frame dictates it.  the frames that we would buy to race on are EITHER disc frames or rim brake frames. some touring bikes have mounts for both, but you will not probably not find any serious racer in a race on a frame that is compatible with disc and rim brakes.  

the frames are differently design to handle different loads coming from different places.  the wheels (should be) different to handle different loads coming from different places

if you want rim brake, giant still has loads of bikes to offer. the tcr non-disc (race), the propel (aero race).

Good to hear all this feedback on the TCR from you guys!

Jim F., what size frame do you ride? I'll see what we have built up in case
you want to come take one for a spin.

__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-2453

*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 pm - 8 pm
*Weekends: *11 am - 6 pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*

Instagram

Facebook

http://www.vandesselcycles.com/product/motivus-maximus/

only bike i know of where you could switch between disc and rim brake, though you need to purchase a new fork.

SeanMiles said:

http://www.vandesselcycles.com/product/motivus-maximus/

only bike i know of where you could switch between disc and rim brake, though you need to purchase a new fork.

Will be looking for a 'one bike collection' sort of bike sometime this summer.

The new BMC Roadmachine is so sexy though ...Of course it's disk-only. 

Anyone know of a pseudo endurance / race bike, made by Giant??  

The defy is their endurance race frame https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes/on-road/endurance

Brendan Rigby said:

The defy is their endurance race frame https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes/on-road/endurance

Aside from the integrated seat post & higher-grade composite frame, do you think theres any other benefit to the SL 1 over the Pro 1 model? ie: more stiffness & im assuming less weight doesnt seem like its worth the extra $1k

I think you've basically described all the differences. At that point you just have to ride both and figure out whether the difference is worth it to you.  People say integrated seatpost can make resale harder.

I think Redbeard has a 2016 Defy 56cm in the shop if you want to ride it, but I could be wrong!

We have a medium Defy Adv SL in the shop in a M which translates to a 50 cm

We also have the TCR in S, M/L and L.

Test rides are the best place to start, and then we'll do a Q & A with you
until we zero in on the right bike for what you are looking to do! So,
Jim/John, swing by!


__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-2453

*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 pm - 8 pm
*Weekends: *11 am - 6 pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*

Instagram

Facebook

Kasia
thanks, think I am a small. I will stop in when most recent clothing order shows and pick your brain about them

sounds good!

__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-2453

*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 pm - 8 pm
*Weekends: *11 am - 6 pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*

Instagram

Facebook

Hey all - looking for some opinions here…

I am buying a bike for my better half. She hasn't owned one in years and is looking to start riding so that we can go to Rockaway & Coney via bike this summer, and the occasional long weekend ride. Of course my secret hope is that she'll fall in love with cycling and maybe even bikepacking.

If you were tasked with picking a bike for such a person, and wanted them to feel safe locking it on the street, what would you consider? I have my own thoughts on the matter but curious to hear from you all.

Used, aluminum, 105 or Rival. Will probably come in around 19 lbs. Get a chain lock by Abus or Kryptonite and pull the front wheel when locking for more than coffee. IMHO. Once she's hooked, you can get her on something for the connoisseur. 

Ben I have ideas for you, will write tomorrow!

__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-2453

*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 pm - 8 pm
*Weekends: *11 am - 6 pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*

Instagram

Facebook

Quick question about the TCR Advanced SL Disc. In the photos I have seen the front brake hose looks tip tied to the fork leg. Yet I read this was going to be revised to a more elegant solution. Did that happen.  I cannot tell from the Giant site. I like the way BMC, Cipollini and Merckx frames route the brake hose through the headtube and fork leg. It would be great if the Giant did something equally aesthetically pleasing.

ian ellis said:

Quick question about the TCR Advanced SL Disc. In the photos I have seen the front brake hose looks tip tied to the fork leg. Yet I read this was going to be revised to a more elegant solution. Did that happen.  I cannot tell from the Giant site. I like the way BMC, Cipollini and Merckx frames route the brake hose through the headtube and fork leg. It would be great if the Giant did something equally aesthetically pleasing.

from what I've read, this model year will not have the elegant routing feature.  Redbeard may know more.  whatever i read, can't remember where, said they couldn't keep the weight at what they wanted while incorporating the internal routing.  to me that means they couldn't get the manufacturing process to perform up to the right level within the manufacturing cycle, because i'm sure the fork can be made. cannondale supersix disc has internal routing, as does specialized, and they're both in that quality/price range.  if you hear otherwise let me know because i will probably hold off on getting a tcr disc until it has that routing...

edit: keep in mind this was also their first road disc brake fork w/ a thru-axle, so they likely worked on the thru-axle aspect of the fork too.  making it internal routing and through axle and road lightness is a lot of innovation for one model year

I do think they still do zip like ties, it does look pretty clean tho

https://youtu.be/gwFv8mjsbGc

Inelegance is a deal breaker. I may wait until next year if Giant is going to improve it or more likely look elsewhere for a disc road bike.

Gentlemen, I'll be seeing our Giant rep later today, I'll try to get you
some answers and post an update later here!

__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-2453

*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 pm - 8 pm
*Weekends: *11 am - 6 pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*

Instagram

Facebook

Hey Ben (and anyone else with a similar question),

Here's my tips based on my experience as a shop gal but also on my
experience being the other half who is looking to start riding (rewind to
circa 2003 when Redbeard got me my first adult bike!):


- First rule of thumb is, no surprises! You want her to love it, so
she's gotta be part of the choice.
- Bring her to the shop to try a few bikes. Three different ways you
could go (and there are probably more but I'm simplifying):
- Specialized Dolce Evo
- Specialized Vita Elite - flat bar but zippy!
- All-City Pony Express (comes with straight bars but we can put on
swept back or metropolitan bars) -- if she wants to go more casual
- Whichever bike she chooses, we will set her up on the bike so that she
is comfortable and in control.
- We can add rack, fenders, etc. as desired
- Lastly if color is important to her, don't downplay it!

For locking it - Abus Granit Plus 640 Mini U-Lock plus locking skewers
(Pitlocks) - the lock is pretty light so makes it less of a chore to use -
simultaneously very strong and our go-to rec for city riders.

A few questions I always ask are -

What kinds of bikes did she ride in the past?

What kind of riding does she want to do?

Any concerns or fears?

Hope this helps!! Come on a nice day for better test rides!!



-

BenFinoRadin commented on The New Bike Thread

Hey all - looking for some opinions here…

I am buying a bike for my better half. She hasn't owned one in years and is
looking to start riding so that we can go to Rockaway & Coney via bike this
summer, and the occasional long weekend ride. Of course my secret hope is
that she'll fall in love with cycling and maybe even bikepacking.

If you were tasked with picking a bike for such a person, and wanted them
to feel safe locking it on the street, what would you consider? I have my
own thoughts on the matter but curious to hear from you all.

__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-2453

*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 pm - 8 pm
*Weekends: *11 am - 6 pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*

Instagram

Facebook

So.... I bought a new bike about a month ago and then immediately got injured and didn't feel like posting.

But I should say that I bought a Giant TCR Advanced - I forget the # but it's the one with ultegra and 30mm-ish deep carbon wheels - the same one Eloy got. It's really great. Much thanks to Redbeard! I'll post a pic at some point but it won't be as nice as Eloy's photos

Any thoughts on the Advanced TCR Pro 1? 
Thinking of buying a new bike to replace my current cannondale evo superix w ultegra shimano which has been the source of too many issues recently.
I think RB has the Advanced TCR Pro 1 in stock and my size and I want to get back on the road quickly. any thoughts?

Greg - that's the one we are talking about above. Sean, Eloy, apparently Brian, and I all have em. Get one. 

Greg - I'm a fan so far. Coming from an 2008-ish cannondale caad8, I immediately noticed a smoother road feel, especially on the front end - absorbs bumps so much better, along with the stiffness increase that you would expect going from 8 year old aluminum to a new carbon bike. I haven't had the chance to do any serious sprinting or climbing yet so I can't comment on that but I expect it to feel way way better than my old bike

@Brian Miele and @jim_nelson thank you for the feedback. went back and read the previous posts as well. sounds like I need to get this bike. will swing by redbeard tomorrow and see what's good. thx so much.

So i bought the giant tcr advanced sl 1 (the one w dura ace). picked it up yesterday afternoon and rode 75 today. the bike is so dope. absolutely love it. picture of my bike and Ilya inspecting some random part

Greg - we all love Ilya - but do you have any pics of just the bike?

@Kasia Nikhamina here's one of just the bike
but for the record, I like the picture with Ilya in it a lot more
thanks again to you and Ilya!!!

Our pleasure!!

that bike is the hotness

I need that saddle for my CX rig. What is it?