threeflys

Well, I went to look at new bikes today after I was feed up with my Novarra Element for the last time. I went to Adams Ave. bikeshop first and look around, I really thought about a Bianchi Axis but wasn't set on it. On the way home I decided to stop by Cal Coast Cycles down the street to see what Giant had to offer, and they they carry Masi bike also. Well, they had the Masi CX bike and I'll have to say it's beautiful BUT weighs a ton. It just so happened they had one Giant TCX in the shop and it happend to be a medium and happned to be a 2007 model left over. I'm not sure if Giant made more than one model in '07, but the one I got is pretty much the same as the '08 TCX 0 (the top CX bike in their line). The MSRP was $1200 and I got it for $899 due to it being an '07! The bike has 105 derailures (both) and Tiagra brifters, a carbon fork and seatpost, Fizik Seat and minimal spoke wheels. I swapped my new Conti Ultra Gators and M520 pedals over to it when I got home. The Element goes back to REI Monday. I was pretty impressed with Cal Coast Cycles, the guy took the extra time to fit me to the bike with my pedals and shoes before I left.

My TCX as it sat from the shop


And with the new tires


The bike and I are going to get aquainted tomorrow while I have a day off!
Chris

GP

Nice.

efficiency

Cool. I like the shops in the Midtown area (Mission Hills, Adams, and Cal Coast).

WhiteCarbonDude

Do yourself a favor and get professionally fit. Don't just go to the shop you bought it from and get a freebee, if they have a pro, pay the dough. You will have more power and reduce the chance of an injury.

Trust me, it's the best advise I ever got.

jsigone

good stuff!!!! So did REI just take back that other bike or what?

chimivee

Nice! Too bad your Novara was poorly assembled.

DaveSANYYZ

Wow, that was quick! Congrats on your new bike!

efficiency

REI will take anything back, especially if you're a member.

§ Λ Μ

nice color

Psydotek

Sweet bike! I love my TCX (same year/size even just slightly different components) though i got mine used with 500 miles on it. I just have mine set up as a 30 lbs commuter right now...

Right after assembly out of the box:


Older pic from last summer in commuter mode:


I need to get a newer pic since i've added afew things since then...

threeflys

We'll find out Monday (I'll be at a retreat this weekend), but they had no issues taking my Randonee back after 3 months (it was just too big).

threeflys

Just curious, what did it weigh when you first got it? I haven't been able to find any weights on it online. It feels about the same as my Element which is supposed to weigh about 25 lbs. I'm not too concerned with weight as I haven't been riding long enough to notice a few grams! I figure a couple of years of riding this an then move to a carbon bike and I'll really feel the difference. I think I might try and cross it a few time this fall though...
Chris

threeflys

Dave,
I just couldn't pass up that deal!

Psydotek

I'd guesstimate it weighs somehwere in the low 20s in stock form. I've got crazy heavy wheels/tires (Deep-V rims + gatorskins + mr. tuffy liners + thorn resistant tubes = not light) and a plethora of lights with requisite batteries.

threeflys

Well, my TCX and I got along well today. I did 11 miles with an average speed of 15.3 mph, I realize that doesn't sound like much but it's my highest avg so far! This bike rides SWEET, it hums right along in the big ring (50/34 in front)!
Chris

DaveSANYYZ

That sounds great. After almost 2 years of cycling, I only recently got my avg speed up to 15.x mph.

How does the TCX compare with the Novara?

threeflys

Dave,
The TCX feels a little better, the gearing much better! The Novara had a 48/38 in front and the TCX has a 50/34, the TCX seems to hum along a LOT better on the 50 and has that nice chain sound that I never heard on the Novara. The only question I have is when I'm in my small ring up front and the two hardest gears in the back, I can hear the chain rubbing, what I think is, the chainstay. Is this a normal thing or is it just a little tweak? I can solve it by going to the big ring and smaller cog, so I'm not too worried about it.
Chris

GP

Normal.

threeflys

That's kinda what I thought, thanks Grumpy Frank!
Chris

umd

Its normal if it is rubbing on the derailer... if it is rubbing on the chainstay, it is not normal!

threeflys

Thanks all, it is indeed rubbing on the front derailure.
Chris