Trek 5900 vs Giant TCR Compoiste Compact Carbon frames

I can't comment on teh OCLV bike but they TCR Carbon is really nice.

Robet said:

Anybody have any input to which carbon frame they like better. Trek vs. Giant compact carbon frame?

The vibration tests on both frames show the vast difference between trek and Giant. Trek is much
stronger than Giant, but it is aslo much stiffer. I do not think any "Ordinary rider would break
either bike frame, however the tests on the giant would lead me to the trek, personally.

Hop

Trek is the hummer of carbon bikes, the giant could be described as the geo metro of carbon.

That's just pure bull snot .............

Trek is so over rated it is ridiculous ..........

"Robet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anybody have any input to which carbon frame they like better. Trek vs. Giant compact
carbon frame?

This really belongs in RBT, but - I got rid of a nearly-new medium TCR carbon because it shimmied on
descents, but aside from that issue it was sweet; super light, solid at the pedals and smooth over
the crud. And the shimmy won't be an issue for most I suspect. It was just a bike-rider mismatch, as
I'd had an Aluminum TCR that did the same thing, though not as bad. That steering geometry just
doesn't agree with me, no matter who makes the bike - even though it's very common. But couple that
with a bit of give in the top tube and it was shimmy-city for me. Got dropped on every descent, when
I'm usually the one doing the dropping (ex-motorbike racer).

The Treks are stiffer, particularly at the head tube. But probably the biggest difference for most
folks is the Giants have much more rear-biased weight distribution due to shorter chainstays and
longer front centers than the Treks. Makes the front end feel a lot lighter, which may be good or
bad, depending on what you like. As with any bike, don't buy either one unless you can ride it
first, and not just around a parking lot.

SB

Quoted message said:

Anybody have any input to which carbon frame they like better. Trek vs. Giant compact
carbon frame?

Ride each and see what you think. They're made very differently; the TREK is a continuing refinement
of a design first introduced back in 1992, providing Mayo doesn't come crashing down onto you, hold
up extremely well. TREKs are also very rigid in the front end which improves handling
characteristics over many light bikes out on the market. The warranty is also something to look at;
TREK offers lifetime to the original owner, while Giant is just five years. Most of us buying a bike
that expensive will be keeping it around longer than that. Not all of us; there are obviously those
who trade out their frames on a regular basis for fashion etc. But if you do stay with it, you'll be
well-served by what many feel is the best warranty system in the business.

Standard disclaimer- I make a living selling TREK bikes, OCLV carbons in particular, so assume
anything I write is strongly biased and it doesn't matter that I have a zillion miles on them.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

I own a 1999 5200 OCLV frame and recently bought the Giant TCR Composite carbon frame to replace it.
The main gripe I had against the 5200 was its sprint acceleration. It absorbed the initial pedal
energy and had a bad feel during acceleration. I loved the fact when I had it up to speed, I could
cruise 24 -25 no problem. It was its sprint acceleration I didn't like.

The Giant TCR composite is a rocket, plus I notice no flex there. It does have a longer top tube
length which I had to adjust for but other than that I think it rocks. I haven't experienced any
shimmy on downhill descents yet. I had it up to 37 mph on a descent and haven't experienced any
shimmy yet. I just bought the frame a week ago.

My personal opinion on Trek carbon frames is that they are over rated due to the great success of
superman Lance. In the Tour De France, I didn't notice any other team riding Treks but others riding
carbon frames like Look and Giants. I think that says alot.

One thing I do hate is when I see someone on a group ride with my bike, and there are a lot of Treks
out there.

So far the Giant seems to kick butt. It is very stiff.

Any other thoughts welcomed, Robert

"Robet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anybody have any input to which carbon frame they like better. Trek vs. Giant compact
carbon frame?

Quoted message said:

The vibration tests on both frames show the vast difference between trek

and Giant.

Quoted message said:

Trek is much stronger than Giant, but it is aslo much stiffer. I do not think any "Ordinary rider
would break either bike frame, however

the tests on the giant would lead me to the trek, personally.

Where were these tests done? Any links?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

Robet said:

My personal opinion on Trek carbon frames is that they are over rated due to the great success of
superman Lance. In the Tour De France, I didn't notice any other team riding Treks but others
riding carbon frames like Look and Giants. I think that says alot.

I'm not sure it says too much.

CSC rode Look in 2002, and dropped them for Cervelo in 2003. I don't think that proves anything,
except that bicycle manufacturers pay teams to ride their bikes. By the way, I was at Les Deux Alpes
in 2002, and the "team" bikes I saw were almost all different from one another.

There are very few bike makers who supply bikes to more than one team, aren't there? (Colnago,
Pinarello, anyone else?)

Trek, in particular, wouldn't need to have more than one team riding its bikes, since it has
supplied the winner's bike for the past 5 years.

I think it is interesting that several US bike makers have seen the value in sponsoring European
teams - Cannondale, Specialized, Trek, etc.

One other thing about Trek: I have a friend at work who bought an early Trek "semi-carbon" frame -
carbon tubes with aluminum lugs, as I recall. That frame failed on him, and Trek replaced it with an
OCLV frame. He told me last week that the newer (about 8 years old) frame had failed, and he was
waiting to hear whether Trek would repair or replace it. He may actually go a lifetime without ever
buying another frame! But I hope the failures are over, since I brought one last summer. We are both
riding 62cm frames.

Quoted message said:

From: "Mike Jacoubowsky" [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Standard disclaimer- I make a living selling TREK bikes, OCLV carbons in particular, so assume
anything I write is strongly biased and it doesn't matter that I have a zillion miles on them.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycleschainreactionbicyclesOpen ↗.

We had a great experience with Trek and their customer service through our LBS when we wrecked
one, totally our fault. Trek supplied a new upgraded frame at a prorated charge on their cost. We
got a rebuit bike with a new frame for under $500 and no hassles at all.
PS we have a great local shop, that definitely helps. Bill C

"Robet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Anybody have any input to which carbon frame they like better. Trek vs. Giant compact
carbon frame?

Well, they're both ugly. How's that for starters?

-RJ

Quoted message said:

The Giant TCR composite is a rocket, plus I notice no flex there. It does have a longer top tube
length which I had to adjust for but other than

that

Quoted message said:

I think it rocks. I haven't experienced any shimmy on downhill descents

yet.

Quoted message said:

I had it up to 37 mph on a descent and haven't experienced any shimmy yet.

I

Quoted message said:

just bought the frame a week ago.

Some may not like the very short chainstays on the Giant; they're quite aggressive at 40cm, vs
41.5cm for TREK. I think that explains why some may notice handling peculiarities; it also explains
why some feel that it sprints better, since you're sitting more over the rear wheel. Shifting is
generally better with a longer chainstay, as is comfort.

Quoted message said:

My personal opinion on Trek carbon frames is that they are over rated due

to

Quoted message said:

the great success of superman Lance. In the Tour De France, I didn't notice any other team riding
Treks but others riding carbon frames like Look and Giants. I think that says alot.

We sold huge numbers of OCLV carbon TREKs long before 1999 (when Lance won his first Tour de
France). Lance sometimes gets in the way of credibility for the bike, your statement being a prime
example of someone who writes off the frame as being "over rated" because of Lance. As for those
other teams riding other bikes, *NO* team in the TDF is buying their bikes; they're getting whatever
they can get paid the most to ride.

Also, when you take a trip to Europe and check out what the top-level pros are riding, it's almost
never a stock frameset. USPS is one of the few (if not the only) team riding absolutely 100% stock
frames, modified only by gluing on a couple of number tabs. I know the guys who send them their
bikes; they come right off the standard line. No custom geometries, no hand-selected builders, etc.
Sometimes a new frame will make its debut at the TDF (such as the Madone), but it will be the same
model you or I can buy in the store shortly thereafter.

Quoted message said:

One thing I do hate is when I see someone on a group ride with my bike,

and

Quoted message said:

there are a lot of Treks out there.

True, which is why TREK came out with the "Project One" program, so at least you can get a different
paint job than the next guy. Being so popular can be both a blessing and a curse (but every other
bike company would love to have the "problem" of being as popular as a TREK!).

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com

"Robet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I own a 1999 5200 OCLV frame and recently bought the Giant TCR Composite carbon frame to replace
it. The main gripe I had against the 5200 was its sprint acceleration. It absorbed the initial
pedal energy and had a bad feel during acceleration.

I

Quoted message said:

loved the fact when I had it up to speed, I could cruise 24 -25 no

problem.

Quoted message said:

It was its sprint acceleration I didn't like.

The Giant TCR composite is a rocket, plus I notice no flex there. It does have a longer top tube
length which I had to adjust for but other than

that

Quoted message said:

I think it rocks. I haven't experienced any shimmy on downhill descents

yet.

Quoted message said:

I had it up to 37 mph on a descent and haven't experienced any shimmy yet.

I

Quoted message said:

just bought the frame a week ago.

My personal opinion on Trek carbon frames is that they are over rated due

to

Quoted message said:

the great success of superman Lance. In the Tour De France, I didn't notice any other team riding
Treks but others riding carbon frames like Look and Giants. I think that says alot.

One thing I do hate is when I see someone on a group ride with my bike,

and

Quoted message said:

there are a lot of Treks out there.

So far the Giant seems to kick butt. It is very stiff.

Any other thoughts welcomed, Robert

"Robet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anybody have any input to which carbon frame they like better. Trek vs. Giant compact carbon
frame?

"Steve Blankenship" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Robet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anybody have any input to which carbon frame they like better.

Trek vs.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Giant compact carbon frame?

This really belongs in RBT, but - I got rid of a nearly-new medium TCR carbon because it
shimmied on

descents,

Quoted message said:

but aside from that issue it was sweet; super light, solid at the

pedals and

Quoted message said:

smooth over the crud. And the shimmy won't be an issue for most I

suspect.

Quoted message said:

It was just a bike-rider mismatch, as I'd had an Aluminum TCR that

did the

Quoted message said:

same thing, though not as bad. That steering geometry just doesn't

agree

Quoted message said:

with me, no matter who makes the bike - even though it's very

common. But

Quoted message said:

couple that with a bit of give in the top tube and it was

shimmy-city for

Quoted message said:

me. Got dropped on every descent, when I'm usually the one doing

the

Quoted message said:

dropping (ex-motorbike racer).

The Treks are stiffer, particularly at the head tube. But probably

the

Quoted message said:

biggest difference for most folks is the Giants have much more

rear-biased

Quoted message said:

weight distribution due to shorter chainstays and longer front

centers than

Quoted message said:

the Treks. Makes the front end feel a lot lighter, which may be

good or

Quoted message said:

bad, depending on what you like. As with any bike, don't buy either

one

Quoted message said:

unless you can ride it first, and not just around a parking lot.

I wouldn't buy a compact frame but that's me. I ride with some guys that have bought the TCR's and
they like them. They are smaller guys though. The bikes are awfully light and that bother's me when
I'm descending at 40 mph to think that the frame weighs about 2 lbs. and I weigh 200.

"Colin Campbell" <[email hidden]_remove_this> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Robet said:

My personal opinion on Trek carbon frames is that they are over

rated due to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the great success of superman Lance. In the Tour De France, I didn't notice any other team
riding Treks

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

others riding carbon frames like Look and Giants. I think that

says alot.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm not sure it says too much.

One other thing about Trek: I have a friend at work who bought an

early

Quoted message said:

Trek "semi-carbon" frame - carbon tubes with aluminum lugs, as I

recall.

Quoted message said:

That frame failed on him, and Trek replaced it with an OCLV frame.

He

Quoted message said:

told me last week that the newer (about 8 years old) frame had

failed,

Quoted message said:

and he was waiting to hear whether Trek would repair or replace it.

He

Quoted message said:

may actually go a lifetime without ever buying another frame! But I hope the failures are over,
since I brought one last summer. We are both riding 62cm frames.

The earliest OCLV frame would crack down around the front derailleur if I remember correctly. I
haven't seen one break in so long it's hard to remember.

Tom Kunich said:

The earliest OCLV frame would crack down around the front derailleur if I remember correctly. I
haven't seen one break in so long it's hard to remember.

I seem to recall the pre '98 versions used to have a propensity for cracking around the BB.

Colin Campbell said:

There are very few bike makers who supply bikes to more than one team, aren't there? (Colnago,
Pinarello, anyone else?)

Look

I'm sure everyone already knows, with Once gone, Giant had to get another team to sponsor, they got Telekom ......... and Telekom got Jan Ullrich back .........

Probably his last shots at reclaiming the Tour title in the next two years ......

It will be interesting to see if Trek goes out for any other teams after USPS bites the dust ........

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

.... USPS is one of the few (if not the only) team riding absolutely 100% stock frames, modified
only by gluing on a couple of number tabs. I know the guys who send them their bikes; they come
right off the standard line. No custom geometries, no hand-selected builders, etc. Sometimes a new
frame will make its debut at the TDF (such as the Madone), but it will be the same model you or I
can buy in the store shortly thereafter.

Does Trek's manufacturing process make custom geometries feasible?,
i.e. don't USPS ride stock frames because that's all Trek can cost-effectively build?

Anyhow, it looks like WalMart will be selling 5900's soon:

closedmold.comframe.htmOpen ↗

.. see slide 59

Jay Hill <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Colin Campbell said:

There are very few bike makers who supply bikes to more than one team, aren't there? (Colnago,
Pinarello, anyone else?)

Look

Decathlon corporate.decathlon.commarque decathlon cycle.aspOpen ↗

Funny deal there. It's a store roughly on par with a Gart Sports that happens to have their own line
of bikes. They start VERY low end and then have a couple "top level" bikes modeled after the pro
rides. Having seen the true team bikes at the tour, it's obvious how different the frames are.
Kursipu's bike is tiny but heavily re-inforced. Botcherov's bike is even smaller still and has some
odd geometry. I get the impression that Cyfac or somebody makes them custom and just paints over
(yeah...big surprise).

-a