riderlife

hey guys i want a new bike, iv been looking at a few and the 2012 Giant TCR advanced sl3 caught my eye. what i am really looking for is an aggressive geometry and stiff frame . another bike i really am sold on is scott foil 20 i was able to test it out for day also would like to know if anybody has personally put any miles on the tcr and what did you think of it thanks!

DRietz

Ridden 'em, built 'em, sold 'em.

In my opinion, the TCR is a great frameset for the cash. Having seen first hand the construction that goes into each one of those frames, I can say without a doubt that they're worth it.

Find one and ride it, though. That way you can compare to the Foil.

WarLordZ

A great bike company, and incredible warranty service should that be a factor.

ColinL

I would be tempted to get the TCR advanced 0 instead for ultegra di2.

Rob13

Giant warranty is top notch!

John_V 

All my bikes up to my latest purchase have been Giants. They are excellent bikes and, as mentioned, have a great warranty. I actually went to look at the TCR Composite and the Advanced 2 as my next bike. However, after seeing them, there didn't seem to be any love for the new design changes that they made to the frame. Looked a lot different and nicer on their web site and brochures. That big square down tube and thin flat top tube just did absolutely nothing for me. But, I'm not you and if you really like the Giant and it fits, I say go for it. I don't think you will be sorry.

alexaschwanden

I test rode a Giant tcr composite, it's quite a nice bike.

dleccord

how much are they're framesets? and how do they compare to the tarmac sl3's?

ColinL

The tcr adv sl frameset is $3200, so it is like a s-works tarmac. The adv frame is $1700 which is a hell of a deal, that's why above I was suggesting the tcr adv 0 above. I wouldn't be the tcr adv SL (or an sworks) unless you really have the money to burn.

carlosflanders

The advanced frameset (not SL) is definitely the best pricepoint. If you can get one. Try to negotiate price with the dealer. MSRP was $1500 in 2010, $1200 in 2011. They may have a lot of wiggle room.

The bike itself handles very well and rides rough gravel remarkably well. It does transmit quite a bit of road buzz though and the bb is too stiff for my liking - bit I'm a freak. Overall it's a fantastic bike for the money.

Don't care for the new design. Very ugly. See if you can pick up a 2011 model for a lot less $$$.

sk0tt

Not everyone has great experiences with giant, for all those saying giant has a great warranty, what experience do you have?

keepamonte

I have experience with Giant's crash replacement policy, not warranty. I cracked my 2010 TCR Advanced at Tulsa Tough in 2010. Cracked the top tube close to the seat tube. Had roughly 700 miles on it. I brought it into the LBS where I purchased it (and 3-4 other bikes). They called me on Monday to tell me the same frame would be $900 but due to trade embargo or something like that (slept since then) it could be months before a new frame came. I was pissed to say the least. I had business in Oklahoma City that day (I live near Tulsa) and asked a local Giant dealer if he would be willing to strip an existing TCR Advanced for a warranty since my shop wasn't interested. The Giant rep was actually in the store! He agreed and I had a new frame set up two days later. So a local LBS owner saved my day, not Giant! I love the bike but not sure I will buy another one. I also was disappointed that another shop went to bat for me and mine didn't, but that's another story.

Compsci523

You can't go wrong with Giant, my first road bike was a Defy 3 and I loved it. Amazing quality/parts for the money. Also tried out my friends TCR a couple of times, very stiff and fast. Although for 4200$+ tax you have A LOT of options. Maybe look for priced down 2011 models with Dura ace/Red and use the rest of the money for some nice wheels .

WhyFi

Ha ha - I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you're not a fan. FYI - the more you're perceived as having an ax to grind, the less good it does your cause.

carlosflanders

Very, very difficult to get a frameset from giant USA. They were rarely able to order them in big enough quantities, so giant mothership wouldn't fill the orders. Any framesets that do come in have been ordered 6 months in advance and are already spoken for. Don't expect any framesets to be instock. Best option is to try to get a built model stripped down. Also, try to find out who your local giant rep is. In general, they're very responsive and helpful if you want to contact them directly and will work with local dealer to figure something out.