Giant TCR vs. Kestrel Talon v. Trek OCLV - Page 2

I was at the LBS yesterday to size out a TCR Composite. I'm not crazy about the compact frame. I ride a ~57cm frame, and that seems to fit between the MED and LARGE Giant frames. Well, after measuring my old bike and looking at the frame geometries, we decided on a LARGE frameset. The fellow calls in to order the bike, and Giant is backordered until February '04. Boy, I was really bummed. I'm in Memphis, TN, which seems to be the anti-Mecca of nice road bikes. I'll have to buy a bike having never ridden it.

After I found the TCR Composite is backordered, I asked about Plan B. The fellow told me about the Talon, but again, I'd have to buy a bike sight unseen. Arghh!!!

Thanks a lot for the review, Rudy.

Bicycle Doctor in Indiana has the 04 Kestrel Talon for $1689 + $79 shipping in 105 components. Looks like a great buy.

jurgen

our shop in Georgia has the Giant in a large, im sure they would ship to Tenesse.

if you come to Atlanta, you may be able to test ride both bikes...albeit the Talon and Giant may not be in your size but you can get a feel for how it rides...www.all3sports.com carries the Talon and it's in North Atlanta...not too far from it is www.roswellbicycles.com which carries the Giant..last time I was there they have a large in stock.
Atlanta is not a bad drive from Tenn.

One more thing...remember that the Giant's sloped top tube may require you to have a longer seat post...which can look kinda ugle on how it's stick out so much.

interesting coments, I am awaiting delivery of a '04 tcr 0 w/ 10 speed dura-ace. this is a my personal treat for going from 235lbs.
to 185lbs. I figures I would upgrade my '99 marinoni with 105
once I lost some weight and won some local events.
I have heard nothing but good comments regarding the tcr and it is the same dimensions of the devinci silverstone I have been racing lately that this would be a good choice.

a commment for turbo6bar...I used to have a 60 cm frame...now I am riding a giant medium frame..big enough for me with a 12 cm stem. So I was wondering why you go for the large one...but maybe that is because you do not like big seatposts. Just my 2 cents thought

just ordered a Giant TCR composite last week, they will have one for me in january since it is winter no and I do not ride my bike, will be all Dura Ace 10 speed. Oh boy...wish now I think of it..wish it was january already

Man! what an old thread this is and I stumble upon it

I am looking at getting a Giant TCR Medium sized compact, but feel a bit stretched when reaching for the drops.

Do you think a shorter stem will work?
( I am not sure what length the stem comes in the originally, have to ask the lads at the LBS )

Possibly. a 120 comes standard on this bike. Get your bike shop to swap it out and take it for a ride. Fit is the most important thing.