Help - Specialized Allez Expert vs Giant TCR Comp 3
09-28-06, 08:50 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Help - Specialized Allez Expert vs Giant TCR Comp 3
This is a great story - three years ago I started a MBA program part time. So I would work full time, go to class two nights a week, study at nights/weekends and we've had two baby girls since I started. My wife hated school because I was gone half the time and studying the other half but at the same time she started to save money to buy me a graduation present. Originally it was going to be a Rolex but since I love biking so much and my old road bike is a piece of junk she is going to give me a new road bike. What an awesome woman!!!!
So I'm shopping the end of season sales and I've ridden two bikes I quite like, they are within $50 of each other in cost and both fit well although differently. The bikes are the Giant TCR Comp 3 and a 2005 Specialized Allez Expert. I commute to work about 20 miles each way (the easiest way to build mileage with two young daughters). I also want to do the local weekly crit series with a few time trials, road races and club rides mixed in. I really like the Ultegra components and Mavic wheelset on the Specialized. But I had wanted a Carbon bike and I like the TCR but the part spec is spotty because Giant has mixed 105 stuff mixed with lousy brakes and terrible wheels (from what I read here).
Can anyone comment on these bikes?
Would I be better to have an all carbon frame in the long run? I'm not really in to up grading components over time - may be the tires and wheel set but not whole grouppos.
Any insight you can add would be greatly appreciated.
So I'm shopping the end of season sales and I've ridden two bikes I quite like, they are within $50 of each other in cost and both fit well although differently. The bikes are the Giant TCR Comp 3 and a 2005 Specialized Allez Expert. I commute to work about 20 miles each way (the easiest way to build mileage with two young daughters). I also want to do the local weekly crit series with a few time trials, road races and club rides mixed in. I really like the Ultegra components and Mavic wheelset on the Specialized. But I had wanted a Carbon bike and I like the TCR but the part spec is spotty because Giant has mixed 105 stuff mixed with lousy brakes and terrible wheels (from what I read here).
Can anyone comment on these bikes?
Would I be better to have an all carbon frame in the long run? I'm not really in to up grading components over time - may be the tires and wheel set but not whole grouppos.
Any insight you can add would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by healeykit; 09-28-06 at 02:04 PM.
09-28-06, 08:56 AM
#2
.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times
in
11 Posts
i'd go for a watch - it'll last longer - and probably an omega at that (rolex's are great, but overpriced) but, what the hell... you want a bike 
so, imo i say go for the Giant.
btw - i'm not very objective, i have a tcr comp
so, imo i say go for the Giant.
btw - i'm not very objective, i have a tcr comp
09-28-06, 05:30 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Perth, Australia and sometimes Penang Malaysia
Posts: 1,916
Bikes: Litespeed L1r, Litespeed Ghisallo 07, TCR Advanced Team SL 0 ISP, Giant TCR Advanced SL, Giant TCR Advanced Team - T-Mobile, Giant Propel Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Are you condisering a 2007 TCR C3 or a 2006 TCR Composite 3 ?
+ 1 TCR Comp 3, I think the frame is great and shimano 105 10 speed is almost as good as Ultegra and Dura-ace according to the reviews, brakes aren't great but others have recommended changing the brake blocks. Its advisable to get the best fitting frame, components are more easily changed later.
+ 1 TCR Comp 3, I think the frame is great and shimano 105 10 speed is almost as good as Ultegra and Dura-ace according to the reviews, brakes aren't great but others have recommended changing the brake blocks. Its advisable to get the best fitting frame, components are more easily changed later.
Last edited by kleng; 09-28-06 at 05:39 PM.
09-28-06, 06:12 PM
#4
grilled cheesus
The Giant. You are getting a great carbon frame that should last a long time. Later.
__________________
09-28-06, 06:12 PM
#5
Elitist Jackass
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Georgia
Posts: 3,262
Bikes: Cannondale 2.8, Specialized S-works E5 road, GT Talera
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The Giant is a nice frame.
this is a funny thread, cause my buddy just bought a TCR 3 today, and I'm wearing a Seamaster Automatic.
this is a funny thread, cause my buddy just bought a TCR 3 today, and I'm wearing a Seamaster Automatic.
__________________
"You should already be aware that riding with people who steer with their elbows, stick food to the top tube of their frames and ride around in dick togs is not a great idea." -- Classic1
"You should already be aware that riding with people who steer with their elbows, stick food to the top tube of their frames and ride around in dick togs is not a great idea." -- Classic1
11-02-06, 01:36 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you for your feedback. I'm sure a watch would last longer but they're hard to ride anywhere.
I decided to go for the Giant. I got the shop to swap on a set of 105 brakes, a Selle Italia C2 Trans Am seat, Easton (velomax) Citcuit wheels and an 11-23 cogset. Now I have a bike that is light, with good parts all around and performs/feels great. When I jump on the pedals it springs forward - may be I can become a sprinter with this thing.
Huge thanks to the guys at Fresh Air Experience here in Ottawa. They were great to deal with and very helpful.
Have fun riding everybody - I know I will.
I decided to go for the Giant. I got the shop to swap on a set of 105 brakes, a Selle Italia C2 Trans Am seat, Easton (velomax) Citcuit wheels and an 11-23 cogset. Now I have a bike that is light, with good parts all around and performs/feels great. When I jump on the pedals it springs forward - may be I can become a sprinter with this thing.
Huge thanks to the guys at Fresh Air Experience here in Ottawa. They were great to deal with and very helpful.
Have fun riding everybody - I know I will.
