Giant TCR Composite 1

declan1

My dad's new bike - Full Ultegra with Giant P-SL1 wheels. Weighs around 8KG and is stiff, comfortable and FAST!

chigman

Really nice looking bike - I like that alot.

Steve

Squillinossett

Same bike I have (to replace the 2011 one I broke) really nice ain't they!

Questions - where did he get those bottle cages?

declan1

Squillinossett wrote:

Same bike I have (to replace the 2011 one I broke) really nice ain't they!

Questions - where did he get those bottle cages?

I got him the cages for Christmas - link below was the only place I could find them in that colour scheme!

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=57311

nweststeyn

Thats awfy bonny

DHTT

Nice touch with the matching Garmin.

dwanes

thats a good choice in bike.

Do you know what size frame it is and how tall he is?

declan1

dwanes wrote:

thats a good choice in bike.

Do you know what size frame it is and how tall he is?

It's a M/L frame and he's 6'2"

antooony

Tidy and nice photography as well

elderone

very nice and tks for the heads up on the bottle cages.

Dickie Dirt

Hi,
This is the bike I'm considering at the moment (2012 which I'm pretty sure yours is)... I note you say the rider is 6'2 and yet went for a M/L. Just wondered if he tried a L ? I'm 6'1/34 IL with +ve ape arms and have assumed L would be more suitable...
Any 'issues' with the bike at all? Lovely looking machine.
Cheers

declan1

Dickie Dirt wrote:

Hi,
This is the bike I'm considering at the moment (2012 which I'm pretty sure yours is)... I note you say the rider is 6'2 and yet went for a M/L. Just wondered if he tried a L ? I'm 6'1/34 IL with +ve ape arms and have assumed L would be more suitable...
Any 'issues' with the bike at all? Lovely looking machine.
Cheers

The M/L was the only one in stock, but it seems to fit him fine with room to spare. The seatpost has another few inches of elevation and he fits just right with the saddle in the middle of the rails.

If you can I would probably try large if you could. The M/L AFAIK is around a 56.

It's an amazing bike. No problems at all - it looks even better in the flesh, and rides beautifully.

declan1

antooony wrote:

Tidy and nice photography as well

Thanks!

Dickie Dirt

Thanks for the reply. Re-measured my IL today using 2 well known methods and its seems I am 36" so I reckon it will be a large. I'm off to another dealer on Thurs for a look/sizing etc. Still don't know whether to opt for Dfy Comp 1 or TCR Comp 1 though...

declan1

Dickie Dirt wrote:

Thanks for the reply. Re-measured my IL today using 2 well known methods and its seems I am 36" so I reckon it will be a large. I'm off to another dealer on Thurs for a look/sizing etc. Still don't know whether to opt for Dfy Comp 1 or TCR Comp 1 though...

Defy is just the comfort-orientated model. If you have rubbish roads then you might as well get the Defy, though the TCR is still really smooth on bad roads!

Dickie Dirt

Aren't all British roads rubbish!

declan1

Dickie Dirt wrote:

Aren't all British roads rubbish!

Pretty much!

Again, just try the TCR and Defy one after the other and see what they both feel like

the_fuggler

I tried both the TCR and the Defy. I'm 5' 10 and tried a M and a M/L in both. The M was too cramped in both, but the TCR might have worked with a longer stem. The M/L of the TCR was definitely too big in its standard set-up, but could have been made to fit with a shorter stem. The Defy, however, fitted like a glove in a M/L. It seems the geometry of the Defy suited me better than the TCR, so it's well worth trying to see which suits you better.

Even if you do find the Defy fits better, you'll still be getting a bike that shifts a bit when you put the hammer down, so don't let the slightly more relaxed geometry put you off.

dwanes

I was in a similar situation, being 5' 11", the medium on both model felt a little cramped.
In M/L i was going back and forth in the shop between the Defy and TCR. But at the last moment deliberating, because of previous knee problems, I got the shop to move the saddle forward to get my knee over the pedal spindle (a mini bike fit) and it was then it all clicked into place and the TCR felt so much more comfortable.

This is why a quick and simple 'rack of eye' bike fit can be important, and don't just rely on how the bike is set up in the shop. And don't be frightened to ask then to make adjustments.

I was a bit disappointing that it took me to instigate this, rather than the shop automatically checking for a proper fit or even suggesting moving the saddle slightly!

Dickie Dirt

Thanks - I'll bare all this in mind when I go to look tomorrow.... As you say, sometimes the shops aren't too keen to make adjustments or even locate the right sized bike!

Dickie Dirt

Another thought. Just to complicate would you go with :
Defy Advanced 3 (105 groupset) over Defy Comp 1 (Ultegra) or vice versa
and
TCR Advanced 2 (Ultegra) over TCR Comp 1 (Ultegra) or vice versa with a £250 ish difference
All 2012 models......

the_fuggler

I'm afraid you'll have to test them all and see which one you like most! I could tell the difference between the Defy Comp 3 and Advanced 2 when I test rode them (Advanced was stiffer; better power transfer) but the groupsets were also different (Tiagra and Ultegra) so it's not really a meaningful comparison. If you can stretch to the Advanced frame it's probably worth it - you can always update the components at a later date.

dwanes

The advanced frame felt much lighter than the comp, so if you are willing to fork out more money I would go for it. But its your money. I could spend someone elses money all day!
I wasn't in that position as I was on a lower budget, hence a Composite 3. But loving it!

Remember if you are buying one, at the end of the day, make sure you love the look of it. No matter how well it fits If you don't love the look of it then you may regret it later.

Graeme Jones

There was a TCR in M/L size on the rollers today in the lbs and at 6'2 I can say it felt way too small for me so confirms that my large defy is right for me

Dickie Dirt

Believe it or not I still haven't taken the plunge and purchased. I'm down to 2 bikes (again). Both 2012 models and both can be had for as near as makes no difference the same price :
Giant TCR Comp 1 - Full Ultegra, compact c/set
Giant TCR Adv 2 - Full 105, 39/52 c/set, internal cable route, ANT+ sensor

The spec, other than the groupset is almost identical - same bars, same, wheels & tyres. Better stem on the Adv & arguably better saddle, plus the overdrive 2 head (bigger bearings I think) and 'better' carbon....

BIke radar gave the Adv. 4.5 stars and bike of the year contender whereas the Comp1 got 4 I think... Original prices for Comp around £1800, £2000 for the Adv. As I say, no within a few pounds of each other.

I probably prefer the colour of the Comp and the Ultegra but would I be mad not to get the more highly rated Adv 3?

Can't wait forever to decide or I'll miss the deal. Only I can make the decision but what would you do!

Dickie Dirt

The comparison is actually
2012 TCR Comp 1 & 2012 TCR Advanced 3 (not 2 as previously suggested) - sorry.....

Glover Fan

Hi all. (newbie)

Just thought i'd let you guys know that you can get the bike for £1450 at Pauls Cycles at the moment.

I initially had my heart set on a Trek Domane 4.5, then I went in my local Giant store and saw the 2013 composite 1 which I was sold on and I just happened to find the 2012 model for this price so ordered a Medium (I'm 5'9" with a 31" inside leg) which the Giant sizing guide has me spot on for.

I'm not bothered about having the 2012 model, I think spec wise it is the same as the 2013 apart from the saddle and IMO a better paint scheme (read: easier to clean).

Link to deal: - http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 7b4s6p4468

Cheers,

Jon.

anto164

Advanced all the way.

The additional bits make it worth it. I've ridden both the composite and the advanced, and yes, the composite is a little teeny bit more compliant. The advanced is ever so slightly stiffer but also lighter and has a couple of extra little benefits (like the 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" steerer, and the integrated speed cadence sensor) make it a more attractive package. Also, the frames look nicer and have a sharper look. As of the differences on the ultegra to 105, you won't really notice the difference. Both feel fantastic.

BTW, my advanced looks like this... http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12898462&start=100#p18120823

the_fuggler

I'd definitely go for the Advanced if you can - I do love the feeling of the direct power transfer from the Advanced frame and my version is very comfortable for long distances. Never too harsh.

Dickie Dirt

Thanks for the input. I thought the actual frames looked near identical - just better carbon in the Adv.? Slightly put off Adv due to non compact c/set. At the moment I'd have to flip a coin. I prefer the colours of the Comp but don't want to be too influenced by that (hard as it is)... EIther way I'm buying within 7 days.....
Nice bike by the way..

anto164

Compact is a more rounder frame, the advanced has a slightly more sharp design. Same angles, different looks.

To sort of explain, look at the following pictures;