A good bike?

ruskin

I'm upgrading from my hybrid to a new racer and have my eye on this bike
http://www.harrysbikes.ie/bikes/bikes-road-racer/2014-giant-tcr-composite-1.html

anyone offer any advice on Giant?

paulgs

Nice bike, a big leap from a Hybrid to something like that.

Giants are generally good they are one of the biggest bike manufacturers in the world. Ultegra groupset is bombproof.

WillyFXP

If I was paying 2 grand for a bike I'd expect it to have better brakes than BR561's. It's an ultegra groupo ffs, why put sh1te brakes on it?

Cee-Jay-Cee

WillyFXP wrote: »

If I was paying 2 grand for a bike I'd expect it to have better brakes than BR561's. It's an ultegra groupo ffs, why put sh1te brakes on it?

I agree, the BR561's are ok if you upgrade the pads but are ultimately Sora spec brakes which is ridiculous on an 11speed Ultegra bike. However if yo really like the bike and go for it, insist that the Shop upgrade the pads to ultegra spec brake pad inserts/holders.

WillyFXP

CJC999 wrote: »

I agree, the BR561's are ok if you upgrade the pads but are ultimately Sora spec brakes which is ridiculous on an 11speed Ultegra bike. However if yo really like the bike and go for it, insist that the Shop upgrade the pads to ultegra spec brake pad inserts/holders.

Or just get a better bike....
http://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-xeon-crs-3000-2014/aid:674118

ruskin

WillyFXP wrote: »

If I was paying 2 grand for a bike I'd expect it to have better brakes than BR561's. It's an ultegra groupo ffs, why put sh1te brakes on it?

why are the brakes sh1te?

Brian?

ruskin wrote: »

why are the brakes sh1te?

They're not.

Tenzor07

BR561 are basically 105 equivalents, everything else is full Ultegra... usually some spec is dropped down.. cranks.. cassette ...

WillyFXP

Tenzor07 wrote: »

BR561 are basically 105 equivalents, everything else is full Ultegra... usually some spec is dropped down.. cranks.. cassette ...

They're not 105 equivalents, they're closer to sora spec, I'd expect a full ultegra setup if I was paying that for a bike, no excuse not to include them, it's not like giant are low price high spec bikes, plenty of other bikes out there for less money with a higher spec.

paulgs

WillyFXP I think you will find the general on line consensus is that the BR561 components are 105 equivalent not sora. I have a561 crankset and while it is not ultegra quality it is at least better than tiagra. It's very common to see non series components fitted on high end bikes which mainly means the frame allowing the owner to upgrade if they want.

Wishbone Ash

ruskin wrote: »

...anyone offer any advice on Giant?

If I had €2k to spend on a bike I just couldn't spend it on a Giant. They are just too common. Bit like having €40,000 to spend on a car and coming home with a Toyota.

Seaneh

You can get a Ribble R872 with full 11 speed Ultegra, Mavic Cosmic Elite S wheelset, ITM carbon finishing kit and 105 Carbon SPD-SL pedals for less than 2k.

Knowing this, I'd never buy a Giant for 2k.

Cyclewizard

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If I had €2k to spend on a bike I just couldn't spend it on a Giant. They are just too common. Bit like having €40,000 to spend on a car and coming home with a Toyota.

2k bike isn't equivalent to 40k on a car though to be honest. And better to buy something well engineered than some crap like an Alfa which are less common for good reason!

OP I have a giant among my fleet and love it, they do make a huge range and there's no doubt that they are pretty common but those tcr's arnt really. I mostly see hybrids or alu defys and I'm sure yours will look unique enough if that bothers you. their graphics can be hit and miss in my opinion but the one you linked to looks great

Wishbone Ash

Cyclewizard wrote: »

.. And better to buy something well engineered than some crap like an Alfa which are less common for good reason!

Indeed and I didn't say it wasn't a good bike or well engineered. But I wouldn't choose a wife based on her punctuality. You have to be passionate about bikes and personally, Giant doesn't provide that to me (nor does Trek either for that matter).


....and I would choose an Alfa over a Toyota any day!

Jabel

Brian? wrote: »

They're not.

They are... I have them on my Cube:o

WillyFXP

paulgs wrote: »

It's very common to see non series components fitted on high end bikes which mainly means the frame allowing the owner to upgrade if they want.

If I was spending 2k on a bike, the last thing I'd be wanting to do is upgrading the brakes tbh.

Tenzor07

Giants are like the Toyota of the bike world, solid, functional and reliable..
The paint schemes are designed by an engineer on his CAD station, so won't exactly turn heads, but they are well engineered bikes.

The Ribble R872 is a good deal, though they use open carbon molds and are heavier due to extra layers of carbon and lacquer used.
Giant have there own in-house carbon facility and make carbon frames for a lot of other manufacturers..

I think you will find with most of the big name bikes that one component or another will be downgraded... Full Ultegra could have a 105 cassette, or an FSA crank, just because the brakes are non-series does not mean they aren't any good..

€2,000 is pretty much entry level into the higher quality performance range of bikes. A lot of people would spend €2,000 on wheels alone just to put into perspective.

Giant composite and advanced carbon frames are very well engineered, though if i had a spare €4,000++ I would be looking at some of the more premium brands just to be different!

SterlingArcher

The girl 2 houses down.

Griff30

just make sure you get the right frame size, and dont rush into a decision can get lots of quality bikes for that money

ruskin

I'm getting more confused now- I guess I'm wondering what is the best racer I can get, bearing in mind my budget is circa €2000. I thought the giant I linked to sounded good to be honest.

Seaneh

ruskin wrote: »

I'm getting more confused now- I guess I'm wondering what is the best racer I can get, bearing in mind my budget is circa €2000. I thought the giant I linked to sounded good to be honest.

Ribble R872 with ulgetra and mavic cosmic elite s wheels.

That is a race ready machine off the peg and clocks in at €1990 with carbon bars, stem, seatpost and pedals. The giant's stock wheels will be a bog standard set of wheels and not up to much besides training and winter use and will be heavy.

Also, why buy a toyota (giant) when you can buy a lotus (ribble).

ruskin

Where can you get a Ribble in Ireland? (particularily Cork area) seem to be UK based.

Tenzor07

ruskin wrote: »

Where can you get a Ribble in Ireland? (particularily Cork area) seem to be UK based.

You can't, they are a UK bike store who order in the frames from China, so online sales only, unless you visit the shop in Preston, Lancashire.

rollingscone

OP what do you want from a bike?

TCR is a great bike, but it's a more aggressive/competition oriented bike. And as others here have said it's not the most characterful bike and you do pay a litle bit more for the established brands.

What appeals to you visually? Do you like ultra modern looking bikes or are you into something a bit more classic.

Cyclewizard

Seaneh wrote: »

Ribble R872 with ulgetra and mavic cosmic elite s wheels.

That is a race ready machine off the peg and clocks in at €1990 with carbon bars, stem, seatpost and pedals. The giant's stock wheels will be a bog standard set of wheels and not up to much besides training and winter use and will be heavy.

Also, why buy a toyota (giant) when you can buy a lotus (ribble).

Ribble - Lotus!!! i dont think so...!

veetwin

The wheels are same as the Defy which in my experience are crap. I've just had my rear wheel changed for a Mavic because the original wheel was crap. Giant paid for this under warranty so even they admit that those wheels are crap. On a €2k bike I'd be looking for better as others have suggested.

Ole Rodrigo

Giant have some nice bikes, good value for money.

If you can ride a bike well and keep it clean , the brand won't matter a jot. For 2 grand I'd go with a high end aluminium rather than carbon.

Ole Rodrigo

Any time I hear of Ribble I think of Blackadder :pac:.

Cyclewizard

veetwin wrote: »

The wheels are same as the Defy which in my experience are crap. I've just had my rear wheel changed for a Mavic because the original wheel was crap. Giant paid for this under warranty so even they admit that those wheels are crap. On a €2k bike I'd be looking for better as others have suggested.

This is a good point. the composite 1's used to have sl1 wheels (dt swiss hubs) which were pretty decent but it seems they've downgraded the stock wheels since 2012 while keeping the price unchanged so thats something to be aware of.

paudie2005

ruskin wrote: »

I'm getting more confused now- I guess I'm wondering what is the best racer I can get, bearing in mind my budget is circa €2000. I thought the giant I linked to sounded good to be honest.

If you search giant tcr on boards you'll see another chap who was on about buying one not so long ago, perhaps ask him. I got a tcr 1 a few months ago , it is a decent bike but as some other posters mentioned the wheels are not great, but if your coming from a hybrid perhaps you won't notice too much? I've found the brakes to be better than 105 spec'd pads. It all depends on what you want from the bike. The frame has a good long warranty and will prob hold its value, wheels / brakes can be upgraded. In my view best off having a look about lbs's, sit up on a few, see what appeals and be sure to get the size right

Kildafornia

Consider the Ridley Orion Ultegra. Belgian marque tested on pavé, so they are well able for Irish roads. Custom paint jobs on their website. I have one since 2011 and I love it. I eventually bought fulcrum racing 1 wheels for summer riding, and a a new saddle, everything else is stock, and brilliant.

http://www.ridley-mobile.com/ie/en/bikes/1/167/104/race/orion-summerbike-r-1423am#tab-bike-info

Of course, everyone will tell you their bike is the best! Enjoy, it's a beautiful thing choosing a new bike. First world problems eh?

Seaneh

OP if you have a bike already and are willing to swap over the wheels and finishing kit, this could be an option worth considering.
Scott Foil Frameset + 11 Speed Ultegra Di2 groupset for €1727.

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott-foil-15-di2-aero-road-frameset-2012-with-ultegra-6800-11-speed-di2-groupset-p246029