Giant TCR Allinance Zero 2008 - Opinions wanted

aircooleddude

Hi all. Though I am a competent cyclist, most of my riding has been done off road. I'm really keen to get into road cycling, however and Somerset have a cycle to work scheme, so I thought I'd exploit this toi get the 35% off a new bike, by getting a pretty decent one rather than exchaning in a couple of months. I intended to do long rides and eventually join my local cycling club. I have seen Giant's TCR Alliance Zero 2008 for £850 (a whopping £450 off the rrp) and was wondering if anybody knows much about this bike and is this a good buy? Thanks! Matt.

Mister W

Is that the one with Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival? Either way it looks like a very good spec for the money.

If it's your first foray into road cycling be aware that the TCR is a race oriented frame so is going to be quite stiff and with an aggressive riding position, although this will depend to some extent on how it's set up for you. Giant bikes also tend to have long top tubes so make sure you get the correct size. It's very easy to end up with a frame that's too big if you just go by the size of the seat tube.

aircooleddude

Thank-you for you help, it's much appreciated. I've tried the bike out in the cycle shop car park and I'm a 53.5cm (M/L I think). It has the SRAM setup. As you say, it's more race orientated and would that be ok as I do intend to eventually join a club anyway, or would you go for a less race-orientated one? It's still a lot of money to spend even at £800 and I want to make sure that I get the right bike! Any advice is greatly appreciated...

ride_whenever

Are you sure you'll be able to get the discount on C2W, i think that some schemes mean you have to purchase at RRP

aircooleddude

Hi there - yes I've checked with the council. If you buy at the rrp, you get a further 10% off the rrp. As this one's reduced from £1250 to £800 they won't do the 10% (not surprisingly!!!). The paperwork's all ready to go and I'm just having last minute nerves so wanted to see what people thought of the bike!!!

fast as fupp

ive got a tcr alliance frame on one of my bikes set up with campag centaur and mavic ksyriums

its an excellent frame with neutral handling and its very comfortable on long rides

if you can get one with rival on it for £800 bite their hand off!

aircooleddude

Thanks fupp - here's the exact one:

http://www.bicyclechain.co.uk/productde ... ctid=14298

giant_man

Here was the Cycling Plus review of the '07 model if you missed it:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... o-07-15990

I think it's a bit of a belter for 800 quid. Very nice.

aircooleddude

Thanks for this Giant - I think I'll do the deal tommorrow! Has anybody seen a review for the 2008 model? I read one online in Cycling Weekly but wondered if there were any others around...

giant_man

I can't see there being an awful lot of difference between the years' models, only the paint looks different, probably haven't touched the frame at all.