Giant or Trek......?????

broady said:

I am upgrading from my first, very dodgy road bike I bought about 4 years ago and have narrowed my search to a Giant TCR Alliance 1 or a Trek 1500 (both 2007 models in Australia). They both have full Ultegra F/R Derailleurs, cranks and shifters. The giant frame is full carbon except an Alloy down tube and Trek is full Alloy with carbon forks. Giant is lighter and feels slightly more responsive but i will have a 2nd ride of the Trek tomorrow. Any suggestions or advice which way i should go.......Totally confused as both ride superbly compared to current bike.😕

Go with the one you like the best in terms of feel, ride quality, etc. Remember, if you don't like it, you probably won't ride it.

Bought a TCR Alliance 1 2 weeks ago and have been very impressed with it. Like you, decided to replace the trusty old road bike with something newer, more reliable and a bit more 'technologically advanced'. The new Alliance frame might be a little risky in terms of it not being around very long but as my LBS assured me, GIANT have a life time warranty on frames. And the performance has been very impressive - knocked a large slice of my normal commuting time to work last week. The carbon/aluminium blend frame is definately more comfortable than the all aluminium frame of the trusty old bike. One criticism is the rear cluster (11-23) is a little too 'fast' for me so will give it a few months and maybe upgrade to a 12-25 or 12-27.

Thanks Guys...finally decided on the Trek - although the Giant was a slightly 'softer' ride due to more carbon than the Trek but just had a reservation on the compact frame - maybe ill pick up a you beaut special on a frame set (in a couple of years) you sometimes see at the Tri races. Both very similar rides anyhow.

broady said:

Thanks Guys...finally decided on the Trek - although the Giant was a slightly 'softer' ride due to more carbon than the Trek but just had a reservation on the compact frame - maybe ill pick up a you beaut special on a frame set (in a couple of years) you sometimes see at the Tri races. Both very similar rides anyhow.

I think you made a good choice with the Trek 1500. Up until recently I was riding and racing on a 2005 model, which is essentially the same except for the paint work, and loved it to death. Over the last year I was averaging around 350-400km a week and it never gave me any problems.

It’s also a popular bike within the club, again with no complaints, but that can also be said for the Giants. I just don’t like compact frames as I find them to be a bit twitch and non responsive.

One thing I would point out though is that the Bontrager wheels that come on the mid to lower end Treks are rubbish. The hubs are poor and if you are over 70kg don’t be surprised if the rims start to crack around the spokes within 8 months. In fairness Trek are fairly responsive with their warranty claims and have honored all incidents that I am aware of.