Road Cycling - TCR Alloy Question: Please help me out!

Hello folks,

I must say, I really enjoy reading all the various threads you dudes post and respond to. Cool stuff!!

My query is by no means unique but quite important to me, for these bike purchasing decisions are stressing me out!

I am very new to the road scene. I am upgrading very soon, but due to the remoteness of my home, I cannot test ride any new bikes. Therefore, I will be taking a chance and buying on sheer opinion and feel from sitting on these bikes at the LBS.

I am a fit 6 foot 1 male @ 180 pounds. I am looking at a 2004 TCR - alloy. I am training 6 days a week for an hour. Will this bike get the job done, or will the TCR's frame design kill my body after a couple of weeks? I don't have a foggy clue!! I assume I will would be fitted with a size large.

The other choice is a trek 2200. Nice bike, but the TCR gets me more hot and bothered (in a good way!).

I would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks

The TCR is a good bike. The compact frame is stable even at over 45 mph. The bike shop should fit you. If not, check out http://www.wrenchscience.com They have a fitting calculator for standard frames. Effective top-tube length is the measurement you would be most interested in.

If you're going to spend more than a thousand bucks you NEED to ride the bike first, period!

Unless you have extra $$$ coming out of your a$$, in that case you can send me some so I can afford the Orbea Orca I saw the other day.

PJ

If all you are worried about is being beat up by the bike then don't. I rode the TCR alloy for two seasons and I was doing a lot more than an hour a day six days a week. I rode the stock bike and had no problems. If it wasn't for a stray car I would still be gladly riding it.

If you live in a remote area, does that means the roads are crappy?
If so, an aluminium bike might not be the perfect choice for you.

I have the 2004 TCR and love it
but I did test ride the bike
and I needed the help of the LBS to do lots of little things (stem change, messing with the bars, that sort of thing)
because of the S/M/L/ versions of the frame, I found I needed help honing in on a good exact fit (though now it's like a glove)
so I say test ride the bike for sure (take a trip to wherever the closest store is)
and I'll second the quesion, how are those roads around you?
you feel the road on that bike even with the carbon bits
but sweet speed is easy on that ride

Thanks for the responses.

I don't see road conditions as being an issue, for they are quite smooth around my area.

I would really love to test ride the bike, but it ain't going to happen. I'll keep you posted on my buying decision. Thanks.

Thanks for the responses.

I don't see road conditions as being an issue, for they are quite smooth around my area.

I would really love to test ride the bike, but it ain't going to happen. I'll keep you posted on my buying decision. Thanks.

That's gunna be tough. I know this is anecdotal, but.......'I know a guy'...who says his TCR alu Giant, with carbon fork, is brutal to ride, and our roads in Melbourne are second to none

Hello folks,

I must say, I really enjoy reading all the various threads you dudes post and respond to. Cool stuff!!

My query is by no means unique but quite important to me, for these bike purchasing decisions are stressing me out!

I am very new to the road scene. I am upgrading very soon, but due to the remoteness of my home, I cannot test ride any new bikes. Therefore, I will be taking a chance and buying on sheer opinion and feel from sitting on these bikes at the LBS.

I am a fit 6 foot 1 male @ 180 pounds. I am looking at a 2004 TCR - alloy. I am training 6 days a week for an hour. Will this bike get the job done, or will the TCR's frame design kill my body after a couple of weeks? I don't have a foggy clue!! I assume I will would be fitted with a size large.

The other choice is a trek 2200. Nice bike, but the TCR gets me more hot and bothered (in a good way!).

I would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks


I have the yellow '04 TCR alloy and love it. I've only had it a month and already have over 500 miles on it. Before buying this one I rode an '01 TCR2, which is almost the exact same bike. I ride smooth roads, rough roads, and friggin moon crater roads with no problems either with the ride quality or the bikes integrity. The carbon fork absorbs alot of the chatter and gel bar tape does wonders. So, no, it will not "kill your body after a couple weeks" or even a couple years as long as your sized correctly. Speaking of which, be careful on sizing. The '01 bike I had was a size Large and was a bit small for me at 6'3". The '04 bike is an XL and better fit for me. Whichever size you go with DO NOT let them cut the steerer until you are absolutely sure you know where you want it. It's much better to have a long steerer with spacers, which will allow you to easily change bar height, than to have a short steerer and be stuck at a low handlebar height. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions about the bike I'd be happy to give my .02 cents.