General Cycling Discussion - Another which bike to buy question

Hi,

Have narrowed down to either the Giant TCR Composite 1 or the Specialized Tarmac Elite Apex

Giant: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/model/tcr.composite/7266/44165/
Specialized: http://www.specialized.com/au/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52903&scid=1001&scname=Road

Every bike shop seems to have another brand of bike to show but I reckon one of these will be a good thing.

The Giant has a mix of 105 and Ultegra and the Specialized has Sram. Both very similar price but will have to wait to until early March to even see the Specialized in the flesh. Have jumped on a similar Specialized to see how it feels and it was fine and have ridden the Giant and it was good too. So there isn't much to differentiate between the two when it come to feel when sitting on it.

Any good or bad things to say about either of these two bikes will be gratefully accepted.

Will be doing weekend rides and olympic sized triathlon rides (around 40km distance) throughout the year.

Thanks
Nathan

I had a Giant bike (2007 model) a few years ago and didn't really care for it. Sold it after a few months.
Bought a Specialized Tarmac Elite with SRAM Apex components a few days before Christmas. Awesome bike. :thumb:

http://web.me.com/ronhorne/Site/Rons_Bicycles_2_files/DSCN0105.jpg

I fixed your links. They weren't working.

Thanks for fixing the links.

The shop will be getting a white Elite in the next few days, so will get to sit on it then.

A few others are saying the Specialized is the way to go. Time will tell.

Thanks

Every one has their own brand that they like--Or completely dislike.

I am a Giant man. My LBS is Giant but that doesn't sway me. Test ride is the only way to buy. Till then I would not make a decision.

Even then you should consider again. I bought a Boreas Ignis after trying many bikes at the time. This bike suited me but I tried plenty. It was a toss up between a Cervelo- Boreas and a TCR-C 6 months later and I got a TCR-C frame built up. I made a couple of mistakes on that build and very nearly got rid of it but 6 months in with the TCR and I had it sorted. It may not be as good a ride as Boreas- but it is very close. So good that it has been set up as the long distance/hilly ride bike. Boreas may be good for our local hills- but the TCR makes them easier.

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The shop will be getting a white Elite in the next few days, so will get to sit on it then.
White? The Specialized website only shows Carbon/White/Silver (like my bike) and Red/Carbon/White. Got pics of the white model?

Haven't got any pics.

The aussie website only shows Carbon/White/Silver, and the bike shop bloke said they could get in a white one. Have no idea what this means exactly.

When I see it will try and get some shots of it and post.

Well, I have had a small change in financial obligations, which kind of made me rethink what I needed, and the end result is an Oppy C5 2011. Can't say I am disappointed and not sure why I rejected them when I first saw it. Could have got the 2010 C6 for the same price but I just love the newer internal cabling of the 2011 Shimano gear.

It goes well, it has full 105 (fine for what I need) and it was easily $200 rrp cheaper than everything else out there.

So we are no where near where the post started but I can say I am very happy with my purchase and hanging to get out on the road.

Thanks for all the advice, which I have obviously ignored, and I might see you out on the road someday.

ttfn

Nathan

White? The Specialized website only shows Carbon/White/Silver (like my bike) and Red/Carbon/White. Got pics of the white model?

Even though I didn't go that way, here is the what he means by the 'White one'. Probably the Red/Carbon/White that you mentioned. This doesn't show up on the Aussie Specialized site.
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