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Giant TCR Composite 2004

6965 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by nino, Jul 24, 2004

Reqnang

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2004

Guys,

I need quickie advice on this subject. Currently, I am having vacation in Jakarta and found Giant TCR Composite 2004 road frameset (w/ fork, headset and seat collar) for US$ 900. I think it is original as this seller has original stuffs from other brand. Do you think it's cheap? Should I conclude the deal? Do you think this frame is a good entry point for road bike? I've recently read that Trevor bought a Giant roadie, is it the same one???

Appreciate any of your response.

Cheers,
Ion

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- Jeremy -

· #2 · Jul 23, 2004

Sounds like an average deal to me. $900 isn't a super cheap deal, but it's not too expensive either. TCR Composite frames + forks sell for $800-1200 on eBay.

It's the same frame that Trevor has. I'm planning on buying one too.

- Jeremy -

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nino

· #3 · Jul 23, 2004

i wouldn't suggest it anyway...

not stiff enough, weird sizing. they suffer really bad in the stiffness departement and got a complete update for 2005 which still isnt't making it stiff, just acceptable.the 2004 frames are flexy.
just ask Erik Zabel from the T-Mobile Team who uses a aluminium frame...or others of that team who got custom frames with additional layers of carbon to get them to acceptable levels.

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Trevor!

· #4 · Jul 23, 2004

nino said:
not stiff enough, weird sizing. they suffer really bad in the stiffness departement and got a complete update for 2005 which still isnt't making it stiff, just acceptable.the 2004 frames are flexy.
just ask Erik Zabel from the T-Mobile Team who uses a aluminium frame...or others of that team who got custom frames with additional layers of carbon to get them to acceptable levels.

I actually own a bike, rather than reading magazine reviews so I will share a few thoughts with you.

I am not too sure what type of hours nino has spent on the bike, he may be able to further comment on his in saddle experience but these are my thoughts. Had mine since March and done about 80hrs or so on it, including a TT and races.

Caveat
Whilst the german tests are fantastic and so very precise. Remember they are done by sensitive test machines, which are calibrated to be very simple. When a rider throws their leg over such flexy bikes yet detects no flex this reinforces the precision behind such technical tests. I theory they are informative, but for the majority when you use the component you will be hard pressed to detect flex in most instances. If you are very heavy or overweight you will probably detect flex.

I actually own the bike so can share these thoughts:

There is no issue of flex. I detect no flex in the Bottom bracket or in the rear triangle.
I tend to sit on 54-87RPM when I climb and generally sit when at the lower end of rpm, and don't detect flex.
The sizes are limited to XS, S, M, L and XL rather than 10-12 sizes that some brands offer. This works generally for most, but if you have odd attributes you may not find a comfortable fit.
I am not heavy or overweight so find the frame plenty stiff.
Some people find COMPACT gemotry a little contraversial
The bike finish is fantastic and quite durable.
The bike is smooth over rough rides, and tends not to bounce about on uneven corners or rough corners or on fast decents where the road is not perfect.
The bike feels lively when cornering - not twitchy but alert
Short chain stays, compact wheelbase and and the usual head/seat angles makes for a nice fast handling
Good bang for the buck
Stiff
Plenty stiff
Good value
Did I say stiff?

Remember you or I are not Jan Ullrich so perhaps have different requirements or are perhaps not as sensitive to bike characteristics.

Trevor!

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Trevor!

· #5 · Jul 23, 2004

One other point. I think this bike is a fantastic entry point into road bikes. I had used a Giant OCR before hand, but couldn't justify to purchase the likes of an Orbea Orca or Colnago, and find this to be quite satisfying. I don't really wish for another brand of road bike.

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Reqnang

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 23, 2004

Thanks!

Trevor, thanks for your insightful thougths, I fully agrees with you that we are not Jan Ulrich and being rather slim (75kg) flex will not be an issue. I've tried to find same deal on the bay, found several, but a bit pricey. I think I'll have a go on this deal. Thanks all for your kind input!

Cheers,
Ion

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wfl3

· #7 · Jul 23, 2004

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the purchase. The TCR carbon has a very comfortable feel on the road yet retains very racy handling characteristics - your cornering speed will definitely increase.

My normal riding weight is about 175lbs and I can only detect a small amount of flex in my frame. The Mavic Ksyriums on the other hand do flex a bit under hard cornering with my current weight exceeding 180lbs.

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nino

· #8 · Jul 23, 2004

it's the front that is weak...

as with all compact geometries it's the front stiffness that suffers. and in the Giants case it suffers big time. that's a well known fact and is just reflected again by the really low numbers of that german test. remember, it has the numbers of a good steel frame but has a looong way to reach modern aluminium chassis numbers. the BB is actually stiffer on most compact designs compared to classic geometries. that's not the weak point. once again the lack of stiffness might be unimportant if you are a lighter rider...same with SID forks. i love my SID yet it's known to be "noodle".

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Trevor!

· #9 · Jul 23, 2004

Reqnang said:
Trevor, thanks for your insightful thougths, I fully agrees with you that we are not Jan Ulrich and being rather slim (75kg) flex will not be an issue. I've tried to find same deal on the bay, found several, but a bit pricey. I think I'll have a go on this deal. Thanks all for your kind input!

Cheers,
Ion

I am only too happy to help. I think you'll really like the bike, when you build it up it will probably be light.

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Trevor!

· #10 · Jul 23, 2004

nino said:
as with all compact geometries it's the front stiffness that suffers. and in the Giants case it suffers big time. that's a well known fact and is just reflected again by the really low numbers of that german test. remember, it has the numbers of a good steel frame but has a looong way to reach modern aluminium chassis numbers. the BB is actually stiffer on most compact designs compared to classic geometries. that's not the weak point. once again the lack of stiffness might be unimportant if you are a lighter rider...same with SID forks. i love my SID yet it's known to be "noodle".

I never noticed the lack of stiffness in the front end. though I have felt defelction once when I had to make a quick move to save from a crash. I will give it a go today when riding and see if I can notice stiffness.

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nino

· #11 · Jul 24, 2004

on another bike....

you would for sure take note when riding another bike. you get used to ride your bike regardless of good or bad.

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