I’m giving some thought to upgrading the aluminium frame on my TCR to a carbon one. I test rode a carbon TCR and “thought” that it seemed to ride a little nicer. I’ve never found the aluminium to be uncomfortable, in fact I’ve done centuries on it, but am wondering what the opinions might be from people who have owned both the aluminium and carbon frames. Its a bit of an expense to upgrade and there’s no point in doing so if it doesn’t make a noticeable difference so your opinions are appreciated.
CG -
I know this isn’t exactly the comparison you’re looking for, but I went from aluminum QR Tequilo to Carbon TCR1. I really enjoyed the QR, but I love my Giant. The feel of the carbon on the road is so much smoother. I really didn’t notice an appreciable difference when I switched from steel to aluminum (that may be due my ignorance and lack of experience at that time), but I definitely noticed the difference in going from aluminum to carbon. Don’t want to speak too much about handling and fit since we’re talking different geometries, but I certainly enjoy the difference in the frame material.
Thanks, that’s what I’m hearing. I checked out some of the comments over at roadbikereview.com and it seems that owners do claim a noticeable difference between the aluminium and carbon frames. This is interesting because there is no actual difference between the two TCR frames except the material used. That would seem to blow apart the argument some people put forward that material doesn’t matter and it’s all in the frame design.
CG,
I have both - 2002 TCR 0 (Alloy) and 2003 TCR Team Composite! I spend most of my time road racing and have done a couple tri’s (use a TCR Aero TT bike for that) this year but I have the TCR 0 (alloy) bike setup for criterium racing/shorter training rides with 54/42 chain ring combo and the composite bike setup for road racing/long distance training rides (53/39 chainrings). Not exactly an apples to apples comparison but before we got the composite frames, the wife and I used the TCR 0 bikes with 9-speed Dura Ace for everything but TT/Tris. I will say that the carbon bikes, even when they were still 9-speed was still 2-pounds lighter than the alloy bikes and since getting American Classic Carbon tubular race wheels and Dura Ace 10-speed it is closer to 3-pounds. The ride of the carbon framed bikes is better in most aspects as it is more refined - much less road shock using same type seat post and seats but I think the lateral stiffness (bottom bracket deflection) of the composite bike suffers a little bit when compared to the alloy frames. Now this is probably not much of problem (at least not for us) unless you live somewhere that requires a lot of climbing during training rides and races. Personally, other than the store branded carbon frames like the Supergo CFR and its version of the EPX, you are not likley to find quite as good a deal on carbon bikes as what Giant offers. Problem is it is the end of the product year and dealers are scraping the bottom of the barrel to get product for customers. If your LBS cant help, you may find a good deal online with R&A cycles: http://www.racycles.com/rd/catalog/giant_171672_products.htm
i have a soloist for my tri bike and a tcr 0 carbon for my road bike and as much as i love the stiffness and looks of my cervelo, the giant is nice for recovery/road riding b/c of how ‘soft’ it feels.
it’s very stiff, but just feels like it’s a much smoother riding bike and i look forward to riding it each time.
it seems like i get more spring in the bike it climbs so nicely…just wish the top tube wasn’t so long.
…though, the R2.5 is very tempting too!
mb,
Just curious - do you find the Soloist to be any faster? Wondering if the aero tubing makes any difference?
…I might get kicked off slowtwitch for this, but I actually had a P3 last year that I sold b/c I didn’t like the fit and went with Soloist in a full tri set-up instead.
I think the Soloist is faster…and I don’t think the tubing has anything to do with it…it’s my position on the bike and the fact that I can make the cockpit nice and short b/c of my short torso and longer legs. I was actually considering buying another Soloist as my road bike too and ride it in the roadie position…I’d recommend the Soloist to anyone - and have - b/c I like how versatile it is.
…it does have a bit of a harsh ride, but it feels fast, I think mainly b/c of the super stiff frame.
Do you guys think the TCR would be stiff enough for somone 6’1" 225 lbs? I do a lot of climbing on short rolling hills.
The TCR aluminum’s are pretty stiff. I know at least on the Aero, the tubes are very stiffness oriented.
I’ve heard less than stiff words about the Composite. Something about as stiff as an overcooked noodle, but I haven’t actually ridden it.
Giants are fast lookin bikes if you want compact geo. Personally, my tastes take me elsewhere.
…I might get kicked off slowtwitch for this, but I actually had a P3 last year that I sold b/c I didn’t like the fit and went with Soloist in a full tri set-up instead.
You bailed b/c it didn’t fit. Tibbsy might cry, but that’s Slowtwitch gold.
"…I might get kicked off slowtwitch for this, but I actually had a P3 last year that I sold b/c I didn’t like the fit and went with Soloist in a full tri set-up instead. "
A friend of mine replaced his P2K with a Soloist and is just as fast in tris plus has a lot more versatility. Heck, it works for Simon Lessing
Not quite the same comparison, but I went from an older aluminum Trek to a composite Giant last year. It does move more in the bottom bracket but I love the ride. Got an extra large frameset and built it up myself. Have a medium C2 clip on on it now and am very comfortable with a no setback post. Have been up to 50 miles on longest single ride so far. Great value, I think.
Neil
Cerveloguy,
Please check my private message to you.
I’m still riding an aluminium TCR and it’s like it was designed with me in mind. I think they made an adjustment to the degree of the top tube slope in the last model year or two, so they actually have an S-M size, as Tom D. suggested and I always thought would be a needed addition but without elongating the top tube. At least that’s what my LBS told me. Can anyone verify that?
think they made an adjustment to the degree of the top tube slope in the last model year or two, so they actually have an S-M size
Although the TCR Aero frame recieved an update to a steeper seat tube angle (75 degrees) to make the frame more attractive to the multisport/TT crowds, for 2004 (at least in the US), there are/were only 4 sizes available for the alloy and composite road frames - small, medium, large, and extra large. For 2005, apparently as a result of the aniticpated release of the TCR Advanced composite road frame featuring an integrated seat mast, Giant apparently will be adding another size - ‘medium-large’ - to the frame sizes available for the composite road frames although I don’t think anyone has seen actual geometry numbers yet!