2013 TCR Advanced 2 or 2014 TCR Composite 1

plupp

Hi,

I'm doing a lot of MTB-racing and for training purpose I do a lot of long rides on the road, last year I used my Giant TCX with GP4000s tires on but I know looking for a new bike.

I have the chance to go for a Giant TCR Advanced 2013 or the TCR Composite 1 for almost the same price (Comp1 is 100 euro more)

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... ifications

Or

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 971/66532/

The biggest different between the two specs is the groupset 105 vs Ultegra 6800.

What bike should I go for and what would the biggest difference be?

I will upgrade the wheel set anyway so that's not needed to take into the consideration.

kingofthetailwind

Better frame or better groupset?

I think most people would go for the better frame. I personally went for the 2014 TCR Composite 1. I got 20% off, which was a big factor but I probably would have went for it anyway to get 11 speed Ultegra. Not been out on the road on it yet (hurry on Spring!) but I'm massively impressed with the shifting while on the turbo.

Graeme Jones

How did you get 20% off this model I am looking to buy in spring!

plupp

KingOfTheTailwind wrote:

Better frame or better groupset?

I think most people would go for the better frame. I personally went for the 2014 TCR Composite 1. I got 20% off, which was a big factor but I probably would have went for it anyway to get 11 speed Ultegra. Not been out on the road on it yet (hurry on Spring!) but I'm massively impressed with the shifting while on the turbo.

Yes, thats the big question to go for the groupset or not. Otherwise the Advanced is with better spec (decent wheels, Fizik saddle).

For a non-racer I think both 105 and Ultegra are good enough. But you are always looking for the best deal for you money. The plan is to keep the bike for 3-5 years. So I would like to make sure that I get the right stuff.

Anyone got the chance to ride Advanced and Composite back-to-back and think the Advanced frame is that much better?

plupp

So there is not anyone more with some help regarding the bikes?

How Far is too Far

Why buy something so good for traning on? U use a Boardman CX Team as a winter bike on and find that after riding that a lot once get on my good bike I feel quicker.

Both the Giants will be nice bikes, I would go for the Advanced

plupp

How Far is too Far wrote:

Why buy something so good for traning on? U use a Boardman CX Team as a winter bike on and find that after riding that a lot once get on my good bike I feel quicker.

Both the Giants will be nice bikes, I would go for the Advanced

I agree that it is over my need, but you know it is always nice to ride a bike you really like. I also might end up doing some road racing if it will fit in my schedule in the summer.

w00dster

Was in a very similar quandry.
I have just purchased the TCR Composite 1 2014. I got 10% of the rrp.
My view was that whilst the wheels were better on the Advanced, I would still likely swap them out. If I purchased 105 I would probably want to upgrade when funds allow, as 105 and Ultegra are not worlds apart I would probably want to go to Dura Ace. Big cost upgrade, well, big for my wallet anyway.
As it is my first carbon, my other bike is a Trek Domane 2.0, I thought that the frame is good enough with a good enough groupset that I would be happy with for a few years.
I didn't get to ride the Advanced so can't help with advising on the frame. However I am very happy with the Composite 1, crap wheels that need to be changed, but I expected that and they will be gone very soon. The Ultegra is very smooth, feels much nicer than my Tiagra groupset and i'm glad I went for Ultegra over 105.

kingofthetailwind

Graeme Jones wrote:

How did you get 20% off this model I am looking to buy in spring!

My local Giant/Specialized dealer sponsors our club - 20% off everything.

dj58

This is the difference between the two frames (Info from Giant's website).

ADVANCED COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY

Giant's High Performance-grade raw carbon fiber is used to produce custom composite material in our own composite factory. Extremely lightweight, stiff and compliant, these handcrafted frames feature the following materials and processes:

MATERIALS: High Performance-grade raw carbon material features an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio.

RESIN: High Performance formula provides excellent void minimization (bubbles) while maintaining outstanding strength. And vibration absorbing particles are added to help disperse road shock.

MODIFIED MONOCOQUE CONSTRUCTION: The front triangle (downtube, headtube, toptube, seattube) is assembled and molded as one continuous piece. This front half is then joined to the rear chainstays and seatstays in a secondary process. This process eliminates the outermost woven composite sheet to reduce weight without affecting ride quality, strength or stiffness.


GIANT COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY

Performance-grade raw carbon fiber is used to create the material for these lightweight, stiff and compliant framesets. Blending performance and value, this technology features the following materials and construction processes:

MATERIALS: Performance-grade raw carbon features best-in-class stiffness-to-weight ratios.

RESIN: Performance formula provides void minimization (bubbles) while maintaining optimal strength.

MODIFIED MONOCOQUE CONSTRUCTION: The front triangle (downtube, headtube, toptube, seattube) is assembled and molded as one continuous piece. This front half is then joined to the rear chainstays and seatstays in a secondary process. Modified Monocoque Construction eliminates the outermost woven composite sheet to reduce weight without affecting ride quality, strength or stiffness.

plupp

DJ58 wrote:

This is the difference between the two frames (Info from Giant's website).

Yes, I know the different in carbon fiber. I'm riding Anthem 29 Advanced, but I'm unsures if I will notice the little different as a regular rider on the road.

This is the pro/cons

TCR Advanced
+Superb frame
+Fizik saddle
+Cadance/speed sensor built into the frame
+ OK wheelset as a spare set (1770g)
- Shimano 105

TCR Composite
+ 2014 model
+ Ultegra 11sp
- Less stiff frame
- Saddle, handlebar, wheelset from Giant low-end

I really guess the both is good bikes, probably a lot better than I need, but you always want to do the right deal.

The Ultegra 6800 looks like the choice of future as I guess 105 will get 11sp sometime under 2014.

Graeme Jones

I think the Comp represents good value for money. It's got all the important basis covered for the market its being aimed at- decent groupset and decent frame not weighing in too badly.
I can't see how the advanced for me works out any better value as a enthusiast/non racer with a frame that I'd be surprised if any rider could tell the difference in stiffness and quality of ride etc.The internal routing for cables isn't a big deal but a nice touch non the less.

I just need to see if the geometry is too aggressive for me. I can't see it being any more aggressive than my defy with one spacer left as this has a decent saddle to bar drop it just depends how stretched I feel.

On a side note I think I'd prefer to stick some decent fulcrums on a Comp1 to finish it off and give the standard rims to my Defy

jazid

Weight wise there is only 126grams difference between the frames + forks (and the composite frame w/o forks is lighter) according to the WinWithGiant document.

Non pdf version:
http://www.bournemouthcycleworks.co.uk/ ... e-testing/

plupp

Thanks for all the help, It went thru a couple of times in my head before i decided to go with the Advanced frame.

I can always upgrade groupset if I don't like 105 after a while, might swap it to my TCX later on. But the benefits of the Advanced frame is something that is worth accepting 105 instead of the new Ultegra.

So the bike will arrive soon, will be fun to have a while to do some small upgrades on it and fix it until the snow is gone.

kingofthetailwind

Enjoy it, mine is in the spare room until the Spring!