Giant TCR advanced 0 or 2... worth it?

[onthecrusade]

Hey all,

Just wondering about whether the Giant TCR advance bikes stack up against similar bikes.
I'm looking at a new TCR adv 2 or secondhand TCR advanced 0 (both 2012). I'm not a fan of the grey colour but am interested in the Di2.

It's hard to tell how well the frame and wheels compare to other brands particularly the wheels.

Any advice appreciated!

[Marty Moose]

I'm bias I own a Giant 2011 tcr adv 1 (ultegra). I just purchased a 2013 adv 0. My suggestion would be to ride a few bikes, I kept coming back to the Giant.Then I saw the ride magazine test on the tcr adv 0 all that I felt about the ride seemed to be backed up by their testing.

The second tier Giant frame out performs nearly every other frame I can find in any of their other testing from all the mags I have. This translated into the comments from the testers one comparing it to other top end bikes remembering this is their 2nd tier frame. If you asked me I could have just told you so but I'm biased


Sent from my MB526 using Tapatalk 2

[dale79]

i have both a TCR 0 and TCR 2..

the frames are identical only colour is different, both mine are actually the TCR2 red and white frames, i sold the silver frame to a mate as the red looks better i reckon but i didnt mind the silver either, the 5700 105 is good, but the DI2 shits all over it from a great height..

i use the TCR2 as a training bike to flog around on and it is perfect for that and bashing on rough roads etc..

if the $$ are not a problem go the TCR0, once you ride DI2 you wont go back to sloppy cables..

[usernameforme]

I'm looking at a new TCR adv 2 or secondhand TCR advanced 0 (both 2012).

I'd go for the new bike for the warranty, as the warranty does not transfer to the second owner. But Di2 is pretty attractive...

[Sydguy]

Both are identical it is Mechanical Ultegra or Di2 Ultegra.

I had the Adv2 (2012) which still has the the 'good' wheels, the new Adv1 (2013) has not so good wheels.

My Adv2 was pinched so I have a 2013 Adv0 and it is fantastic - part of the shine has worn off because I am still not happy with my Adv2 bike being pinched! Both are super sweet rides, raced both and love them. The Di2 is a crisper gear change and I love how Di2 auto trims. I even heard that multi shift is here for Ultegra, but this might require some kind of software upgrade.

As for not liking the grey/silver colour on the street it actually looks great. Some people ahve posted pics with carbon wheels that look awesome. In hindsight I should of saved the $500 to $600 and gotten the 2012 silver/grey.

JM

[dale79]

tcr 2 is 5700 105.. tcr 1 is ultegra..

[usernameforme]

tcr 2 is 5700 105.. tcr 1 is ultegra..

in 2012, the TCR 2 had Ultegra

[AUbicycles]

Regarding comparing with other brands, Giant are solid a reliable bikes - with the volume they produce they don't want to make mistakes - and also can provide good value and performance for money.
The flipside is that the brand isn't very exciting, by all means a good reliable brand though without the character that Europeans and US brands have been able to create.

[onthecrusade]

Ended up testing a Defy Advanced 2 (Ultegra)... was pretty impressed on a short ride, going back tomorrow with shoes and pedals for a decent ride. Also in nice black paint job
TCR advanced 2 at the same price was out with someone else so might miss out on that, but have second dibs...
Turns out LBS wins out over the net! And I was dissing the LBS in North QLD!!

Part of the difference I found was the compact chain ring/cassette combo, which seems to work better on the defy but that might change with proper gear on during a decent ride.
They are happy to change the cassette for me, if I don't like.

[usernameforme]

they didnt have a tcr 1 in 2012...

I have a suspicion that they were going to have a Dura Ace equipped TCR in 2012, but decided against it fearing that the pricing would be too similar

[Wakatuki]

Just my 2 Cents, Try the Scott Foil, I did and loved it. .....
But this is a personal thing, I was really going Giant, over everything for VFM. But the Scott just 'did' it!

Good Luck, how far north QLD are you?

[onthecrusade]

Hi,
I went for the local Giant Defy adv 2.... 2012 model. Very nice to ride, great handling. LBS let me take it for a day so I could do a decent test ride.
Scott, I steered away from as I doubt the frame is much different to Giant's. Even if it was the Giant's would be good enough for me, a big improvement over my ten year old alloy bike.
Am in Townsville and just getting back into cycling with a view to mulitsport if I can find whats wrong with my calves when running...