Redfire

Since this is my first post I will tell a little about my self first. I'm 38 (39 in 18 days), I have a desk job so over the years I have managed to get fairly out of shape... I stepped on the bathroom scale the first part of December and was shocked that it said I weighed 205lbs! At 5'8" that put me in the obese category so I decided it was time to start eating better and get back into shape. Me and my fiancé Sarah decided to get bikes for Christmas, we started with mountain bikes as that seemed like the better style bike for casual riding especially with kids. My first ride was 1.6 miles and I thought I was going to pass out when I was finished, I am now riding about 100 to 125 miles a week and am down to 190 pounds but still have quite a ways to go. I would like to complete my first Century this year, I am thinking about riding in the Tour De Cure in Jacksonville Fl on May 18.

The only LBS here sells Trek and Giant, for some reason Trek really doesn't do anything for me but I really like the Giant TCR 2, I took it for a test ride today and it seemed very comfortable, I was originally concerned about the riding position of a road bike but discovered it was actually more comfortable to me than my mountain bike.

Reading this forum for the last month I have noticed that there really is not a lot of talk about Giant, should I be looking at other brands?

Here is the Giant I am looking at:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications
[IMG] TCR_2_compact_black by Redfire_Cobra, on Flickr[/IMG]

Here is the one Sarah is looking at:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications
[IMG] Avail_3_compact_v2_black by Redfire_Cobra, on Flickr[/IMG]

Thanks!
Chris

RollCNY

If you like them and they are comfortable, go for it. Giant Defy gets great reviews, both in alum and carbon, and the TCR's have ample positive as well. A friend went from a TCR ultegra equipped bike to a Scott Foil with DuraAce. The first few weeks he raved about the change. A few months in he told me that there was no important difference in his performance on either.

seymour1910

Welcome to BF. Congrats on your success so far. You hve chosen a great sport to be a part of. First, there are other stores in your area, they may not be as close as the Giant store but they are there. Giant makes fine bikes so if you find one you love get it and get riding. The bike you are looking at is a fine bike, but at that price point most brands have a bike equal to it. I will say that if the Giant shop is better access, and they are a great shop stick with them, nothing like a fine LBS. Build thr best rapport you can with them and things will go well. I don't know how far Kingsland is from Jcksonville but here is a great shop in the Jacksonville area
CITYCYCLE
2740 PARK ST
JAX FL 32205
904-356-BIKE (2453)

edit: let me also add that you may get better deals on the Giants now in the Winter so if you have funding, get them. Bike demand is going to go up in the Spring.

Christobevii3

Wow nice first bike. I got a defy 1 2011 and love the thing. I might upgrade in a year or two but can't really see a reason except 11 speed stuff.

rufvelo

Both excellent bikes, congrats!

seymour1910

He didn't buy the bikes, he is looking at those and asking for puchase advice.

Christobevii3

Err read that too quick after a nap. You might have her look at the avail 2 that way both your bikes are 10 speed tiagras. Otherwise they both look like great bikes.

wthensler 

I have the Giant Advanced Defy 0 and also a Trek Domane Six, both of which are fitted with Di2. Giant makes a great bike, I enjoy riding mine very much, and at 55, the slightly relaxed frame geometry works well for me. Personally, I think you get a lot of bicycle for the money, and Giant doesnt cheapen out on components. But.... the Domane is a tad smoother....

rufvelo

Perhaps I should have said 'congrats on narrowing your infinite search to the 2 bikes'.

Redfire

It was comfortable, I guess I'm just a little iffy since I do no have anything to compare it to.

Thanks! I agree this is a great sport and I have definitely been bitten by the bug! Jacksonville is about 45 min to an hour away depending, I have thought about going to some bike shops there but haven't had the time, with life in general, work and four kids all in different sports it's hard to find time just to ride. To bad none of the shops are open on Sunday, we have been meeting up in Jax with friends to ride the Baldwin trail every Sunday, it's a nice 30 mile ride.

The LBS is working up a quote on the bikes and some other gear so I should know something Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks! I'm glad to here such a positive review of a Giant, makes me feel better!

Thanks, I would love to see her start out on the Avail 2 but we are on a pretty tight budget and it's been a struggle to get her to agree to the 3 instead of the avail 5....

Thanks for all the great replies so far!

Redfire

Thanks for your input, maybe they will have a Trek 1.2 in my size so I can ride and compare them on a more level playing field.

That's the problem, there is so many choices it's hard to know if I'm making the correct one.

rufvelo

I think you've picked good choices without getting into an extremely paralyzing analysis of the market which can happen sometimes, followed often by buyers remorse. You've picked good bikes, can't go wrong with Giant, just get them and enjoy time with the wife focusing on the miles you will put on them, the health benefits and her company. Lucky man!

seymour1910

I honestly think you will be fine with the bike you are looking at. Not you, but some people make the mistake of looking to long and mis a great deal. If the shop is local to you and they treat you and Sarah nice that is part of the sale. Many people will tell you it's nothing like a fine bike shop to have in your corner. Not trying to rush you but again, don't wait to long. When the weather gets better bike shopping picks up so stores will be selling bikes like crazy. Keep that in mind.

8086bruce

Welcome! They should make nice bikes. I should warn you that your going to get hooked and be upgrading again in less than a year. I wish I would have jumped up a notch or two when I got my first road bike. Would haved saved some cash in the long run. I've been upgrading and replacing parts since I got it.

rdtompki

Lots of nice bikes out there. Fit is very, very important in order to enjoy the transition from mountain to road biking.

Redfire

Thanks for all of the replies/advice! I'm looking forward to receiving the quote from the LBS today.

One more question. I know that discussion of "average speed" is somewhat frowned upon here but I'm just curious, and hopefully it won't be as bad since I'm comparing to myself...
What kind of increase if any should I see going from a mountain bike "2012 Diamondback Response XE" with 26 x 1.5 Maxxis Detonator tires to the Giant TCR.

An example ride on the mountain bike (on relatively flat pavement) would be 29 miles in 2:04 at an average speed of 14mph, of course there are stop signs and other things that affect the average but to simplify matters lets just assume the rides would be identical.

Thanks,

Chris

Dudelsack 

Buy it.

Ride it.

Upgrade it.

Rinse and repeat.

Sidney Porter

Take a look at Bikes Direct. The big complaint with them is that they are not local for most people. They have a showroom in Jacksonville at St John Town Center off of 9a and JTB. I assume they are open on sundays the rest of the mall is (except Chick Fil-a).
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

4624 Town Crossing Dr Jacksonville, FL 32246
[TABLE="class: ts intrlu, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD](904) 928-2453
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Christobevii3

Redfire a hybrid mountain bike i had was about 2-3 mph slower. I imagine with knobby tires it would be another 2mph or more. So just going to a road bike once you have a few hundred miles on it, I wouldn't be surprised if you ran around 4-5mph faster easy.

Redfire

Thanks, that's about what I was thinking also.

Redfire

It's the upgrade it part I worry about, based on my previous endeavors I tend to get carried away in that department....

I have looked at the bikes direct bikes online, if I were going with a more budget bike I would probably do this Diamondback. It's still very tempting with the components for the price.
https://www.jensonusa.com/!N8hILSSBJp...FQyDnQodQgkA3Q

99Klein 

I would say "average " speed over an average ride will increase 1.5 to 2 MPH in my experience.

John_V 

Buying a bike isn't difficult but it can get confusing as there are so many makes and models to choose from. There are usually three requirements to buying a bike: 1) Fit/comfort - most important, 2) Price, and 3) Wow Factor. If that Giant meets all three of the requirements, you're set to go. Other makes and models in the same price range may offer different geometries and components, such as handlebars, saddles, wheels, etc., but overall most of them are pretty much the same and if fit and comfort are the same, it becomes a matter of which one falls into the third requirement.

As far as Giant goes, they are the largest bike maker in the world and make bikes for many of the top brand name companies, including my Colnago. I have had three Giants (Sedona, Cypress and Defy) and have been very happy with all of them. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with a Giant, but you should also look around at other makes and models so that you don't end up with the Should Of, Would Of Blues.

joe_5700

Your story is nearly identical to mine except my obsession began about 4 years ago. I would recommend taking a drive south to Jacksonville and checking out Jamis, Felt, Specialized, Cannondale, and Scott bikes too. As far as upgrades... You will hear it all the time on here, but it's true. Ride your upgrades. If something breaks on your bike, then replace it with a better and lighter part. There is really no difference in speed between a dura ace equipped bike and a 2300 equipped bike. It comes down to rider position and aerodynamics much more. In time you will think that you need a full carbon frame, when you don't. The thought of racing will enter your mind... You really cannot go wrong with any LBS bike in your price range. After you get your bike be sure to join a no drop LBS ride. This will teach you to ride safely with others. Then your next step is to find a local team to join and start racing CAT5. Your fitness and weight loss goals will be far exceeded if you do this. Your wife will then say that you look like a chemo patient...but that is when you know that you have arrived.

Redfire

Thanks to everyone who replied! I ended up going with the Giant TCR, I picked it up Thursday and am very happy with it so far. The Avail was out of stock in Sarah's size and was going to be about 3 weeks before she could get one so she ended up with a Trek Lexa S. The LBS does group rides every Tuesday and Saturday so I plan to get in on some of them soon.