Beginners advice on a 2011 TCR Alliance Ltd edition

[ulidia2012]

Hello all

Like many others i am returning to cycling after a long absence and would appreciate some advice, I am looking for a road bike to do a daily commute of 10 miles each way on a quite flat road with a few hills. I plan to go further at the weekends but the main focus will be commuting.

I have read through the excellent beginners thread and am set on a road bike, many years ago i used to ride a giant hybrid, but prefer the thought of drop bars.

I have been looking at the Giant Defy 3, Speciallized alley sport and a few in both Halfords and Decathalon. My budget was meant to be circa £500 but i have been offered a Giant TCR Alliance, on this link.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=82576

I have been into the shop and like the look of it but would appreciate advice from you experienced folks to let me know if its worth jumping to that price.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

[MrJamie]

That looks like a lot of bike for the moneys if its the right size for you

Have you checked if itll take mudguards and any luggage you might need to commute with?

Dont know enough about road bikes to advise you, nothing stands out as bad though - gear ratios might be a little on the high side for hills if youre unfit i guess.

Welcome btw

 

[Rob500]

Hi Ulidia. Welcome.
For me the thing that would drag me away from that bike is that it is a 'true' double chainset. Don't think I could cope with the small ring being a 39. It would have to be a compact or a triple for my weedy legs.

 

[ulidia2012]

Thanks for the responses, i will check the size in the shop and read up on chain sets and gear ratios.

 

[boydj]

That bike has a great spec for the price. But.... if you are planning on commuting in all weathers, then you really need a bike that can take mudguards and probably a rack as well. There's no better feeling than flying along on a lightweight road bike, but for commuting something a bit more robust (light tourer, audax bike) fits the bill better, and still be good for the week-end rides. There are road bikes that fit the bill better and bound to be some good deals as we come to the end of the model year.

On the gearing, a compact or triple chainset might be better depending on how hilly your area is.

 

[festival]

I am a little confused by your post.
Are you saying the "offer" for the Alliance is from Chain reaction @£750 ?
If so, how have you been into the shop to look at it? Unless your in N. Ireland.
As for the bike, it's a cracker. As said previously you will struggle to fit a rack and mudguards to what is a pure race bike.
Nothing wrong with having such a bike to commute on if it meets your needs, and at this price you could pay to have the c/set changed if you need a compact.
Its not a 2011 model for sure, the paint finish looks more like 2008/9. Funny how every other bike on their website has the year in the info. Look at the kit on the bike,that also suggests the given age is wrong, but that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Rob500]

I am a little confused by your post.
Are you saying the "offer" for the Alliance is from Chain reaction @£750 ?
If so, how have you been into the shop to look at it? Unless your in N. Ireland.

Got word of this offer myself as I'm sure many other CCers did via an email from CRC. I agree with what you are getting at: It's always worthwhile checking the thing out in the shop if you can rather than going by 'net' reports. I think that 'Ulidia' is an ancient term for Ulster so I'd guess that Ulidia2012 is in NI.

 

[ulidia2012]

Hello & thanks again for the further posts, yes I am just outside Belfast and have been in to Chain Reaction to look at the bike. I have done a lot of research and am learning as much as I can before I buy. I am now swaying towards the Giant Defy 2, as the Alliance didn't seem to sit as comfortably with me. Nothing technical in that its simply how it felt to me on an albeit brief ride. Thanks again.

 

[festival]

Giant really are the master

Got word of this offer myself as I'm sure many other CCers did via an email from CRC. I agree with what you are getting at: It's always worthwhile checking the thing out in the shop if you can rather than going by 'net' reports. I think that 'Ulidia' is an ancient term for Ulster so I'd guess that Ulidia2012 is in NI.

Cheers. Nice piece of deduction.

 

[defy-one]

Hello & thanks again for the further posts, yes I am just outside Belfast and have been in to Chain Reaction to look at the bike. I have done a lot of research and am learning as much as I can before I buy. I am now swaying towards the Giant Defy 2, as the Alliance didn't seem to sit as comfortably with me. Nothing technical in that its simply how it felt to me on an albeit brief ride. Thanks again.

The Defy 2 is a cracking bike,and a relaxed geometry. This will be better for commuting as it allowes you to look around in traffic and still get reasonably low on the drops when having some fun on the weekends