Buy a new entry level Giant or 2005 Giant TCR 2 for about the same price? I know very little about buying used bikes, what needs to be checked - I have the (ignorant) opinion that bikes/components are enduring if serviced fairly regularly. Advice welcome.
I woud buy second hand rather than a new entry level bike.
The second hand bike should still be in pretty good condition. I have the exact same frame (sold naked as a TCR 0), and apart from some minor corrosion of the rivet holding the rear brake cable mount under the top tube, it’s still in excellent condition. I ride mine pretty hard, raced on it for 5 years, and have been up every bloody mountain in taiwan. The frame will be no issue. First run TCR (previous year) had problems with the water bottle mounts, where they tended to pull through, but that was fixed for 2005.
NOw, as for parts: the 2005 TCR2 had Shimano 105 and Ultegra mix, if i recall correctly. You will need to replace the chain and the rear cassette at a minimum, and probably brake pads and cables to be safe. Also, pull the seat post, grease it with a lick of white grease, and replace. Pull the Bottom Bracket and re pack with white grease, check bearings for wear.
The wheels were also reasonable but not exceptional, some kind of Mavics i think. They’re adequate, but the most weight saving will come from replacing them with carbon wheels that are so cheap these days you’d be mad not to.
Good answer, thankyou Urodacus.
I’ll bite, what carbon wheels do you recommend as light and cheap then?
bdopcycling.com/Wheels-Clinchers.asp#J158
and others. Bob is a good source of excellent Taiwan made stuff, and located in Taichung.
edit: OK, they’re probably not what many would call cheap, but they are damn good for the price.
You could also perhaps pop into Colorful Cycles near “Democracy Square monument” at the end of RenAi, about opposite that Y17 youth center.
he often has weird ex-prototypes of various wheels hanging around, often at “knock-down” prices. I suspect some of them might actually be “knock-off” prices, or even “knocked off” prices, but they’re still wheels.
Thanks