Giant TCR Alloy frame - how good?

Danish

Hi...

Have been lurking on the forum for quite a while, but i wanted to ask you guys something.
At the start of summer i bought a Giant TCR 0 - Alloy frame and Ultegra.

Since then my friends have been on about how i should have got, or should get a carbon frame. Now, i have ignored their words for a while, but its starting to get to me.
So - how good is the TCR frame compared to a good carbon frame?

I like the TCR 0 very much as it is light and comfortable - and i got a good discount as it was an older model.
Have been reading up about the frame, but all i seem to find is Giants own words - ie, its their top alloy frame and so on.

And yes - i know i shouldn`t listen to their bull, and just be happy about my bike, but yeah....

Best Regards
Michael Pagh
Denmark

Monty Dog

The TCR was considered 'state of the art' in 2000 and won many professional victories under the Once team and there's no reason to suggest that it wouldn't be a bad bike today.

topdude

Is it comfortable,
Is it quick and light,
Was it a good price,
Do you look at it and think "WOW"
If YES forget about carbon, your bike is great for you and they are jealous 8)

Danish

Monty Dog ->
Hmm, ok. Had no idea the TCR frame was that old.

Topdude ->
The compact frame was a big plus for me as i have short legs, and long upper body.
Got a 30% discount on it at a local store, and had also looked at many other bikes.
The thought of a carbon frame in the price group i was looking at, had me worried about the quality - so i actually wanted a good alloy frame.

The color scheme of the TCR 0 doesn`t exactly turn me on as some TREK`s do, but i find it quite cool that it looks understated. So for looks its - OK. But the ride is very nice, just need some new wheels as they flex too miuch - i weigh 88kg.

Ehm, i don`t think my mates are jealous of my alloy frame.

At the current exchange rate i paid 1500 US dollars for it - normal price was 2400.
It wasn`t a bad a deal, the exchange rates are just bad atm.

Gav888

http://static.bikeradar.com/road/news/n ... /?pageno=2

A TCR Advance 3 won this

andy_wrx

Gav888 wrote:

A TCR Advance 3 won this

A carbon TCR...

Gav888

True, but its still a TCR

andy_wrx

It's a bike from Giant with a badge on it saying TCR, but that's about as far as it goes, it's not the same frame at all.

The OP is very careful to specify he's talking about an alu TCR and asking for comparisons between it and a carbon frame.

Danish

Thanks for all the replies.

Had some creaks from around the BB area. Pulled it apart, and plenty of grease when putting it back together - problem solved. Other than that, is has been faultless.

Will just have to make do with the alloy frame. :shock:

As a qeustion on the side:
Need some new wheels for it, but how much should i spend?
I have a tight budget, and the Giant wheels on it now simply flex too much.

Are we talking Shimano RS20/30, Campag. Khamsin maybe? Or more expensive?
.