Help with new bike please

codie

Hi everybody .Just looking for a new bike.Looking for an all rounder really .Bike I can ride all types of weather so after many hrs on the internet and a few visit to shops I have narrowed down to Trek madone 3.5 or the Giant Tcr advanced 3.
The Trek has a fab review got on Bikerader.It has a mix of Ulregra and 105 with the usual crappy wheels.Haven' seen it in the flesh but everything I read is very positive and I have owned a Trek before.
The Giant I have seen has 105 groupset seems light but I got the kind of mass production feel when I saw it first.I wasn't able to bring it for a spin as the fellow in the shop said it was sold and the buyer was on his way to collect.The bloke in the shop talks them up a lot even though he has plenty other makes including Trek .I came out of the shop and said to myself I'm definately going for Giant this time.But here I am writing this .
I can get the Trek madone 3.5 for €2050 and the Giant will cost me €2000.I know I won't be happy with the Bontrager wheels so I would have to upgrade there.
Has anybody got either of the bikes or has viewed or taken either for a test spin.Any feedback appreciated.

Tenzor07

How bout the Giant TCR composite 1 for just under the €2k mark? Full Ultegra, and the wheelset is re-branded DT Swiss..

codie

Thanks Tenzor07 .Ya I had a look at that too .To me (this is only my opinion) I thought the frame Quality in the Giant advance was def better.Since I want an all round bike that I could ride all year round I am more concerned with the frame quality moreso than the groupset.Having said that for 2000 I would have to be getting at least shimano 105.

Tenzor07

It's all trickle down technology when it comes to carbon frames like that... The mold's used for the composite now were the same ones used for the Advanced SL 2 years ago...

mp31

After reading both reviews on BikeRadar and the fact that you want an 'all rounder' my vote would be for the Trek... and the fact that it's got mudguard mounts seals the deal for me

codie

Hi Tenzor07 ,I see from another thread that you purchased a TCR composite 1.Can I ask you how you find it.Reason I ask is the more I read about the TCR the more I am turning towards the Defy.I read that the TCR is a race bike with shorter chainstay and thinner seat struts,shorter head tube and the Defy is an endurance bike.Since I don't race and I do a lot of charity cycles would I be better suited to the more relaxed style of the Defy.I have said this to my Lbs but he says that the new TCR is very comfortable to ride over long distance and I should have no problem whatsoever.Any one else own a TCR would like to hear what you think.

Tenzor07

I bought the TCR for training/racing so comfort would not have been one of my main considerations.. having said that the TCR is excellent on the road, snappy, without being too sharp, and the carbon despite being stiff takes out the road buzz at the same time...

I would recommend the Defy as you are less racing focussed.. Have a read of this REVIEW of the Defy1 and the Defy2 both of which get excellent reviews.. Giant's are hard to beat the money...

codie

Thanks Tenzor 07 .I purchased a Lapierre Sensium 300 last year(full ultegra).I upgraded from an alu bike.Love it.Its designed very like the Defy.Its a Comfortable ride ,no speed buster but gets you to the finish feeling pretty good.I wouldn't stay with other riders for the first 30-40 k but once the first serious climb comes I 'll pass them and finish fairly strongly on the latter half of any event.
How does the body feel after a 100km ride on the Tcr?I do like the look of the Defy advanced 3 alright but I'm thinking to myself do I need another bike of the same style.
I have never done over 10k on a full racing type frame before and am just wondering will I be crippled at the end of say 120k or doing the ring of Kerry or am I reading to much into it.This is the reason I haven' pulled the trigger on buying the TCR.
I suppose its all the same to the guy in the shop weither he sells a Tcr or Defy.They are the same price.He rides the Tcr 0 advance.He swears by it and has me nearly convinced.He says that I will have no problem whatsoever

Tenzor07

The TCR is fine and as to weather you will be crippled on a more racey frame is down to your own personal fitness/flexiblity... For example I am used to a full suspension MTB and have no probs on the TCR...

However, I will say don't be pushed into buying a bike you dont require... Esp.as you already have the Lapierre which fits your needs..and is perfectly fine for the ROK..

codie

I wouldn't say the guy in my LBS is pushing me to purchase a bike but he is just suggesting the TCR.I did own a Trek which was on the big side for me and I didn't enjoy my time on it.I said I would hang on to it as a training bike.Eventually I just decided to sell it and buy a bike that would fit me properly for the wk-end spin and basically for training and here I am.I started off with a budjet of €1000
I'll admit I might be going over the top a wee bit budget wise for a training bike but I don't think I will get the chance again to buy a bike like this and plus I am not getting any younger.I nearly have myself talked into it.::D

codie

The Tcr should be a total different ride to my Lapierre.

ck101

What have you all decided to do here?

I'm about to push the button on a BMC carbon w Ultegra, coming in at 2.5k. A total overkill but like Coadie I have convinced myself beyond return.

Having said that the Planet X RT 57 w force is hovering in the background. The only thing is they have put the price up in the last week or so.

Word of advice never mention Planet X, Canyon or Boardman in your LBS.

reidzer

codie wrote: »

The Tcr should be a total different ride to my Lapierre.

Did you ge the TCR in the end?
Where you get it?