2005 Giant TCR Advanced frame... in 2017?

Dead Man · #1 11-15-2016, 06:24 PM

Hola caballeros

What do we think about building up a 2005 carbon frameset in 2017?

I've got a 2005 Giant TCR Advanced frameset collecting dust hanging in my garage. I got it from a bro for almost nothing, and the frame is almost new condition. It was obviously built up and ridden, but obviously not very much - Paint is almost perfect, no chain slap, no chips, super clean.

I'm a carbon frame noob - bought a carbon CX bike this season, but on 33mm tires at 35psi, that doesn't give me much more than my baseline '0' experience rating with carbon.

I read lots of opinions to the effect that carbon has "come a long way" since... some indefinite point in recent history.... but what does that mean? Would I build up this "old" frame and be like "well damn, this bike is a disappointment." Or would I build it up and ride it and be able to appreciate whatever it is about carbon that makes it so speshul?

Purpose would be to road race, but I'd make that call once it's built up and see how I like the ride. IIRC, I did put calipers to the stays and fork and determined there's probably room for 27mms.. but I gotta remember to double check that when I'm home. Have a full EDGE cockpit and probably a 9000 set I'd give it. Seems to me like it would be a sweet bike, and for almost nothing out of pocket

Thanks for your thoughts!

-B

rustychisel · #2 11-15-2016, 06:30 PM

Pretty sweet bike, I know a number of people who love them. Stiff, capable, robust, you'll lose nothing by having had it hanging up for some years. Carbon technology has advanced, for sure, but mostly in the area of layup and weight savings, so this frame might be 400g or so heavier than a current lightweight. Big deal.

FWIW some people felt the TCR was less than excellent in descending, mainly due to its short wheelbase and overall 'tight' design, IIRC, but that is only some people.

ColnagoFan · #3 11-15-2016, 06:45 PM

Rideable bike > Frame on the wall. Every time.

Build it! If you hate it no worries, take it back apart. In fact if you do, we should all donate some parts to build it up for some junior or something in your town...

Didn't we do that once or twice on here? I'm in for some parts.

Hilltopperny · #4 11-15-2016, 06:46 PM

Had one a few years ago. It was a fast, stiff and lightweight frame. Seems like it would make for a great race bike, but I also had a newer tcr 2012 and it was a much better bike. Also had a carbon Cannondale supersix and that was by far the best carbon bike I've ever owned

saab2000 · #5 11-15-2016, 06:52 PM

Build it and ride it.

I own two Look 585s of the same vintage and I love them and they're less advanced than this Giant.

I also own a 2012 or so Giant TCR Advanced SL and it's my go-to bike.

Yeah, they've probably come a long way since 2005 but that's still a great ride.

Luwabra · #6 11-15-2016, 07:04 PM

If your road racing your lucky if you never crash. I'd 100% give that frame some love. Ride it like you stole it.

LJohnny · #7 11-15-2016, 07:06 PM

It's a great ride. I had a 2006 TCR Advanced that was pretty much the same frameset, just different colors. Loved the ride!

I prefer that geo to the newer TCR that have a more upright arrangement. I think around 2008 they started to change for the worst (IMO)

ultraman6970 · #8 11-15-2016, 07:15 PM

Those giants are really hard to find now a days, I never had one but there must be a reason why nobody wants to sell them and are so hard to find.

There is a big chance those giants are one of the best carbon frames ever built, then marketing takes over and blah blah blah :P

weisan · #9 11-15-2016, 07:26 PM

Didn't Oscar Freire win the 2004 world championship on one of these?

beeatnik · #10 11-15-2016, 08:53 PM

Colnago C40 is the best CF bike ever manufactured. I had a 2002 which I'm starting to believe is a finer frame than a C59/60.

Lanternrouge · #11 11-15-2016, 10:07 PM

A bike that was a great bike in 2005 is still a great bike today even if there have been improvements since then. I still have a 2005 bike in my quiver and it is still a great bike. Build the frame, enjoy it, and don't over-think whether a later and "greater" frame would be more enjoyable to ride.

cadence90 · #12 11-15-2016, 11:44 PM

Love those Collie Dogs, but didn't the Giant TCR Advanced have a wide-spread, consensus, extremely positive reputation? Plus, it's very elegant looking. Build it, ride it!

After all...