Road Cycling - Need advise on Giant

I'm currently riding a mountainbike on slick and thinking to get a roadbike once and for all. I've done my research and short list to 2 bikes

1. 2004 Giant TCR2 complete bike (yellow color, thinner fork) but upgrade to Ultegra group, xero XR1 wheelset etc or

2.2003 Giant Team TCR frame (custom built ONCE, hugh flat aero fork, black color)) with ultegra, Xero XR1 wheelset etc

They both cost the same, the thing is I'm not sure if the Team frame would be better than the built up bikes has to offer. Are there any different between the 2 in terms of performance or only graphic/color?

2nd Ques is there a lot of difference between 105 and Ultegra? Any input would be appreciated cos this is the first time I'm getting a roadbike and I wouldn't want to be stuck with something I couln't sell later. Most of my riding currently on my mountainbike is hilly terrain ride would last around 4 hrs over 90Km

I'm currently riding a mountainbike on slick and thinking to get a roadbike once and forall. My question is I've done my research and short list to 2 bikes

1. 2004 Giant TCR2 (aluminium yellow) complete bike but upgrade to Ultegra group, xero XR1 wheelset etc or

2.2003 Giant Team TCR ONCE frame (custom built aluminium Black) with ultegra, Xero XR1 wheelset etc

They both cost the same, the thing is I'm not sure if the Team frame would be better than the built up bikes has to offer. Are there any different between the 2 in terms of performance or only graphic/color?

2nd Ques is there a lot of difference between 105 and Ultegra? Any input would be appreciated cos this is the first time I'm getting a roadbike and I wouldn't want to be stuck with something I couln't sell later. Most of my riding currently on my mountainbike is hilly terrain ride would last around 4 hrs over 90Km

2nd Ques is there a lot of difference between 105 and Ultegra?

My opinion? Unless you're racing or riding in some sort of similar very high competition circumstances, then no, none that you would ever care about.

As far as resale I doubt it makes much of a difference either beyond paying a little more in the first place, getting a little more when you sell.

Same frame.

For 2004 there is only one TCR in alluminum, the rest are composite. It has the Ultegra drivetrain, 105 brakes, and xr wheelset.The TCR aero does come in 1 and 2 for 2004.

There are some minor differences from 2003 to 2004 frames, but nothing to make one better than the other. Well, the team frame is anodised rather than painted so it weighs about 25g less.

There are some differences between Ultegra and 105, finish quality, bearings and bushings. I would get the Ultegra if I planned to keep the bike and 105 if I wanted to save a buck. Don't worry about resale value, unless you luck out it won't be squat anyway. I EP my bikes and if I keep one more than a year I can't even get close to my money back out of it. (I ride em til they are worn out anyway)

I merged the 2 need advice on Giant threads.
Rev, since I did that I figured your see poll response
was confusing if left in.
Marty

For 2004 there is only one TCR in alluminum, the rest are composite. It has the Ultegra drivetrain, 105 brakes, and xr wheelset.The TCR aero does come in 1 and 2 for 2004.

There are some minor differences from 2003 to 2004 frames, but nothing to make one better than the other. Well, the team frame is anodised rather than painted so it weighs about 25g less.

There are some differences between Ultegra and 105, finish quality, bearings and bushings. I would get the Ultegra if I planned to keep the bike and 105 if I wanted to save a buck. Don't worry about resale value, unless you luck out it won't be squat anyway. I EP my bikes and if I keep one more than a year I can't even get close to my money back out of it. (I ride em til they are worn out anyway)

TCR team is a composite frame, isn't it? Or is there another 2003 Once team frame in Al?

Do you guys (in the US) get the TCR0 aswell? We get TCR Team,0,1,2.

I don't have the catalogs in front of me(snow day, I stayed home) But I may be thinking of the 2002 team frame, because thinking back on it, surely the team frame for 2003 would be the top of the line, therefor composite. We did order some composite frames and I don't remember them being team colors, however.
In the US we have Team, 0, 1, 2 all composite. One alloy bike called just TCR

I double checked to confirm, the ONCE Team frame in alloy was last produced in 2002. So you are choosing between the 2002 alloy and the 2004 alloy frames.

I have both the 2002 alloy and the 2003 composite bikes. I can tell you that the new composite fork is a better fork. This may not seem like a lot but the alloy frame is a real bruiser. Not that this is bad, I love the bike but with the new fork you will dampen some of the harshness on your hands. Both forks have alloy stererer tubes but the thick bladed one is not quite as nice as the new thinner blades.

I would keep this in mind when making my decision. By the way, personally I would take the 2004 model.

Both are alloy, you can view the 2003 TCR Team frame at giant UK site. I asked my lbs and he confirm its 2003. I weight the frame and fork its 4lb with headset, bottle cage nuts. Its frustrating not able to know if there're differences between team frame and normal frame in terms of performance, any chance the team frame built are better, stiffer etc etc or do you think there all the same just color and advertisement?

Any Idea with the 2004 TCR2 bike in terms of frame performance?

The rest of the set up would be

Group set Shimano triple 105 or triple Ultegra (haven't made up my mind yet and the price differences are very low USD90)
Wheelset Xero XR1
Post Giant Aero carbon post SP-CF02
Stem ITM
Bar Ritchey BioMax™ Pro Road Bar

The frames are the same..THe Ultegra parts are way way better. Lighter , longer lasteing, more attractive, better functioning and with a higher resale value. I would get different wheels, like bontragers, or rolfs.

Both are alloy, you can view the 2003 TCR Team frame at giant UK site. I asked my lbs and he confirm its 2003. I weight the frame and fork its 4lb with headset, bottle cage nuts. Its frustrating not able to know if there're differences between team frame and normal frame in terms of performance, any chance the team frame built are better, stiffer etc etc or do you think there all the same just color and advertisement?

Any Idea with the 2004 TCR2 bike in terms of frame performance?

Just looked. You guys have a completely different range to us.

Thanks for all the information guys I've finally bought the TCR2

From what I know the main differences from the 03 frame are the reinforce chainstay, curve seat stay and reinforce down tube for stiffer and better power transfer, I still fitted triple chain ring even tho I was advised against it, only problem with the shifting are when I try to shift from end to end meaning 52T and 23T or 30T and 11T I need to fine tune the STI half clicking it.

The new aero fork are also thinner and marginally lighter hence better shock absorbtion and less side wind force.

The frame and fork (inc cage bolt and head set) are 4lbs same as the 03 Team frame.

Full spec and more picture at http://www.shutterspeed.com.my/TCR2.htm

nice choice,
I've got the TCR (sans the 2 and the triple) I'm exceedingly happy with it.
good riding

I have a question about your brakes. I was looking at your website pictures and it looks like your right hand brake lever works the front brakes. Did you have it set this way or was it already like this??? I know it really doesn't matter which side you choose, I'm just use to it being the opposite. I was wondering if it had something to do with you being left handed or something else.

Obviously I have nothing to do at work today. :D

By the way, NICE BIKE.

I love yellow on bikes.

I delibratly fixed the brake the other way round, I think they should be an international standard to the way brakes are fixed The right should be front and the left for the rear. Reason being I also ride motorbikes and I feel it may confuse me when the brake level was the opposite it can cause accident especially negotiating corners where I apply slight pressure on the rear. There being no time to think but pure reflex action so to make things simple all my bikes are left for rear and right for front.

I also found out that yellow is hard to maintain too slight rain makes the bike looks dirty ...

Next time you go into the Giant shop pick up a can of liquid silk. The stuff is amazing, cleans off the crud and buffs out to leave the frame shiny new. Works really good on faded paint to bring the shine back. I use it on tuneups every day.

Window cleaner will take dirt off pretty good to, no shine tho.

Next time you go into the Giant shop pick up a can of liquid silk. The stuff is amazing, cleans off the crud and buffs out to leave the frame shiny new. Works really good on faded paint to bring the shine back. I use it on tuneups every day.

Window cleaner will take dirt off pretty good to, no shine tho.

Never heard of that stuff I was thinking to get soft99 car polish

Any car wax.

Nice choice and really sharp!

LOL, just looked up that liquid silk....I guess I will have to go to my local Sex shop to grab up a bottle.

Hmmm, try Giant liquid silk

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2003/2003-liquid-silk-+-600.jpg

Thats interesting, the whole line of products is marketed Liquid Silk. If you want to clean the bike, get the one that says "bicycle polish"

only problem with the shifting are when I try to shift from end to end meaning 52T and 23T or 30T and 11T I need to fine tune the STI half clicking it.



Its not a problem, thats what the "half-clicks" are there for. FYI running the biggest ring and biggest cog will wear your chain faster, and is not the most efficient use of your drive train, not sure what cogs you have, but there is bound to be a gear inch that is almost the same and won't put such lateral stresses on the chain. like a 39x17

Either one would be an excellent choice. There is not enough difference between the frame and fork to pick the team over the TCR2. I had two Giants, one a 1999 TCR2r and the other is a 1998 Team frameset that I made into a TT bike. IF the components are comparable pick the one you like the most.

Marc