wot should I do ? Expect a poor set up on the bike because I got it from winstanleys,( I tried all day friday to get through on the phone with no joy) and just take the bike a lbs and ask them to look it over or which is going to cost me money but give me peace of mind.

Or do I go back and say this aint right ? but they got it wrong once already?

Cheers all Judo kev

cosmaboy

Hi i've just recently bought a SCR 1 from Ashcycles.com for 639 down from 850, it was the 08 model and couldn't have had better service.

worth checking out there website as seemed to be the cheapest around.

alot of people are saying that the wheels and tyres aren't very good, any ideas of what to upgrade too?

Dorset_Boy

I bought an SCR1.5 from wiggle.co.uk which was delivered a week ago. Excellent service. Paid £550 for it and very pelased so far. It's my first road bike, so trying to rediscover the fitness that has deserted me over the years.

AceOnTheLine

I seriously considered an SCR 2 but managed to get a Scott speedster s40 for 569 (£100 off rrp in my LBS after some hard negotiating!!!). So far delighted after one quick ride round the block and now have a very sore bum!!!

Donks53

Guys, Arent the SCR's classed as fast tourers/ Audax machines? I am coming back into cycling in my mid 50's and am looking at these models as possible Audax bikes?

sithebike

I bought my SCR2 3 years ago... hence the name!!! I have had noproblems with it at all. It has now been relegated to my winter bike as I have recently bought a TCR C1
I have used the SCR twice to ride London to Paris with no problems. It is very comfortable for long days in the saddle.
I really dont think you will de disappointed with it