General Cycling Discussion - Giant Team Once

Hi Guys, im back again with my quest to find a decent road bike..

for those who contributed to my first thread; i let go of that purchase since the warranty cover was only for 2 years. i'm glad mr. beanz and others pointed that out aspect. i did some further reading over the internet and the general consensus was that, companies who are confident of their frames, give either lifetime or least 10 years warranty, i could've lived with either of those options, but 2 years? no, thank you. not sure if this is limited to buyers from India though...maybe different in USA.

p.s i would request folks to treat the aforesaid as my note to all who contributed to my first thread...my real intention to start this thread was to get your kind folks opinion on another option that i have.

Bike Location: same town as mine. i have personally seen this bike and love it. some piece of work. amazingly light, yet totally in control.

the bike in question is Giant Team Once; specs are as follows
Brakes levers/shifter: Campagnalo record, carbon levers
Rear Derailleur: Campagnalo Centaur
Front Derailleur: Campagnalo Centaur
Crank : Campagnalo record
Pedals: Look
Saddle: selle italia titanium
10 speed cassette
Fork: Carbon
Size Medium
Tires: i believe are made of kevlar..

i think this is the bike in question - http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2001&Brand=Giant&Model=TCR+Team&Type=bike

now, i did some research on the internet and it looks like a very old model, maybe 2001 release. i looked up on this forum as well, and i couldn't find any relevant thread (just 2, that too frame or weight related)

now, the seller is a pro biker.. has 6 really high end bikes, looks like he is cutting down for whatever reason. i'm being assured that it's a deal sealed with gentleman's handshake.

asking price: $2000..cud be negotiable to say $1800 tops..

guys, your thoughts...? and yes.. i have increased my budget to $2000, i don't think i can stretch beyond that.

i let go of that purchase since the warranty cover was only for 2 years. i'm glad mr. beanz and others pointed that out aspect. i did some further reading over the internet and the general consensus was that, companies who are confident of their frames, give either lifetime or least 10 years warranty, i could've lived with either of those options, but 2 years? no, thank you. not sure if this is limited to buyers from India though...maybe different in USA.

There will be no manufacturer warranty on a used bicycle (generally).

The warranty applies only to the original owner.

It appears that there are insurance policies available in India (I don't think they are available in the US) that might cover defects (but you'd have to pay for them).

The only way to get a manufacturer warranty on the frame is to purchase a new bicycle.

Bike Location: same town as mine. i have personally seen this bike and love it. some piece of work. amazingly light, yet totally in control.

the bike in question is Giant Team Once; specs are as follows
Brakes levers/shifter: Campagnalo record, carbon levers
Rear Derailleur: Campagnalo Centaur
Front Derailleur: Campagnalo Centaur
Crank : Campagnalo record
Pedals: Look
Saddle: selle italia titanium
10 speed cassette
Fork: Carbon
Size Medium
Tires: i believe are made of kevlar..

i think this is the bike in question - http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2001&Brand=Giant&Model=TCR+Team&Type=bike

now, i did some research on the internet and it looks like a very old model, maybe 2001 release. i looked up on this forum as well, and i couldn't find any relevant thread (just 2, that too frame or weight related)

now, the seller is a pro biker.. has 6 really high end bikes, looks like he is cutting down for whatever reason. i'm being assured that it's a deal sealed with gentleman's handshake.

asking price: $2000..cud be negotiable to say $1800 tops..

guys, your thoughts...? and yes.. i have increased my budget to $2000, i don't think i can stretch beyond that.

Before, you were looking at a bike from 2010. Now, you are looking at a bike from 2001. And this bike is twice the price of the Synapse!

(The fact that it's local to you has some value.)

If used carbon frames concern you, why are you looking at a bike with a 10 year-old carbon fork?

on a side note; i can afford any bike shown in this site - http://wheelsports.in/?cat=18 (with the exception of carbon 3) - any inputs..

You won't go wrong with a new bicycle from a well-known manufacturer. All of the manufacturers on that web site make good bicycles.

Of course, different people prefer different things but it's hard to say how hearing about those prefers is going to help you.

Asking people to look at lots of random bicycles you may or may not be interested in might not be the way to get assistance.

You'd probably do better with asking people about one or two models that you already like.

hi, in this case, the seller has offered all assistance in terms of warranty.

hi, in this case, the seller has offered all assistance in terms of warranty.
People in the US would not likely consider that as very valuable. It's hard enough to deal with manufacturers for warranty issues.

The link to the Giant you provided indicates that it has a 39/53 tooth crank with a 9-speed, 11 - 23 tooth rear cluster.

Depending on how strong you are and the hills where you ride, this might be geared too high.

Most bikes now come with a 34/50 tooth crank and 11-25 (or 28) rear cluster. That would be 2-3 lower gears (for hills).

If used carbon frames concern you, why are you looking at a bike with a 10 year-old carbon fork?

used carbon frames don't concern me, that's the least that i could do when im specifically looking for used bikes. what concerns me is the warranty. regarding budget, it's not that i can't afford "a" price. it's just that i'm looking for a deal. if i get a nissan trek for half it's original price, i might stretch myself thin.

again, if there is any specific forum for newbies, please direct me there. if such questions arent welcome, then i don't really want to take anyone's time. it;s takes time to understand forum mood and unspoken rules. but all forums have a section for newbies, to take care of it.

Asking people to look at lots of random bicycles you may or may not be interested in might not be the way to get assistance.

You'd probably do better with asking people about one or two models that you already like.


makes sense.. allow me to use this thread as a support tool for all the choices i have. please bear with me.

used carbon frames don't concern me, that's the least that i could do when im specifically looking for used bikes. what concerns me is the warranty. regarding budget, it's not that i can't afford "a" price. it's just that i'm looking for a deal. if i get a nissan trek for half it's original price, i might stretch myself thin.
What you are looking for is "magic". You are kind of asking for too much.

Warranties apply to new products, which means that, if you want a warranty, you should not be looking at used bicycles.

Maybe, the dude with the Giant will privately "warranty" that frame (but few people in the US would put much faith in that offer and no one in the US would likely offer such a deal).


again, if there is any specific forum for newbies, please direct me there. if such questions arent welcome, then i don't really want to take anyone's time. it;s takes time to understand forum mood and unspoken rules. but all forums have a section for newbies, to take care of it.

There isn't a specific "newbie" forum. And it isn't that your questions aren't welcome. What I'm trying to do is suggest how you can make your questions better.

You'll generally get better responses if your questions are more specific. If your questions are too general, you'll get lots of confusing responses and still have the problem of figuring them out!


makes sense.. allow me to use this thread as a support tool for all the choices i have. please bear with me.
You are asking people to spend their time answering your questions. Help them by asking fewer and more specific questions.

If you are spending $1000-2000 (or more) on a new bike, you can't really get a bad bicycle!

There isn't a specific "newbie" forum. And it isn't that your questions aren't welcome. What I'm trying to do is suggest how you can make your questions better.

You'll generally get better responses if your questions are more specific. If your questions are too general, you'll get lots of confusing responses and still have the problem of figuring them out!


You are asking people to spend their time answering your questions. Help them by asking fewer and more specific questions.

If you are spending $1000-2000 (or more), you can't really get a bad bicycle!

noted, and yes, makes sense.

noted, and yes, makes sense.

It takes time to learn about stuff. The problem with "newbies" is that they don't want to take that time and thing that asking lots of overly general/vague questions is a short cut. Don't treat other people's time as cheap.

One problem is that the Synapse is a different sort of bicycle than the Giant.

People who prefer a bicycle like the Synapse might not like the Giant at all.

You appear to be looking for a deal first and a bicycle second.

It takes time to learn about stuff. The problem with "newbies" is that they don't want to take that time and thing that asking lots of overly general/vague questions is a short cut. Don't treat other people's time as cheap.

One problem is that the Synapse is a different sort of bicycle than the Giant.

People who prefer a bicycle like the Synapse might not like the Giant at all.

You appear to be looking for a deal first and a bicycle second.

i understand your view point and i can understand how my approach may seem very vague and "emotional" if you will.

but, a carbon bike was not what i went in for specifically; it happened to be a bike which was on sale at a great price. so, in that you are right, im looking for a deal first and bike second, saying so, i want that bike to be a good one, with good components, i guess that's where bike becomes a priority too.

ill try and short list my options available. ill edit my post above which refers to some of the options.

i understand your view point and i can understand how my approach may seem very vague and "emotional" if you will.
They seem vague because they are vague!


it happened to be a bike which was on sale at a great price.
And because it didn't have a feature you required (a warranty) talking about it was kind of a waste of time.


i want that bike to be a good one, with good components, i guess that's where bike becomes a priority too.
Everybody wants that, don't they?

i get it. thanks.

You mentioned this link: http://wheelsports.in/?cat=18

BMC or Cannondale Six. Flip a coin from there. :thumb:

You mentioned this link: http://wheelsports.in/?cat=18

BMC or Cannondale Six. Flip a coin from there. :thumb:


your input is much appreciated. ill definitely try to try them out at a store here. BMC would be difficult but wedo have cannondale's out here. (BMC store is based on Bangalore, which is in a totally different state of India)

on a side, note, i agree with njkayaker's view that too many options would dilute the quality response im looking forward to. hence i removed that link from my original post.
i spoke to couple of pro bikers in mumbai (who own least 15-20, pro level bikes;, and they were both of the opinion that the road condition in india may not be ideal for mid level carbon bikes. also, warranty seems to be a big issue wherein they offer only 2 years warranty on the frame...doesnt speak very highly of their confidence in bike OR the road condition in India. i must thank Mr. Beanz for pointing it out in my last thread..i simply overlook that major aspect.

coming to my current situation. i have three options
GIANT Team Once ($2000) (ill consider this only if it's something spectacular, somehi8ng which will need no replacement for least 5 years to come. seller may agree for half sum initially and half in installments)
TREK 1.5 ($1180) OR 2.1 ($1500) (these would be brand new from store, with lifetime warranty on frame and 1 year on components) - http://www.firefoxbikes.com/Trek_Road_Bike15.html
Cannondale CAAD 9-5 ($900) - used bike in pristine condition, hardly rode 150 miles). seller has agreed to refund entire sum and bear the shipping charges if there are any defects). this bike comes with 105 components. in terms of warranty issues, seller has agreed to help out in whatever way possible

coming to my current situation. i have three options
GIANT Team Once ($2000) (ill consider this only if it's something spectacular, somehi8ng which will need no replacement for least 5 years to come. seller may agree for half sum initially and half in installments)
TREK 1.5 ($1180) OR 2.1 ($1500) (these would be brand new from store, with lifetime warranty on frame and 1 year on components) - http://www.firefoxbikes.com/Trek_Road_Bike15.html
Cannondale CAAD 9-5 ($900) - used bike in pristine condition, hardly rode 150 miles). seller has agreed to refund entire sum and bear the shipping charges if there are any defects). this bike comes with 105 components. in terms of warranty issues, seller has agreed to help out in whatever way possible

You should probably ride whatever before you ask about it.

I'm not sure why the 11 year old Giant is so compelling to you. It's unlikely that anybody here is going to know anything about it.

People really like the Cannondale AL frames. It looks like the US list price for it is about $1250.

The Cannondale looks to have components similar to the Trek 2.1 (maybe the wheels are a bit less expensive to explain the price).

Most people would probably have preferred the Synapse at the same price. Though, if you can see/ride the CAAD5, there's some value to that. Outside of some short period of time, no one in the US would expect the seller to "help out in whatever way possible".

Bicycles from well-known companies at similar prices are going to be very close in quality and components. (Though, different people might prefer one over the other.)

You should probably ride whatever before you ask about it.

I'm not sure why the 11 year old Giant is so compelling to you. It's unlikely that anybody here is going to know anything about it.

People really like the Cannondale AL frames. It looks like the US list price for it is about $1250.

The Cannondale looks to have components similar to the Trek 2.1 (maybe the wheels are a bit less expensive to explain the price).

Most people would probably have preferred the Synapse at the same price. Though, if you can see/ride the CAAD5, there's some value to that. Outside of some short period of time, no one in the US would expect the seller to "help out in whatever way possible".

Bicycles from well-known companies at similar prices are going to be very close in quality and components. (Though, different people might prefer one over the other.)

i did check with the owner of GIANT bike..he said he purchased it in 2004.. why isit compelling...well.. i just loved the feel of it.. it felt so much in control, as if, holding some kind of force within. also, i was told (marketing?) the Campagnalo components alone is worth that much. but, you have a point, it's a 8 year old bike.. price should be lower...

on the CAAD's.. im burning midnight oil on this forum...lot of useful threads and comparisons. my wallet says be practical and go for metal but, my heart is still thinking synapse.. will have to come out of the mental block of it being fragile.

between these which is a racy, in-control bike for speed and occasional 100 miles or more. lets leave aside the warranty issues..and presume bike is as good as new, that's a calculated risk i have to take.....

Cannondale CAAD 9-5
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 6
TREK 1.5
TREK 2.1