Giant TCR Alliance 1
The Big Cheese
Posts: 8,651
Well, the TCR turned up today. Out of the box I was impressed by the weight, they (Giant) claim 18lb for a medium. It feels as light as my XC racebike, and thats just over 18lb. So far so good.
The frame is indeed lovely, really nice finish to it and the weave really shows through when light hits the frame. Nice clean lines and not too ‘lairy’ unlike the rest of my bikes...
Kit wise, not bad, obviously we have the full 105 gruppo, however it did disappoint me that they didn’t equip it with 105 calipers for some reason, now I know this is in order to save money, but I cannot see the 105 being that much more pricey than the Tektros, which are nice enough looking, however, do not match the ‘matte’ silver of the rest of the 105 kit. Now I know this is totally aesthetic, but that’s how I roll. I have OCD with things like that, so 105 calipers have been ordered and it looks like the existing cables will be plenty long enough.
Saddle seems good quality, and is quite light, reminiscent of my San Marco Aspide which is on the Marin, so shall see how I get on with that before swapping it out for another San Marco.
Giants Connect stem and bars seem of decent quality and I was most impressed with the Carbon seatpost, very nice quality.
Kind of disappointed on 2 things:
Firstly, EVERY bike I purchase has some kind of paint chip in it, and this is straight from the box. On this occasion its on the seat tube where the cage bolts go in, looks like some scrote overtightened the bolts and it’s caused some paint (albeit not much) to come away.. not the end of the world but ....
Secondly, the way they have ‘finished’ the bar tape, it’s shocking. No attention to detail and no accuracy. I don’t like the feel of the stock Giant tape anyway so will change it soon when I decide what to go for (opinions welcome).
Apart from that I LOVE IT.... glad I chose it over the cannondale now, it’s such a beautiful frame.
I can see some things being changed straight away though; skewers, headset spacers and top cap (to carbon) and bottle cage bolts (aly from probolt). Not sure what I am going for but shall update thread when and where I can.
Ill leave it be for a while before I change anything else to be honest. Although I can really see some carbon bars on the horizon.. 8)
I have a borked leg and as a result cannot ride for a couple more weeks so cannot even take it out which kinda sucks the big one... however, am waiting for pedals and shoes (MTB M540 pedals and Mavic Razor)
Here’s some pics... hope you like it as much as I do. Thoughts?
The frame is indeed lovely, really nice finish to it and the weave really shows through when light hits the frame. Nice clean lines and not too ‘lairy’ unlike the rest of my bikes...
Kit wise, not bad, obviously we have the full 105 gruppo, however it did disappoint me that they didn’t equip it with 105 calipers for some reason, now I know this is in order to save money, but I cannot see the 105 being that much more pricey than the Tektros, which are nice enough looking, however, do not match the ‘matte’ silver of the rest of the 105 kit. Now I know this is totally aesthetic, but that’s how I roll. I have OCD with things like that, so 105 calipers have been ordered and it looks like the existing cables will be plenty long enough.
Saddle seems good quality, and is quite light, reminiscent of my San Marco Aspide which is on the Marin, so shall see how I get on with that before swapping it out for another San Marco.
Giants Connect stem and bars seem of decent quality and I was most impressed with the Carbon seatpost, very nice quality.
Kind of disappointed on 2 things:
Firstly, EVERY bike I purchase has some kind of paint chip in it, and this is straight from the box. On this occasion its on the seat tube where the cage bolts go in, looks like some scrote overtightened the bolts and it’s caused some paint (albeit not much) to come away.. not the end of the world but ....
Secondly, the way they have ‘finished’ the bar tape, it’s shocking. No attention to detail and no accuracy. I don’t like the feel of the stock Giant tape anyway so will change it soon when I decide what to go for (opinions welcome).
Apart from that I LOVE IT.... glad I chose it over the cannondale now, it’s such a beautiful frame.
I can see some things being changed straight away though; skewers, headset spacers and top cap (to carbon) and bottle cage bolts (aly from probolt). Not sure what I am going for but shall update thread when and where I can.
Ill leave it be for a while before I change anything else to be honest. Although I can really see some carbon bars on the horizon.. 8)
I have a borked leg and as a result cannot ride for a couple more weeks so cannot even take it out which kinda sucks the big one... however, am waiting for pedals and shoes (MTB M540 pedals and Mavic Razor)
Here’s some pics... hope you like it as much as I do. Thoughts?
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Comments
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YES, I am jealous....
Very nice bike Adam, get her onto the road and tell us how well she flies..0 -
Nice looking bike you have there. I actually prefer the look of the 2009 one to this years one, I know it doesnt have the fasionable tapered hear tube etc etc, but that frame just looks right.
Enjoy it.0 -
That really is shocking bar-tapping!!! I've seen downhillers do it better...
And, with the brakes... I'd go for the tektro's over 105 anyday. (although I ride with SRAM so my opinion is probably invalid!): "Why don't i remember breaking my face?" :
: Semi Professional Grease Monkey, Full time Tea boy... :0 -
they do look nice i used to ride the 08 and 09 ones after building them up at workand they just fly along so effiently 8)i ride it like i stole it.
genesis altitude 853 2007 rides like a dream
IRON HORSE BOOTLEG3 xtr/bling 2009
R100 cromo rasta build roadie lovin fun machine with flat bar owww yeah 19960 -
New wheels arrived today: Ultegra tubeless. A fair weight saving over the RS 10s and a most considerably nicer wheelset and a good price from Merlin...
Apart from that not much has changed... black alu BC bolts and a carbon spacer. I am pushing 15 stone so anymore weight saving is a moot point at the moment, only ordered the wheels as it deserved a better wheelset. Dura Ace more than I wanted to pay TBH so these were the next option as they borrow a lot of the DA technology (well according to Shimano they do)
Its fast as feck, although I havent tried it with the new wheels as they only turned up today.......0 -
New wheels fitted, not tested them yet but feel and look nice on the bike.... shall get her out the weekend....
Sorry about shite pics, taken on phone, will get some better pics up soon.0 -
MRadd wrote:That really is shocking bar-tapping!!! I've seen downhillers do it better...
And, with the brakes... I'd go for the tektro's over 105 anyday. (although I ride with SRAM so my opinion is probably invalid!)
Not as shocking as your spelling, you Nimrod. Insult someone properly by using correct grammar. :roll:0 -
Nice looking bike and like the new wheels but get yourself some new tyres those wheels deserve it!!
I had those Kenda's on my Giant when I got it and ran them for about a year, they where actually ok and only flatted about 4 times maybe but I have now put on a set of Krylions and what a difference, the bike is far smoother and feels more nimble, just by changing the tyres, incredible.
Looks great all the same!!0 -
zoso7 speaks the truth - change those tyres! You will find the difference between those Kenda's and some semi decent tyres greater than the difference between the RS10's and Ultegra wheels themselves.0
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He He Just ordered some Schwalbe Ultremo R1s...... in white and black (natch)Brommers76 wrote:zoso7 speaks the truth - change those tyres! You will find the difference between those Kenda's and some semi decent tyres greater than the difference between the RS10's and Ultegra wheels themselves.
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The Big Cheese wrote:Just ordered some Schwalbe Ultremo R1s...... in white and black (natch)
Soon to be grey and black (but then I was too chicken to use white bar tape on my white bike so what would I know!) Faster than a tent.......0
