Giant Bicycle Inc OCR 3

Advantages: Price, Components, Performance
Disadvantages: Lack of "street-cred"

...When I was little, I got a TCR racing set for Christmas. In those heady days, TCR stood for "Total Control Racing". Something like a Scalectrix, but without the slots, so the cars could change lanes. In July of this year, I bought a new bike, a road-racing bike from the Chinese manufacturer "Giant". It too is called TCR, but this time round I've no idea what it stands for. What I do know is that, for the money, it's a fine piece of machinery and over the next virtual page or two, I'll tell you exactly why. Spurred back on to my bike, after more than 10 years of neglect, by a declining level of fitness and an expanding waist-line, I started riding again at the beginning of this year. For the first 6 months I rode my mountain bike on the roads of Essex in an attempt to get fit. My fitness did improve, but every weekend I would... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: the ability to fold up
Disadvantages: not able to go offroad due to no suspension

...I really like the brompton l3 bicycle and how it has the capability to fold up into a smaller bicycle that is able to be carried around to wherever you need, and does not need to be locked up. The ride is very smooth along flat roads which do not have any obstacles, but once these begin to appear, like off road, or bad road surfaces, the ride becomes very horrible. The seat sort of digs into the leg area, and there is so much vibration. The other problem is that it does break at the hinge points around the bike, and so costs money to repair, and it takes time to repair. But it is a good road bike so I do recommend it to buyers as it is generally very good for road purposes.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very easy to fold and good to ride
Disadvantages: Not fantastic at off road

...I have a Brompton L3 that is now approx 3 ½ years old. I use it everyday to commute to work - I cycle to the station, fold it up and take on the train and then cycle the other end about 1 ½ miles to work. I love the bike and although it was expensive I think it has been good value for money considering how often I have used it. It folds up easily and quickly and so many people are amazed when they see it folding. I have found that it is so small when folded that I manage to keep it under my desk at work. I have bought one of the front panniers and it was a great decision. I can keep work papers (and my handbag) in it and when I take it off the bike to say go into a meeting, still looks relatively professional. I have found that the tyres puncture very easily unless you keep the tyres pumped up (you really need to check... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful